Watching Lately: Movie Edition

While I seem to have a steady queue of TV shows to watch, and somehow become dedicated to, I watch far fewer movies. When I do find a movie I like though, it really sticks with me - so I thought I'd share some recently discovered gems:

'Safety Not Guaranteed' is inspired by the infamous 1997 Backwoods Home Magazine ad that read: 

"Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed."

It follows Darius (Aubrey Plaza - a nod to Daria?), a magazine intern who joins writer Jeff (Jake Johnson), and a fellow intern as they investigate the ad. While Jeff uses the story as an opportunity to connect with a childhood crush, which takes a different route than you'd expect, the bulk of the work falls to the interns. Darius impresses Kenneth (Mark Duplass), the ad's seemingly paranoid writer, and becomes his traveling companion in an attempt to get the story. Without going too much away, the fact that the movie is never actually defined as fantasy keeps it grounded. The characters are also relateable and charming, and it kept me interested until the end. 

'Love Me If You Dare' or 'Jeux d'enfants' details the unusual friendship of Sophie (Marion Cotillard) and Julien (Guillaume Canet). They bond at a young age in a time of chaos for both of them, starting a destructive game of dares. Whoever holds the small tin box has the power to dare the other. The task has to be completed before the box is returned. Over the years the dares escalate and we see how the game affects who they become, their relationships, and what they are capable of enjoying in life. While the characters could be called terrible people, I felt like their unpredictable moral compass was refreshing, particularly against a backdrop that melds fantasy and reality in the defining scenes (unintentional theme?). It kept things from veering too much into fairy tale territory. If anything, this one compares to the original versions of most fairy tales where people dance themselves to death or wind up arrested.

Have you watched any good movies lately?

Fall Style Inspiration: From The Movies

When it comes to covet worthy style, there are a select few film stills that fill up my desktop's 'Inspiration' folder. They may seem like odd choices movie wise, but the characters are so well styled that they have stuck with me and always seem to be in the back of my mind while editing my wardrobe and general style. With the exception of one or two Summer months when I go a bit Country Strong, my top favourites lend themselves well to Fall and Winter dressing, so I thought I'd share.

 

 Continue for exhibits A and B.

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We'll Take Manhattan

I really want to see this! Karen Gillan and Aneurin Barnard look like they make a good Shrimpton and Bailey, from what I know of the latter two anyways. The clothing looks like the best part, particularly the cream coloured coat in the fourth photo. I've been hunting for one like that for ages!

Photos from here.

Last night was last night, and that's all there was.

Millie Clinton, North By Northwest,1960's Harper's Bazaar, unknown Tumblr x 2, Felicity Jones in 'Like Crazy', unknown x 3, Chanel via Dear Creatures, Carrie Mulligan
 Happy holidays and New Year everyone!

It was all colors and heat

I haven't been into music, well mostly finding new music (I'm lazy) in a long while. But I really like this song by Alexander Ebert, and the rest of the album, "Alexander" seems pretty good so far too!

My favorite movie! I've always felt like Ray was my soul mate. It has a lot to do with his perfectly (and obliviously) inappropritate way of speaking, which I know doesn't say much about me. And the fact that I've been a bit (read: a lot) in love with Colin Farrell since watching him on Ballykissangel as a child (haha). Really though, there is so much to love about this movie! It manages to somehow be both the funniest and most thoughtful story simultaneously. Plus, you can't beat a fight between Mad Eye Moody and Voldemort in a fairy tale town, that really is exactly as its depicted. Two of my favorite scenes are here and here!

Some Lula magazine editorial illustrations for a commission. A work in progress.  It is dark, cold, and rainy today (a result of the Hurricane, maybe?) and starting to feel like Fall! I'm pretty excited for the excuse to watch more movies, bake things with pumpkin in them, and to wear tights every day again. I also like to think that I will be more productive when its less sunny and inviting outside, something that is a bit sad to say goodbye to. I hope Korea, and it's weather, are treating you well!

Just to little ol' me

Originally from here.

"You have the demeanor of a man whose partner has left him for an aerobics instructor"

By now I'm sure its fairly clear that I have strange taste in movies. Well, by some standards anyways. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that one of my favorites is Danny Boyle's (less praised) 1997 film "A Life Less Ordinary."

The movie stars Ewan McGregor as a janitor with dreams of writing a trash novel, who through a series of events orchestrated by angels, ends up unexpectedly kidnapping his rich boss's daughter (Cameron Diaz, in a fairly tolerable role) at gunpoint. The daughter essentially takes control of the situation, and they work together to extort as much money as possible from her father.
Its campy and wonderful, seeing Ewan McGregor wearing a great patterned shirt, mini musical numbers ('By the Sea!') and comforting 90's music (like this song and this one!) while the rest of the story falls into place.

There is just something that I've always loved about this movie. Its perfect for Sunday afternoons when you are half way between being awake and asleep, if that makes any sense.

Photos from here.

"I'm here because I was in the comic book."

I used to collect the "Josie and the Pussycats" comics, and watch the show all the time! I also have a great love for the 2001 movie and soundtrack, that only seems to grow stronger as I get older. Everyone is so quotable, and it doesn't help that I (not so) secretly covet their hair and wardrobe...