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Battle Fatigue: Michael and I saw the much-praised "Flags of Our Fathers" on Saturday night. Anytime I hear how great a movie is invariably I end up being horribly disappointed. Sadly, this was no exception. The film isn't bad -- odd would be a better way to describe it. The New Yorker review nicely sums my feelings about the film -- mainly the fact that it's supposed to "set the record straight" on the famous photo from Iwo Jima (there were actually two), yet there isn't much hidden material to expose. The flag-raising that became an iconic image may have been a repeat performance, but it doesn't seem to have been staged for the camera, so what's the big deal? Part of the problem is that the three central characters -- played competently by Ryan Phillippe, Jesse "Swimfan" Bradford and Adam Beach (his character gives him the most to work with) -- are three somewhat typical young men in the military who, like most young men in the military, aren't really all that interesting to begin with. The other big problem, as the New Yorker says, is that the film lacks an emotional payoff. I cry during "Three's Company" reruns ("Chrissy misunderstood Jack and now they're friends again!!!!!"), but I didn't even tear-up once during this three-hour war drama (surely that says something about the film). Maybe my less-than-stellar review will allow you to enjoy the film on its merits rather than on the endless hype it's received. (New Yorker)

NJ Gay Delay: As we eagerly await the New Jersey Supreme Court's decision on whether the state will be the second in the nation to find that gay couples have the right to marry, many in the Garden State are speculating about the delay in the opinion. (NYT) / Keep track of the court's scheduled rulings here.

Hot for Kenny: The Tigers evened the World Series at 1-1 last night, with Kenny Rogers pitching eight stellar innings extended his string of consecutive scoreless innings this postseason to 23. Meanwhile, Michael informed me that he's developed a thing for this other Kenny: "He's pretty hot for when you're in the mood for a daddy." Indeed. (WP)

RIP: "Father Knows Best" mom Jane Wyatt is dead at 96. Her TV daughter Kitten may have wound up becoming a heroin-using prostitute, but she was still one hell of a TV mom. (WP)

Super-Charger: Are there any professional athletes who aren't on steroids? (AP)

Twins Again: That Melissa Etheridge must have some awfully big balls. (AP)

Hallmark Estate: A gay Colorado man's fight for his late partner's estate may continue, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled on Thursday. Randall Rex has argued that a typed letter in a birthday card given to him by his late partner qualifies as a will, according to The Associated Press. The court ruling revives Rex's claim to the estate of Ronald Wiltfong, who gave Rex the card in 2003 with a letter that said Rex should inherit his property if anything happened to him. It said Rex, their pets, and an aunt were his only family and that "everyone else is dead to me."
(Advocate)

How Embarrassing: Nicole Kidman was forced to cancel an engagement Sunday because her country rocker hubby of four months, Keith Urban, is a drunk. (TheAustralian)

Borderline Personality: That publicity whore dad in Malawi now says he thought Madonna was just borrowing his son. Please make it stop. (People)