You Know How To Whistle, Don't You Steve? You Just Put Your Lips Together and Blow

The above is a classic line from "To Have or Have Not", a film that starred Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart together. It's the kind of movie where you feel bad for the filmmakers, because no one remembers shit about the actual film, but remembers it just for "that movie where Bogie and Bacall met".  Their union, scandalous yet seductive and totally fitting to the standards of Hollywood (she was 20 at the time and he was in his forties) was one of the hot things going on at the time. 

 WOW.

Sadly, he died about a decade after they got married, but Lauren Bacall is still alive and kicking. I've ALWAYS wondered about how old-time stars feel about the current movie era. How does this time of raw, provocative small films + smashing blockbusters compare to to "Old Hollywood", a once upon of time when stars were larger-than-life, US Weekly didn't exist, and all the films were glittery and happy? 

Well, you either go the "in the old days," path like Olivia de Havilland (yes, she's also alive at the ripe age of 93 and is apparently writing some book about 1930's Hollywood), or you go the Liz Taylor route. She joined Twitter, befriended Michael Jackson, and happily embraced the zeitgeists of each decade (am I using that word correctly?).

Bacall is happily a contemporary dame as well. She just joined Twitter, and though her press occasions are rare, I have seen her attending premieres of artsy fare like "I'm Not There" and "Milk". She proclaims herself a huge Hayao Miyazaki fan, which I also find impressive. Her Tweets are littered with movie references - she said she was thrilled about the trailer for "Nine", was furious with her granddaughter for showing her "Twilight" and resisting the impulse to whack her head with shoe lest a "Grannie Dearest" be written upon her death, gave her teenybopper granddaughter a copy of "Nosferatu" instead, calling it a real vampire movie. You go, grandma.

I wonder if she still secretly laments the end of classic Hollywood, though. I just can't separate the two images in my head, one of Bacall, almost ethereal in her old-film beauty, flirting with Bogart (the title quote was about as racy as Hollywood got those days) and the present Bacall whose last onscreen performance I can remember was as herself on "The Sopranos", cursing (and getting punched) as she tussled with Michael Imperioli.

Her tweets are overall pretty entertaining. She is shamelessly self-promoting, listing her autobiography and three of her movies in her description title, but all I can say, what a great, sassy, old-school broad. She also mentioned that she would like to be in a Quentin Tarantino movie. It's nice to see that she's simply a genuine movie lover after all. I admittedly twittered her, asking her what her favorite TV shows are. She definitely goes for the edgy, so it tickles me with wonder to think that she'd watch anything as raunchy as True Blood. 

Godric Can Snap You Like a Twig and Don't You Forget It

I don't think True Blood is as great as everyone claims to be, but it's definitely addictive and in any regards, owns Twilight, so the more people who watch it and end up thinking "this is the shit! Twilight sucks!" the happier I am. 

Since the first season was nothing special, it wasn't until last night when I thought I'd give the second season another try, especially after hearing that things between Sookie and Eric were heating up (judge me if you will). And in looking for that sexy dollar, I found Godric the goldmine.

He's sweet and badass at the same time, not to mention fucking AWESOME. Bill is a bit too uptight and Eric is a bit too rascally. You sense that he's be fun for a romp but NOT good for long-term relationships. But Godric. I could marry Godric. 

He looks no more than a mere kid, but he - great kudos to the actor Allan Hyde - projects an air of worldly-weariness that makes him both stately and gentle-looking. He waxes philosophical, forgives his enemies, and coolly resolves conflicts. If he were ruler of the earth everyone would be making love and singing "Kumbayah". 

Don't let his soft-spoken tones indicate him of a pussy, however. In short, Godric is the vampire version of Chuck Norris. The only reason you're alive right now is because he wants you to be. He is extraordinarily good at snapping necks and moving at the speed of light, and frankly, everyone is kind of scared shitless at the sight of him. 

"Jesus will protect me!" squawks an anti-vampire preacher, prostate with fear/secret awe when confronted by Godric.

"I am actually older than your Jesus. I wish I could have met him, but I missed it."

That's right fuckers! Older than Jesus - In fact, I feel like in the series he's a bit of an allegory for Jesus himself - I may be over-reading things, but "God" in his name, the all-white ensemble he wears for most of the last episode, the pose above, and the departure - where he chooses to die of his own will, one of the most glorious vampire deaths you'll ever see. He explains it's to atone for his sins, and because two thousand years is enough. He's gotten to the zenith of existence, all love and forgiveness (except to Sookie's would-be rapist) to the point where he just transcends everything else. 

