I remember watching Center Stage the summer before sixth grade with all of my dance friends and seeing Zoe Saldana as the feisty Eva Rodriguez. Girl was fierce. I wanted to be her and will forever give her credit for my sassy-pants attitude. While she appeared in a ton of movies after Center Stage like Crossroads, Drumline, and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, her career didn’t blow up until 2009. Two massive blockbusters, Star Trek and Avatar, launched Zoe into super-stardom. She’s now every Comic Con go-ers dream, whether they’re fantasizing about the sexy space goddess Uhura or the phenomenally hot (and blue) Neytiri. Zoe has it going on. Her newest film, Colombiana, is in theaters now. You can see her kick ass as the gorgeous Cataleya, who becomes an assassin after her parents are murdered. She’s definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Recently we had the opportunity to discuss some hot topics with Zoe, and here’s what she said:

1. Who inspires you most?

My family, my mother and sisters have all inspired me. They have all been supportive and by my side through everything. I learn from them and they are my best friends.

2. If you could give yourself 5 years ago some advice, what would it be?

I would probably say even if things don’t always go your way, still believe in yourself and keep trying to move forward.

3. What did you think you would be doing now when you were 18?

I was a trained dancer for years but knew that I had this desire to continue performing and loved the creative outlet of acting. I always wanted to do something that I could express myself, challenge myself, and do something creative. Read More »

Hello I’m Sammie and I’m a nerd.

I may not have a love of Star Trek or Star Wars or Starbursts that includes costumes and fan fiction, but I am a nerd, nonetheless.  I am a pop culture and politics nerd.  My versions of insane celebrities are Glenn O’Brien and Jim Himes.  If I meet these people, I’m reduced to a shell-shocked super loser who can’t stop smiling like Jack Nicholson from “The Shining” while my blank mind tries to come up with something witty (it never does).  I recently saw Graydon Carter exit an elevator, and it took every sane bone in my body to not be Creepy McCreepstein and follow him to his destination.

I have a desperate love for all things politics and pop culture, with knowledge of things so obscure, even my closest friends have to reel me in sometimes (“GUYS this is just like in that episode of Four Kings when-”  “Sammie.  Shut up.  No one gets that reference.”).  But I will say this, I am proud of my nerdness.

Historically, nerds have always been given a bad rap (Urkel, Screech, Carlton from Fresh Prince, every Star Trek superfan on the planet, that creepy blogger kid from Glee), but recently, it has become the cool thing (the other Glee kids, Ugly Betty, Dwight Schrute, and Carlton…I love him).  Because, let’s face it, everyone’s got a little nerd in them. Even those “jocks” that were responsible for Glee-style dumpster flingings.  Have you ever seen one of them meet a sports idol or rattle off statistics of the Giants from their 1973 post-season?  Because I have, and I have to say, that “bro” crap melts away when they’re giving the same creepy look to the members of State Radio that you were giving that Lucky editor that one time you recognized her in the street.

What I’m saying here is there is no better time to be a nerd!  Embrace your inner geek!  The feeling of joy I get when I find something like the Sam Adams remix of “Heads Will Roll” is comparable to what I imagine seeing your child for the first time is like.  I love all things music, movies and sports, so why do I have to be ashamed of my geekiness?  Honestly, if everyone just embraced their little quirks that they think are so embarrassing, the world would be a much happier place.  Trust.

After all, being passionate about something (no matter how geeky) is way more fun and interesting than just sitting there trying to fit in.

So bring on the suspenders and the huge glasses (but in a non-ironic sense.  I’m a nerd, not a hipster), and live long and prosper, fellow nerds.

Week after week (after week after week…), CollegeCandy and our pal John bring you some of the weirdest, funniest, and saddest things he hears on his college campus. And we know he’s not the only one who hears this stuff. Join the Overheard revolution! Listen in on some weirdos’ conversations and share them in the comments or send ‘em over. You know there’s a lot of funny things to be heard on your campus, so get to it. We’ll throw them in a future post!

(Girl, on the phone.)

Girl: Lil Wayne was in my dream last night! Yeah. He had a farm. No, I mostly just made fun of his voice a lot. “Hey, girl, who knew we’d have so much in common?” And I was like “Lil Wayne, I had no idea!”

(Professor, heard from outside a chemistry lecture hall.)

Prof: Okay. Now, imagine you’re all molecules. Good. But I hate molecules! Uh-oh, really bad!

(Two girls, talking at a library study table.)

Girl 1: Were they at least cute?
Girl 2: The girl was a cute Latina woman, but the guy had a scum-stache. I had to turn up my Walkman to drown out the squelching noises. Read More »

Attention geeks, nerds, dorks, and fangirls of the world: prepare yourselves, because Comic-Con International kicks off  this Thursday, July 23! (Yes, I know it’s exciting. Grab a paper bag and breathe.)

