Classic Woody Allen: Play it Again, Sam. Allen acting as a neurotic failure at dating in 1972 San Francisco. Hilarious slapstick comedy of errors with amazing 70s fashion.

View in Instagram

I had a chance to view Coraline in true 3D at the most lovely movie theater in New York The Ziegfeld. Coraline is far better and darker than most children’s films.  The visuals were completely inspiring and I can’t wait to see it again and again.

from the original book by Neil Gaiman

Coraline and her kitty venture down the rabbit hole.

The mouse circus performance was my favorite part.

This movie looks like it is going to be really good.

watch the trailer

 

Based on a true story, EVERLASTING MOMENTS follows the story of Maria (Maria Heiskanen), who is married to an alcoholic and womanizing dockworker (Mikael Persbrandt). Her husband leaves the worries of family responsibilities entirely to Maria. Her situation is desperate until she meets a camera shop owner (Jesper Christensen) who encourages her to start taking and developing photographs. She soon begins to see the world in new ways that threaten her already perilous situation.

Bettie Page, Queen of Pinups, Dies at 85

Our beautiful pinup queen has passed away.  Photographer Unknown.

I can’t wait to see this movie (watch the trailer).

© 2007 Prima Linea Productions / Pierre Di Sciullo 

© 2007 Prima Linea Productions / Charles Burns

© 2007 Prima Linea Productions / Richard McGuire 

Burn After Reading, the new Coen Brothers movie.

Choke, based on Chuck Palahniuk’s hilariously dark novel

This lovely black and white movie was much better than I expected it to be.  It was so exciting to see the first film made by one of my all time favorite photographers Anton Corbjin. Each shot was more gorgeous than the last and the acting was really impressive.  It was so true to life, at times I thought I was watching a documentary.  I can’t wait to see what Corbjin comes up with next.
www.corbijn.co.uk

I just watched the lovely Paris Je T’aime, 18 short films about the people of the marvelous city of Paris. Each film was delightful but the last one by Alexander Payne was the most heartwarming. Highly recommended.

The films were directed by the following:
Olivier Assayas
Frédéric Auburtin
Emmanuel Benbihy
Gurinder Chadha
Sylvain Chomet
Ethan & Joel Coen
Isabel Coixet
Wes Craven
Alfonso Cuarón
Gérard Depardieu
Christopher Doyle
Richard LaGravenese
Vincenzo Natali
Alexander Payne
Bruno Podalydès
Walter Salles
Oliver Schmitz
Nobuhiro Suwa
Daniela Thomas
Tom Tykwer
Gus Van Sant

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Directed by Andrew Dominik

I watched this gorgeous film yesterday and the best treat was the stunning cinematography. Each scene was crafted like a carefully composed luminous photograph. Many shots were all about the way sunlight fills a room, or the way dust travels through air. I loved the use of blurry lens vignettes, an very Victorian effect that I rarely see anywhere anymore (other than in the timeless photographs of Sally Mann). The story was kind of slow but this beautiful film is well worth watching. The cast was amazing too. Highly recommended.

Sally Mann, Untitled from “The Motherland Series”

I am not quite sure why The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) directed by Cecil B. DeMille with Betty Hutton, Cornel Wilde, Charlton Heston won the Oscar that year.  The film is way too long, over 3 hours, the plot gets a bit tiresome and the actors are better off doing acrobatic skits rather than trying to act.  However, this movie is filled with tons of gorgeous circus eye candy, amazing costumes, well trained animals, and an overall incredible use of over-saturated color.  It is even fun to watch even with the sound off. The Greatest Show on Earth reminded me of the days when my mom would take me to Madison Square Garden to see the circus when I was a kid.  We would have so much fun watching the circus together, and it filled my six year old mind with endless inspirations.

I have a hard time watching most musicals,
but here is a super cute song from
My Fair Lady (1964)
“Show Me”
Touch and my heart begins to crumble,
The heaven’s tumble, Darling, and I’m… Eliza Words!
Words! Words! I’m so sick of words!
I get words all day through;
First from him, now from you! Is that all you blighters can do?
Don’t talk of stars Burning above; If you’re in love,
Show me! Tell me no dreams
Filled with desire. If you’re on fire,
Show me! Here we are together in the middle of the night!
Don’t talk of spring! Just hold me tight!
Anyone who’s ever been in love’ll tell you that
This is no time for a chat! Haven’t your lips
Longed for my touch? Don’t say how much,
Show me! Show me! Don’t talk of love lasting through time.
Make me no undying vow. Show me now!
Sing me no song! Read me no rhyme!
Don’t waste my time, Show me!
Don’t talk of June, Don’t talk of fall!
Don’t talk at all! Show me!
Never do I ever want to hear another word.
There isn’t one I haven’t heard.
Here we are together in what ought to be a dream;
Day one more word and I’ll scream!
Haven’t your arms Hungered for mine?
Please don’t “expl’ine,” Show me! Show me!
Don’t wait until wrinkles and lines
Pop out all over my brow,
Show me now!

troubled young girls running away to find themselves…

02.25.08 | No Comments

Category: amazing women |film |Uncategorized

I recently watched two beautifully similar movies about young girls running away and traveling from home to escape from their problems. Both Morven Caller(2002) directed by Lynne Ramsay, and Somersault(2004) directed by Cate Shortland had luscious soundtracks full of sweet electronic melodies, gorgeous cinematography and excellent scripts.

Morven Callar contemplates her big problem in her kitchen…

Somersault (2004)

Heidi is lonely at the rave and everywhere else…

Oscars

02.25.08 | No Comments

Category: film |pop culture

I watched the Oscars last night with a room full of very loud ladies and two boys, and I realized that The Oscars are the Super Bowl for women (and gay men).  I was happy to see that the eternally handsome and amazing DDL won the best actor award for TWBB my favorite new movie by PTA.