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Places to Visit »On Vacation!
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Style Icons: Female,Style Icons: Male »Best of Resort, The Rest
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Posted on June 29, 2011
Movies »See The Sea
directed by François Ozon (1997)
See the Sea is the only film in a while that has left me unsettled and jumping at noises in my apartment. Once you hear the premise, and learn that I am about to vacation on an island, you’ll know why.
A mother is left alone at an island vacation home with her ten month old baby. When a young backpacking woman arrives asking to set up camp in her yard, the mother relents looking for a bit of adult companionship, blind to the stranger’s strangeness. Things get creepy fast but subtly.
Marina de Van is amazing as the wanderer. Rarely do movies offer a villain so realistic and understated and they never cast someone that looks so right too. From her tongue ring, to her vacant stare, from her unkempt clothes, to her only smile in the movie (when she talks of her abortion), she embodies the women you see on true crime documentaries perfectly.
As the mother, Sasha Hails is equally interesting. We sympathize with the loneliness she feels with only an infant as company, (believe me!) but mother of the year she is not. There were so many times I was nervous for the child’s safety, whether left alone on a beach or crying in a bath tub, which only adds to the movie’s overall suspense.
Pretty much the worst thing you can imagine, and you begin worrying and imagining it right away, happens but that the conclusion is expected doesn’t make it any less shocking or the getting there any less tense.
A true gem of understated terror.
See more: Movies 1990s French Thrillers
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Posted on June 28, 2011
Style Icons: Female,Style Icons: Male »Best of Resort, Part III
BCBG gave us flowing dresses that one could wear all summer. In fact, if there were one collection I could (realistically) solely wear this season, these 70’s inspired frocks would do the job. BCBG may never got over it’s cheapie reputation but I loved this collection.
And speaking of cheapie reps – I think it’s tacky Azria had to put his name on Leger (kind of reminds me of Dean Koontz’ Frankenstein, ha ha) but this body con graffiti number is downright awesome.
Bibhu Mohaptra does great things in this dress – a fab print, a flattering yet unique silhouette, and unexpected colors that feel fresh. There’s a lot to love here.
Another stand out print from Gucci with this fun dress that screams Jacqueline Susann heroine (and we all know that’s a wonderful thing).
Evening wear was everywhere but I was drawn to the played down options, like this color blocked Vionnet dress. Seems they’re revitalizing the line with a particular eye for unusual color combinations and I like it!
Lela Rose, usually a little too saccharine for me hit the right note this season. This dress is flirty, pretty, and so easy with those oxford flats.
Lanvin continues to wow and this bungle of red hearts, feathers, embellishment, and who knows what is the wowiest…
Until you learn that Lanvin for kids exists.
Sometimes just the most basic thing done right is a sight to behold, so behold this cape from DKNY. It’s simple, it’s clean, I want.
Doo.Ri gives us the trench coat to aspire to while making lace leggings look neither slutty nor cheap.
I love that Proenza Schouler’s collection reminded me of yarn art (though not sure why it all took place on the set of 48 Hours Mystery with Maureen Maher) but if I had to chose one look, this white dress with the most fantastic of huge necklaces is the one. I don’t even know what the necklace is made of what it really looks like but I can just feel that it is amazing.
Also amazing in the accessories department? The huge belt loop and nude leather gloves at Celine. Having these would change me life. (Be sure to see the collection for other notable looks, like one sweet print that will be in the fashion mags soon).
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Posted on June 28, 2011
Movies »I Start Counting
directed by David Greene (1969)
If I Start Counting were remade, I know exactly the kind of rote crap it would become: it would star some slutty looking not-quite teen and be slick, boring, and lifeless.
This largely forgotten original however, is none of these things. It’s a bit messy, sure, and definitely unpolished but features a great performance by its actual teen star (who you may recognize from An American Werewolf in London) and really effectively creates an eerie tone.
It might remind one of the tenser quiet moments of Black Swan meets a late 60’s after school movie.
When women are being murdered near an abandoned suburb, a young girl, hopelessly in love with her adopted much older brother begins to come to the chilling conclusion that he may be responsible. Hovering between a world of romantic innocence and the violent, dirty, and painful world of adults, she tries to come to terms with her sexuality and her emotions while trying to disprove her suspicions.
I pretty much live to find overlooked treasures like this and am thrilled that Netflix streaming has embraced the discarded films of the past as much as the newest releases.
And even though (as noted) a remake would probably only be junk, if someone with a sense of mood and style were to remake it, Peter Sarsgaard would rule as the older creepy brother and like almost everything I re-cast in my mind, Juliette Lewis would find herself in the role of a mysterious lady he goes to visit. As for the teen, I’d cast an unknown.
