Film

i am love (lo sono l'amor) is visual poetry

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I Am Love (Lo Sono L'Amor) easily finds itself on my top five films of all time. It is the most beautiful film I have seen since In The Mood For Love. The cinematography alone is one of the most stunning I have ever seen. It is visual poetry. Tilda Swinton's searing performance is not to be missed. Just before I saw the film, I read that the timeless and elegantly minimal wardrobe is comprised of Raf Simons for Jil Sander and Fendi. I loved the way Swinton's character Emma's transition is complemented by a change in her entire look, mirroring the contrast that unfolds in her life. All throughout the film, she is the epitome of elegance. The older version of me would love to be dressed the way Emma is dressed. The film's sweeping (but grand) simplicity is also translated in it's soundtrack. It was refreshing to see a mature woman in the lead role of a provocative love story. The food, set design/architecture and, not to mention, the sexy (and younger) leading man played by Alba Rorwacher, made for one incredibly sexy film. It inspires daydreams of forbidden love affairs with a backdrop of a luscious, sunlit Italian countryside – all without even a hint of cheese. I Am Love was also sensitively and intelligently written and edited. It is destined to be one of the classic films of all time. I rarely use this word, but it can really only be described as exquisite. GO SEE IT.

Photo sources: 1-3, 4, 5, 6

the kids are alright

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Tonight my friend Jenna and I watched the advanced screening of this wonderful film: The Kids Are Alright. First of all, what a great cast. Combine that with a funny, smart and heartfelt script and what you get is seriously solid filmmaking. The acting was superb. The best I've seen in a long time. I immediately loved the characters. The actors took the writing – and the story – to a whole new level. It was about time a well-done story was told about a modern family. They succeeded in portraying a family with gay parents to feel about as ordinary as any other family – complete with all the typical concerns and everyday struggles that we can all relate to. Not only that, it was totally hilarious! You will laugh out loud, you will cry – and love every minute of it. And Mark Ruffalo: super sexy and adorable (where has he been hiding?!) Anyway, I can't say enough about this film. Just go see it!

If you're aching for an alternative to the big, loud summer blockbusters, this one is a sure bet. It will be in theaters July 9th, 2010.

 

inspired title sequences : sherlock holmes

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If you haven't seen Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes yet, you must. I saw it with my sister over the holidays. What a great film, deliciously clever and sexy. I cannot say enough. As a designer, I was so struck by the title sequences at the end of the film. They are absolutely gorgeous –also a must see. Watch it here.


Images from Prologue Films

 

augusti puig for vicky christina barcelona

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I watched many films over the holidays (the other activity aside from eating). Some of them for a second time. Vicky Christina Barcelona was one of them. Definitely one of my favourite films from 2008. Watching it again reminded me of how much I absolutely loved the paintings featured in the film. I had to find out who the artist was. I learned that it is Augusti Puig. He contributed his canvases and studio materials for the film even taught Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem his technique to prepare them for their roles. I love his enormous canvases of abstract expressionist paintings. I would love to own one!




a single man and his house

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I was so impressed with Tom Ford's A Single Man. I saw it last night. An impeccably dresses Colin Firth delivered an amazing performance – worthy of the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival and recent Golden Globe nod. The film was so well done. Much respect to Tom Ford for his direction, screenplay writing of the film. WOW. There was also a lot of eye candy (mostly male), some well-framed shots showcasing beautiful clothing and faces (of course) and beautiful cinematography. I loved the subtle (and selective) taking away and adding of color saturation depending on the mood of Colin Firth's character. Interesting that women were almost always shown in full color saturation. Anyway, such a gorgeous film and love story.

One element of the film that I really appreciated was the house that Colin Firth's character (George) and his lover lived in. My jaws dropped during the first few scenes. What an amazing house. After a bit of a search online for some information on the house, I learned that architect John Edward Lautner designed it. The Schaffer house (a private residence) is considered to be a triangle modernist style — I'd never heard of this before. I was also thrilled to find out that it's located in Glendale, CA where we lived when I was young.

**Update** I just learned that the house is up for sale for $1.5 million. See listing. Wow, I wish!

View my previous post on A Single Man the trailer here.