Oh, and the scene where he transforms Eric is just pure classic Godric badassery. 

Again, Allan Hyde (only 19!) is a wonderful actor. There's an obvious difference between the 1,000 year old Godric and the present day Godric, not only in the clothes and haircut, but also in the way he portrays him, down to facial expression:

Hyde plays Godric's evolution beautifully. The first time we see him,  he's a vicious vampire who casually dispatches two men because they're not worthy of immortality. His naked torso and Roman tattoos were indicative of his savage nature. But with his Chuck Bass-like smirk, bloody pout, and delicately illuminated cheekbones, I found him by far the sexiest thing that had appeared on True Blood so far, eclipsing Eric himself. There was something Puckish about him, the way he crouched and his eyes glinted, as if he was trying best to contain his laughter. Very devilish. Very sexy. 

A thousand years later, he's a considerably sadder, sobered vampire. I think that, in the hands of a lesser actor, Godric might have been the cliched, maniac leader who struts through his mansion and speaks haughtily to everyone else. But Allan Hyde shows the wear of a millennium through Godric's reserved, almost childlike pose. A thousand years earlier, he might have sat in his throne-chair like THIS,

eager to play off the role of the aristocratic vampire. But he sits almost shyly, his hands folded demurely in his lap as he listens to people rattle off their petty grievances. But nothing perturbs him, not the people kissing his ass or a traitor groveling before him. Super hot. 

This is probably the weirdest comparison yet, but Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books, and Mr. Rochester is always describing the weird quality of Jane's movements that fascinates him so - and his description is exactly like the one I think for Godric. Both are quiet, composed and speak softly, but move with an unearthly grace and look at people with penetrating, shrewd eyes, as if to say "is that all you have to say?" I love how some of the people talk to Godric, and upon receiving that look instead an actual reply, have no other choice than to walk awkwardly away.

The part where he lectures Lorena is fantastic. I've read a few articles where people criticized him for being "dull", and I disagree. Some people are under the impression that "Charismatic and Commanding" equates to just being loud and flamboyant, the way Eric is. There are all kinds. In Godric's case, he's an effortless leader. 

"I can snap you like a twig, but I haven't. Now why is that?"

Actually, he was pretty much the only useful character on True Blood, which I suppose is why they killed him off. Not too much drama if Godric keeps running around saving people and bringing about peace. RIP!!!! I really hope they bring him back in the future for some nice flashbacks. Half-naked Godric going all Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon on people, PLUS Viking Eric? Need I say more?

Well, I think Godric might be one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. Def. in the top five? What about you guys? (not that I'm certain anyone's ever looked at the blog, but I think I'm obligated to ask. Who's YOUR favorite fictional male characters?

Actor Obsession #1: Ben Whishaw

So I will be introducing the honorary Actor Obsession file, which will be a long blog post dedicated to - obviously - the actor I am currently infatuated with. The criteria is based off the following:

1) His talent

2) His persona (deduced from various quotes, what his costars and workers say about him, and interviews)

3) His looks (call me shallow, but I am still a heterosexual girl and need to satisfy my cravings for eye-candy)

I've had various obsessions in the past, and I may bring them up again, but the current nominee is Ben Whishaw.

Where to start?

Ben Whishaw:

Born: October 14, 1980, in England

Current Age: 28

Notable traits: His chameleon abilities, waif-like stature, ethereal delicacy

Notable trivia: Has a twin brother

Ben's a graduate of RADA (The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, one of the most well-known acting institutions in the UK. It accepts only 28 students each year, and past alumni include Kenneth Branagh, Peter O'Toole, Michael Caine, Ralph Fiennes, Imelda Staunton and Vivien Leigh).

From an early age, Ben started burning up the stage in various production like Hamlet and If This Is A Man. He earned rave reviews for Hamlet, which I think very impressive considering that that role has been inhabited by nearly every illustrious actor in the UK.

And to be honest, I'm not terribly interested in every chronological step in Ben's life after that. I just know know that he's a young and talented actor. Wow. How many of these do we have right now? Ryan Gosling (can someone please tell me where that man's disappeared off too?) and Heath Ledger (sigh.....) That's IT.

