The September Edition: Netflix Edition

Vogue has been one of the most well-known and well-respected fashion magazines in the world for decades. Each year, the journal devotes a fall issue to the designers that the editors feel will be influential in the next year. The September 2007 issue of Vogue became the biggest issue in the magazine's history. So, needless to say, someone just had to make a movie on it.

The September Issue is a 2009 documentary drama that follows Anna Wintour and her team at Vogue as they race to publish the September 2007 issue.

The film chronicles the effort that goes into publishing the most lengthy, and popular, issue of the year. Not only does it follow editor and chief Anna Wintour, but also model turned artistic director Grace Coddington, the only person with the guts to stand up to the notoriously aggressive Wintour.

The viewer is able to follow Wintour as she visits the annual Fashion Week shows, accepts or dismisses the latest creations of the biggest names in fashion, works with the models, photographers, and writers who help bring her vision to the page, and labors with her staff to determine what the world's fashionistas will be wearing for the next 12 months.

Though it is fun for fashionistas to watch Andre Leon Talley exclaim "It's the famine of beauty! It's the famine of beauty! The famine of beauty, honey! My eyes are starving for beauty!" and Anna Wintour complain "She looks pregnant, we need to fix her," the film is narrowed down to a fascinating study of the tension between creativity and commerce.

Grace Coddington (Left) and Anna Wintour (Right)

Even if you're not interested in fashion, it's still a fascinating film to watch. If not for the hysterical one liners, than for the inside look at Coddington's role at Vogue, who seems to be the real brains behind the famous magazine.

Meryl Streep's character in The Devil Wears Prada is rumoured to be inspired by Wintour, and after seeing both films, it's not hard to see why. A cup of Starbucks in hand, the bob hairdo, the cutting remarks, the frenzy that ensues whenever her name is mentioned, and worse, when dazzled by her presence. Even the Vogue office seems quite similar to that depicted in the film. Even down to the many assistants scurrying about, busy executing Wintour's every command.

Even if you watch this movie for no other reason than to make fun of the dramatic and often times shallow world of fashion, I'm totally cool with that.

I mean, we are supposedly in the middle of a "famine of beauty."

You can view the trailer for The September Issue below:

Top Five

So here's the deal, this weekend is going to be totally crazy for me.  I'm having family coming to stay with me the entire weekend and, though it's going to be great to get to catch up a little, it's going to mean a few less blog posts for a bit.  I know, I'm disappointed to.  Just know that while I'm sitting out on the patio sipping lemonade and shoving food down my throat with my family, I will be thinking about all of the wonderful things I have planned for next week!

However, I don't want to leave you hanging for the rest of the weekend, so I've decided to do a little review for ya'll, just to catch you up on anything you missed!

So here we go, my five most popular blog posts so far:

1.) Nine Things You Probably Didn't Know About Singin' in the Rain

In honor of Singin' in the Rain's 60th anniversary, I compiled a list of nine things you probably didn't know about the iconic film.

Check it out!  You might learn something new, and I'm all for learning new things!

Click the link above and read away, my friend!





2.) Une Femme Est Une Femme: Netflix Edition

In order to save you from your Netflix rut, I've given you a quick review of one of the many fantastic films available on the site.

Une Femme Est Une Femme, directed by Jean-Luc Goddard, is a fantastic film, and I highly recommend that you check it out this weekend.













3.) Fifty Years of Stones: 5 of the Rolling Stones Most Controversial Moments

In honor of the 50th anniversary of their first show, I compiled a list of their five most controversial moments.

Click the link to read on, and celebrate the Stones!







4.) A Creative Whirlwind: Lenka Clayton

A short description of one of my favorite artists, Lenka Clayton!

Click the link above to read more, and I encourage you to do some research on your own. There's a lot I wasn't able to fit in the post!













5.) Woody at 100

This past week, legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie would have turned 100 years old.  In honor of his accomplishments, I put together a post detailing to high's and low's of the singers tragic life.

Click the link above to read more, and take a listen to some of his most well known songs!








Well, if I don't post something in the coming days, enjoy your weekend!  And as always, please follow by clicking the button to your right.  Also, please comment!  I would love your feedback!!

Bunny and the Bull: Netflix Edition

Now, first thing's first - if you've never seen The Mighty Boosh, go and watch it NOW. At least scroll down to the bottom of the post, and click the link to watch the first episode.  Don't even take the time to finish reading the rest of my post, just come back to it later. I'll wait...

Okay, now has everyone watched at least a few episodes of The Mighty Boosh? Good. Time to get back to the movie pick for this week.

