song of the week: "moments in love"

"Moments in Love"
Art of Noise
1984

the greatest

Very few artists have perfect careers. John Cazale is the exception to the rule. His filmography is brief, but important. "The Conversation", "Dog Day Afternoon", "The Godfather", "The Godfather Part 2", and "The Deer Hunter" are seminal works of not only their time, but of the early, developing careers of some of the greatest filmmakers of the last half century. They're also what would become Cazale's varied, dimensional, and faultless career on screen. Lanky with a recessed hairline that stopped to reveal a prominently carved out forehead and brow, Cazale was not leading man material. However, his performances were never lost in the shadows of his big name co-stars.

It's hard to say which one of his performances is my favorite, but I love how diametrically opposed his singular portrayals of the turncoat brother in "The Godfather" and the blue collar Average Joe effected by his friend's war traumas in "The Deer Hunter." I wish the New York Magazine article on Cazale's legacy was a little more fleshed out, but it does make me excited about the documentary short on Cazale's life to be released this year.


"The Godfather Part 2"
1974
directed by Francis Ford Coppola


"The Deer Hunter"
1978
directed by Michael Cimino

the beach

Hold my calls, please. I'm headed to Coney Island for the afternoon...

the jacket

Washed Leather Jacket
Tim Hamilton, $2000 (originally)
It might not be leather jacket weather, but I'm on the hunt for one to sport this fall. I went to the Tim Hamilton sample sale today and I came across this beauty. It was on sale for $400, which is a bit steep, but for a jacket with such thoughtful and functional design, I'd be willing to pay just about anything. I especially like this style because of it's easy, clean lines and zipper details. The leather was so soft and rich that I considered it for a moment, but these are tough times for everybody, so I only made off with a button down. Oh well, the search shall continue...

soul man

Soul Train has its own YouTube channel. It's limited, but what's there is definitely worth a watch. This is how it's done.

"The Popcorn Dance"
1974


Stevie Wonder being a genius.
1973


Rick James geeked out of his mind.
1980


A mustached James Brown and a young Al Sharpton. How does it get better?
1974

the next big thing?

"Sea Within A Sea"
The Horrors
directed by Douglas Hart

I don't want to like this band, but it's so hard to resist. Damn them and their shoegazing and Joy Division appropriation. However, maybe my damnation should be aimed at Yves Saint Laurent for continuing the streak awesome music choices. I just hope they don't end up like The Libertines. Yeah, remember them?

first look: alien

"Alien"
directed by Ridley Scott
1979

I know what I'm doing this weekend...

t

Burn Out Raglan
Alternative Apparel, $24.99I could wear a t-shirt every day and be totally happy. I've been on a big Rogan kick recently because they're impossibly cool and super soft (surprisingly a tough combo), but Alternative Apparel's Burn Out Raglan could very well fit into my t-shirt collection. I used to own jersey cotton t-shirt sheets and there's something really comforting about being swathed in t-shirt fabric as you sleep. I guess it should come as no surprise that a certain brand now offers bedding.

naomi, naomi, naomi

The wind was calm, the sky was blue, and the next thing I know, Naomi Watts walks by me on the street this afternoon. All the real babes are in this city.

via NaomiWatts.org

god bless america

10 things I love about America:

• Hilary Rhoda
• The collaborative works of Steve McQueen and Sam Peckinpah
• Bacon Cheeseburgers (on a sesame seedless bun, of course)
  
• Converse All Stars
• Bulleit Bourbon
• J. Crew Button Downs
• 70's era Stevie Wonder
• Whit Stillman
• Mid-Century Modern Art
• New York City

Happy 4th!
W.

"femme fatale"

Beck and the Record Club
"Femme Fatale" (Velvet Underground Cover)

Nico, who?