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Did Alice Eve really need to strip down in 'Star Trek Into Darkness'? (Photo: Paramount/Getty)Women of America – particularly female "Star Trek" fans – Damon Lindelof has something to say to you: There was no practical reason for Alice Eve to appear in her lingerie, and he's sorry for that.

Monday night, Damon Lindelof, who is co-producer and co-screenwriter of "Star Trek: Into Darkness," took to his Twitter account to address the controversy that had been buzzing among a group of online commentators: Why does Alice Eve's character, gifted scientist Dr. Carol Marcus, strip down to her very special-occasion-looking bra and undies on camera before changing into a special armored space suit? The scene seemed designed to give fanboys in the audience a charge, and it did little to advance the plot.

Li Bingbing. Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Paramount Pictures announced yet another buzzworthy addition to its “Transformers 4” cast today, Chinese actress Li Bingbing.

Cinephiles might recognize Bingbing from her previous work in films like “Resident Evil: Retribution,” “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” and alongside Jet Li and Jackie Chan in 2008’s “Forbidden Kingdom.”

There are no details yet as to what kind of character Bingbing has signed on to play, but given her experience in and popularity for her action-oriented films and television shows in China, it is fairly safe to assume that she will not be playing a helpless damsel in distress. Perhaps she’ll be more edgy femme fatale or a possible villainess in cahoots with the previously-announced human baddie played by Kelsey Grammer?

Bingbing joins Grammer, Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Jack Reynor, Nicola Peltz and Sophia Myles in the upcoming film.

[Related: Roll Out! Kelsey Grammer Is the Human Bad Guy of ‘Transformers 4′]

“I am excited to have Li Bingbing join our cast

The USS Enterprise in trouble in 'Star Trek Into Darkness' (Photo: Paramount Pictures)(Spoiler warning: Major plot points are discussed below.)

Any resemblance between "Star Trek Into Darkness" and our post-9/11 world and wars — well, that's not exactly coincidental.

"I think it's fairly obvious it's a commentary," says TrekMovie editor-in-chief Anthony Pascale.

In the tradition of science fiction and especially "Star Trek," "Into Darkness" hinges on a plausible-to-our-ears plot about a terror bombing, hatched by the villain whose identity director J.J. Abrams did not want spoiled (hint: Khan is back, and Benedict Cumberbatch is playing him), that a war-mongering, Dick Cheney-channeling Starfleet leader, Peter Weller's Admiral Marcus, uses to orchestrate an unrelated conflict with the Klingons.

Seth MacFarlane on the Oscars stage Sunday night (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Seth MacFarlane was one of the most controversial Oscar hosts of recent memory, and he's decided, perhaps wisely, not to compete with himself on that score.

Monday afternoon, Seth MacFarlane posted a message on his Twitter account reading, "Traumatized critics exhale: I'm unable to do the Oscars again. Tried to make it work schedule-wise, but I need sleep."

Traumatized critics exhale: I'm unable to do the Oscars again. Tried to make it work schedule-wise, but I need sleep.However, I highly-->

— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) May 20, 2013

MacFarlane's statement follows widespread speculation that he might return to host the Academy Awards telecast in 2014, after his stint as host in February brought in solid ratings, with an impressive 34% uptick in male viewers from 18 to 34 over the 2012 telecast. While it's now clear MacFarlane will not be hosting, producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan (who oversaw this year's show) have been confirmed to return for the 2014 Oscars. In his next

Lawrence on 'Future Past' set, at Cannes last week & in 'First Class'. Photos courtesy of Twitter/Getty/20th Century Fox

Jennifer Lawrence has got the blues again, and she's enjoying it more this time around.

"X-Men: Days of Future Past" director Bryan Singer took to his Twitter account today to post a pic of Lawrence in costume and make up as Mystique, the sexy but villainous mutant from the Marvel Comics universe, giving us all a preview of how she'll appear in the next "X-Men" movie.

"First look: #JenniferLawrence as a vengeful #Mystique. #XMen #DaysOfFuturePast," Singer tweeted, tagging a picture of Lawrence looking patient but ready to put her powers to work, while a make-up artist puts the final touches on her head-to-toe blue skin and bright red hair.

[Related: James McAvoy Gets All #Serpico in 'X-Men: Days of Future Past']

Judging from Singer's picture, Lawrence doesn't look radically different than she did in 2011's "X-Men: First Class," where she first took on a younger version the role Rebecca Romijn played in 2000's "X-Men" and two subsequent sequels. Yet for Lawrence, things are radically

The cast of the 'Anchorman' sequel, all banged up! (Photo: Splash News)"Jesus. MacArthur. Jay-Z ... the great ones always return."

So says the narrator of the new teaser trailer for "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" as four familiar-looking silhouettes approach us, eventually being revealed as Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), Brick Tamland (Steve Carrell) and Champ Kind (David Koechner) ... and yes, their hair is perfect.

"We haven't seen you in a while, America -- you haven't changed a bit," says Burgundy, prompting other random greetings and fun facts from the members of his Action News team.

Watch Teaser Trailer 2 for 'Anchorman 2':

"I've got a new cologne -- it's called Venom," says Fantana. "It's pretty much one hundred per cent snake venom." No doubt you'll find this in Fantana's extensive cologne cabinet next to Sex Panther, the fragrance featured in the original "Anchorman"