performance: on the run

If the guns, sex, '70s grit, or the film's middle-finger-to-the-world point of view isn't seductive enough, please watch the opening credits sequence to Sam Peckinpah's "The Getaway".

the comfort zone

I'm firmly planted next to my fan and my favorite summer indulgence, vanilla bean ice cream and fresh blueberries, enjoying the day off. These kind of holidays are best experienced with classic comfort food. After gorging on Avedon at the ICP, I stopped at Shake Shack for my first ShakeBurger. Needless to say, it was worth the wait. The cheese was perfectly melted and blended well with the firm tomato, crisp lettuce, and juicy burger. The strawberry shake I ordered helped me wash down the golden crinkle cut fries that had just the right crunch. Next up on the comfort food kick? Root Beer Bourbon Floats and Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs with Avocado at home.

Enjoy the holiday!

computer love

Motherboard Tee, Red Amethyst
Rogan, $39 (On Sale at Barneys)

I can now look like a cast member of "Tron."

the look

Avedon Fashion
1944-2000
International Center of Photography
The lines, the composition, the glamour, the sex, the energy--what more could you want?

enter the void

"Lust for Life"
Nathaniel Brown and Paz de la Huerta
photographed by Nan Goldin
V, 59
Nathaniel Brown and Paz de la Huerta are the stars of Gasper Noe's latest foray into the trippy and disturbing in "Enter the Void." The film debuted at Cannes this week and tells the story of a dead drug dealer who looks over his sister as she grieves in the neon lit world of Tokyo. I've seen his last two films, "Irreversible" and "I Stand Alone", both of which are deeply unsettling films, but at least are consistent in their shocking tone and artful construction. Manohla Dargis of The New York Times had this to say about "Enter the Void":

What largely distinguishes it, beyond the stunning cinematography, is that this is the work of an artist who’s trying to show us something we haven’t seen before, even while he liberally samples images and ideas from Stanley Kubrick and the entirety of American avant-garde cinema. The grungy milieu and calculated shocks might have been designed to make you flee — even while your attention is tethered to the camera — but, really, these aren’t the point. The point is the filmmaking.

five and dime

Thom Browne's five favorite films:

"Death in Venice", 1971
"The Garden of the Finzi-Continis", 1970
"2001: A Space Odyssey", 1968
"The Thomas Crown Affair", 1968
"Barry Lyndon", 1975
Good taste or obvious taste?

down by the bay

Don Siegel's 1979 film, "Escape from Alcatraz" (playing as a part of the Film Forum Con Film Festival) still wasn't enough to make me an Eastwood believer, but damned if the the hard ass squint of 70's Eastwood (when he seemed less aware of his iconic status) didn't make a strong case. Watching the percolating, creased face of Eastwood burn to a slow boil as he devises the ultimate plan to escape from the ultimate prison was the film's strength, but leave it to an uneven and surprisingly non-engaging level of suspense to make the film fall a little flat by the time the boys break loose (it's not a spoiler, the film is based on a true story). Post-film I spotted Lauren Hutton looking lovely in a leg brace and smoking a cigar of some sort and asking what was playing next. A definite welcomed respite after a movie with no female eye candy. The beautiful, famous women most grown on the non-existent trees here because I keep seeing them left and right.

the straight and narrow

Helmut Lang
Raw Selvedge Straight Leg Jean
Thanks to the Save Fashion Sale, I now own Helmut Lang jeans. My life and wardrobe are finally complete. For now.

variety lights

Yayoi Kusama
Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity, 2009
Mixed media installation
now at the Gagosian Gallery

I saw Kate Winslet on the street about ten minutes after I stepped out of this installation. I still can't decide which was a more eye-popping experience.

all plaid out

Light Cotton Zip Parka
Uniqlo, $49.50
I just can't get enough.

first look: the road

"The Road"
directed by John Hillcoat
October 16, 2009 (limited)

I. cannot. wait. for. this. movie.

ssshhh!

A friend of a friend of a friend of a friend confirmed to me that a certain unsung classic will finally gets its due with a release on the Criterion Collection later this year. I'm not at liberty to discuss how I know this or what film will get this prestigious honor, but let's just say it's a masterpiece of epic proportions that's wildly sardonic and captures the cultural zeitgeist in the most nuanced and profoundest of ways. You can start guessing now.

the new girl

This past Friday marked the last day for one of the interns at my work and to celebrate we went to La Esquina for cocktails and a light dinner. I had the octopus tostadas served on crisp tortillas and more margarita's than perhaps I should've had. In short, it was delicious. Not only was the food excellent, but mid-meal I spotted model Lakshmi Menon and good God she's a stunning creature. Cheekbones as high as they could be and an inimitable cool that separated her from the rest of the mere models dining and cocktailing, she's obviously very pretty, but she radiated depth and intruige (How many models can you say that about?). I love that this city is filled to the brim with beautiful women.

king of cool

"Yesterday’s Loner: Steve McQueen"
Film Society of Lincoln Film Center
May 20-26, 2009
I. WILL. BE. THERE.

new romantic

"Ghosts"
Japan
Live on "The Old Grey Whistle Test"
1982

Yet another post-"Lost" treat. I think the best part of this is the fact that lead singer David Sylvian doesn't get up from his chair. If you were that cool, would you?

jealous of an eight-year-old

Crewcuts by J. Crew
May 2009
I think swishy pants and shoes that lit up as you walked were big when I was in elementary school. If only I had Crewcuts at my disposal I could have been a young sartorial star like the "Mad Men" creator's son.

first look: whatever works

"Whatever Works"
directed by Woody Allen
June 19, 2009 (limited)

Those Southern accents are so distracting!

cover girl

"Models are about high heels and short dresses."--Gisele Bundchen
making a good point in custom Versace
at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute
Gala Opening of the "Models as Muses" Exhibit
She couldn't have said it better.

buy! buy! buy!

Reverse Seam Outside Pocket Short Sleeve, $119
Plaid Cotton Skinny Tie, $29
Short Mac, $229
All by Steven Alan
STEVEN ALAN PRESALE! And with the Save Fashion Sale that will count me as a customer as soon as the men's items arrive at the end of the month, HOW DOES THIS CITY EXPECT ME TO NOT GO BROKE?????

song of the week: ""love like a sunset"

I'm pretty susceptible to semi-indulgent instrumentals. Then again, the last time I saw Phoenix, I think indulgent was the order of the day.

the one and only

Helmut Lang attending
Cartier 100 Years in America
April 30th, 2009
This is exactly how I'd want a suit to fit. I miss Helmut. I have strong memories of flipping through my dad's GQ's from the mid-late 90's and his look was always persuasively described as "cool", "austere", and "of-the-moment." Whatever it was, it made sense to me. His jeans were the first designer jeans I felt like I had to own and I wanted to imitate his paired down, minimalist style with the basics I could afford at Gap and Old Navy. I 'mstill waiting for that Helmut piece that I'm sure will change my life, but until then I'll keep hoping to look as refined and relaxed as Mr. Lang.

age of consent

Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart
Adventureland
directed by Greg Mattola, 2009
I really, really, really wanted to like this movie, but don't you hate it when you watch a movie and its hip factor is poured on so thick it might as well cover some waffles rather than entertain and engage you? I will say Greg Mattola's "Adventureland" is slightly more nuanced than "Superbad", but with all of the Lou Reed obsessions, Husker Du concert tees on Kristen Stewart, and Yo La Tengo score, I couldn't help but wonder was this Mark Mothersbaugh-esque hipster catnip or simply a director with good taste? By the way, where can I find Mattola's first film, "Daytrippers" on DVD?