Ryan Reynolds might be known for, actually I have no idea what he is known for. Except dating Alanis Morissette, and now Scarlett Johansson, and being really cute. Really cute. He’s also out promoting a new romantic comedy, and is keen to share his romantic credentials.

Ryan said: “It was a few years ago, but I once flew all the way to London to have lunch with this girl I was dating.

“She lived in the UK and I was in the US obviously. We had just started dating and didn’t really get to see as much of each other as we would have like to because of the distance and work. So I just jumped on a plane to be with her.”

Despite his splashing out on the grand romantic gesture, Ryan refused to pick up the tab for lunch.

He added to Britain’s Heart radio station: “I had to leave the very same day so it was pretty romantic but expensive. I made her buy the sandwich though!”

Sydney Morning Herald

Aw, this is just like in the movies. Which makes me suspect that it might actually just be a clever ploy to get us thinking all lovely and romantic and in the mood to see his latest flick Definitely Maybe. Is this cynical of me? Should we just accept that Ryan Reynolds is an incurable romantic, good, kind and strong, and this is just the kind of thing he’d do? Or should we declare it a shrewd marketing ploy, like how Hollywood is forever creating fictional relationships that ours in reality can’t match?

Ryan indirectly explained how he became such a sensitive guy. He was the youngest of four brothers and empathized with his mother’s plight at dealing with a house full of testosterone:

It didn’t help that Reynolds grew up as the youngest in a family where his father and two of his three brothers are very tall policemen. Maybe they could help out if he ever gets into trouble?

“I doubt that. If I ever get into trouble I’m f—ed. Those guys will see to it. I think their dream is to arrest me. They’re my brothers - it’s their job to some degree to make my life hell. I would never give them that satisfaction.”

How did he live with all that testosterone and turn out to be such a sensitive guy? “I have no idea. I think it was having empathy for my mother, who was dealing with these five horrific ogres in our house all the time. Having that empathy for her has fostered a sensitivity in me.”

Sydney Morning Herald

Under that romantic exterior he’s got some testosterone in his system, and he probably picked up some of his brother’s naughty tricks. And like every good tough guy, he won’t stand a word against his mother.

Ryan must be doing something right. He’s going home at night to Scarlett Johansson.

Picture note by Celebitchy: Here are stills from Definitely, Maybe thanks to Allmoviephoto. Ryan’s costars Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz, Isla Fisher and Abigail Breslin are also shown. Definitely Maybe is out in US theaters on February 14. Here’s the trailer, it looks cute:

The stars were out at Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards at Avery Fischer Hall in NY City last night. Jennifer Garner was accompanied by her husband, Ben Affleck, to accept her award as “The Icon Next Door.”

Senator John Edward’s wife, Elizabeth Edwards, was named “The Role Model,” and her award was presented by her children, Cate, Emma Claire and Jack. Elizabeth Edwards is a breast cancer survivor and is currently fighting stage four breast cancer that has spread to a spot on her rib. She is being treated with anti-estrogen drugs.

Young Abigail Breslin was named “The American Girl,” and famed author Toni Morrison was given a lifetime achievement award titled “The Voice of Our Time.”

Garner has an interview with Glamour in which she talks about balancing motherhood with her career and admits that she is a “goody-goody,” but is not immune to an occasional diva moment. She also says that she doesn’t pose on the red carpet with her husband Ben because she tries to avoid the needless speculation that goes along with that:

GLAMOUR: Your press is impeccable. Your fans adore you. Do you have a dark side, or are you a goody-goody?

JENNIFER GARNER: You totally called me out. I am a bit of a goody-goody. Not that there aren’t times when I think, I was kind of an asshole today. I work in a world in which people are really catered to; someone will come up to me and say, “Is it OK if this person’s makeup is done before yours for the premiere?” Right now Ben’s in Africa studying malaria and visiting slums with a lack of potable water and maternity wards where many women have HIV. So would I really put my energy into worrying that I’m second to get my makeup done? When you think about the bigger picture, it’s hard to not have some perspective.

