Rentable: SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

Imagine living in a cube without any human interaction or stimuli.  Your food is pushed through on a tray, through a tiny slot.  Your showers are computerized and timed.  You can't laugh with anyone.  Or talk about ideas, or regret, or sorrow.  Does the method of solitary confinement train our criminals to gain self-control?  Or does it simply increase the madness?  Decide for yourself and watch National Geographic's special on SOLITARY CONFINEMENT.  **Available under "documentary" via Netflix online streaming.

So Rentable: SAY ANYTHING.

I just watched this 80's iconic classic for the first time.  I know!  What's wrong with me?  SAY ANYTHING is positively hard candy sweet, funny, and 80's-rific.  It's about going for the girl that's way out of your league.  It's about falling madly, hopelessly in love.  It's about making out till this sun comes up.  It's about a young, desperately handsome John Cusack.  Now I finally know the story behind, "I gave her my heart, she gave me her pen."  Rent this ditty immediately.

Creativity Tuesday: What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?

I think James Franco was told he could do anything by his mom and pop-repeatedly. And unlike the rest of us, he actually believed it. Because he's done everything he's ever set out to do. Actor, writer, director, host, poet, college, graduate school.....and now, Professor Franco. Home boy will be teaching a graduate course at the Tisch School For the Arts, focused on turning poetry into short films. Only twelve students will be accepted into the course. I would hate to be the registrar on course scheduling day.




Like most females, I am not oblivious to Professor Franco's boyish charms. I also find his sense of humor and irreverence for the machine completely amusing. However, I think I appreciate James chiefly, because he tries everything. Even if he fails {Oscar hosting} he still has fun, and learns something new in the process. I can't believe I'm admitting this-but James Franco is sort of inspiring me not be fearful of stepping outside my own box. Would you take a course with James? Do you think he'll take the leadership role seriously? Discuss.

Rentable and Readable: THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE.

Five years ago my book club read THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE for one of the selections.  I enjoyed the book, but I offer two caveats; firstly if the book had a rating it would be a hard R for sexuality.  And secondly, I hated the first 250 pages.  I kept thinking, "Okay, I get it.  He time travels!"  If you can get past those two snags, you'll enjoy the book.  However, the film is an extremely sweet, PG-13 rating.  It takes out many of the gratuitous elements that were cruel in the text.  I really appreciated that the screen writers did their own take, making vast improvements to the screen play.  Another plus:  the actor {Eric Bana} who plays Henry is tres masculine and handsome.  Go rent it with some girlfriends this weekend. 

Must Rent: EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP.

I am a graffiti enthusiast.  It brings me such excitement and delight to find a fresh, new piece.  I live in a city where it's the people's art form.  Not pesky teenagers that haven't been hugged by their fathers.  Last Sunday Bunnie and I watched EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP, an Academy Award nominee for best documentary.  I felt such elation watching the story unfold.  Particularly since I have a personal connection with seeing much of the art here in Los Angeles.  I unknowingly posted one of the artist's pieces {here.}.  Follow the birth of a new medium, and decide what you think of guerrilla art-fare.

Oscar 2011 Wrap Up Party.

Helen Mirren sizzled in gunmetal.  Love the overall look and age appropriate sass.  I adore the shape of the frock, the jewels, the clutch, and the pixie cut.  I tip my cap to you Helen.

Mila Kunis looked like a mirage.  She embodied Titania from A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT DREAM.  I mean, come one, she looked better than the gorgeous model that initially donned the dress on the runway.

You go girl.  Show off your new body in vivid tangerine. 

Sandra's dress was perfection.  The frizzy hair-could have used some work.  I didn't enjoy the different shade of red clutch.  Come on Rachel Zoe!  You should have known better.

Way to go Miss Hailee.  She looked like a vision of loveliness.  No one has ever looked that poised at 14.  I am so glad that she wore something age appropriate.  I cringe when young women hag it up for award shows.

Hot.  She always looks hot.

I know that Miss Blanchett's dress has caused much turmoil.  However, I have decided that I enjoy the circle of life dress, as I've coined it.  Only Cate could get away with it.

For the first time ever, I'm adding two men to the list!  Christian Bale looked fabulous in his Black on black, on black combination.  His best accessory?  His hot wife-also wearing black.

Colin Firth; he's British, classically handsome, played Mr. Darcy, and now an Academy Award winner.  What a catch!  I have a feeling that Mrs. Firth keeps him in check though!

****Who were your favorites?

So close to the Oscars.

This year Bunnie and I watched the Oscars with our friend Cristy.  She lives just two blocks away from where the real action was.  Some day I'll have a permit to cross those barriers, because I'll be attending.

Must Rent: Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

Last week I was discussing my favorite Disney movies with friends and dropped BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS.  To which my friends replied, "What?"  They had never heard of it.  Before Harry Potter was on the scene, there was Angela Lansbury saving the world from Nazi invasions via magic.  Rent it, download it, buy it.  This classic must be revisited.  

