Sweet as Audrey

During Sunday's night red carpet coverage something on TV caught my eye, and it wasn't Lupita Nyong'o's stunning red carpet look. A chocolate commercial starring my cinematic hero: Audrey Hepburn. Being gone for more than 20 years you can imagine my shock watching Audrey working her magic along the Mediterranean coast line. Thanks to the powers of computer generated images, and two identical models who bear a strong resemblance to Ms. Hepburn, she can live again. Utterly charming, adorable, and has me yearning for a polka dot shirtdress, I have fallen in love with Audrey all over again.

The commercial:

Small Thoughts

I photographed these sweet sunshine yellow tulips outside my parents house yesterday.

Tonight I saw them again, and they were all closed up. Headed to bed early, like all sensible flowers. Seeing them all closed up reminded me of last scene of Adaptation. I swear I could compare everything in my life to something in the movies (I'm such a nerd)!

Just a little happy something for your Thursday.

Friday Flick Picks

Foreign, comedy, classic. I feel like there's a funny joke with those 3 words but I just can't put my finger on it...(please reply with your best attempts). Audrey Hepburn aside, because nothing compares to her Oscar winning masterpiece, I wasn't wowed by either movie this week. Rust and Bone left too many plot questions unanswered, and main characters didn't feel fully developed. This is 40 was just depressing to me. Moments of comedy seemed too far between all the Debbie downer moments between Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann's characters. New movies are over rated, stick with the classics apples! 

Have a wonderful weekend, Hoppy Easter, and enjoy some sunshine! 

Just try and turn it off...

Sometimes I like to have the TV on for company. You know, sometimes you're cleaning, cooking, surfing the internet, and you want a little background noise. And you want some thing on that's a little more exciting than the weather channel. So perhaps you scroll through your TV listings and stumble across a comfort film.

The definition of a comfort film: a movie that you don't necessarily like but when you start to watch it you can't turn it off until the credits roll. 

I have almost a dozen movies that are like that for me. I would argue that a few of them are actually good movies, (Shawshank, A Few Good Men, or You've Got Mail) but they're different than my die hard favorite movies. They're movies that I may own on DVD, but I get super excited when I see them on TV and then want to watch them until the end. 

I created this list on a great website called Letterboxd; a website for the film fanatic. A site that allows you to track all the movies you're watching. You can rate, review, log the date watched, share your lists with friends, and follow others to see what they're watching. Not only can you keep up with movies you've watched recently, but you can make fun lists like this one!

Chime in if any of my comfort movies are the same as yours! (and if you say you don't watch Overboard when it comes on TV I will call you a liar!) 

Fate's Gentle Push

As you can tell there is a theme to my movie watching this week: Pariee. The Eiffel tower, cobblestone streets, the historic architecture...I'm in love and I've never even stepped been. How I long to get swept up in their culture. I had a customer tell me this week, who was planning to a trip to Europe in a few weeks, that I needed to go. That now is the time. I feel like it's fate pushing me in the direction to go.

What about you little apples, what has fate been telling you to do lately?

Ferris Bueller Style

It's no secret that I have much love for the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I watched it on an outdoor screen this past summer, you know like one of those blow up screens, but tonight I am seeing it at my favorite movie house: The Kentucky Theatre. Besides totally in love with the Ferris Bueller persona, there's no arguing his fab sense of style either. If you wanna rock the FBDO look you're going to need three key items. The perfect motorcycle jacket; the more tones the better. A classic white tee; to compliment your vast vest collection. And if you're going to spend the day roaming the streets of Chicago than you need a sturdy pair of oxfords.

I am so pumped to be seeing this tonight, if you're in the Lexington area the show starts at 7:15pm!

links: tshirt, jacket, shoes

Friday Flick Picks

Anyone else feeling a little drained after the Oscars? Ok good, I'm not either! Slightly hard on myself for only getting 16 out 24 right on my ballot, but lucky for me I'll get another chance next February. Unfortunately, after the Oscars the movie world goes into a horrible dry spell. Bad movies are released weekly to fill our hearts until Summer blockbusters come out. So now is the perfect time to catch movies I never saw in the theatres, documentaries, and old classics. Don't worry apples we'll weather the bad movie storm together!

This week I was happy to get in four movies. I saw Amour on Saturday night, and really wished Emmanuelle Riva had won best actress. The movie is rip your heart out touching. It truly is a beautiful telling of love between two people. It's my pick of the week. The other movies I saw this week were just all right. I wouldn't highly recommend any of them to watch, unless you love you some B. That woman can dance, sing, and flip her hair, like crazy!