GLAMOUR: Have you managed to find that balance for yourself?

JG: I’m trying to, but it’s hard: I just had a year off where I put every spoonful of food into [Violet’s] mouth. Now I’m working and though I’m usually with her more hours than not, some days I just can’t be. That’s hard for me, and for the first time, my daughter. Luckily my husband is a true partner, and he picks up where I leave off.

GLAMOUR: Is being in Hollywood hard on a relationship?

JG: We’ve worked really hard not to be one of those couples who are constantly in the limelight. In the past we’ve both been the kind of people who go along with things—if you’re supposed to be photographed together, you don’t question it. But how does that help your relationship? So now we refuse to walk the red carpet together: It’s a way of not condoning the attention. Plus, it just feels silly to be in that situation with him: Ben was nominated for a Golden Globe [for 2006’s Hollywoodland]. I remember being photographed next to him and thinking, This is ridiculous. You’re not some actor; you’re my husband.

[From Glamour.com]

Garner also talked about the causes she’s involved with, which include Hurricane Katrina victims and the Children’s Defense Fund.

As for whether nearly two-year-old Violet will have a career in show business, Garner doesn’t rule it out but says that she won’t allow her to get her start in it as a child.

Like Julia Roberts, Garner says she wants to help Britney Spears, and that she “wanted to go backstage and mother her” after her performance at the VMAs.

Garner said she doesn’t wear her Alias costumes for husband Ben at home, because that stuff isn’t that important to him since he doesn’t seem to notice how she looks. She said his lack of attention to her appearance is annoying when she’s dolled up for an event, because she wants to get him to comment on it, but that it usually works in her favor because “most of the time I’m a schlep.”

As for whether she’ll have another child, Garner says she will but that she’s not pregnant or trying yet.

Garner’s hero is her sister, who is “a mom and an accountant for the state of West Virginia.” She says that her sister is “able to juggle a job, kids, volunteer work and church, and she still manages to cook dinner every night without feeling bogged down.” If she’s anything like Jen, she probably does it all with a smile while looking fabulous.

Other women honored at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards include Dr. Victoria Hale, Donna Karan, Lara Logan, Lorena Ochoa, Mariane Pearl, Nancy Pelosi, Shonda Rhimes, and Alice Waters. The non-celebrity woman who was honored was Laura Crandall, a 39 year-old woman who founded the Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Program after losing her 15 month-old daughter to unknown causes.

Thanks to PRPhotos for these pictures of the event. Attendees that were not yet mentioned and are pictured include Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany, Hugh Dancy and Claire Danes, Eric Dane, Portia Di Rossi, Taye Diggs, Iman, Rashida Jones, Fran Lebowitz, James Pickens, Brooke Shields, Diane Sawyer, and Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

Annie Leibovitz has shot another series of celebrity advertisements for the Disney Parks. Her last set of images drew praise for the creative way it brought Disney fantasy to life. Scarlet Johansson was Cinderella fleeing the ball in a flowing gown, David Beckham was Prince Phillip on his bucking steed, and Beyonce, Lyle Lovett and Oliver Pratt were Alice, the Mad Hatter and the The March Hare sitting on the famed teacups.

The latest photos are equally impressive. Rachel Weisz is a lovely Snow White in congress with the birds and animals, Julie Andrews and Abigail Breslin are fairies, and tennis great Roger Federer is King Arthur removing the sword from the stone.

My son hasn’t gone to Disney World yet, but if grandma has her way he will soon. It’s a fun, extremely well-crafted amusement park, but it’s still a pain in the ass dragging your kid around for an entire day, waiting in line, and walking everywhere. You can put celebrities in perfect costumes and add wind and props and it does evoke a feeling of other-worldliness and relaxation. These photos are beautiful, but if I want a fantasy experience I know I should be going to the spa, not to an amusement park with my family.

Here are the latest advertisements, which will run in US magazines in December. Rachel Weisz and Roger Federer are also shown on set. Thanks to The Daily Mail via ONTD for these photos.