For those not in the know, the San Diego Convention Center becomes a mecca every summer for fans of comics, science fiction, fantasy, and a lot of stuff in between. But even if you’re not a fan of any of those things (or a self-proclaimed geek like me!), Comic-Con has expanded over the years to encompass whatever’s hot in pop culture.

So if you’re going to be in SoCal from July 23-26 and can get yourself a pass, here are some reasons why you should check out Comic-Con (and if you can’t go this year, definitely mark your calendars for 2010):

1.   Check out upcoming films way before they’re released and hear from the filmmakers and cast.
The movie panels are a big hit each year, and 2009 isn’t going to be any different. Dozens of movies are going to be previewed at Comic-Con, but here’s just a sampling of what’s on the schedule next week: Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Avatar, Zombieland, 2012, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus (Heath Ledger’s last film), Astro Boy…and, of course, Twilight. Yes, the cast is going to be there. Including RPattz.

Cue fangirl screams.

2.    Sit in on discussions and upcoming season previews with the cast and crew of your favorite TV shows.
Get the scoop on TV’s most popular shows from the writers themselves (and the hott-with-a-double-“t” cast members!). Shows that will be represented include Smallville, True Blood, Heroes, Dollhouse, Family Guy, Chuck, Lost, 24, and Dexter. If I could just see Stephen Moyer, Milo Ventimiglia, Joss Whedon, and Kiefer Sutherland, I would be able to die a happy, happy woman.

3.   It’s not just about the shows, movies, and comics – there’s intellectual discussion to be found!
Comic-Con will be hosting several discussion panels with college professors, writers, and other experts on everything from parody in art to the anthropology of Star Trek. There are a number of panels relating to women in pop culture and comics specifically, so put your thinking caps on, ladies! Read More »

Moviegoers are in for one hell of a blockbuster season this summer. With all the sequels, prequels, and long-anticipated epics slated for release, there will be no shortage of box office smashes. But even more important is that these movies are a good source of your daily recommended leading man! Here are some of this summer’s hunkiest blockbuster hunks:

Hugh Jackman, X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Role: Logan, a.k.a. Wolverine
Why He’s Hot: Not only does he wear a tight-fitting wife beater throughout the film, accentuating his muscular physique and tough Wolverine persona, but he gets nekkid, too! Read More »

McDreamy on a bike. Deeeelish.

Chris Pine and Audrina Partridge: It’s official.

Penis bling? Awesome.

People caught masturbating. So funny.

Wanna kiss Robert Pattinson? Got $20,000?

RedTagCrazy - our newest shopping obsession.

Pretty sure she had some help with this dribble.

Are you wasting your time at the gym?

Nikon is racist.

Is Audrina Partridge boning the hottie from Star Trek?

Britney spends a lot of money. Like, a LOT.

Jazzhands!

Are women pushovers when it comes to sex?

When I saw the Star Trek preview several months ago, the first (and last) thing I thought to myself was, “Oh. No.” I sighed, irritated that Star Trek was back—hadn’t it ended years ago, and for a reason? I looked to my friends longingly for reassurance that this was a sad joke and certainly not something anyone would be paying $12.50 for. And I realized that I was alone in my sci-fi disgust.

Everyone else in the theater, including (who I thought were) my close friends, gasped, screamed, and even applauded. And not just for the hot lead actor. I could almost hear the nerds of the world rejoicing. I, on the other hand, sat there, quite uncomfortable, rolling my eyes obnoxiously at the “Trekkies” surrounding me.

Now, I have to admit, I have some nerdish tendencies myself. Obviously I enjoyed Twilight, and I get off on Harry Potter; I’m not completely against fantasy flicks. But when pointy ears and supernovas come into the mix, count me out. I mean, if Star Wars never suited my fancy, why would this?

On opening night, Stark Trek reeled in $75 mill. Ever since, the reviews have been raving, the movie goers have been talking, and I’ve been sitting here, sulking, wondering if there’s a (teeny, tiny, unbelievably unlikely) chance I’m actually missing out.

Should I suck it up and give planet Vulcan a shot? Should I try to let the new Captain Kirk rule my world? For now I think I’ll stay blissfully ignorant. Because I can’t help thinking…what if my greatest fear is realized? What if, (god help me), I actually like it?

So, Star Trek is cool now?

Spring fashion hits the high seas.

JT and Andy Samberg love moms.

The secrets of The Biggest Loser!

Have you been to a naked party?

Happy 24th, Audrina Partridge!

Put down the diet pills!

Michael Douglas wants to legalize Marijuana!

Want to accessorize like a star?

The future according to Star Trek.

Rihanna and Jay-Z bond over sushi.

Love after graduation, is it possible?