Another weekend! What do you have planned for the next couple of days? I have a front row seat reserved on my couch to watch the Golden Globes, hosted again this year by Amy Poehler and Tina Fey (check out this fun promo here!). Matt and I have been pushing to see as many movies as we can so we're up to speed on all the nominees. Boyhood and Birdman are two of my faves this year! Wishing you a wonderful and relaxing weekend ahead. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from around the web:
A pretty printable calendar for 2015.
Will you watch this show?
I heart this pizza.
An awesome post-holiday how-to.
Cute ideas for photobooth pics.
Winter blush!
Reasons for red lipstick.
Hilarious!
This phone charger sounds amazing.
Love this bathroom refresh!
Thinking of Paris this week.
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Now that winter is here, I'm back in my video rental groove. Thanks to our local video store, I stumbled upon the sweetest animated film called Ernest & Celestine. If you haven't seen it, you should rent it now. It's about a mouse named Celestine and a bear named Ernest—unlikely friends until an accidental brush with the law where they have to rely on each other to get by. Beautifully animated in watercolor, this Belgian film is available in both French and English (voices for the English version include Forest Whitaker, Lauren Bacall, Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman). A total delight!
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Over the weekend, I popped by the Greenpointers Holiday Market (always worth it for the awesome, crafty finds!) and had the chance to catch an early screening of the trailer for a new documentary called Gasper & Son. It's about the dying art of neon sign making, told through the story of Gasper and his son Robbie, owners of Artistic Neon, based in Queens.
The trailer is under two minutes, but I was immediately captivated by neon sign making as a business. The hands-on art is something that can't be replaced by a machine, yet Artistic Neon is struggling as one of only a handful of neon sign makers left in the US. The doc is in post-production now and will hopefully be ready to watch in its entirety very soon.
Check out the trailer and let me know what you think!
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Have you heard about Jennifer Aniston's Oscar-worthy performance in the new film Cake? The film is about Claire Simmons, a woman dealing with chronic pain and grappling with the suicide of a young woman from her therapy group (played by Anna Kendrick). It originally premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, and supposedly, Jennifer knocks it out of the park.
Personally, I've always been a champion of Jennifer's acting skills. Yes, I loved her in Friends, but I was equally impressed by her work in films like The Good Girl and Friends with Money, too. I think she excels at deeper roles and I'm excited to see her do something different than anything she's ever done.
It's scheduled to hit theaters everywhere in December and January. What do you think? Will you watch it?
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After weeks of good intentions (about four to be exact), I finally made it to see St. Vincent, starring Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, and newcomer Jaeden Lieberher. Up until now, Boyhood was my favorite movie of the year, but this film is a close second, maybe even a tie. I loved it. Sure, the acting was terrific—I'm not sure many can outdo Bill Murray, who is still one of the greats—but the story is what got me. The script is beautifully written, funny, raw, and real. Since I don't want to give anything away, all I can say is go see it. Now. You'll want to savor every minute.
Click here to watch the trailer.
Oh! And, after you see it, let me know what you think! ;)
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When I was in California last week to see my sister, I had the chance to see the Hollywood Costume exhibit currently on display at the LACMA. Seriously, if you're in the LA area, go now. There are 150 movie costumes on display from so many favorite films: Pretty Woman, Indiana Jones, Mary Poppins and more. But as I wandered through the pitch black exhibit (very similar to a movie theater experience), my heart stopped when I discovered the banana yellow jacket from the film Dick Tracy.
I was deeply saddened to hear that Robin Williams passed away last week. Like so many, I grew up entertained and delighted by so many of his films. Three favorites stand out: Good Will Hunting (I walked past this bench en route to work every morning for three years), Hook (I saw this in the theater with my cousins in Maine—and spent the summer chanting "Ruf-i-ooooo!"), and Mrs. Doubtfire (I still remember the tears of laughter streaming down my grandmother's face when we watched this scene).
But—as Matt pointed out last week—I had never seen Dead Poets Society, which Matt claims is his ultimate role. We rented it last week to watch, in honor of Robin, and whenever I mentioned our plan to my friends and parents, they all replied, "Carpe diem! That film changed my life. You'll love it." I did. Similar to this movie, it's one I can't stop thinking about. It reminded me of the power of a very good film and the impact of a memorable character, like John Keating, who Robin plays.
It was nice to see a youthful Robin Williams in his first dramatic role on screen—and say goodbye.
What's your favorite Robin Williams film?
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I've mentioned before that Matt and I tend to trade off on the movies we see. This time, it was his pick, so we saw Guardians of the Galaxy. Marvel movies are hit or miss for me (unless of course they star Robert Downey Jr. Swoon.), but I loved this film. (I had an inkling I would like it after reading my friend Rachel's review.) Chris Pratt is an amazing superhero. The film is hilarious. I left feeling nostalgic for my mix tapes—and even downloaded the movie's soundtrack.
Seriously, it might be the summer's best blockbuster film. Have you seen it?
PS: Another summer flick I loved.
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Have you seen Boyhood? After a couple of attempts where I arrived to a sold-out show, I finally got to the theater 30 minutes early and snagged a seat. :) Ever since, I can't stop thinking about the film. In case you haven't read about it, check out this review and watch the trailer here. The story is remarkable. Basically, the film traces the journey of Mason from the age of 6 until he turns 18. Director Richard Linklater (the same guy behind the Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and After Midnight trilogy) got the cast together to film every summer for a few days in Texas over the span of 12 years. As the New York Times aptly explained: the realism is jolting.
