WELL THAT IS PRETTY GODDAMN SNARKY: “[H]e looks like a dumpling in a wig.” What an awful thing to say about Russell Crowe, the Ted Kennedy of acting! [The New Yorker]

Did Rachel McAdams grow a terrorist neck-beard for her role as newspaper “gossipeuse” Ken Layne? These questions, and more: “Russell Crowe is in strong form as a star investigative reporter definitely of the old school, deftly handling the time-honored cliches of being poorly-dressed, ultra-messy, overweight, and driving a decidedly unstylish car. Rachel McAdams plays up the clash between the classic newspaper culture and the blogosphere as the Washington paper’s political gossipeuse a la Wonkette. Crowe nails her with some apt zingers about blogging stereotypes — all attitude and opinion, sensationalism and shallow facts — and they develop into a good team.” MORE »