Friday Flick Picks

I had to get in one last Oscar nominated movie before Sunday, plus one more for good measure. I wasn't wow-ed by either one to tell you the truth. I should have trusted my instinct and saw Die Hard 5 instead. Silver Linings was ok, but a little all over the place for me. I wasn't blown away by JLaw's performance, to me, Chris Tucker gave the surprise great performance  Side Effects was no better. A total disappointment.  Steven Soderbergh and, my new favorite actress, Rooney Mara, and I still couldn't get behind it. A slow plot, with a bad pace, and plot twists that seemed obvious and confusing all at the same time (if that's possible). Save your pennies, and see something next week, or catch some of the Oscar winners after Sunday.

And speaking of which...Oscars are Sunday! If you can't tell, I am pumped! It's the Super Bowl to a movie nerd like myself. Research will be done, blogs and articles will be consulted, to ensure I have the most right answers on my ballot. I've seen 8 out of the 9 Best Picture nominated, and had good SAG and Golden Globe ballot answers, so I'm feeling pretty confident. Argo is winning best picture of 2012 you can bet on that, and in my favorite category, best animated short, Paperman will definitely get the win. Watch it here, and tell me your heart didn't melt.

Happy movie watching my little apples! 

Friday Flick Picks

Powerful tear jerker. The title sums it up, it seems impossible that a family of 5 separated by a tsunami can all survive and find one another. It's a beautiful story, but a little difficult to watch. When I think of natural disasters in movies they come off apparently fake. It usually fits into an "end of the world disaster" movie and you don't get to see in detail the effects of something like this. The Impossible really breaks it down, and even though nothing bloody or gory was happening I found that I couldn't watch it in places because it was so horrifyingly real. If you're at the bottom of your "must watch" list before the Oscars go and see this movie, but if you're on the fence I say wait to rent it. Naomi is great as usual, but nothing that's going to win her an award. But what a beautiful story about family. Happy weekend little apples! 

Flick Picks

With Globes behind us, and SAG and Oscar's looming I am making progress on the nomination list. Zero Dark Thirty got my heart racing this past weekend! This is a pretty recent story to go from headlines to silver screen. Usually when I watch a "based on a true story" movie I have little or no memory of the real event it's based on, but for this, I can remember what was happening in my life when I heard the news of Osama Bin Laden death. Jessica Chastain does a great job in this movie, but she doesn't play your typical heroine. Typically, a main character has a complication, a climax, and a resolution. Her character internalizes everything, that you don't get to experience this normal character arc. In a way it's brilliant, and in another way it's disappointing. Overall, it's an interesting movie and I don't think you'd be disappointed if you saw it.

I hope you guys didn't mind Flick Picks today, because I want to share some sneak peek photos from the new Anthropologie opening. So check back in tomorrow for some eye candy!

Friday Flick Picks

Right now we are in the midst of my favorite time of year: award season. Golden Globes, SAG awards, and the Oscars all have their ceremonies centered around my favorite thing: movies. With all the buzz around many best picture and actor nominations, it heightens my excitement about a lot of great movies in theatres. I'm doing my best to catch as many as I can, so I can make the most informed decision when it comes to filling out my ballot. But more on those types of things when we get closer to the big night. For now I'd like to share what I've been watching lately. I haven't done Flick Picks for a few weeks now, so I have a handful to share.

 

 

Three Oscar nominated movies, one documentary, and an indie movie I had been waiting to show up in Redbox. My favorite of these five, hands down, was Django Unchained. Charismatic, funny, suspenseful, well acted, directed, scored; an all around masterpiece. Loved it from start to finish. It's bit on the bloody side (but what Tarantino film isn't?) but so powerful and entertaining. Second to that I would have to say Lincoln. A bit of a surprise for me, because going into it I thought it would be dull and slow. Despite some mediocre performances by other actors in the film Daniel Day Lewis made the film remarkable. I was truly captivated every time he opened his mouth. He is going to win every award for this performance. And just because it needs to be said, Les Miserables was a total bust. Boring, filled with too many closeups, and not as emotional and powerful as musicals tend to be when telling a story. Just know that Anne Hathaway is great; you don't need to sit through a 3 hour movie, you're welcome.

