The Glitter Child

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The smells of food are the same as the smells of sex and fear

I hope you weren't assuming that I was going to make all these movies JUST Romances.

That's a bit silly!!

After all, to my mind, love should be celebrated every day. The same goes for good movies.

So I bring you Day 2 of...

Today's feature is...

This is a movie that nobody I know has seen, and it's really a tragedy!! The story is essentially centered on 4 people who are trying to find their "Moby Dick" in life.

Fifi Coco

There's Fiona Coco, nicknamed Fifi, who is a young woman with an incredible culinary gift. Everything she makes tastes exquisite and she could be truly great if only she could stop being afraid of her own talent and eventually becoming stagnant. Instead of working in a fabulous five-star restaurant, she works at a short order dive called Ishmael's. She has her friends and her good days, but all in all it's a thankless job that requires her to use just enough brains to remain conscious.

Catherine

Catherine works as the delivery girl for Ishmael's, and is a friendly acquaintance of Fifi. She works the night shift, bringing a pack of cigarettes for Fifi now and again, and they chat sometimes, but beyond that she is detached from the world. She can muse on about how there's a picture of her all over the world, in the background of someone else's photo, but when it comes to actually taking on the dare from Fifi to kiss her and have a human connection, she just brushes it off as "would that make life better for you?"

Paulo

Paulo is the owner and head chef and basically server and barman of the Mediterranean restaurant adjacent to Fifi's Ishmael's. He cares for Fifi like an uncle for his niece, with sweet comments about how talented she is, but also firm complaints that she is absolutely insane. Paulo also has his own quirks, though, and begins his entrance to the movie by mentioning to Fifi that the greatest meal would be to eat Paulo himself. "I feel ripe," he laughs,"like a fucking melon!". Paulo doesn't have sympathy for dine-and-dashers, and for every one of the "little bastards" he catches, he cuts off a finger. In turn that finger is put into his underground-famous Osso Bucco, which many foodies come especially to request. Paulo is searching for the one man who has become notorious for never paying a bill for his meal, the "Culinary Terrorist".

Harry

Harry is one of those foodies who has heard about "The Dish" and asks for it. He is a man who hates to stay in one place, because if you do, he says, you get "caught". There's something odd about him to Paulo, even though he's the only customer in the abandoned restaurant, and Paulo suspects he is the Culinary Terrorist. Is Harry out to pull one over on the one man who might be able to catch him, or does he just really love good food?

Paulo and The Butcher aim to find out!!

The movie is filled with allegories to Moby Dick, but also full of life, vigor, and hints of spice. Everyone has a story to tell, and frequently they relate sex to food. Indeed, the connection is a strong one: from a New York street vendor saying that women love to eat hot dogs for certain vengeful reasons, to a Pizzeria owner establishing with a hunk of dough exactly how he pleases the ladies, to a prostitute falling in love with a chef because "I knew whatever we ate that night would taste of her".

Don't look so frightened, Fifi! The Prossie ain't a cannibal!

It all interconnects on this tiny street corner in a European town where locals are just "extras in my movie" and anyone can be the one person to save each of them, if only they knew how to reach out and ask.

"That's what it is, Felix. You just want to fuck me."

Did I mention also that there is an EXQUISITE monologue delivered by the one and only Vanessa Redgrave and that I may have watched it 100 times?

I love you, Ma'am.

Also several sweet and delightful song/dance numbers by the beautiful Emma de Caunes, who expertly moves through the movie with a kind of glee and grace that belongs neither to a woman nor a child, but is completely all her own. Actresses, pay attention--this is how you make sure you're a strong female character!

I may have neglected to mention that there is a LITTLE bit of romance in the movie, beyond the Fifi and Catherine characters, in the story of a man who wanders in to Ishmael's from his lavish party in some fancy hotel. I won't spoil it for you, but it is one of my favorite scenes of all time due to its magical simplicity and realistic finality.

Overall, it's a rare gem of a film that needs to be seen by more people!! Not only are all the characters likable in their own special flawed way, it is also the perfect film to watch if you're single. Don't have a date? Good food certainly does suffice!!

And now the outfits...

Fifi Coco's wonderful colors and florals stand out amongst the rainy set

Catherine's laid-back approach to life echoes in her choice of jeans and 'nice flip flops'!

And where would we be without Felix and Paulo?

Bon Appetit, Mes Amis!

The Glitter Child

Labels: A Film A Day...

Friday, January 29, 2010

Cap ou pas cap?

I know for a fact that I am not the only single girl on the planet.