The first feature film from writer and director Paul King, director the cult television series The Mighty Boosh (see the connection now,) Bunny and the Bull follows an emotional basket case as he thinks back on the friend who made him that way.

Stephen, played by Edward Hogg, is a neurotic young man suffering from agoraphobia. As he toys with the idea of going out for food, he recalls a vacation in Europe with his former best friend Bunny, played Simon Farnaby.

While Stephen is quiet and shy, Bunny is outgoing to a fault. He chases women, guzzles booze and is willing to bet on anything. After Stephen is dumped by his girlfriend, Bunny suggests a trip to Europe to cure his blues. Soon after, Bunny wins a bet and the two officially decide to take the trip. Things suddenly take a turn for the worst after Stephen develops a crush on Eloisa, played by Veronica Echegui, a waitress at a local fast food chain. However, much to Stephen's dismay, Bunny sweeps her off her feet before he can make a move. The situation becomes even more complicated after Eloisa takes the two on a trip to her hometown in Spain.

Now I don't want to spoil the rest of the movie for you, but don't you worry, you're guaranteed plenty of whimsical oddballs, including a Hungarian vagrant named Attila whose drink of choice is dog's milk, a suave yet down-to-earth bullfighter, and a dry museum tour guide. Though it is no surprise these roles are played by The Mighty Boosh's Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding, respectively, Bunny and the Bull is anything but Mighty Boosh: The Movie.

The production design is easily my favorite part of the film. The movie is played out against a semi-animated, endlessly inventive handcrafted backdrops. This includes an underpass made from newspaper, a fairground made from clock parts and a bull made out of cutlery, not to mention a wonderful credit sequence, which utilises everything in Stephen's flat from pocket calculators to postage stamps.

Though the film is, without a doubt, well made, I felt that its script was lacking. Especially compared to any episode of The Mighty Boosh. However, do not let that stop you from watching. It's a great film, and is the perfect example of the difference between British and American comedy.

You can view the trailer for the film below, and you can check out the first episode of The Mighty Boosh here.

Trainspotting: Netflix Edition

Netflix, though great for watching Dawson's Creek and catching up on Gossip Girl (both of which I have done,) is also home to a lot of wonderful movies that are often overlooked.

Until now, that is.

Here with yet another installment, I have come to rescue you from your Netflix rut.

Trainspotting is a 1996 British film directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours.) The film follows a group of heroin addicts in the 1980's living in an economically depressed part of Edinburgh, Scotland.

The film was ranked number 10 by the British Film Institute in its list of Top 100 British films of all time. In 2004 the film was voted the best Scottish film of all time in a general public poll.

Trainspotting is based on the novel of the same name by Irvine Welsh, and stars Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle and Kelly Macdonald.

Irvine Welsh once stated in a Q&A that the title is a reference to people thinking that the act of trainspotting makes no sense. Irvine says he feels the same about heroin addicts. To non-addicts the act seems pointless. However if you take heroin, it makes absolute sense.

Mark Renton, played by Ewan McGregor, is a young man with few prospects and ambitions. Like most of his friends, Renton is a heroin addict who loves the drug's blissful oblivion. Financing his habit also provides excitement that his life otherwise lacks. Renton's two best friends are Sick Boy, played by Jonny Lee Miller, a well dressed James Bond lover, and Spud, played by Ewan Bremner, a naive but lovable nerd. Renton and his pals also hang out with Begbie, played by Robert Carlyle, a borderline psychotic who loathes junkies though he drinks like a fish. After one too many brushes with the law, Renton kicks his heroin habit and moves to London, where he finds a job, a flat, and something close to sanity. However, Sick Boy, Begbie, and Spud all arrive at his doorstep one day, leading Renton back into a life of drugs and crime.

In order to prepare for the role, McGregor read numerous books on crack and heroin addiction. In fact, he was even taught how to cook up heroin with a spoon using glucose powder. McGregor even considered injecting heroin to better understand the character, but eventually decided against it. Probably a good idea in the long run. Director Danny Boyle had them all prepare for the film by making them watch other movies about rebellious youths, such as The Hustler, The Exorcist and A Clockwork Orange. Danny Boyle pays direct tribute to A Clockwork Orange in the scene set at the Volcano nightclub, which is very similar to that set in the Milk Bar in Kubrick's film. In fact, the track playing in the Volcano club is by Heaven 17, who took their name from A Clockwork Orange.