 

All I can say is get out to the movies this month. It's cold and grey out so a movie is the perfect solution to a boring Saturday afternoon. There are too many great movies out to not see at least one.

 

On my movie radar: Zero Dark Thirty, The Impossible, Silver Lining's Playbook, and Beasts of the Southern Wild (it's in Redbox)

Top 10 Movies: 2012

When one year comes to an end I like to sit back and review what's really important. Movies, of course. Every year I like to make a list of all the movies I saw, whether in the theatre or a rental, and make my top 10 list. I feel like it was a slow year for me, I only saw 20 2012 released movies!Maybe I should rewrite my resolutions...

TOP 10 of 2012

Argo

Moonrise Kingdom

21 Jump Street

The Dark Knight Rises

Brave

Skyfall

Game Changer

Looper

Sleepwalk with Me

Lincoln 

A Non Traditional Christmas

You can list all the features on the Red Rider BB gun, the lyrics to White Christmas, every prank Kevin pulls, and why the twinkle lights aren't turning on at the Griswold house. Christmas movies: they're apart of the whole December holiday experience. At least for me anyways. Every year I look forward to when my favorite movies are aired on TV and I watch them like I've never seen them before.

But sometimes I like a little variety. And I'm sure you do too. I'm going to break down some lesser known, not often shown, holiday movie favorites of mine. Add them into your Christmas movie watching rotation and you won't be sorry.

Die Hard. Many people forget that this action packed classic takes place at Christmas. With all the blood, guns, and broken glass I can see how that fact could easily be forgotten. Bruce Willis thinks he's attending a typical Christmas party when lo and behold terrorists take over the building and he has to save everyone. Yippie ki yay Merry Christmas!

Unlikely Angel. Dolly Parton stars in this made for TV movie from the 90's. She was a country singer who unexpectedly dies, and is sent back to earth as an angel to perform one last good deed. She's sent to a recently widowed man, who obviously falls in love with Dolly, and she brings he and his kids together for Christmas. It's been a really long time since I've seen this one, but the memory is clear: Dolly and Christmas go together.

A Diva's Christmas Carol. I love VH1's take on the classic Dickens novel. Vanessa Williams plays Ebony Scrooge, a diva pop star, that has bulldozed everyone to get to the top of the industry. Kathy Griffin is one of the ghosts, if that tells you anything about how awesome this movie is, and the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is an episode of Behind the Music, The Ebony Scrooge story. It's hilarious! Sometimes, this gets aired on TV, so if you're lucky you can catch it.

A Muppets Christmas Carol. Most people remember A Muppet Family Christmas, but never this one. A total underdog in the Muppet movie repertoire. They never show it on TV either which totally baffles me too. They just released it on Bluray this year, so just do yourself a favor, buy it and it will quickly become your favorite too. Nobody plays a better Scrooge than Michael Caine and who could be a more charming and loveable Bob Cratchit than Kermit the Frog?

Early, Flick Picks

With a post turkey hangover I totally spaced on sharing my Friday flick picks with you guys last week. And, I was so excited to have seen multiple new movies that I had to break the rules a little and share them today. So before Friday (I saw a few over the weekend that I'll share at the end of this week too) I saw HBO's Game Change, rented Friends with Kids, and went to the theatres to see Wreck it Ralph. I have to say my favorite of these three was Game Change. Julianne Moore totally deserved her Emmy for this role. She was spot on Sarah Palin. It was so painful to see the "behind the scenes" breakdown of her train wreck of a campaign. Entertaining from start to finish, I seriously think about re-watching it even though I'm no fan of their politics, it was that good. Wreck it Ralph was of course cute and silly, maybe not the best Disney movie I ever saw, but for die hard fans you should give it a watch. Friends with Kids was all right for a Saturday night, but nothing to right home about. I love Jennifer Westfeldt, the director and writer, but I'd say give it a pass unless you're a fan of hers too.

Thanks for accepting my movie post so early in the week. I'll try to balance it out with some fashion and Christmas the rest of this week. Let the countdown to the big day officially begin!

