I've heard a lot of good things about this series but for some reason it never jumped at me because from the trailer it looked a bit stuffy and boring. I'm glad I decided to give it a chance because it turns out that it is another BBC winner to add to my list. The story focuses on the aristocratic Grantham family and the servants that work for them. It is actually quite interesting to see how the two worlds differ and overlap. Written by Julian Fellowes (who wrote Gosford Park), the story has a lot of conflicts and romance and gossip between the two worlds, and it's all in the middle of the new 20th century and the changes this era brings. I really enjoyed seeing the workings of the servant class and how structured and complex they can be. As always, the acting, sets and costumes are top notch. I heard due to the success of this, they will make another season of the series and I can't wait for that too.
You got to love those Japanese for cute-ifying everything including their lunch boxes. They call it Bento (lunchbox) art. They look beautiful but I think I'll stick to peanut butter sandwiches.
It's been a long time since I saw a good movie this visually beautiful, poetic, and flawlessly acted. I've forgotten about A Single Man until I saw it recently and decided to give it a go. I can't believe Colin Firth did not win his Oscar for this film, his performance was just as amazing (if not better) than the King's Speech. I knew it was directed and produced by THE Tom Ford, but this movie left me feeling more than impressed considering it's his first film and that it isn't even within his usual arena. Some scenes were so beautiful, I felt you could have framed them into pictures.
It does move kind of slowly, but it does make you think. I thought about it long after the TV was turned off. A bit sad that a lot of Hollywood movies today are based on the flashy special effects, the raunchy jokes, and the simplistic storylines. That is what sells and the artsier, introspective films are pushed into art house cinemas and foreign box offices. But it is films like these that remind us the beauty of life's details, and how they all add up to create the mosaic of life that yields the bigger picture. Perhaps people like the escapism of lighter fare, but every now and then, it's nice to have a quieter film to enjoy as well.
It also made me realize how the 60s were a cool decade when all the art forms were at their peak, in music, in art, and in films. Makes me want to draw on lots of eyeliner and wear nude lipstick.
There's this book I keep seeing in bookstores and heard from friends that I've never read. It's called the Tao of Pooh. I was never interested because it sounds too philosophical for my taste and maybe because Pooh was never one of my favorite of the Disney films. However, even in today's day and age of amazing computer animated accomplishments like Toy Story and Shrek, I do at times feel nostalgic for the classic Disney films that I grew up with. They were less sophisticated for sure, but I liked that in each they hid mini lessons about life in their stories much like classic legends and in the Aesop's tales I used to read. On the surface, they were all about princesses and finding true love, but as I am older and able to see the bigger picture, I'm more appreciative of the other issues that are communicated in the songs and scenes as I watch them again. If anything, there is a lot of wisdom between those animated cells. This is what makes them timeless across all generations. Some of my favorites (and the lessons I think they inspire):
Cinderella: Hard work always pays off in the end, and you will be rewarded for it.
The Little Mermaid: Be accepting of other cultures and people instead of being close minded and prejudiced
Aladdin: Be confident of your self worth and recognize that it is independent from monetary wealth
Beauty and the Beast: Look beyond appearances and make your own judgements
Lion King: We can achieve great things by looking within ourselves and by listening to the wisdom of our elders
Dumbo: Don't underestimate those who are different from you, they may have strengths and talents you lack
Peter Pan: It's important to have imagination and a playful side even after you grow up
Snow White: You can find friends in unexpected places and enemies in those close to you
Pinocchio: To get what you want, you need to prove that you are worthy and deserving
Lady and the Tramp: Higher class and education does not necessarily equal superiority, street smarts is important too
Mulan: Courage lives in us all. Family gives us our strength.
Alice in Wonderland: Don't do drugs, ha ha
And speaking of drugs, if you have seen Dumbo, that pink elephants segment is one of the most twisted psychadelic trips in Disney's films. I have never noticed how many surrealstic influences are in that one song. It's actually not that surprising after all to learn that the Surrealist artist Dali and Disney collaborated several times. You can definitely see overlap of images such as the eyeball and pyramids! Weird! (There are tons of other info about hidden messages and controversial topics in Disney films, quite fascinating actually)
What was your favorite Disney film while you were growing up? Is it still your favorite as an adult?
I came across pictures of this model in a fashion magazine recently:
And I was just floored to find out that it's a dude! Apparently Andrej Pejic is one of the most successful models out there today because he is so uniquely androgynous looking. He is favored by Marc Jacobs and John Paul Gaultier. It reminds me of how, a few years ago, Agyness Deyn was all the rage because she looked like a boy. In some ways, it makes sense that if models are there to display the art, or the fashion they wear, why does it matter what gender they are as long as they portray the clothes in the best way possible to match the vision of the designer?
British model Agyness Deyn in 2009
And this is the one thing I love about fashion. It has the ability to re-invent the things we know and assume and mix it up into new ideas that blow our minds. It challenges the things we don't even see anymore, and wakes up different perspectives. Fashion, like art, pushes us to think outside the box and take the boring everyday into new heights and dimensions.
Now if only there can be more diversity on the runways instead of rows of Caucasian waify femmes, and now, a few males. Makes you think, doesn't it, when this guy has better legs than any girl I know (including myself obviously).
This is pretty amazing except I do kind of enjoy grocery shopping. I do see how convenient it would be if you were only missing a few items like milk or a carton of eggs though!
If this was for clothes I'd be broke by the time I got home!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Now, I do like JK Rowling because her books have influenced a huge part of my life, but what this picture tells us is that you truly cannot buy style, even with a billion dollars. I can't believe she wore this to the movie premiere and that it is an Oscar de la Renta, I mean, REALLY?! It is clearly influenced by English sofa fabric.
Like the infamous basilisk in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, if you look at this dress directly you will be petrified and be close to death. Good one, Rowling, we can always depend on you to integrate deep metaphors in all your actions!
Also, you can't help but notice the girl in the Gryffindor scarf....tee hee
I guess Hermione is once again at the top of her class and shows how it is done:
I've always loved England but back in 2005 when I finally had a chance to visit Paris, I have to admit that it really crept up to a photo finish second. Everywhere, the city has touches of cream and gold in its architecture, with windows accented by pastel and golden brown pastries. I sometimes imagine certain cities to be masculine, Berlin for example, but Paris really is the opposite and has a feminine aesthetic.
Lately I've been trying to cut back a few pounds as the summer is in full swing, but perhaps it is bad timing because I was also reading David Leibovitz's The Sweet Life in Paris. Every page is an enticement as he talks in detail about food, food, and more food. He also puts in recipes in between so I'll definitely have to try a few as well. You have to admit that a book about food is a lot more interesting to read than, let's say, Safran Foer's Eating Animals.
One of my favorite things to do on vacations is going to supermarkets and outdoor farmer markets. Food is so central to a culture, it says so much about about the people and their identities. How can any traveler deny the importance of eating local cuisine? If anything, a good meal is the best souvenir one can buy on a trip. I can't imagine traveling with people who insist on eating familiar food abroad. Yet I know people who would go to Paris and seek the closest McDonalds.
Come to think of it, a lot of the best things I ate are from traveling. I feel like I will be turning into a foodie in no time and start gushing about heirloom tomatoes or something...
And on a separate note, I just saw the latest Woody Allen flick, Midnight in Paris (with Owen Wilson and Marion Cotillard) and really liked it so don't miss!
