Korean SuperstarIt takes one pretty face to jump out of all the ninjas, cowboys, and clowns in the Warrior’s Way trailer – and it’s not boring Kate Bosworth’s that stands out, but Korean superstar Jang Dong-gun. The film is meant to be his international, particularly American breakthrough debut. Sadly, I’ve read that it’s terrible. But he sure is a cutie.
by Dr. SeussAs you can see, Van is just overwhelmed by the bounty of fun time Dr. Seuss reading the Beginner Book Collection offers. I am sure we can all quote from the included Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish and Cat in the Hat but I can tell you it’s such a pleasure to revisit these classics as a mother. When he’s in a reading mood nothing gets him squealing one of these quirky, silly rhymes. This is a great gift for new parents (thanks mom for ours!)
by Sean HartterThanks Mike for showing me these hilarious Alternate Universe Movie Posters. They kind of remind me of our “Development Hell” category over on Rotating Corpse, but I certainly can’t claim my slapdash photoshopping compares to these clever and detailed masterworks.
I’ve only posted a few favorites here, be sure to check them all out – and dream of a world where Tim Curry plays the Joker, here.
from Blue StoveWhen I inquired about this beautiful looking pie at Blue Stove, the shop girl’s eyes lit up – “That” she beamed “is a sweet potato pie, and if you’ve never had one (I hadn’t) you don’t know what you’re missing”.
She claimed it to be the bakery’s best – high praise for a place that continually churns out the city’s best pies.
I was happy to find that praise wasn’t misdirected though. It’s a taste hard to explain – like an earthier pumpkin pie with maybe just maybe the slightest hint of citrus?
It was delicious for sure – those Southerns know their stuff when it comes to comforting sweets. I am curious to make my own the next time pie baking calls. Any good recipes are welcome.
Queen of the Bias CutMadame Vionnet was the queen of the bias cut (which you can learn a technical description of here) but just know that it basically means that she single-handedly made fashion more flattering. In any apparel retrospective there’s sure to be at least one stunning Vionnet gown.
It will be the one that is so timelessly elegant that you could walk right out of the museum flaunting it to a fancy dinner and look totally chic, gorgeous, and current. With draping and exact technical mastery of fabrics, Vionnet made women look like goddesses.
The house has been reborn in recently with Rodolfo Paglialunga at the designer helm.
Click here for the rest of Madeleine Vionnet
by Broadcast (2005)I have to admit, as a person generally wary of indie rock, I was not completely familiar with the complete works of the band Broadcast when I learned that the lovely and talented lead singer Trish Keenan died from pneumonia complications.
It’s such a tragedy to lose anyone so young, but particularly sad when you realize they had so much more surely to offer the world with their talents.
Over the years a few of their songs have made my itunes library thanks to friends’ mix CD’s etc and one of my favorites is the beautiful political pop song, America’s Boy.
directed by Hal Roach (1934)Because of their rotation of Holiday films, we had TMC on in the background of our Christmas morning festivities, but when the Laurel and Hardy spectacle March of the Wooden Soldiers came on, we couldn’t help but become enthralled with surely one of the most visually bizarre and arresting movies I’ve seen lately.
I was so taken with the crazy human cat costumes, the midgets as beefy pigs, and the monkey playing a mouse that I actually bought the DVD – something I haven’t done in ages (and was promptly reminded of the unessecary annoyance of opening one of those things).
The plot centers around Little Bo Peep and the evil Silas Barnaby – Toyland’s cruelest resident who plans to make her his – even if it means framing her boyfriend for eating one of the three pigs! A journey to boogeyland brings on the evil… well, I’m not sure what they are except loads of extras in furry pants and truly grotesque masks who along with a thwarted Silas proceed to bring terror to Toyland for revenge.
Defending the joyful town are the toy soldiers – single minded wrecking machines that will stop at nothing (even a decapitated head) to destroy what they are after.Weird colorized animals, songs, an appearance from Santa and the hi-jinx of Laurel and the always shockingly styled (Hitler mustache and a page boy bob) Hardy round out the movie.
I am super excited for this oddball gem to become a new Christmas tradition – as long as the bizarre imagery doesn’t terrify our little one.
Click here for the rest of March of the Wooden Soldiers
From City BakeryOh, City Bakery is there anything you can’t do? Your cookies are a baking delight, your hot chocolate is borderline insane and now you introduce me to the pretzel croissant.
It’s as tasty as it is pretty (just look at that golden brown crust, those swirls of soft white center…) These were made even better by the fact that Shaun got them for free.
It’s an insiders trick I’ve never took advantage of myself – but often, if you stop by near closing time – complimentary left over goodies might be offered.
from It’s About Time: Great Recipes for Everyday Life via Serious EatsSerious Eats doesn’t steer me wrong when it comes to recipes and when I saw salmon being described as “custardy” and looked at the list of ingredients for this Slow-Roasted Salmon with Cabbage, Bacon, and Dill I knew I had to give this one a try.
It’s actually quite easy just with a longer cook time than most salmon recipes but so worth it. Tasted as good as I’d expect at a restaurant.
by Raymond Chandler (1944)While I know the Raymond Chandler character Philip Marlowe well from movies (and I don’t care what people say – Elliot Gould was genius), The Lady in the Lake is actually my first time reading one of the novels. Set, as expected, in the streets of LA, this one also takes us to the tranquil vacation lakes surrounding the seedy town. Of course, they turn out to be just as deadly when our private eye is sent looking, simply enough, for a rich man’s missing wife.
Nothing is ever so simple though, in a snappy noir, so murder, villains, scandal, witty dialogue, and plot twists ensue. While I guessed the major plot twist far too soon (blame a healthy education in murder mysteries), like most noirs, the plot isn’t always the star of the show, it’s the long, often punch-in-the-jaw getting there that’s fun.
Some say this is one of Chandler’s weaker efforts, which only makes me excited to read more since I quite enjoyed it. Not as enjoyable, unfortunately, is the 1947 film adaptation which features a gimmicky first person perspective (all characters address the audience with exaggerated expressions) which wears off after a couple minutes. Strangely, they made it into a “Christmas” themed movie too – my guess is hoping for box office returns during the holidays. Yes, stick to the far more nuanced and clever book – even cranky Chandler took his name off the film (and he wrote it!).
