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Streetwise (1984)

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:30:00 -0500

Help! I recently stumbled upon this amazing still and remembered that I’ve never seen this film. Mainly because every copy that I’ve come across is on VHS (I don’t have a VHS player anymore, womp womp). If anyone knows where I can get a copy on DVD (not available on Netflix or Amazon) email me the deets please and we’ll be friends for life! Thanks!

Books: William Klein Films

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:01:09 -0500

True Story: I didn’t feel like watching any films this week. Sometimes it’s nice to listen to records and chill out with a good book instead. Add a cup of tea and you’re golden. I rediscovered William Klein Films, a book I purchased after seeing one of his films last summer. It opens with an essay about Klein’s career (unsurprisingly he began as a photographer for fashion magazine Look) and has great quotes from the director about his process and the thinking behind some of his films. Then it gets even better: tons of images and stills that showcase Klein’s amazing eye. I first saw his fashion industry satire Who Are You Polly Maggoo? last year and it’s now one of my favorite films! Whether you’re a fan of his work or you’re thinking “Who the hell is William Klein?”, it’s a great (and inexpensive!) book to add to your collection.

BONUS: Accident (1967)

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:29:00 -0500

Love the composition and line quality of this poster.

Georgy Girl (1966): Isn't She Lovely.

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:04:47 -0500

Who doesn’t like a story about an underdog overcoming adversary? Actually I’m not sure if not being able to get a date or get laid would be seen as adversary; But let’s just go with it to make Georgy’s story seem more thrilling! Before John Hughes made you root for Molly Ringwald, there was Georgy: a funny girl who is unlucky is love. This is made more apparent by her glamorous and coquettish roommate Meredith (Charlotte Rampling) who has more parties and suitors than she can keep up with. Did I mention that she’s gorgeous too? Some girls have all the luck. (Click on that, thank me later. P.S. I’m jet lagged in Japan, can you tell?!)

One day, something changes. Not in Georgy, but in everyone else. Men that never noticed her before are now vying for her affection, and the new found attention is all a bit overwhelming for her. She gets not just one guy but two! I’ve gotta mention that these dudes aren’t exactly Brad Pitt or Jean Paul Belmondo but still, the girl gets her man. Of course she also learns life lessons and grows up a little along the way too! Isn’t this what ALWAYS happens in these kind of movies? And isn’t it great!? Yes and Yes.

“Hey there, Georgy girl/There’s another Georgy deep inside/Bring out all the love you hide and, oh, what a change there’d be/The world would see a new Georgy girl”

- The Seekers (lyrics from the film’s theme “Georgy Girl”)

Alexander McQueen 1969-2010

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:36:00 -0500

When I first saw this image in 1997 I remember photocopying it a million times. I couldn’t believe or fully understand what was in front of me, but I knew that it was incredibly beautiful and to this day it is one of the most striking images I have ever seen. It kind of changed my life and introduced me to Alexander McQueen: one of the first designers that inspired me to follow my dreams and move to New York City. His untimely passing breaks my heart and I know that I nor the fashion world will be the same without his talent and genius.

Dames (1934): I Only Have Eyes for You.

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:32:00 -0500

I have an problem with musicals. Whenever I watch them, I usually find it hard to concentrate on the plot or narrative (though these are usually a little thin anyways) because I’m anticipating all of the musical numbers. I’m just waiting for everyone to break out into song à la Trapped in the Closet and dramatically harmonize any and ALL dialogue. Basically, I don’t wanna hear your mouth unless some singing is coming out of it?! This was my issue with Dames. I found myself dying to fast forward just to get to the Busby Berkeley dance numbers.

I enjoyed the second half of the film because it gets to the point: a musical called “Sweet and Hot” (ha!) and some gorgeous numbers. Berkeley had an amazing eye for composition and he uses his dancers to create some mesmerizing and beautiful imagery. His use of the overhead shot is especially impressive and still inspiring people to this day. I’m confused on how I feel about musicals in general, but I would love to see more from this Busby Berkeley fellow!

Editor’s Note: I had a snow day today and there were so many beautiful images (and lovely dames of course) that I didn’t hold back when editing. Aren’t you lucky!

*After seeing this film you may have the song “I Only Have Eyes for You” stuck in your head for a minute! You’ve been warned.

House blew my mind to bits.