It's amazing to have this time capsule film that allows you to watch a little boy grow up. Not only that, but the chance to see the impact that time has on the relationship you have with your family and the people you love the most. It's a beautiful reminder of how tumultuous our adolescent years can feel and how much credit we need to give to the varying moments and people that ultimately shape our lives. Hand's down, my favorite part of the movie was seeing Mason interact with Mason Sr. (played by Ethan Hawke).
Have you watched the film? What did you think?
Watch Ellar Coltrane (the film's star) on Jimmy Fallon here.
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Remember when I first mentioned Woody Allen's next film, starring Colin Firth and Emma Stone? It comes out in theaters this month! Even better, it now has a name—it's called Magic in the Moonlight—and looks so fun. It's about an Englishman (played by Firth) who hopes to uncover a possible swindler (played by Stone). It's set in the 1920s in the South of France—oh la la!
The clips I've watched make it look Great Gatsby-esque, at least in style. It comes out July 25th, so only a few more weeks to wait. :)
Will you see this film?
Watch the trailer here!
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Have you seen Chef starring Jon Favreau and Sofia Vergara? For aspiring—or seasoned—foodies, it's delicious (and inspiring) to watch. Favreau plays Chef Carl Casper, a one-time "best new chef" who loses his culinary creativity (and eventually, his job) while employed in a kitchen whose menu is dictated by a wealthy restaurateur. So, he has to start fresh. What better way than with a food truck?
My favorite description of the film comes from Favreau himself in this interview with Food & Wine. He says that the reason he wrote the film is less about a fascination with food or the restaurant business, and more about a way to tell a universal tale:
"It's about losing the part of yourself that launched you," he says in the interview. I think that's such an interesting aspect of the film, especially in a climate that's all about reinvention and channeling your inner entrepreneur.
Even cooler, Favreau employed the LA-based founder of the food truck movement, Roy Choi, to be his culinary advisor for the film. Choi's one stipulation? He'd only do the movie if it looked absolutely real. The mouthwatering food scenes in the film are proof: His work paid off.
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When I was in college, one of my closest friends was (and still is!) from Istanbul, Turkey. I remember having a conversation with her one night after watching When Harry Met Sally about how magical it is to see places like New York after seeing them on-screen from afar. She's right—and her perspective on New York is exactly how I feel about Paris. I love to savor old and new French films and just take in the scenery and stunning locations where they shoot.
So, to get in the mood for our trip, Matt and I decided to watch Midnight in Paris, and I whipped up (!) a few French dishes from "The French Market Cookbook" by Clotilde Dusoulier (like this recipe for avocado and radish mini-tartines, which is delicious). That movie is probably one of my favorite examples of how beautiful and captivating Paris can be. I especially love the film's opening sequence. As I watched, I made a mental list of all the places I want to see in two weeks!
Is there a film that makes you daydream about travel? Where does it take place?
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Have you seen The Graduate starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft? It was Matt's movie pick this past weekend, and since I'd never seen it, this was the film he wanted to watch. There are so many pop culture references to it, I felt like I would already know most of the plot! But I was pleasantly surprised. I really didn't know what was going to happen or have a guess about how things were going to work out. It reminds me of when I saw Psycho for the first time: I somehow managed to avoid finding out the ending! It's definitely a captivating story—and I love the Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack.
What's your favorite classic film?
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Have you seen Austenland? I am a huge Keri Russell fan, and actually intended to see this when it was in theaters last summer, but missed it. It's such a sweet film! In it, Keri plays Jane, a woman who dreams of living in the fictional worlds that author Jane Austen creates. When she finds a vacation package that allows her to literally play the part, she drops everything to go and fulfill her fantasy in real life.
The film is quirky and romantic—and quite funny, too. I highly recommend, especially if you're looking for something uplifting to beat the winter blues. :)
PS—More Keri Russell here and here.
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It's still a few weeks away, but tickets are sure to sell out fast: At the end of February, Film Forum is kicking off five full weeks of classic Alfred Hitchcock movies. I can't wait! My favorites are Rear Window and North by Northwest, but there are still several that I have yet to see (like Marnie and Dial M for Murder). The full schedule is available here. It seems so cool to see films like this on the big screen—and it definitely heightens the suspense. Plus, Film Forum serves up the best movie theater popcorn this city has to offer. Their secret ingredient? Sea salt!
PS—More movies at Film Forum here and here and here.
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On a rainy night in last week, Matt and I decided to rent The Godfather. Have you seen it? I was skeptical at first (full disclosure: I have a low threshold for watching even the tiniest bit of violence in films), but it was so good! I was mesmerized just watching so many acting greats: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Diane Keaton. And I couldn't take my eyes off James Caan. He reminded me of a young Ben Affleck, circa Good Will Hunting—so full of charm.
What are your thoughts? Is there a classic film like this that you're long overdue to watch?
More classic films here, here, here, and here.
Plus, a fun read: 40 things you didn't know about The Godfather.
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Are you a fan of French cinema? When I was in college, I took a course entirely devoted to the topic, and I loved it. Recently, I've been brushing up, courtesy of the Film Forum in New York and all the terrific films they play. As I mentioned, I finally saw Contempt, starring Brigitte Bardot, and directed by Jean-Luc Godard. Next up, I'm watching The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, this time starring Catherine Deneuve, and directed by Jacques Demy. Both movies are distinct—one a drama, one a musical—but both deliver loads of French charm, humor, and, of course, fashion. :)
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