No major awards yet, but he did get a nomination for Orange Rising Star Award at the 2007 BAFTAS, losing out to a well-deserved Eva Green:

So let's begin!

Layer Cake (2004):

Ben had a very brief performance in Layer Cake, as a bumbling nephew of a gangster who ends up whacking Daniel Craig in an unexpected twist. It's amusing to think that I watched the movie a couple years ago without any previous knowledge about Ben. I think he pulled off that desperate I-think-I'm-so-cool role very well. The part where he pathetically bobs his head to the music is hilarious:

I'm Not There (2007)

The first movie I saw Ben in was I'm Not There, the

fittingly bizarre biopic about Bob Dylan, and as

you might remember, where Cate Blanchett was one

of six actors (including Ben!) to play Bob.

Another excerpt from "I'm Not There"

At the time I was watching the movie for Cate Blanchett's much ballyhooed performance. I thought him impressive but was slightly irritated, because he looked like the kind of actor who equated "intense, coked-out" to great acting. But obviously I was quite wrong as he has never repeated the same performance.

"I do think Dylan's incredible.I sort of fell in love with him. I became obsessed. But I've moved on now. I always do."

The role that most people, if they've heard of him, seemed to know him for:

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006):

He plays Jean Baptiste-Grenouille, this sort of asexual, animal-like young man with an exceptional sense of smell, and embarks on this homicidal journey to find the perfect scent - out of the bodies of beautiful young woman. You can tell a lot from an actor's first leading-role film debut. Whishaw was mesmerizing in this and though he impressed me with his characterization, I feel like he didn't bring a lot of empathy to the role, something I fear will dodge his future performances.

Most of all, the off-screen relationship between him and Dustin Hoffman (who plays a perfumer who briefly employs Grenouille) fascinated me the most. A young intense British actor in his first major role, against a light-hearted American legend like Dustin Hoffman. I think out of any of the actors in his generation, Dustin Hoffman has been the most generous to younger actors. Unlike his fellow screen titans like Deniro and Nicholson, he's forgone the leading-man status to act in quirkier, independent character films, boosting the young actors with small jewels of performances while Nicholson and Pacino insist on roaring and tearing through the scenery in leading-man, conventional high salary (and boring) flicks.

Apparently Hoffman gave Whishaw some advice about spontaneity:

"In the very first day that I shot with [Dustin Hoffman], I was totally freaking out because it was the first time that I was seeing him in his full regalia. I couldn’t get something and I was getting really frustrated [and] Tom [Tykwer] is directions at me. I, sort of, started to lose it and then, sort of, quite and dropped the ball and he said “Cut!” and Dustin said, “In that moment, you really came alive, but it went wrong. You should have kept going! It’s about the accidents, Ben, it's all about the accidents."

"I didn't really get much [paparazzi]. I was with all these beautiful girls who I've murdered, all looking gorgeous, and I was the spare prick at the wedding." - About the Perfume premiere in Germany

Brideshead Revisited (2008):

Anyhoo, the role from Ben that really won me over was his gay-as-a-rainbow, charismatic dandy in

the adaptation of Brideshead Revisited.

He plays Sebastian, who comes from a wealthy family and has a bit of a drinking problem due to the pressures from his domineering religious-fanatic of a mother, played beautifully by Emma Thompson.

The movie itself isn't all that great, but Whishaw was an absolute scene stealer in this.

Ironically, this was the movie in which I noticed how good-looking Whishaw was. Without the usual grime or unfortunate facial fuzz that Whishaw seemed to acquire for all his other roles, he was just incredibly good-looking with a clean shaven face. His costars on Brideshead Revisited seem to agree. I read that Emma Thompson occasionally flirted with him and Matthew Goode onset (oh, Emma!) but when asked about it, Ben said he rarely noticed when other people flirted with him. That's just adorable.

As mentioned above in "notable traits", Ben's delicate good looks and intangible presence have been mentioned in a lot of his articles, so I thought it was good to note it. It's funny because he's certainly not handsome in your conventional tall, ripped, Ryan Reynolds/Brad Pitt fashion, but everyone who's met him seems to have fallen head over heels. Read the following:

Jane Campion: 'And then, when he came to do a reading, I opened the door and there was this beautiful, fragile boy; he had that magical quality that people who have written about Keats say he had. There is a fragility about Ben that is inspiring."

