Is it August 16th yet?

Revolutionary Road Review

So I finally saw Revolutionary Road, the other night which may not have been the best call considering I was pretty distraught over finally admitting I was heartbroken over losing 2 close friends [they're not dead, but no longer in my life] but it was a well executed, yet dire look at a relationship between a miserable marreid couple, named Frank and April Wheeler (excellently played by Kate Winslet & Leonardo DiCaprio ) in 1950's New York. It was basically THE most depressing episode of Mad Men ever without any emotional payoff aside from great performances. The film starts off with a knock down drag out shouting match, which is incredibly intense, and then the film only gets darker. While there are faint glimmers of hope and the potential for things to get better for April and Frank Wheeler more fighting is inevitable and is reminiscent of the scenes in Closer where the couples lay it all out. Watching April and Frank shout at each other reminded me of a few arguments I had with an ex, which is probably why I found myself laughing aloud when April finally tells him:

"But I don't [love you.] I hate you. You were just some boy who made me laugh at a party once, and now I loathe the sight of you. In fact, if you come any closer, if you touch me or anything, I think I'll scream."

All in all Rev Road in my opinion is one of the best romantic dramedies I've ever seen, but that's because I coudln't help but laugh at the fact that these people hated each other, yet were together, plus Michael Shannon - who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar -was hilariously brilliant as a neighbors mentally ill, but brutally honest son was a revelation. Sam Mendes' direction was flawless and has helmed a stark, realistic tome, but all I can say is if you do decide to sit through this, brace yourself it's pretty rough, but hey so is life.

My rating: 8.8/10

The Reader Review

The Reader is the film adaptation of Bernhard Schlink's critically acclaimed best selling novel about a young man's affair with a much older woman. The Weinstein Company, who also produced the film describes:

The film opens in post-WWII Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair. Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to and their physical relationship deepens. Despite their intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day and Michael is left confused and heartbroken. Eight years later, while Michael is a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials, he is stunned to find Hanna back in his life - this time as a defendant in the courtroom. As Hanna's past is revealed, Michael uncovers a deep secret that will impact both of their lives. THE READER is a story about truth and reconciliation, about how one generation comes to terms with the crimes of another.

The film was directed by the brilliant Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot & The Hours,) and stars the always amazing Ralph Fiennes as the older Michael Berg, and the "Best Actress of her Generation" Kate Winslet, who actually won a Golden Globe Winner for her performance in the film. German newcomer David Kross does a phenomenal job as the younger Michael Berg, and was utterly delightful, perfect and beautiful in the role. Despite all the production issues and disputes that surrounded the film during production and post production, it was nominated for Best Picture Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress. The film is incredibly powerful and pretty exquisite before it even comes to end. I highly recommend this movie, to anyone who has found out the person you once loved isn't really who you thought they were, but are willing to live with that. My rating: 9.3/10

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

And not just because Jesus is the reason for season, but because THE BEST movies come out! With the annoucement of the Golden Globe nominees Thursday morning it helps me put into perspective what serious award contenders I should see as soon as possible, while I intend to pepper in the more commercial fair, and probably "Twilight" again. So I've compiled a list of what I intend to and would like to see this holiday season as well as what I've already seen and highly recommend.

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- Everytime I see this trailer it makes me fall in love with film making all over again

2. Slumdog Millionaire - I've been in awe of Danny Boyle's directorial prowess since I saw Trainspotting well over a decade ago. His ability to bring out the most brilliant performances out of an relatively unknown actors and turn them into stars (Ewan McGregor, Kelly MacDonald, Cillian Murphy) never ceases to amaze and delight me.

3.Milk - Sean Penn breathes the rarified air that only few actors (Daniel Day-Lewis, Denzel Washington on a good day) have the ability to experience. And supposedly he breathes so much life in his portrayal of Harvey Milk, his performance is epic. I've been waiting to see this film for months and hope to before Christmas Day

4.The Wrestler - Darren Aronofsky is the kind of film maker who makes me wonder if I could ever imagine as vividly as he is able to depict on screen. Winner of the Golden Lion
(basically the Grand Jury Prize) at this year's Venice Film Festival

5.Revolutionary Road - Introduce me to one person who didn't like Titanic or who has a negative comment to make about the chemistry and talent of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet and I'll them an idiot to their face. RR reunites the two, under the direction of Academy Award Winning Director Sam Mendes

6. The Reader- Kate Winslet really do no wrong

7. Gran Torino- Nothing says Holiday awards season like a Clint Eastwood movie and not only does he direct this one he stars in it too.