Most Rentable: THE GRADUATE.

I hadn't the foggiest idea of this movie's content. What I did know was that Dustin Hoffman was the lead, and it was on my AFI Top 100 List. Let me cut to the chase, it's fantastic. It's an unorthodox coming of age story for a well-to-do young man. Benjamin is attempting to choose his next step in life. Quickly he finds that his opinion on the matter is inconsequential in the affluent world and expectations of his family. He's drowning, figuratively speaking of course. But water is literally ever present as a symbol throughout the film; fountains, ice, perspiration, and swimming pools. Watch this dramatic-comedy to find out why Simon and Garfunkel still have people singing to Mrs. Robinson. 

Most Rentable: Classic Cinema-GONE WITH THE WIND

Remember {here.} how I'm working my way down the AFI Top 100 Classic Films of all time?  Well, this week's selection was GONE WITH THE WIND.  I am in love with this movie!  I had never seen it before, and whenever I suggested it, everyone would squeal, "It's too long!"  It is long, but so very gratifying.  I loved the artistry of the cinematography.  The top picture is an example of how they played with silhouette and vibrant colors.  Breathtakingly romantic.  And the acting was top notch; standing the course of time.  Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, and Hattie McDaniel were born to play those roles.  For those of you who appreciate costuming, you'll go bananas over Scarlett's hats and dresses.  History buffs will salivate over a neutral take on the American Civil War, leaving the viewers to decide which cause was right.  



****Side note, upon completion of the film I woke up my husband at 2:20am and whispered, "That was one of the most important, beautiful films I've ever seen!"  To which he replied,"Okay," rolling over to resume his slumber.

Rentable: Starting Out In The Evening.

Why do I love independent films?  Because they are REALLY weird. This weekend go indie, and watch STARTING OUT IN THE EVENING. The nucleus of the plot straddles the relationship between an aged writer and a vivacious graduate student.  The young woman {played by Lauren Ambrose} is a genuine fan of a once celebrated writer Leonard Schiller.  She hopes that through study of his literature and personal interviews, to expose a commonality between his works.  I have to warn you that this movie made me feel awkward and uncomfortable....but in the best way possible.  I couldn't look away from the complexity of the characters' irratic behavior.  Rent the movie to find out why.  *This film is currently available via Netflix online streaming. 

Rentable: $5.00 A Day.

I would have never watched this film if there wasn't a man in the house {this is sometimes a very good thing.}  I can reveal with confidence that $5.00 A DAY is a flick that both men and women will enjoy watching together.  The preface centers on a strained father and son relationship.  Christopher Walken plays an eccentric pops that weasels his way through life via freebies.  Pops conjures some tom trickery, convincing his son to drive him cross country for a business opportunity.  You'll have to rent this underground biscuit to see what transpires.  *Now available via Netflicks online streaming.

Most Rentable: Pushing Daisies.

Oh, my word.  I am in love with this show.  Right now I'm in the middle of season two, and I'm really, and truly trying to savor it.  PUSHING DAISIES is an adorable, fantastical show that saw three seasons on ABC.  The cast is talented, the set design and costuming are larger than life, and it's funny!  It's  Wonka's kooky factory tour meets Murder She Wrote.  If you have Netflix online streaming it's available for your consumption.  I dare you to attempt not falling in love with Chuck, the Pie Maker and the adorable Olive. 

So Rentable: PERSUASION.

I'm in full Jane Austen mode.  I'm finally getting around to reading the books for the first time.  {I know, why haven't I read them yet?!} To inspire cracking open another book, I rented PERSUASION. What I love about British films is that it's not about being tragically gorgeous, it's about the characterization and acting chops.  No one was classically attractive in this movie, and I loved it all the more. Grab a cup of tea, put on your Snuggie, and watch Anne get her groove back with Captain Wentworth.  Image found {here.}

RENTABLE: ADAM.

This thoughtful, unassuming film is both entertaining and educational. ADAM is a screenplay that follows a young man that has Asperger's Disorder.  Asperger's is a high functioning form of Autism.  At first glance many think he's eccentric.  But upon further inspection, it's obvious that he is different.  He doesn't pick up on social cues, or understand other's emotions.  Then he meets his new neighbor on the stoop.  And she is all things beautiful and vivacious.  She thinks that she has much to teach Adam, but she learns the most in the end.  Here's what my little brother Matt had to say on the flick;




"Adam was amazing! I thought it was Hugh Dancy's best work, even though I have not been fortunate to see all of his. Did you ever see Evening? It was slow paced, but incredibly beauiful to watch and Miz Claire Danes never fails. She is terrific. ANYWAYS, that movie was the first time I saw Hugh Dancy and Adam was a wonderful follow up :)"




Thanks for your review Matt.  And the recommendation!  Have a great weekend.