directed by Albert Lamorisse (1956)

The Red Balloon is a beloved daydream-like classic. It plays daily at the Museum of Moving Image and was perfect Christmas weekend viewing on my laptop. The simple yet stunning little movie celebrates imagination, childhood and France and makes you joyful to have memories of any of those things. With its wordless story of a boy’s friendship with a big red balloon, a delightful score by Maurice Leroux, and beautiful images by Edmond Séchan, The Red Balloon has been charming audiences of all ages for decades.
Producer, writer director Albert Lamorisse cast his own son as the little boy who, along with the neighborhood kids (bullies included) is dressed impeccably stylishly French (rollneck grey sweaters and small school boy briefcases).

If you’ve missed this tiny masterpiece, watch it now on Netflix instant.

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Pop Artist

Based on his incredible body of work, one might not expect Roy Lichtenstein to be such an aristocratic looking silver fox, but a fox he was! Those deep eyes that tell you he reads more intelligent newspapers than you, that jawbone that lets you know that he’s tasted finer wine than you could dream of, and those cable knit sweaters that prove that he’s not afraid to indulge his good taste. Of course, this is all speculative, he was also known to have a grand sense of humor telling interviewers, “that he wanted to make an art so despicable that no one would hang it” and ”I wouldn’t believe anything I tell you.” A lovely man.

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160 East 64th Street

In Jean Georges’s mini gourmet empire, Jojo is perhaps the coziest spot, nestled in a narrow brownstone in the east sixties. While a nice meal out above 14th street can occasionally be quite treacherous for a long-haired couple that, through rich people glasses, look like a pair of dangerous hipster hillbillies hell-bent on taking the family jewels, if fellow diners made side comments and gave us horrified looks, we were so engrossed in great company and good food, we certainly didn’t notice.

If you recall my raving about at the namesake restaurant, you’ll understand that it was simply impossible for us to pass up the heavenly foie gras brulee, which, served with a spiced fig compote, was every bit as amazing as I remembered. For entrees Jim and I split a venison special with pomegranate seeds and pears topped with a flavorful reduction sauce and the truffle-tastic salmon featuring brussel sprouts so good even Jim finished his, truffle mashed potatoes (with real, honest to goodness chunks of black truffle) and an incredible truffle vinaigrette… both were the kind of dishes that induce people to roll their eyes in incredulity. A lovely spritzer passion fruit and chili bourbon drink was the perfect accompaniment. For dessert, there’s nothing better than high class pavlova, one of my favorite and one of the most hard to find desserts.

Jojo was the famous Vongerichten’s first venture on his own and when it opened 18 years ago it stunned restaurant goers and critics. It’s been gussied up with a makeover since then (including velvet and candle sconces) but it’s still a go-to bistro for reliably awe inspiring dishes without too much fussiness.

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Made with Real Chocolate

You imagine a chocolate stout and you think thick, creamy, rich and strong. Young’s version manages to be all that but really quite drinkable as well. I first tried the brew at Berry Park as the snow fell outside, but was happy to find the British import at out local grocer as well. Young’s is a family brewery that’s been around (impressively) since 1831.

That chocolate flavor by the way, comes from real chocolate, added into the brewing process before bottling making it a great after dinner beer in lieu of dessert.

A Great Little Camera

I cannot sing the praises of my new little Lumix Panasonic DMC LX3 loud enough. You may have noticed the difference it makes in my photography – particularly food shots in dimly lit restaurants (compare if you will, the images I struggled to eek out at Miranda versus the stunning shots of Atlanta’s fine dining). The camera is perfect for low light and macro, so I adore it completely. The only drawback is that the lens cap can be a bit finicky and fall off and the lens (albeit a fab lens from Leica) sticks out farther than most portable cameras. Otherwise, it’s the best!

Because Reading is Fundamental…

Joey, curator of the inspiring Anonymous Works site writes of describes himself as:

“Interested in American primitive folk art, vernacular photography, outsider art, basically anything visually interesting and great.”

Interesting and great indeed! Below/after the jump are just a tiny sample of the amazing images you’ll find on the infinitely browsable site. I mean, really, a skeleton locket stick pin?! I love it too much to explain!!

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An Intense Songster

My friend Luke just introduced me to Mark Gromley, the internet musical sensation that is more Tim and Eric than Tim and Eric over on Rotating Corpse. Gormley is described most accurately at his own site:

“Behold the awesome power and glory of Mark Gormley!
…Amen
His music and songs touch souls in a profound way, while his music videos expand minds to possibilities never before dreamed. Mark Gormley is a man that his captivated the hearts and minds of a generation, and will so for generations to come.”

directed by Wes Anderson (2009)

Wes Anderson’s movies have a particular hipster artistry that sometimes yields poignant and aesthetically pleasing magic (Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore), other times it results in slightly annoying, self satisfied quirkiness (Steve Zissou, and, so I’ve heard, Darjeeling Limited). Fantastic Mr. Fox falls squarely on the magical side, not only in terms of the plot and the story (by Roald Dahl, which Anderson and screenwriter Noah Baumbach greatly expanded on for the film), but the stop motion animation is simply amazing.

The set, character, and costume design (I love Mr Fox’s cord suit and his son’s home made super hero get ups) is unerringly charming and whimsical and I hope it inspires more delicately thoughtful stop motion features in this era of crass computer animation (Pixar excluded, of course). Drastically unlike those churned out kid’s flicks, Fantastic Mr. Fox is far more stylized and perhaps  even more delightful for stylish parents than their children (wacky sing-a-longs with Jarvis Cocker, anyone?), and the tone is decidedly more subtle, sophisticated, and bittersweet than usual talking animal fare. I went with my office after an exhausting season of late nights and we all walked out like a bunch of kids with big smiles on our faces.

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by Elvis Presley (1957)

Blue Christmas is a rare sad Christmas song that was performed by tons of people but made oh so popular by the great Elvis Presley. Though, to be honest, lately I’ve grown very, very fond of the indie rock darling Bright Eyes version. Please forgive its inclusion in a phone company commercial.