8. Defiance- Liev Schreiber + Daniel Craig + a true story about brothers fighting the Nazis= a movie I'm super excited for

9. Doubt & Frost/Nixon- Both super serious films with incredible casts that keep growing on me but I'm in no immediate rush to see either

10. Valkyrie- I have no intention of paying to see this movie and the as the release date grows closer the idea, trailers and Tom Cruise's perfect American accent grow funnier and funnier to me. Though I am intrigued by the set pieces, the scale of the production and what Bryan Singer was able to pull off, but like I said I'm not paying to see this one.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

The 66th Annual Golden Globe Nominees

Winners will be announced Sunday, January 11th. 2009. For more info go to www.goldenglobes.org/

Best Motion Picture - Drama
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Frost/Nixon (2008)
The Reader (2008)
Revolutionary Road (2008)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Burn After Reading (2008)
Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)
In Bruges (2008)
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Leonardo DiCaprio for Revolutionary Road (2008)
Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Sean Penn for Milk (2008)
Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Angelina Jolie for Changeling (2008)
Meryl Streep for Doubt (2008)
Kristin Scott Thomas for Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (2008)
Kate Winslet for Revolutionary Road (2008)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Javier Bardem for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Colin Farrell for In Bruges (2008)
James Franco for Pineapple Express (2008)
Brendan Gleeson for In Bruges (2008)
Dustin Hoffman for Last Chance Harvey (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Rebecca Hall for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)
Frances McDormand for Burn After Reading (2008)
Meryl Streep for Mamma Mia! (2008)
Emma Thompson for Last Chance Harvey (2008)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Tom Cruise for Tropic Thunder (2008)
Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder (2008)
Ralph Fiennes for The Duchess (2008)
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt (2008)
Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Amy Adams for Doubt (2008)
Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Viola Davis for Doubt (2008)
Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler (2008)
Kate Winslet for The Reader (2008)

Best Director - Motion Picture
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Stephen Daldry for The Reader (2008)
David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Sam Mendes for Revolutionary Road (2008)

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Roth, Robin Swicord
Doubt (2008): John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon (2008): Peter Morgan
The Reader (2008): David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Simon Beaufoy

Best Original Song - Motion Picture
Bolt (2008)("I Thought I Lost You")
Cadillac Records (2008)("Once in a Lifetime")
Gran Torino (2008)("Gran Torino")
WALL·E (2008)("Down to Earth")
The Wrestler (2008)("The Wrestler")

Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Changeling (2008): Clint Eastwood
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Alexandre Desplat
Defiance (2008): James Newton Howard
Frost/Nixon (2008): Hans Zimmer
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman

Best Animated Film
Bolt (2008)
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
WALL·E (2008)

Best Foreign Language Film
Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (2008)
Maria Larssons eviga ögonblick (2008)
Gomorra (2008)
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (2008)
Waltz with Bashir (2008)

Best Television Series - Drama
"Dexter" (2006)
"House M.D." (2004)
"In Treatment" (2008)
"Mad Men" (2007)
"True Blood" (2007)

Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy
"Californication" (2007)
"Entourage" (2004)
"The Office" (2005)
"30 Rock" (2006)
"Weeds" (2005)

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Bernard and Doris (2007)
"Cranford" (2007)
"John Adams" (2008)
A Raisin in the Sun (2008) (TV)
Recount (2008) (TV)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Ralph Fiennes for Bernard and Doris (2007)
Paul Giamatti for "John Adams" (2008)
Kevin Spacey for Recount (2008) (TV)
Kiefer Sutherland for 24: Redemption (2008) (TV)
Tom Wilkinson for Recount (2008) (TV)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Judi Dench for "Cranford" (2007)
Catherine Keener for An American Crime (2007)
Laura Linney for "John Adams" (2008)
Shirley MacLaine for Coco Chanel (2008) (TV)
Susan Sarandon for Bernard and Doris (2007)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Alec Baldwin for "30 Rock" (2006)
Steve Carell for "The Office" (2005)
Kevin Connolly for "Entourage" (2004)
David Duchovny for "Californication" (2007)
Tony Shalhoub for "Monk" (2002)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Christina Applegate for "Samantha Who?" (2007)
America Ferrera for "Ugly Betty" (2006)
Tina Fey for "30 Rock" (2006)
Debra Messing for "The Starter Wife" (2008)
Mary-Louise Parker for "Weeds" (2005)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
Gabriel Byrne for "In Treatment" (2008)
Michael C. Hall for "Dexter" (2006)
Jon Hamm for "Mad Men" (2007)
Hugh Laurie for "House M.D." (2004)
Jonathan Rhys Meyers for "The Tudors" (2007)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Sally Field for "Brothers & Sisters" (2006)
Mariska Hargitay for "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999)
January Jones for "Mad Men" (2007)
Anna Paquin for "True Blood" (2007)
Kyra Sedgwick for "The Closer" (2005)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Neil Patrick Harris for "How I Met Your Mother" (2005)
Denis Leary for Recount (2008) (TV)
Jeremy Piven for "Entourage" (2004)
Blair Underwood for "In Treatment" (2008)
Tom Wilkinson for "John Adams" (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Eileen Atkins for "Cranford" (2007)
Laura Dern for Recount (2008) (TV)
Melissa George for "In Treatment" (2008)
Rachel Griffiths for "Brothers & Sisters" (2006)
Dianne Wiest for "In Treatment" (2008)

trailer trash- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

You've have probably seen the trailer for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" movie 10 times, seeing as that it's on during every primetime commercial break. It's been heralded as one of the best movies of the year, will be nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Picture-Drama category, and probably an Oscar as well. Though every time I watch this version that features Arcade Fire's "My Body is a Cage*," I become overwhelmed, intoxcicated and desperate for it to be Christmas Day so I can FINALLY see the movie which I think is the intention. Anyway the film is based on one of my favorite F. Scott Fitzgerald short stories about a man who is born old and ages backwards. The film stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, and Taraji P. Henson, and is directed by David Fincher. It's a sweeping romantic epic that clocks in at 2 hours and 45 minutes and has me anxiously awaiting Christmas Day as if I were 6 years old again. So I've posted the Arcade Fire scored version of the trailer below and a longer one after it. Please enjoy and I hope you're as excited about the Holiday Season as I am about this movie.