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:39:00 -0500

Just got home from seeing HOUSE at the IFC center and my mind is officially blown to bits! This movie is on another fucking level of amazing and ridiculous. You HAVE to see it for yourself, you will not be disappointed! Just found out it has been extended! Do it!

BONUS: HOUSE (1977)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:19:00 -0500

Thinking about checking this out tomorrow night at the IFC Center. After seeing Onibaba, I’m itching to see more Japanese horror films and the poster and this ridiculous image have pretty much sold me. See details here if you’re interested, perfect for a lazy Tuesday night…

Orfeu Negro (1959): This is No Ordinary Love.

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:22:00 -0500

Dammit Punxatawny Phil! I’m so sick of the weather here in New York City: cold, windy and ultimately shitty. I’m daydreaming of summer sunshine, block parties, streets full of people in beautiful bright colors, smell of barbecue filling the air and music shaking the streets. Summer is less than five months away… right?! Since film is one of the simplest forms of escapism, I recently settled in to watch the lovely film Orfeu Negro.

Based on Greek mythology, it’s a story of a tragic romance transported to a favela in Rio de Janeiro during carnival. Everyone is so full of life, bopping around the screen, celebrating and dancing wildly. It’s understandable with a super infectious soundtrack by bossa nova legend Antônio Carlos Jobim* and Luiz Bonfa that makes you want to shimmy around your apartment too! The film’s palette is so beautiful: everyone has a sun-kissed glow, the costumes are a perfect balance of metallics and pastels, and even the simple interiors of their homes are the color of candy. Orfeu Negro is like some heavy sunshine trickling through your blinds, it will definitely cure your winter time blues, even if only for a few hours. After the film download “Samba de Orfeu” and “A Felicidade (Non mixé)” to stay in the mood. Aproveita!

* Jobim also worked on the beautful 1963 album “Getz/Gilberto”.

MORE: The Warriors (1979)

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:40:52 -0500

Just added fifteen new stills to The Warriors post. Enjoy!

Film in Art: Bruce Conner's BREAKAWAY (1966)

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:11:00 -0500

Just got back from a long weekend in San Francisco and glad that I got to check out the 75th Anniversary show at SFMOMA. It’s a well rounded show featuring everyone from Barry McGee to Ellsworth Kelly (a personal fave) and a ton of icons and other lesser known artists sprinkled in between. Bruce Conner’s BREAKAWAY was my one of my favorite pieces. A precursor to the music video featuring spliced editing of beauty Antonia Christina Basilotta (Better known as Hey Mickey singer Toni Basil) alone jamming in various states of undress to the catchy tune Breakaway (which she also sings). It’s hard to take your eyes off of her even when the entire video plays in reverse. You can watch a clip HERE but if you can get to the museum it’s pretty inspiring. I imagine somewhere Dov Charney is weeping tears of joy.

Onibaba (1964): Hey Jealousy.

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:36:00 -0500

2010 is all about ~~trying new things~~ delving into new genres! Onibaba is one of the first Japanese horror films that I have seen and I’ve gotta admit that it’s got me pretty psyched to see more from this genre (I tend to get a little obsessed). Some of the best films are the simplest ones (No. Not you, Phone Booth!). It takes an uncomplicated story, and in this case minimal characters and weaves a fascinating and spooky tale of survival, lust and jealousy.

After a solider (Kichi) is drafted into Japan’s civil war, his mother and wife are left behind to survive without a breadwinner. The two women begin hunting fallen samurais and hawking their armor and belongings for food. It’s unsettling how merciless they become over time, dumping their victim’s bodies into a seemingly bottomless pit without thinking twice! YIKES. They carry on until the arrival of Hachi (a soldier, and friend of Kichi’s) throws off the balance of the dynamic between the two woman. I really don’t want to give away too much because I was a little surprised by the way the story turned and I want you to be surprised too! Amazing visuals, a vibrant drum filled score and a not so welcome visit from a creepy kabuki mask make this a must-see for Japanese horror cinema newbies like me.

American Gigolo (1980): I wanna sex you up.

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:33:15 -0500

Man, if God could have only cryogenically frozen Richard Gere after he wrapped this film. Real talk, the guy is on FIRE! My computer nearly exploded while getting these stills but I did it for you, the people. Gere plays Julian Kaye (Julie to his clients) a polished and popular gigolo giving pleasure to older rich ladies and freaky housewives. He coos lines such as this: “Hello Judy. You’re a very sexy lady. Very good looking lady. You’ll like me, I can tell. ‘Cause I like you.” (Oh, I think you know what happens next.) Seriously can ~~someone~~ R.Kelly drop a beat to this?! I think we’ve got a hit on our hands! Your welcome.