Upon its initial release in the United States, the first 20 minutes of Trainspotting were re-edited with alternative dialogue to allow the American audience to comprehend the strong Scottish accents and slang. Its release sparked much controversy as to whether it promoted drug use or not. U.S. Senator Bob Dole accused it of moral depravity and glorifying drug use during the 1996 U.S. presidential campaign. However, he later admitted that he had never actually seen the film.

I highly suggest you add Trainspotting to your Instant Queue. The film is a fantastic mix of fantasty and reality, and its bright colors and driving soundtrack deliver a potent kick. Though defended by some as anti-drug and attacked by others as pro-drug, I do not believe the film is either. Trainspotting takes a realistic look at the exhausting and unruly life of a drug addict, and the two things that make a bearable.

You can view the trailer for the film below.

Sunday Link Collection

A collection of some of my favorite links this week...

Rolling Stone: Best Albums of 2012 So Far

The New Yorker: What We Can Learn From the Reporting of the Health-Care Decision

Flavorwire: Brutally Honest Posters for Summer Blockbusters

Nylon: Fully Functional Mermaid Tail

The New Yorker: Five Key TED Talks

Rolling Stone: Fleetwood Mac to Reunite in 2013

The New Yorker: Inappropriate Literary Products

Flavorwire: Survey of Awkward Couples in Art History

Vanity Fair: Hollywood's Embrace of Off-Beat Heroines

Rolling Stone: Vampire Weekend Debut New Song

Photojojo: Creative Ways to Use a Disposable Camera

Rolling Stone: Women Who Rock

Nylon: Arrested Development Art

Flavorwire: The Rudest Letters from Celebrities to their Fans

Chicago Sun-Times: 88 Books that Shaped America

LA Weekly: Old Records are Outselling New Ones

Flavorwire: The Favorite Films of 10 Famous Actors

Dangerous Minds: Behind the Scenes of 'A Clockwork Orange'

Nine Things You Probably Didn't Know About Singin' in the Rain

This summer, the film Singin' in the Rain celebrates its 60th anniversary.  Not only am I going to see the film at my local movie theater tonight to celebrate the event, but I also thought it was fitting to make a little "fun facts" post.

The film stars Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds.  Kelly also co-directed and provided choreography for the film.  Though it was only a modest hit when first released, it is now frequently given legendary status by movie critics and is often described as one of the best musicals ever made.

If you haven't seen it, than you are seriously SERIOUSLY missing out.  That's all I'm going to say on the matter.  

So here we go, nine things you probably didn't know about Singin' in the Rain:

1.) Stars Judy Garland and June Allyson were just a few of the many actresses considered for the role of Kathy Selden.  However, Gene Kelly was determined the land starlet Debbie Reynolds.  Reynolds was a gymnast who had been discovered in a beauty pageant and had since landed only a few small movie roles.  Though she was still a teenager (Reynolds when 19 when she began filming,) Kelly was certain she had the athleticism and vocal chops the part required.

2.) However, Reynolds was not as confident in her ability to handle the part.  She had no dance training, and found Gene Kelly to be an intense perfectionist.  One day, she became so discouraged with the difficult choreography that she curled up beneath a piano and started to cry.  Eventually, she was found by Fred Astaire, who gave her some dance coaching.  By the time she filmed the "Good Morning" number, she was able to keep up with Kelly and O'Connor, but after the 14-hour shoot was done, she had to be carried to her dressing room because of her bleeding feet.  Years later, Kelly referred to Reynolds as "strong as an ox" and complimented her on her ability to learn complicated routines quickly.  Still, she said, "The two hardest things I ever did in my life are childbirth and “Singin' in the Rain."

3.) O'Connor also worked himself to exhaustion performing the "Make 'Em Laugh" number, which had him recreating bits of acrobatic comedy he'd done in the early stages of his career (including running up a wall and flipping into a somersault).  O'Connor was a four-pack-a-day smoker, and after filming the number, took to bed for several days.  However, he soon learned that all of the footage from the shoot had been accidentally destroyed.  So, in true broadway fashion, he offered to do the entire thing again.

4.) Even Kelly worked himself sick.  The title number, filmed on a street set two blocks long on the MGM backlot, took seven days to film, with six hours of fake rain each day.  The water was mixed with milk to make it show better on camera.  However, the mixture made Kelly's wool suit shrink.  On tope of his shrunken suit, a drenched Gene Kelly had a bad cold and fever the entire shoot.  With all this, Kelly still managed to complete the scene in just one take.  This is the take seen in the movie.