All architecture images from here and here.

so fantastic, mr. fox

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I absolutely adored Fantastic Mr. Fox, it may be Wes Anderson's best work yet. Really. It may be my favourite George Clooney film too. What could be better than Anderson's dry humour delivered by animal puppets? Great cast, brilliant writing. Couple that with his extreme attention to detail of all aspects of the film – particularly the set and costumes – it's genius. The stop-motion animation is also a nice change from all the computer animated features of late (not that there's anything wrong with them...). I really appreciate the work that went into this film. One hilarious little detail was the iMac (complete with yellow sticky notes stuck to it) that sits in the office of Mr. Fox's lawyer, "Badger" (played by Bill Murray).
p.s. This film is kid-friendly too, plenty of laughs for everyone. Watch for the particularly clever use of the word "cuss." So freaking funny.
Just to give you a glimpse into what went into making the film, check this out and watch the video below. it's incredible.

Photos from Fantastic Mr. Fox website

Photo from Vanity Fair
The Making Of Fantastic Mr. Fox

 

the september issue : grace coddington

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I finally watched The September Issue last night. Loved it. It was very well done, fun, funny and engaging. I must say (and I realize I'm not the first to say this) that Grace Coddington, Vogue's Fashion Editor, was the real hero of the film. She is and has been the GENIUS behind the magazine's editorial fashion spreads for the past two decades. She is brilliant. My only wish was to see more of her creative process behind the editorials as well as the photo shoots themselves.
The only comment I will make about Anna Wintour is that if she were a man, no one would question her work ethic and demeanor. Men can be no-nonsense in the workplace, whereas women are still expected to be nice in addition to getting the job done.
 I wasn't surprised by what it took to put that magazine together. It was fascinating getting a peek into the process. If you haven't seen the film yet, GO! It's worth it.

From the haute couture editorial of Vogue's Sept issue as featured in the film, styled by Grace Coddington
From the 1920s editorial of Vogue's Sept issue as featured in the film, styled by Grace Coddington
The deleted 1920s spread featured in the film, , styled by Grace Coddington

 

 

Grace Coddington and Anna Wintour

I love this image of Grace Coddington (and the doggie!) back in her modeling days in the 60s

 

the rom-com for cynics : 500 days of summer

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You may have noticed the film 500 Days of Summer being heavily promoted (and hyped) lately. I tried not to read reviews. But it was difficult to ignore the television ads. I went into seeing this film almost not wanting to like it. Despite reservations I had about just how *great* this film is supposed to be, I had to see it for myself.


I was pleasantly surprised. It's really funny, clever, charming and innovative in a way that doesn't make me roll my eyes. Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are completely irresistible. Crush-worthy. The costume and set design were great. I adored Summer's (Zooey Deschanel's) outfits. Everything was well-considered and smart. There was even a nod to 60s French New Wave films which was unexpected. There was a reference to my favourite author Alain de Botton and his book The Architecture of Happiness (in my top five books of all-time). This alone could have sold me on the film! I also loved the split screen sequences that plays out the male lead character's "Expectations" of an evening on the left and the "Reality" on the right. It wasn't self-indulgent or annoying. It was modern. The best way I can describe this film is it's the romantic comedy for rom-com cynics. I liked it. A lot. It's well-worth seeing on the big screen. Really. Just go see it.

 

Film still photo from imdb.com

 

jason dasilva: when i walk

Among my friends who inspire me most, Jason DaSilva gets top rank. He's a documentary film maker who's primary focus has been social justice issues. About five years ago, Jason was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Since his diagnosis, Jason has decided to turn the camera on himself for the first time. He's currently working on a film about his own struggles as a filmmaker and young man struggling with MS entitled When I Walk. His film received major funding from ITVS and will be broadcast on PBS later this year. 

Jason's passion and fierce determination is of endless inspiration to me. It gives us all much needed perspective. 

Thank you, Jason. You are my hero. 

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society also featured Jason on their billboard in Time Square this MS Awareness Week (last week)! I did not know that here are 400,000 people in the U.S. alone who are struggling with MS. Please spread the word about Jason's film and help increase awareness about MS. For more info please go to WhenIWalk.com.

Jason is in India as we speak, seeking alternative and holistic treatments. He is documenting his travels and below is his first journal entry. This will become part of his finished film. More to come. 

speaking of cinematic...

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I am a immense appreciator of well-designed, clever, creative and beautiful title sequences for film (as well as the films themselves, of course). Art of the Title is solely dedicated to featuring great sequence titles. The examples above are just a few of them. They also have viewable clips of each one. Love it. 
Stranger Than Fiction

 

Juno

 

High Fidelity

 

 


Delicatessen

 

Napoleon Dynamite