Friday Flick Picks

Bond. James Bond. It was a 007 week for me; preparing myself for the newest installment of Bond movies: Skyfall. Up until last Friday night I had never seen any of James Bond movies staring Daniel Craig. I started with Casino Royale and was so caught up in Bond fever I went to the video rental store (yes, you read that right, not a Redbox, but a rental store. There is still one that exists around here) to search out Quantum Solace to watch the next night. Growing up I knew two Bonds: Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan. To me, both of them had the suave, debonair way about them. Drinking their martinis and pulling a gun out of their tuxedos. But Daniel Craig is so much more...what's the word...bad-ass about it all. He is rugged, egocentric, provoked, and can run like hell. I love the new twist he brings to this time honored character. He's interesting to watch, can act the hell out of the part, and looks pretty darn good in his wardrobe too. 

I'm off to Philadelphia for work starting today, so I'm not sure how soon I'll get to see Skyfall. But I was able to squeeze a movie in on my last work trip,  maybe I'll get lucky again. I'm sorry to be away for so much of this week, and now this coming week, but I'll get back in  my normal blogging ways soon. The holidays are coming, so there will be much to talk about. 

On my movie radar: Skyfall, and Wreck it Ralph

Friday Flick Picks

Go see this movie! I'm sorry, I had to get that out there first. Wonderfully suspenseful, intense, funny, great screen writing, and impeccably directed! Golden Globes and Oscars buzz will be around this movie. I've tried to not like Ben Affleck but I'll be darned, I am totally in his corner. He has some serious talent when it comes to writing (which he didn't do for this particular movie) and directing. Go see this movie, you'll learn something, you'll laugh, you'll love it, and then you'll wanna go home and watch The Town like I wanted to because you need more Ben in your life.

Next on my movie radar: Wreck it Ralph, and Seven Psychopaths

Friday Flick Picks

So I finally saw The Master, while working in Indianapolis no less. I saw it at my favorite movie theatre in the city: The Keystone Art Cinema. I wish I can say this movie was my favorite...but I can not. It's definitely interesting, makes you think, and beautifully shot and acted. I can see some Oscar buzz around Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix for their roles in the movie. They had such an amazing dynamic together. But the plot just didn't come together for me. I should have know being a Paul Thomas Anderson movie that it wouldn't be some straight forward idea or something under 2 hours! But I wanted to give it a try. I'm glad I saw it, and it did get me thinking and talking about it to many people, so in a way it was successful, but not a home run. Oh well, this is why I love movies. You never know til you see it.

Next (and still) on the movie radar: Argo

Friday Flick Picks

Making sure I see Bruce Willis movies always falls at the top of my "to-do" list. I love an action movie with a a substantial plot, but this one left me wanting a bit more. It was as interesting idea, but whenever you're dealing with time travel I feel like it creates more questions than answers. JGL is becoming a hot name in Hollywood, and I think he's doing a great job living up to his leading male role, but there wasn't enough to like about his character. Bruce, of course, (and I'm a little biased) brought his tough guy-dry humor action "A" game to this film but I wish he was given more dialogue and more to do. Not a great movie, but good. If you're a die hard (haha) Bruce fan get out and see this movie, or even just a good action flick, it won't disappoint.

Next on my movie radar: The Master (still!) and Argo

Friday Flick Picks

Sometimes you end up watching movies you don't really want to watch. I'm blaming HBO to Go for this one. When this movie came out last year I thought, "oh Tom Hanks, I love him, lets check out his movie." But then the little boy in the trailers started to annoy the crap out of me. So I never went to see it. But when you've got nothing to do some week nights; I caved. Sorta sweet but mostly annoying. If you like nervous, annoying kids, then this movie is for you. If you don't, stay strong and watch something else on HBO.

This weekend Looper is in my future (pun intended). I can't wait! Have a great October weekend little apples. xo

Friday Flick Picks

In my hiatus there was some movie watching taking place. Two great sleeper hits (pun intended) that were funny, entertaining, and that I would seriously recommend you check out. Bernie was like a combination of Waiting for Guffman and I Love You Phillip Morris. Unusually funny, interesting characters, and surprisingly great performances from Jack Black and Matthew McConaughey. If you like an off beat movie you will really enjoy this movie. Find it at Redbox. 

With a strong love towards This American Life I couldn't help but to support their first produced film Sleepwalk With Me! Mike Birbiglia, a regular contributor to TAL, elaborated on a story he once shared about his sleepwalking disorder. A deadpan comedy that any public radio fan could appreciate. Expanded to over 100 theatres now, so if Lex has it, more than likely your city will too. 

I'm super pumped about a ton of movies that are set to hit the theatres within the next couple weeks. Right now Looper and The Master are at the top of the list and I can't deny that I would love to see Nemo 3-D as well. Happy weekend everyone!