5.) The title song became a highlight on the soundtrack, but also became the soundtrack to another infamous film moment.  In Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, actor Malcolm McDowell sang the tune while his character raped a woman.  The song was McDowell's suggestion on the set, and director Stanley Kubrick immediately called for a break.  Within an hour, he had received permission to use the song.  Co-director of Singin' in the Rain Stanley Donen happened to be in London near the set, so Kubrick hunted him down and told him his idea for the use of the song.  Donen raised no objections at the time, but I wonder if he regretted it after seeing the film.  After all, it is a far cry from the happy-go-lucky tone set in Singin' in the Rain.

6.) Debbie Reynolds had to rub her eyes with onions to make herself cry for the penultimate scene in the movie, when Gene Kelly tells the audience that she, and not Lina, is the real star of The Dancing Cavalier.

7.) Filming of the Cyd Charisse dance number had to be stopped for several hours after it was discovered that her pubic hair was visible through her costume.  When the problem was finally fixed, the film's costume designer Walter Plunkett said, "It's OK, guys, we've finally got Cyd's crotch licked."

8.) Donald O'Connor admitted that he did not enjoy working with Gene Kelly, since Kelly was considered somewhat of a tyrant.  O'Connor said that for the first several weeks of shooting he was terrified of making a mistake and being yelled at by Kelly.

9.) The screenwriters bought a house in Hollywood from a former silent film star who lost his wealth when the innovation of sound film killed his career.  This was part of the inspiration for the film. 

Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain

So there you have it, nine things you probably didn't know about Singin' in the Rain.

Now go pop some popcorn, sit down with a group of friends, and watch the iconic film in its entirety.  I'm begging you.  

And if you still haven't seen Singin' in the Rain yet, I don't know what more I can say to make you watch it, so I'm just going to hang my head in shame and walk away...

Maybe Gene will be able to convince you... 

Tiny Furniture: Netflix Edition

Netflix, though great for watching Dawson's Creek and catching up on Gossip Girl (both of which I have done,) is also home to a lot of wonderful movies that are often overlooked.  

Until now, that is.

Here with yet another installment, I have come to rescue you from your Netflix rut.

This week, add Tiny Furniture to your Instant Queue.  Directed by and starring Girls creator Lena Dunham, Tiny Furniture follows the post-graduate life of Aura.  After returning home from her Ohio liberal arts college to her artist family's TriBeCa loft with nothing but a film studies degree and a failed relationship, Aura begins a hostess job at restaurant and falls in love with two incredibly self-centered men.  All while struggling to define herself.

After moving back in with her mother and sister, Aura immediately reverts back to childhood.  This is only further emphasized by Dunham's casting.  Dunham's own mother, artist Laurie Simmons, plays Aura's photo-artist mother in the film, while Dunham's own sister, Grace, plays Aura's poetry prodigy on-screen sibling.

The story itself unfolds slowly, with Aura wondering around the loft in her pajamas, and standing in awe and confusion at its pristine white cabinets and endless walls of books.  She reunites with childhood friend Charlotte, played by the hilarious Jemima Kirke, and gets a job at a restaurant.  Aura also flirts with two perfectly indifferent men, Keith, a pill popping cook at the restaurant where she works, and Jed, a rising YouTube star crashing at her loft famous for portraying "The Nietzschean Cowboy" (yes, you heard me right.)  However, she excruciatingly refuses to acknowledge their indifference.

Though it does start slow, do not dismay!  The plot picks up, I promise.

While searching through the many white cabinets in her family's loft, she comes across her mother's old diaries.  Aura sees these diaries as a form of guidance, and notices a strong connection between her mother's entries and her post-graduate life.  

I'm going to end the "summary" section her, as not to ruin the movie for you.  However, I highly suggest you sit down and watch it.  It's a great movie to watch in the company of friends, and Dunham definitely pushes the film beyond the typical "coming of age" comedy.

SPOILER ALERT: The Film also contains a super awesome/super weird sex scene in a super random location.

Though Tiny Furniture is not a perfect film, it is certainly the work of a filmmaker with a bright future ahead of her.

You can also watch the trailer for the film here:

Moonrise Kingdom

So, I love this movie.

I know it is cliche.  I mean, let's be honest here.  Almost every art student I have ever met practically worships at the feet of Wes Anderson.

But I don't care.

I want to live in the head of Wes Anderson.  I can imagine it would be like living in a giant, moving polaroid picture.  And can you imagine the soundtrack that would come along with it?  Amazing.

I have seen it twice in the past week, and I will probably see it again soon.  It definitely lives up to the "hype."