Now, at this stage in her career, Lindsay can truly sink or swim. Sure, she’s a staple in the gossip rags, but she isn’t commanding the salary and plum movie roles of her blond and blue-eyed counterparts. After a requisite stint in rehab and one box office bomb after another, you would think she would be keeping her love life (with a woman, no less) under some pretty heavy wraps. Nope. She is out with her “BFF” any and everywhere she pleases. She feels free to just be.

When asked about Lindsay’s latest fling, her publicity obsessed mom, Dina wholeheartedly endorses the “friendship” by making it seem like one big ole slumber party. “I’m friends with her mom. She’s raised some extremely talented kids. It’s a talented family.” Uh, thanks Dina. How about the fact that your kid is loving on a lady? Still sounds pretty don’t ask, don’t tell to me.

To their credit, the rag mags have actually treated the relationship like a “normal” one, even using the usual terms that every other young Hollywood couple gets. That’s progress, right? According to popular Village Voice columnist Michael Musto, this is a new sign of the times. “Traditionally, the media has been as interested in closeting celebrities as the celebrities themselves have been,” Musto said. “I’ve read things in gossip columns that would never go there in the past and realized, ‘Wow, they’re going there now.’ They don’t consider gay a dirty thing anymore. And it’s very cool.” Is it?

The whole thing got me to thinking…if she was black, would her new relationship be treated as such a, well, “cutsie thing?” I think not. Despite how open minded, liberal and “live and let live” people claim to be, I don’t believe for a second that a high-profile African American actor, singer or general personality could come out of the proverbial closet and be welcomed. Call me cynical, I just don’t think we are quite there yet.

It’s a shame. Black stars know that coming out of the closet could mean the death of their careers. It could be the end of lucrative endorsements and if they are “family friendly,” forget about re-signing the deal. And of course, the “strong black church” community would wash their hands of them.

So here’s Lindsay, former Disney darling, able to flaunt her relationship openly. I’m happy for her, but I wish that black love, in all of its forms, were as respected and accepted as blondie’s. Is this just another fun Hollywood fad? Or is true acceptance really right before our eyes?

Despite your personal, religious or otherwise divisive beliefs, I believe that everyone should feel free to be exactly who they are without fear of, well, anything. Prejudice in any form is destructive, and though Lindsay may not be my idea of a role model, at least she’s living her life as she sees fit. That is more than many of us can say, isn’t it?

I never thought I would hear myself say this, but YOU GO LINDSAY!

I’m going to go wash my mouth out now.

Ellene Miles has worked as an entertainment publicist for more than 6 years. Her collections of rants are featured exclusively on UTC for the good of the people.

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MOVIE BIASES:
Wasn’t sprung on the first one, but the action definitely looks better in this one.

MAJOR PLAYERS:
Ben Barnes (Stardust), Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent), Liam Neeson (Kinsey), and co-writer/director Andrew Adamson (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe).

Georgie’s back! Only the most discriminating, long-term REEL DEAL readers (Mom) will remember my REEL DEAL crush on the best thing from that pseudo-spectacular that printed money worldwide known as “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.” The adorable Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie. Thanks to the relentless Disney marketing machine and a ridiculous, nine-digit worldwide gross, she’s back, with reinforcements.

One year later in WWII England for the Pevensie kids is 1300 years for Narnia. Throne-hungry Miraz (Sergio Castellitto) chases off his nephew and heir to the throne Prince Caspian (Barnes), hell-bent on exterminating the few remaining forest-dwelling, animal-friendly Narnians. Blowing a magical horn that brings the Pevensies back to Narnia to help lead a revolt against Miraz, Caspian sets ou t to bring peace between the Narnians and his native Telmarines, in spite of his uncle’s best, warlike efforts.

This ain’t your baby cousin’s “Narnia.” So dark in tenor that Starbucks could slap a $5 price tag and serve it as coffee, “Narnia” ramps up the action, albeit of the kiddie, bloodless, basic stage combat variety (how Disney bought, er, received a PG rating is beyond me; just another example of America’s double-standard when it comes to violence versus sex, and corporate influence versus independent spirit).

Once again, the production values are pretty stalwart, from the award-winning costume design by Isis Mussenden (nice “Gladiator”-style armored battle masks) to the impressive, continuously ominous musical score by Harry Gregson-Williams (Narnia I). Andrew Adamson is in fine form here, orchestrating the proceedings for maximum action-mum. As with the first “Narnia,” the special effects are special, but not mind-blowing, aiding the fantasy world enough to service the story. Yet, it’s the staging of several action set pieces, including a George Lucas-worthy, multi-tiered, third act battle royale, which really differentiates itself from its family-friendly but watered-down predecessor. With Telmarines on the warpath, numerous swordfights, and chases a-plenty, Adamson’s “Narnia” is an entertaining refresher on just how much you can get done with a bow and arrow, a broadsword, and animals that can speak.

