A mental condition marked by persistent depression and ill-founded fears.
This might be a little late considering this movie came out quite a while ago, but I suppose it's better late than never. I went to Cinema du Parc the other day to go watch Melancholia by the controversial and wildly talented Lars Von Trier featuring Kirsten Dunst and was completely awestruck by the films impeccable beauty and dream-like aesthetic paired with an overwhelmingly powerful story-line. The scenery was outstanding, set in the Swedish country-side where the characters are isolated in a castle by the water. They have no contact with the outside world and are just waiting for the planet Melancholia to come closer to earth in hopes that it will pass by and not hit. It is a subtle Sci-Fi film that also touches upon depression, love, longing, reality, and family. There are no political influences in the film , which is unusual yet a relief because we are able to see the raw, true emotions and reactions to ultimately the end of the world. The differing dynamics of how the few characters deal with the end of the world are juxtaposed with one another giving the film depth. Many critics might say that the film is tedious and slow, but that is the point. The directors intentions were for the viewer to feel what the characters were feeling. The viewer had to wait for the planet Melancholia to approach just as Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and her sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) had to. There are so many themes I could discuss about in-depth such as the influence of art in the film, the use of money and wealth, character development, Justine's emotional movements in relation to the movements of Melancholia, how Justine's melancholic depression affected her relationships, and so on and so forth, but then this post will be ten pages long. I will therefore leave you with the opening scene of the film. I urge all of you, if you have not already, to go see Melancholia because you will leave the theatre in such a state that you will pinch yourself and question if that really just happened. Yes, it's that good.
I went to go see the movie Hugo in 3D by Martin Scorsese and was astounded by just how amazing it was. The story, the location, the cinematography, and especially the acting/cast were all perfect and complemented each other so well creating a magical Parisian winter wonderland. All of the acting in the movie was flawless, but Isabelle played by Chloë Grace Moretz stood out with her graceful and innocent curiosity and thirst for adventure. In the movie, which takes place in 1930's Paris, she is wearing a tweed oversized men's blazer, a striped sweater underneath, and a black beret over her short wavy hair. She is definitely someone to watch not only for her talent, but for her style that is so fresh and charming.
Again....excuse me for my blogging absence, I've basically had the week from hell with going back to school, working, AND doing my applications for my Masters (I'm applying to Parsons and Central St. Martins) and it's beyond stressful. Tomorrow is my only day off so I plan on blogging properly....but for now here is Lykke Li's new single that my friend just sent me! I think it's obvious at this point the love I have for Lykke Li since I've posted practically every song she's ever made.
Ps. I have no pictures of what I was wearing today, but I watched An Education last night again and I'm going through a MAJOR obsession with the 1960's English look...I sported a Topshop duffle coat, leggings, really thick black liquid eyeliner, and had my hair long and wavy. Carey Mulligan is my actual idol; here are some pictures form the movie:
Breaking News! Here are some pictures taken from Tom Ford's exclusive debut event showing his new womenswear Spring 2011 line. Terry Richardson was hired to take photos of the event and it was also being filmed into a short movie, which will be shown on Tom Ford's website in the next month. He also told media that he is in the middle of writing another big film, but this time he is abandoning the drama and moving towards comedy. A Single Man was completely breathtaking I cannot wait for this one to come out!
It is a crisp and sunny Sunday afternoon and I am stressed beyond belief with the amount of homework I have to do, including a research paper where I must describe how photography's subjects and meanings have evolved in the past 150 years by referencing three 20th century artists. I have chosen to focus on contemporary artists Chuck Close, Sally Mann and Jerry Spagnoli, who use early to mid 19th century mediums such as daguerreotype and collodion process but in a modern context. I am also currently reading Nightwood by Djuna Barnes for my Modern Fiction class and so far it is a very unusual, but nevertheless amazing novel. Well enough about the tedious, however interesting homework I am doing and let me share with you some little random things I am obsessing over this weekend:
1) Watched A Single Man again this weekend and now I'm really into the all-black, 1960's, cat look and so I purchased gorgeous black thick leggings and a thin cashmere/wool-blend long sleeved, chic black turtleneck. I also have been doing the thick, cat, liquid eyeliner look with nude eyeshadow. With this look comes a beautiful Burberry Four Pocket Wool Duffle Coat in Camel (which I plan on hopefully purchasing this winter). This look is so so simple, clean, classic yet contemporary, I love it *sigh*.