Most of the film consists of scenes of Julian’s lavish lifestyle: living in a suite at the Beverly Hills hotel, dining at the best restaurants, having more power suits and tacky ties than a guy needs (Isn’t he naked like 90% of the time anyways?) etc. You’re thinking “Maybe I could be a gigolo…” and then they throw in this whole sub-plot about a trick being murdered and you’re like “Nah.” Enter a corny detective and some other forgettable characters to round out the film… But, who cares about them? It’s all about Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton being two PYT’s in luv with an instrumental version of Blondie’s Call Me playing in the background.

Pillow Talk (1959): Kiss Me Thru the Phone...

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:49:00 -0500

Another day, another romantic comedy. What the hell is happening to me?! Chalk it up to the fact that I am suffering from a cold, on lots of medication and had a bit of cabin fever this weekend. Starring heartthrob Rock Hudson (best movie star name ever.) and Doris Day.

BONUS: Straw Dogs (1971)

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:28:38 -0500

I need to re-watch this film asap.

SHORTS: Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1987)

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:40:40 -0500

There’s just something about Karen Carpenter’s voice. So lovely yet full of so much sadness (I prefer their slow jams). It’s hard to imagine that music as saccharine sweet as The Carpenters could be hiding a dark secret; But truth is always stranger than fiction. Behind the squeaky clean hit pop albums, magazine covers, and glitzy television appearances, Karen was loosing a battle with anorexia. In Only Yesterday she croons “In my own time nobody knew, the pain I was going through, and waitin’ was all my heart could do”. So damn sad. It’s easy to over think the meaning of song lyrics but this just feels too real.

Director Todd Haynes (I’m Not There.) turns the story of the Carpenters rise to fame into an experimental short film mixing Barbie dolls and startling imagery. It takes a second to adjust to the static dolls filling in for the Carpenter family but the voice over and narration is done so well that soon you forget that you’re not watching real actors. Haynes uses the Carpenters haunting music throughout the film (Richard Carpenter sued him over royalties, blocking the film from proper distribution). It’s an interesting short film that sheds a little light on Karen’s turmoil and a disease that of often overlooked and completely misunderstood.

You can watch the entire film HERE. Apologies for the lack of stills, the video was too dark. Download “Let Me Be the One”, “Close to You”, “Rainy Days and Mondays”, & “Superstar”.

BONUS: Trunk to Cairo (1966)

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:40:10 -0500

Blue Velvet (1985): You know I want to, but I'm in too deep.

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:03:08 -0500

Hey David Lynch, I like your movies! And Blue Velvet is one of my favorites. Lynch is so good at showcasing an American Gothic: turning seemingly simple small towns into places that brim with secrets, bizarre characters, and strange occurrences. I love the use of music and score to set the mood; The title itself is a reference to Bobby Vinton’s 1963 song “Blue Velvet”: a song that I personally find unsettling and kinda creepy in the best way. In one of my favorite music related scenes, Dean Stockwell lip synches “In Dreams” by Roy Orbison like some sort of maudlin clown. The room and time almost stand still, it’s pretty mesmerizing.

Each Character is so fascinating. Dennis Hopper plays Frank, a nitrous huffing masochist that gets emo rage when listening to Roy Orbison. The beautiful Isabella Rossellini is a lounge singer and mother who has grown to enjoy a taste for pain. ~~Trey “Schooner” MacDougal~~ Kyle McLaughlin is Jeffrey, an in over his head guy in trying to juggle two woman all while attempting to solve a mystery. Laura “Sad Clown” Dern is the most innocent character of all, she wins me over until she cries the ugly cry YET again. Throw in shady detectives, a missing ear, and people that look like Farside cartoon characters and it’s quintessential Lynch. Guess What? That creep from Eyes of Laura Mars is in it too! Perfect.

BONUS: The Hooked Generation (1968)

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:10:22 -0500

Drugs are scary! You could end up naked with dudes named Dum Dum (!!!), Acid or Daisey!

"Cinema is the most beautiful fraud in the world."

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:19:43 -0500

“Cinema is the most beautiful fraud in the world.”

- Jean-Luc Godard