“You may find Narnia a more savage place than you remember.” And hairier. The bad guys, a.k.a. Telmarines, led by shady Miraz, sport sinister Fu Manchus, goatees, and all manner of dubious facial hair to broadcast their cruel intentions. Centaurs roam the woods ready to rumble. Eddie Izzard (TV’s “The Riches”) voices a feisty, sword-wielding mouse alongside Peter Dinklage’s unsentimental, cuttingly dry dwarf soldier. Barnes, with his dark, floppy, Abercrombie-ready hair and nobility-inducing cleft chin, is dutifully gallant, even while promoting a curiously Eurotrash, Eastern Bloc-ish accent.

Not missing a beat, the actors behind the Pevensie children all contribute in significant ways: archer Susan (Anna Popplewell), diplomat Edmund (Skandar Keynes), hopeful Lucy (Georgie!), and swordsman/high king Peter (William Moseley; his alpha dog tussle with Prince Caspian over group leadership dynamics is somewhat amusing).

Even in face of all this frivolity, I have a gripe. My biggest gripe with the first “Narnia” and less so, but still present in this one, is that for those unfamiliar with the world of the books, it seems as if the rules and physics of that world can arbitrarily shift to suit story purposes on a whim. There’s a lot of pining for Aslan the triumphant, talking lion warrior-king. Yet, I’m never exactly sure why he doesn’t appear or what it would take to bring him out besides the hopes and dreams of an (admittedly enchanting) little girl.

Speaking of Aslan, who’s obviously an allegoric placeholder for God, “Narnia’s” script gets a touch saggy in the middle in trying to serve all its masters, offering a stealth religious-based theme of when all else fails, it’s time for a little faith. Offsetting (or adding to?) such a simplistic, moralistic message is a nice little Spygate-Roger Clemens moment, where the temptation to cheat to get ahead is overwhelming to the underdog Pevensie revolutionaries.

More isn’t always good, but in this case more IS better. More action, more set design, more Georgie!

@@@ REELS

(THREE REELS)

It’s pretty hot, go give it a shot.

Like what you read? Agree/disagree with The Reel Deal? Think he’s talkin’ out his…HUSH YO’ MOUF! (I’m only talkin’ about The Reel Deal!) Email him at EJAce1@GMail.com!

Edwardo Jackson is the author of the novels EVER AFTER and NEVA HAFTA, (Villard/Random House), a writer for The 213 Magazine, and an LA-based screenwriter. Visit his website at www.edwardojackson.com where his new novel I DO? is available NOW.

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Truly, what’s the big deal?

The whole scandal brought to mind the massive disparities between “white innocence” and “black innocence.” In this case, precious white chastity has been threatened. Excuse me while I crack up.

Don’t get me wrong. I know that Disney doesn’t play. I know the girl is 15. Since Disney began infiltrating young children’s hearts, minds and pocketbooks, they have had a strict wholesome family values policy. I get it. Hell, I even applaud it. Cyrus’s “Hannah Montana” franchise has made millions for Disney, and they will do whatever is legally possible to thwart any threat to their golden child.

It’s just that … first of all, I don’t know many 15 year olds who read “Vanity Fair.” The Cyrus camp (both parents were present at the photo shoot) was obviously going for a different constituency than the kids who worship at her altar. This chick shows a shoulder and everyone speculates it’s the end of her career?

I just wonder … would the same outrage rain down if, say, Raven Symone did a similar photo spread? Not grown ass, voluptuous, damn-I-can’t-believe-she’s-all grown-up Raven. I’m talking about six, seven years ago when “That’s So Raven” was new and finding its audience. Would her “innocence” be at issue? Or would it be just another black girl showing some skin?

Before you say that Cyrus and Symone are not in the same league, think again. Since her association with Disney began, Raven has been a major part of keeping them in the black. She’s quietly amassed a damn-near Jay-Z-esque fortune! The girl makes loot and good ole Disney sho nuff gets their cut.

For me, it became clear that white media didn’t give a damn about young black girls when the infamous R. Kelly sex tape surfaced a few years back. It took them MONTHS to even mention the story. Black radio and online outlets were literally buzzing about the issue from the moment it came to light that the girl in the video was underage.

Some of Kelly’s hometown Chicago radio stations even (temporarily) banned his music. Ed Gordon (the black Tom Brokaw), who has interviewed presidents and queens, nabbed the “exclusive” interview with the R. No one but colored folks cared. It was just this little thing happening in “the R&B world.” Nevermind that R. Kelly is one of the biggest selling acts out there. A-list for black folks, C-list for white folks.

Fascinating. But, just as a missing black woman gets no coverage, little black girls losing their innocence barely registers on the “Today Show” scale of screen time worthiness.

As for Ms. Miley, I ain’t mad at her. These tween girls have seen more flesh before 9AM than most of us see all day. Though I appreciate the concerns, their parents know it too. This won’t start a rash of teen pregnancy or unprotected sex. If your child is going to do it, these mild pics sure aren’t going to push them into a life of degradation. They know she has a shoulder and don’t give a damn if she bares it.

In fact, if she doesn’t want to end up a one hit wonder like her dad, she better start fostering a new audience. She ain’t gonna be a teen idol forever.

Ellene Miles has worked as an entertainment publicist for more than 6 years. Her collections of rants are featured exclusively on UTC for the good of the people.

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