*also my eyes start to well up and I'm reminded of when I saw them perform at Coachella 2007, though that song in particular has always had a strange power over me, that I can't explain/comprehend.

Mad Men is the greatest show on TV right now

I have absolutely no idea why it took me so long to post about "Mad Men," because it just happens to be the best show on TV. it premiered last summer on AMC, and was up against USA's highly publicized spy-dramedy "Burn Notice," which one the ratings race, but certainly not the superior reviews. not until right before the 2nd season premiered this July did I fully emerse myself in this gem of a show. not only did it win the Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Television Series, the actor the show is centered around, Jon Hamm, (my boyfriend) won the award for Best Lead Actor in a Dramatic Television Series. though because of the Writer's Strike, the ceremony wasn't broadcast so most people had no idea, but now more and more most certainly do.
i recommend this show over everything else that's on TV right now. since "The Wire" ended this past spring, i've been desperate to find a program as rewarding, enriching, and well executed, and "Mad Men" is most definitely it.

the show takes place in Manhattan on Madison Avenue in the early 60's at the Sterling-Cooper Advertising Agenvy. "mad men" is a term that advertising execs coined about themselves and their high flying, hard working, 3 martini lunch lives. every aspect and detail of the show is impeccable, from the the scripts to the costumes, the entire cast and crew is dedicated to transporting the audience to a different era and they most certainly succeed. yes it is a drama, but the show has a great many comedic moments that hold their own against the gut-wrenching situations that unfold. for those of you desperate to catch up on what's happening Entertainment Weekly has created "10 Things New Viewers Need to Know" or the " Episode Guides" to fill you in. though i recommend buying the first season immediately and then somehow trying to dive into the second as soon as possible. i must warn you, while watching you'll desperately want to drink and smoke cigarettes, even if you're not a drinker or a smoker. i've posted a LOT of pictures of below, hoping to capture the beauty, elegance and sheer brilliance of this show. once you've enjoyed them, START WATCHING "MAD MEN!"

Jon Hamm as Donald Draper

Don Draper and John Slattery as Roger Sterling

Vincent Kartheiser as Pete Campbell

Peggy Olsen and Pete Campbell

Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olsen

Michael Gladis as Paul Kinsey and Aaron Staton as Ken Cosgrove

Christina Hendricks as Joan Holloway

January Jones as Betty Draper

tis the season!

greetings and salutations to all! tis the season for santa, channukah and great movies. i actually saw no country for old men last night and it was incredible. a real potboiler, taught with suspense and the only soundtrack was the sound of the characters intensity throughout every scene in the film. the coen brothers are brilliant as we all know, fargo and the big lebowski are perfect examples of their proficiency as film makers, but javier bardem is electrifyingly creepy and brilliant as a psychopathic hitman named Chigurh (yes it sounds like sugar.) and josh brolin blows you away with his mostly silent performance as the stories protagonist. anyone who has seen "the fugitive" or "batman forever" knows tommy lee jones can act and this film is certainly another great definitive moment in his ever evolving career as an actor. did you know he was roommates with al gore at harvard? in short see this movie, it's fantastic, which is why it's been nominated for a golden globe for best drama.



while we're on the subject of great achievements in art my latest obsession is the Goyard St. Louis Tote. if you look under women's articles you can catch a glimpse of this super chic and multi use bag that i saw everywhere during art basel and at the pulse art fair. Goyard is a leather goods maker that's been around since 1853 and are finally making their mark on the mainstream. their luggage and bags used to only be available to royalty and the biggest celebrities, but the the tote can be yours for only $845...ye i know that's beyond ridiculous for something made of canvas, but sure is beautiful and comes in 10 different colors. the bags are exclusively sold at Barneys and two other locations in NY and LA aside from Goyard's flagship store in Paris, and no they cannot be ordered online.

on a completely different note, google is launching a publishing format called Knol that is supposed to rival wikipedia. learn more here.

have a happy holiday and wait with bated breath for my next post and what santa brings you!












i also just found a green version of the bag:



The Go-Green Goyard St. Louis Shopper Tote
Goyard special green edition canvas purse is designed from 100% recycled natural material without plastic or petroleum. You can find it at your local Barneys, where it retails for $1,095. Also, since Barney’s no longer sells Goyard designer handbags online, visit Goyard.com to get a list of department stores that sell them in your area.

Remember with the monogramming you have to tack on an additional $310. Personally I could resist the recycle symbol, it makes the bag look like a cheap $5 grocery sack, and just go with my initials.