Friday, November 27, 2009

wanted: the cardigan

Marled wool Shawl-Collar Cardigan
J. Crew, $138

I have a theory that J. Crew has gotten too expensive since it has received the Obama seal of approval (seriously, why does NOTHING go on sale at the men's shop on Broadway?), but I can't resist this cardigan. I don't know if it's age or the fact that I shopped a ton this year, but I can't think of too many things I want for Christmas, but this cardigan has shot to the top of the list. Boardgames and Moon Shoes just don't do it for any more. However, this cardigan with the marled black and white knit looks like something Steve McQueen might have worn next to a fireplace in his chalet après-ski on the set of "Le Mans" and in my constant quest to steal any drop of his cool factor and impeccable style, I must have it. I won't participate in Black Friday, but the link will quickly get forwarded to Santa (a.k.a. my parents).

Monday, November 23, 2009

the end : 2000

2000
1. Traffic, directed by Steven Soderbergh
2. Erin Brockovich, directed by Steven Soderbergh
3. Billy Elliot, directed by Stephen Daldry
4. Best In Show, directed by Christopher Guest
5. Nurse Betty, directed by Neil LaBute
6. Dancer in the Dark, directed by Lars Von Trier
7. State and Main, directed by David Mamet
8. Pollock, directed by Ed Harris
9. Tigerland, directed by Joel Schumacher
10. Before Night Falls, directed by Julian Schnabel

Sunday, November 22, 2009

song of the week: "heaven can wait"


"Heaven Can Wait"
Charlotte Gainsbourg feat. Beck
directed by Keith Schofield

More reason to love French women and Beck.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

the end

With the first decade of the 21st century coming to a close, I couldn't help but think about what we'll consider great filmmaking in that pivotal period. My dad told me that at the time of "A Clockwork Orange"'s release, people hated it and thought it was offensive trash. Thirty some odd years later, it's lauded as an iconic film about the frisson between the monsters we are deep inside and the monsters society can construct us to be. I believe in new film and I think over the past ten years there have been some striking, affecting work that will hopefully resonate not only in their current beloved state, but will be considered a part of that iconic pantheon of artistic verisimilitude.

I've made a top ten every year since 1999. Over the next couple of weeks leading up to the new year, I'll reveal my lists for each year, ending in my list of the ten best films of the past decade. I know that 1999 was technically the end of the 1990's, but it's a good place to start to see what preceded the new millennium. Please note that when I was sixteen my palette was a little different than what it is now and the lists represent the films that I saw that year. I still feel that some of these films are important works that perhaps didn't win a plethora of awards, but say something about the late 90's/early 2000's of economic boom and downfall, the exploration of the self in the new frontier, and the changing face of heroism, themes that are topical for the moment, but resonate for an eternity.

These were my ten favorite films of 1999:

1. Magnolia, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
2. Fight Club, directed by David Fincher
3. The Talented Mr. Ripley, directed by Anthony Minghella
4. Notting Hill, directed by Roger Michell
5. The Insider, directed by Michael Mann
6. Run Lola Run, directed by Tom Tykwer
7. Three Kings, directed by David O. Russell
8. All About My Mother, directed by Pedro Almodovar
9. Dogma, directed by Kevin Smith
10. The Matrix, directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski

Friday, November 13, 2009

the search continues...

Jimmy Choo for H&M
$299

The shape I love.
The color I love.
The price tag I do not love.
The fact that I would always have to say, "It's Jimmy Choo for H&M", every time someone asks where I got it, I do not love.

Perfect leather jacket, why must you elude me?