You gotta watch this trailer for Babies

Several months ago, I saw a movie trailer in the theater for a film called Babies. I liked the trailer so much I came home and immediately began searching for more info about the film online. No luck. I finally managed to find the movie, under its original title Bébé(s) on IMDb. It's a French production set to open in the U.S. on May 7th.

Maybe I'm just an old softy, but this two minute preview really got to me, and apparantly I'm not alone.

The movie is a nearly wordless documentary about the first year in the life of four babies in four different cultures around the world. The trailer is simply hypnotic. There is something magical about watching babies doing even the simplest things, and I have a feeling we're all gonna be talking about this film in the weeks and months ahead. This USA Today story says:

Paul Dergarabedian, Hollywood.com box-office analyst, says Babies has all the signs of a sleeper hit in the making. "I am not a baby guy, but I was riveted by the trailer," he says. "It's difficult to impress and surprise people, but this is one of those times where you say, 'I got to see this movie.' "

Dallas police charge singer for nekkid music video

Singer Erykah Badu, a native of Dallas, has now been charged by police in the Texas city with disorderly conduct for undressing in front of tourists, including children, during a music video shoot last month in Dealey Plaza, where President Kennedy was assassinated.

Those unfamiliar with the lovely singer's work should know that she's a multiple Grammy winner sometimes called the Queen of Neo-Soul. In other words, she's no upstart, but an artist with serious ambitions, as well as critical and commercial success.

The video in question has been removed from YouTube, but you can still watch it (for now) on Badu's website. While there, you can also listen to the rest of her new album. Stream it by clicking on the album cover image on the home page.

Meanwhile, people still confused about exactly what Badu was trying to say with the video may get some answers Saturday night when she appears on the late night FOX talk show hosted by Wanda Sykes. In a Tweet to fans, the singer acknowledged that many have failed to understand what she was getting at:

I would never disrespect JFK. his revolutionary thinking is my inspiration. my performance art has been grossly misinterpreted by many.

Blanche ads draw prime time fire on MSNBC

Arkansas's senior Senator Blanche Lincoln played a leading role in tonight's Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC.

At issue: the seeming disconnect between Lincoln's ads running on black radio stations claiming she "stood with our president to pass healthcare reform" and an earlier TV spot in which she took credit for fighting against the public option healthcare plan.

The network's prime time liberal host, who has openly encouraged and supported Bill Halter's challenge to Lincoln, named our Democratic senator tonight's "Worst Person in the World!!!"

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Imus, Wallace react to Cokie Roberts comments

I wrote yesterday about Cokie Roberts' reaction to some locker room humor on the Don Imus radio program. (I'm shocked - shocked! - to learn that there is such low brow material on the Imus show.)

Today, Imus and his guest Chris Wallace of Fox News Sunday tried to explain their joke, and in the process managed to insult Cokie by calling her measured comments on the issue "hysterical."

Israeli lawmaker wants to cap the price of movie popcorn

You listening, Arkansas General Assembly?

This article about the proposed legislation says a large popcorn sells for about $5 at Israeli theaters. Sounds like a bargain compared to what I've seen around these parts.

The report in the Yediot Aharonot newspaper features a predictable response from those responsible for the high prices:

Yaacov Cohen, the owner of one of Israel's largest theatre complexes, said owners made virtually no profit from ticket sales and would be hard pressed to survive if food sales were limited.

"It would destroy the entire industry," he told Yediot.