Click here for the rest of I Start Counting
See more: Movies 1960s Horror Thrillers
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Posted on June 26, 2011
Drinks »Trix
145 Bedford Ave
For months, nay years, we’ve been walking past the work in progress that has become Trix – deriding and speculating about what looked to be a most bizarre labor of love.
We’d spy an old guy hammering tin for weeks at a time, witnessed the sidewalk get caged in by bars, saw a stained glass window go in touting the words “go go”?
One day, sometime in year two, a small hand written sign appeared on store front eliciting help in typing a short story and we couldn’t help but wonder, what was going on with this place?
We saw innumerable places open, some even open and close by the time Trix was ready for the public and when that day finally came, we knew we had to stop in during a recent date night.
We were expecting it to be weird and it is – really weird. Like, can’t really be described weird.
It looks like an unfinished set inspired by cinema of the late 80’s and early 90’s (Beetlejuice and Cool World perhaps). There’s a mixture of the building’s history as a go-go club (hence the sign and stripper murals), art nouveau, and folksy crafts, all conjured up by the mind and artisan-ship of one particular and peculiar vision.
From a spider web sculpture above the bar to a creepy portrait of a woman that reminds me of the portrait of a dead wife one might find in a haunted house movie from the 70’s (see yawning Jim photo below), the decor is confused and bizarre.
We were thoroughly expecting to hate the place, honestly. I thought we’d share a joke about “Trix” and call it a night, but as strange as the place is, it’s also incredibly inviting, mellow, got an interesting cocktail (I had something with bison vodka and blackberries) and beer menu, and serves some of the finest, biggest oysters I’ve had in a while. Even our friends, Mike and Shaun, far harsher critics than we are enjoyed their visit.
Word is that all the food is good, and they serve brunch every single day – which is pretty genius in a neighborhood of the willfully unemployed.
The staff genuinely seems happy to be there and happy you’ve come in. To my utter surprise, I am looking forward to going back and maybe getting brunch next time.
Long live Trix! It took so long to come to the neighborhood, I hope more people discover it like I have so it sticks around. It’s not “cool” but it’s also not obnoxious like some “cool” places can get.
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Posted on June 25, 2011
Style Icons: Male »Peter Falk
Columbo
I was sad to hear that Peter Falk had passed away and even sadder to hear that he spent his last years battling dementia and Alzheimer’s.
He was world famous for his role as Columbo, but his career consisted of much more than that iconic role.
He’s breathtaking in Cassavetes, he’s charming and touching as a former angel in Wings of Desire and who can forget his narration in The Princess Bride?
He left an indelible legacy with wit, charisma, and talent.
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Posted on June 24, 2011
Books »Fane
by David M. Alexander (1981)
There’s not a ton of information about the fun imaginative sci-fi novel, Fane but that David M. Alexander is, like me, a huge fan of Jack Vance would be apparent even if he didn’t state his admiration in his dedication to the author.
The tale begins with a lazy, selfish young man sent by his powerful wizard Uncle on a seemingly simple errand, which he promptly messes up. This leads to quite an adventure on the planet Fane, which is ruled not by known rules of science but bizarre magical powers. Can our unwilling hero harness these powers to not only save his own hide but those of his alien companions and the planet races as a whole?
Man, I better hope that Van grows up with the same love of goofy, fun science fiction, or else I am going to have a whole lot of out of print paper backs to find a home for.
While this particular out of print paperback is a little hard to find, I’ve learned that it’s been re-released under the name The Accidental Magician and now sports some insane cover art that unlike the original, doesn’t really have much to do with the storyline.
PS, this forgotten little book is not to be confused with the Fane werewolf romance series by Susan Krinard.
See more: Books 1980s Sci-Fi Young Adult
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Posted on June 24, 2011
Laughs »Tallulah Bankhead as Robin
from The Batman TV Show, Caught In The Spider’s Web Episode
Man, I love the old Batman show. It’s probably one of the most entertaining comedies ever made.
Mike had it on the other evening and graced us with a showing of this gem.
Starring a slurry, gin soaked, and completely awesome Tallulah Bankhead as Black Widow, the episode features an ingenious plot.
In order to rob a bank, Black Widow has made a Batman robot and created an uncanny Robin disguise.
The result is… unbelievable.
The really good stuff starts at 3:01 in the clip (but it’s all good stuff).
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Posted on June 23, 2011
Web Sites »NSkyC
The average color of the New York City sky, updated every 5 minutes.
NSkyC is a lovely site that shows that technology can be used to make something beautiful and simple. Can’t wait to see lots and lots more bright blue.