2) Loving this wool, hand knit dog sweater for my dog Charlie:
3) Hot Cocoa and Smokin' Hot by Essie:
4) The Sinatra Channel on Sirius Radio:
5) Mulberry Black Natural Leather Cosmetic Purse (but used as a wallet)
I don't use a wallet anymore for some reason; it started about 3-4 months ago and now I'm just obsessed with small pouches as my wallet. I keep change, bills, Rosebud Salve, my public transportation card and Student ID in there and then I have a metal security card holder for my important cards separately. Right now I am using a red worn out pouch my Aunt bought for me from Paris when I was probably 6 years old and so I think it is time I invest in a more grown up, good quality pouch...that is, a simple Mulberry pouch.
This movie was impeccably done filled with flawless Tom Ford style. I went to go see this movie over a week ago and I still cannot stop thinking about it. The story line, which was based on the 1964 novel A Single Man by Christoper Isherwood, was about a Professor named George (played by Colin Firth) grieving the loss of his long time partner (played by Matthew Goode) in 1960's California. It is esthetically one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen from the perfectly tailored suits to the Brigitte Bardot inspired hairstyles. Tom Ford definitely paid attention to detail which is standard to everything Tom Ford; the beautiful set, the granularity in the films texture, the amazing purple cigarettes, and the abundance of alcohol and drugs all contribute to making this film perfect. This was definitely one of the most handsome, graceful, smart, and beautiful films I have seen in a while and I recommend this film to anyone who appreciates Tom Ford style.
Might I just add that this was in my opinion Colin Firth's best performance ever.
So here is a list of my all time favourite fashionable movies!
1. The Devil Wears Prada (obviously): I am not even exaggerating when I say that I think I've seen this movie about 40 times. I know all of the lines, all of the outfits, and I can easily give you a detailed play-by-play of what happens in the movie. The BEST movie of alllll time!! It's so glamorous, exciting, and really gives you an inside scoop of what happens in the fashion industry!
2. The September Issue: The REAL Devil Wears Prada showing the fashion God Anna Wintour, the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, trying to make the the September issue deadline. It gives you the REAL inside scoop of one of the most powerful women in the world do her job at Vogue and her Creative Director Grace Coddington take the sympathetic spotlight as the background visionary of the magazine.
3. Funny Face: This movie is such a musical classic starring Audrey Hepburn transforming from a book-worm to a model by meeting a fashion photographer played by Fred Astaire and an Editor-in-Chief of a premier fashion magazine. The movie takes place in New York City, where she lives and works, but then shifts to the city of Paris where she pursues her modeling career and her relationship with the photographer.
4. Coco Avant Chanel: This is such an amazing movie that I left the theater with chills and I could not stop thinking about it for at least another week. The movie stars one of my favourite French actresses Audrey Tautou playing Gabrielle Coco Chanel before she became Chanel. It shows the tragic romance that she had with Arthur Capel and how she broke away from the fashion trends back in the 19th century by dressing herself in mens clothing. Most of the movie is about her life before Chanel, but towards the end it does give a little glimpse of her success and how she completely changed the fashion industry.
Bright Star is a film about the love affair between 19th century English poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne. It was a beautifully filmed movie taking place in the English country side, but my high expectations were not necessarily fulfilled. I am a fan of Keats work since I studied his poetry last semester in my 19th century British Literature class and I had been looking forward to seeing this film for quite some time. I found it to be a bit slow and unfortunately the connection between John and Fanny was not very believable in my eyes. It was not a bad movie per se, but definitely not as amazing as I thought it was going to be (honestly I think my expectations were too high). All in all it was a pleasant and eye appealing movie, but I would not go see it again.