I also know for a fact that every year when February begins, all of us single girls usually find ourselves in a conundrum:

Do we seek out a potential mate in time for the big day, do we stay in our rooms and watch movies and tv shows and eat some pizza to feel better, or do we proclaim that love is a fickle bitch and merely seethe?

I've done all the above, having never dated someone for more than two weeks in my entire life, and I can tell you that right now I'm in my own state of Benjamin Linus: I have cast love away from me in favor of more intellectual pursuits. But that isn't to say I despise the big V-day. On the contrary, I think any celebration of love is a fantastic thing and should not be decried as "Just another fucking Hallmark Holiday".

I may be a little bit early in my sentiments (blimey, it's only January 29th) but I figure that...

Today's Feature is...

Perhaps one of my favorite "Romances", this is to me the antithesis of all Hollywood romances. How many movies about love begins by telling you to never, and I mean never ever, bury yourself in a block of cement?

NE JAMAIS JAMAIS!!!

Julien is the son of a very ill mother and a father who has become detached and abusive with grief. His one treasure is a small tin of candy that resembles a carousel. He is a boy who doesn't even know he's lonely, but finds a companion in the poor Polish Sophie.

It's okay, Sophie. The girl in the orange dress behind you will take you to THE FUTURE!

To cheer Sophie up he gives her the Carousel Tin, but she won't give it back unless he does something for her. So begins a ~~love story~~...err a ~~tale of friendship~~ ...well, a game of dares that they can't seem to stop, even when Julien's mother dies. Sophie only seems to be causing Julien trouble, getting them in detention, getting Julien hit even more often by his now-recluse father, and yet they're having more fun than ever.

IT'S A TRAP!!!

Fast forward and Julien and Sophie are now at university, still joined at the hip, but their dares have become progressively more adult despite their childish joy. Sophie dares Julien to sleep with a floozy so she can have her earrings, Julien dares Sophie to slap a huge rock of a man she has slept with, the list of games goes on...

"What if Sophie were to wear her bra...."

Until Sophie realizes that everything has become a joke to them, and she's not really laughing any more. She dares Julien to kiss her, and he is more than willing to oblige, but when she asks if he loves her, all he can ask is "Is that a dare?". Even when Sophie gives him one more chance to prove that he's not playing with her, he pretty much blows it. Despite how visibly Sophie is affected, she tells Julien that he "can't hurt her".

I know I'd dare him to love me...

They decide to spend a some time apart. A lot can happen in a year, you know? And a lot does, in a little montage of different relationships and breakups that happen outside the little cafe where Sophie gets a job. The day that the year is up, Julien returns, asking Sophie out to dinner. After much arguing she agrees, getting all dressed up and going to quite a fancy restaurant indeed. She spots a girl at another table wearing the same dress she wore the day she and Julien began their 'break'. She comments that the girl looks rather dowdy in it. Julien tells her that she doesn't even know this girl, and she's being quite rude. He then begins a sort of romantic interlude and we're wondering "Will he?". He does! He wants to marry Sophie! Sophie accepts! And wait--who's that standing up? The girl in Sophie's dress? "I'd like you to meet my fiance.You will be my witness," he tells Sophie, handing her the Carousel Tin. It was all designed to remind Sophie that he "can hurt" her.

I gotta admit, I'd be pretty pissed too.

And Julien does marry this girl, even inviting Sophie to the wedding. But did he really think he could get away with that kind of tomfoolery?

"You said you'd marry me!" announces Sophie in the middle of the wedding. "Cap ou pas cap, Julien?"

Oh, now that's a bit harsh, Julien.

What happens next is a 10-year sabbatical from one another and the finale to one of the greatest love stories ever told...

One of the first things I fell in love with when I saw this movie years ago was the use of color and the childish costumes. Sophie almost always looks either like a princess, even in jeans, and Marion Cotillard's charm is impossible to not fall for. Not to mention the inexplicably disarming Guillaume Canet as Julien, who has a sweetness and tenderness underneath his strong desire to finally get ahold on his own life, whatever the cost. Jeux D'Enfants asks the question, "What is better? Excitement and fireworks and knowing that they'll burn out or the calm status quo that will bring you safety, even if it's just lukewarm?"

For me? I always choose fireworks.

And the costuming in Jeux D'enfants seems to correspond perfectly with the whole Valentine's Day palette so widely available this time of year, not to mention the upcoming warmer months of spring!!

Young Sophie

Teen Sophie

Adult, chic Sophie

This movie is truly beautiful to me and I hope you will enjoy it thoroughly!!

Love and Lace,

The Glitter Child

Labels: A Film A Day...

Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Anna Karina Show

So as I sat outside Barnes & Noble (where I currently work for small change) perched on a wall with a copy of Vinyl Princess (not actually a recommended book, but I have to read it) and a coffee in hand, watching a pack of history class punks pass me and bum smokes from strangers, I began to miss the freedom of my pre-work clothing.

You know, the days before "Business Casual" took me in its grasp. You see, they have a very specific 'general' dress code at my little bookstore.

brown, black, or khaki slacks or trousers (no fitted pants)
knee-length or at least lower-third-thigh length skirt
nice dress
clean blouse that shows no cleavage
closed toed shoes

Notice how she's totally NOT smiling? That's not just an "I'm a model"-face. That's "I'm bored".

And it really doesn't help that when I'm at home or going out, I'm more of a...

Than a...

However lovely Katharine Hepburn is, there is one thing she isn't---my style inspiration. So instead, I tried to turn my attention away from Glam/Punk/New Wave/Electro/Rock and to a very different inspiration...

The ever-beautiful and playfully charming Anna Karina.

Now it's very difficult to retire sequin leggings and pseudo-androgyny in favor of pencil skirts and smooth hair, but with the guide of Nouvelle Vague film star Anna, it becomes simple! The focus?

COLOR

And LOTS of it!!!

Now, I will admit that I am constantly flouting the dress code at work, but so far I get no complaints! Instead I've gotten a lot of great compliment(even on my rather hilarious Anna glasses!)

Nearly everyone who saw them could only smile and say "Nice glasses! They make me happy"

But even if you don't work somewhere that has banned your leather pants or your ripped up Sex Pistols t-shirt, even if you just kinda feel like switching it up a bit, or if you're like me and just absolutely in love with Karina, here's some ideas for how to move your wardrobe from "The Girl in the Band" to "The Euro-Sweetie"

Let's try using the same tops that you might already have and using different bottoms/tights...

Easy as pie! Just a few more pops of color and adding a skirt instantly makes it more "feminine and friendly". But everyone knows that. Hmm, something harder...

What if you actually DO own a pair of slacks or at least a pair of wide-leg trousers? How exactly do you make THOSE cute?

Granted, it's a bit more Menswear Chic than Girly Gorgeous, but I still think the element of playfulness remains!

What if you already have a rather good simple skirt but can't find a way to make it look Nouvelle Vague?

While the outfits on the left are certainly not ugly in any way, they're all pretty casual, right?
The outfits on the right are just a few ideas of how to take what you already own and wear it perhaps as you never have, or at least to remember that accessories and color always add a hint of glee and fun to every outfit.

Also, hello all new readers! Thank you so much for your views and comments! I would like to reply to them all but for some reason my formatting won't let me. Either way, they're very very very much appreciated!

Also a question for everyone,

How do you manage to keep your own style at work?

Labels: Fashion Crisis?

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

New Feature

Last night I revisited a favorite film of mine, The Brothers Bloom, starring Mark Ruffalo, Adrien Brody, Rachel Weisz, and Rinko Kikuchi. It was directed by Rian Johnson and the entire look of the film is superb and rich with warm history and childishly sketched images, not to mention a fantastic color palate.

When I first saw the film it was without knowing any of the story or setting beyond who the actors were. I think going into a film completely naive is the best gift to give yourself---especially if the film is good!! I was instantly sucked in to the story of two orphaned brothers who find themselves shuffled from home to home as per the Foster Family system. In one town the younger of the two brothers, Bloom (Adrien Brody), falls for a girl who he is too shy to speak to. His older brother Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) creates an elaborate ploy for Bloom to rise above his shyness and get the girl, plus a little bit of cash on the side. At the last minute of the final box in the con, Bloom chickens out from going after her, but they still get the money and the new found knowledge of what they're really good at. Fast-forward some years later and they are fully fledged con men with a con woman by their side named Bang Bang (Rinko Kikuchi). They are famous amongst those of their trade, but Bloom is repelled by who he has become and wants out. Stephen will let him go, but only after one last con involving the reclusive, rich, eccentric, and beautiful Penelope (Rachel Weisz).

Plus, it has one of the best filmed monologues to recent mind...

What more can you ask for in a film than a great story, exuberant film making, handsome men in charming suits, and beautiful women in great clothes?

"This isn't an adventure story, Penelope"

"Haha what are you talking about? It totally is!"

Penelope certainly caters to a more classic aesthetic in her Annie Hall meets Anna Karina garb, mixing a playful personality with bright pops of color and a 1940's beautiful love story simplicity.

Just some of her outfits....

Also, there are very few actresses with the same natural beauty as Rachel Weisz. Her face perfectly and casually illustrates the tiniest flicker of emotion with such a grace that is rare nowadays.

And then there's my personal favorite character, BANG BANG!