Film

Great Expectations

Monday 9 June, 2014 · 22

i have been thinking about the 1998 film Great Expectations all day after posting about artist Kim McCarty earlier this morning. something about her work reminded me of the beautiful artwork created for the film by Italian artist Francesco Clemente.

this was one of my favourite movies as a teen – it was released when i was 15. going hand in hand with other bittersweet overly dramatic romantic films of my teen years like Romeo and Juliet and Cruel Intentions. especially at a time when we discovered a lot of our music via movie soundtracks – Life in Mono was one of my FAVOURITE songs after seeing this movie.

i have also spoken about the anomaly of Gwnyeth Paltrow often on twitter. i have loved her in so many movies (Sliding Doors, Emma, Tenenbaums, etc etc) but she is somehow kind of annoying these days. conscious uncoupling.

anyway, great film – and one to be reconsidered, and rewatched.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Monday 3 March, 2014 · 16

last night i was lucky enough to see an advanced screening of Wes Anderson’s new film The Grand Budapest Hotel as part of the Design Indaba Film Festival. now, i must admit that i was pretty disappointed by his last film Moonrise Kingdom, so i didn’t get too psyched about this one. in fact, the trailer made me doubt the film just a little bit (another reason not to watch trailers, ever!) so i went in pretty excited – because it IS Wes Anderson after all – but wasn’t about to get my hopes up.

and now i can tell you: this is his BEST movie since The Royal Tenenbaums (one of my favourite films ever). in my humble opinion, of course. it is absolutely beautiful to watch, i don’t think that any of his films has impressed me as much on a visual scale. the setting is unique. the story is just wonderful, and i was actually on the edge of my seat at many moments as it unfolded (what’s going to happen!) the actors are brilliantly cast: Ralph Fiennes made me forget that he was ever Voldemort. Tony Revelori is a delight, Willem Dafoe is menacing, Tilda Swinton is unrecognisable, Jeff Golblum is Jeff Golblum. but above all, it’s dark in parts – so dark in fact that i was quite surprised. some moments elicited audible gasps from the audience.

i walked out grinning from ear to ear, and i wanted to watch it again. again, again! that hasn’t happened in a while. so, go see it when it comes out near you. it is releasing in the US on 7 March and in SA on 20 March.

also be sure to travel through the interactive website for the film, it is a dream. and the film’s dedicated tumblr.

The Runners

Tuesday 25 February, 2014 · 7

i just want you to please watch this short film.

Pounding the tarmac through the seasons, a band of runners are brazenly challenged with intimate questions as they pace their routes. Liberated from responsibilities, their guards drop dramatically, releasing funny and brutally frank confessions, and weaving a powerful narrative behind the anonymous masses. A film by Matan Rochlitz & Ivo Gormley.

French Kiss

Wednesday 22 January, 2014 · 32

if there is one movie that i have watched countless times, it is French Kiss. i first saw it back in 1995 when i was 12 years old, and i didn’t even know that Kevin Kline wasn’t really French (i would later discover him in A Fish Called Wanda and come to understand how awesome he is). i don’t know what it is about the movie that appeals to me so much, but it has just stayed in my heart and i can still quote it backwards. i also appreciate Meg Ryan’s mannish wardrobe and perfect 90s pixie crop (remember when she used to have the most enviable hair in Hollywood?) if you’re one of the few people out there who also love this movie, then welcome to the French Kiss Appreciation Club.

Drama on the Streets

Wednesday 22 January, 2014 · 41

i felt like these deserved a re-post! you see, i have been going through my archives and i rediscovered these Period Drama vs Street Style colour comparisons that I did way back in 2011 for Hila (you can see the original posts here and here). i never actually posted them all here so i thought i’d share. and, damn, i did pretty well if i do say so myself! Hila and I share a great appreciation for period dramas, she even wrote a book about screen adaptations of classic literature. she also wrote this marvellous post for me in 2012 about the locations of some of her favourite period films.

i haven’t watched a really awesome period drama in a long time. i sort of dabbled in Mr. Selfridge which i found average at best, and completely gave up on Downton Abbey (they really should have stopped while they were ahead). i have also heard of The Paradise, but i haven’t watched it yet. any period movies / series you can recommend?

The Piano // Street Peeper

Marie Antoinette // Peter Stigter

Atonement // Citizen Couture

Cranford // Mr. Newton

Downton Abbey // Vanessa Jackman

Sense & Sensibility // Style Sightings

Emma // Facehunter

Pride & Prejudice // Citizen Couture

Brideshead Revisited // Citizen Couture

King’s Speech // Refinery 29

The Duchess // Café Mode

Shakespeare in Love // Café Mode

Upstairs Downstairs // The Locals

Out of Africa // Sartorialist

Lark Rise to Candleford // Jou Jou Villeroy

Little Women // NY mag

Cold Mountain // Vanessa Jackman

Boardwalk Empire // All the Pretty Birds

Her

Saturday 11 January, 2014 · 19

if there is one movie you need to see right now, it is Her. i knew the vague premise of the film before i watched it, i might even have been a little skeptical, but i chose not to watch any trailers or read anything about it before viewing. that is why i’m not going to tell you anything about the story or give you my opinion on the characters or what develops – i just want you to watch it. Her is visually stunning, the art direction and styling is wonderful. it is just an absolute joy for the eyeballs. go see it!

all images from Her written & directed by Spike Jonze

Green Renaissance

Monday 8 April, 2013 · 4

Green Renaissance is a film production company based in Cape Town that specialises in green content creation – helping environmentally conscious organisations to develop creative content that promotes green and conservation initiatives. they have released some really sweet little films that encourage people to be green at home.

i especially loved the story about Gary ‘The Mushroom Guy‘ who started picking & eating wild mushrooms on his walks in the forest after suffering a heart attack. eventually he started growing his own shiitake mushrooms at home – and he shows you how you can also do it using a log and some mushroom spores. they also collaborated with Marisa from Opus, who all Capetonians will know for her gorgeous plant creations – she shows you how you can make your own hanging plant at home.

also check out how to make your own home made cleaner using lemons, using recycled tyres to grow artichokes, making real vitamin water, and picking & roasting wild chestnuts. explore all their clips on vimeo.

The Tenenbaums & Co.

Tuesday 14 August, 2012 · 23

here’s a treat for all The Royal Tenenbaums fans out there – Criterion has shared the book and magazine covers that appeared in the film, including my favourites Dudley’s World and Henry Sherman’s adorable Accounting For Everything. oh man, how do you pick a favourite, even?

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