*There was another quote I read from Hayley Atwell, in which she called Ben absolutely physically beautiful, but I couldn't find it....:(

And my favorite:
Matthew Goode: "They gave [the role of Sebastian] to Ben because when the camera settles on him you gasp at his beauty. I mean I have a girlfriend and all but still…"


Love Hate (2009)

A short twenty-minute film with him and Hayley Atwell. It will premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival and I'm sorry I won't be able to see this. He and Hayley have great chemistry and both seem hilarious in this:
Love Hate:http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/whats-on/2009/uk-shorts-1/full-details

You'll have to scroll down and click the trailer, but it's well worth it.
Speaking of which, I wish he would just go out with Hayley Atwell. They clearly adore each other (platonically) but they look ridiculously good-looking next to each other. That is, if it weren't for some of the online rumors that Ben doesn't roll that way..... :(

Bright Star (2009):
And finally, the film that I am just desperate, desperate to see. It premiered at Cannes earlier this year and was hailed as the return of Jane Campion. It's none other than Bright Star, about the real-life romance between the poet John Keats and his neighbor Fanny Brawne. I admit I don't know shit about Keats but since I kind of drool for Campion and Whishaw, this is currently #2 on my Must-Watch Movies list.

Doesn't it look ravishing? There's Oscar buzz for Abbie Cornish, none for Whishaw sadly. Nathaniel from The Film Experience blog commented that Oscar rarely notices men in sensitiveroles as Whishaw will be playing, which is true if you think about it. But some critics weren't raving about him either, and I think it sort of comes back to the empathy thing. I suspect that the whole tortured-poet aspect will go a little overboard. But I'm still dying to watch this.

"I sort of fell in love with Dylan and Keats. But I've moved on. I always do."

I Could Spot That From Anywhere...

A "look". That's something that every girl in the world becomes obsessed with sooner or later. A signature look, one that symbolizes "me", that somehow explicates your personality to the rest of the world.

We draw on all sorts of influences, but I for one wish that I could just invent my own signature look and not think "my god, I want that exact look" and copy every awesome look I see. It's something we all fall prey too.

But it's a tricky and often misguided process. I've lost county of the number of times I want to headbutt a wall after seeing a starlet (cough Lindsay Lohan) dress up as Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn, or seeing an overweight girl squeeze her poor butt into Spandex or leggings, unaware that the result is just painful to see. Cmon, guys. The iconic picture of Audrey Hepburn in her slinky little black dress isn't iconic because it was the most gorgeous dress ever made. It was because of Audrey. Sure, you can look good, but it's the dash of je ne se quois that makes a look special. That charismatic, aloof quality, of relaxed elegance and comfort is what we're actually striving for. That's the difference between true style and fashion. Be inspired, don't imitate, is all I'm saying, I guess.

Either way, here are some of my favorite movie looks:

Gwyneth Paltrow as Margot Tenenbaum from "The Royal Tenenbaums", my favorite Wes Andersen movie:

Her signature look...

I'm not a huge fan of Gwyneth Paltrow (why is my font purple all of a sudden?) but watching her in this movie, I just wanted to be her. Screw Holly Golightly! Margot's a burnout playwright, smokes like a chimney, is secretly in love with her adopted brother, and is also missing half a finger, but she's just so freaking cool.

The contrast in her signature look is really what makes it so great. She's elegant and edgy and simplistic all at once. I swear, if more people watched The Royal Tenenbaums, Margot would go down in movie style history.

Since she's one of my favorite movie characters, I'll just have to show a video as well:

After watching this movie, I immediately thought about purchasing a fur coat, applying more eyeliner, and cutting my hair. Alas, negative for the three: my vegetarian friends would freak on the coat, I hate putting on makeup, and I actually used to have my hair exactly like Margot's - complete with barrette - but it made my face look fat and me 10 years old. Oh, Margot!

The ladies of "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

By this entry, you can probably begin to realize that I'm not a fussy dresser. I like fashion but I'm too lazy or too tired most of the time to strap on endless belts, layers, skirts, and pantyhose. But I *loved* what Scarlett Johannssen and Rebecca Hall wore in this movie - earthy-bright cardigans and linen blouses, very crisp and relaxed, and perfect for summer and spring. I've always subscribed to the idea that clothes should be the supporting characters of the picture, not the leading actors.

(love Javier's shirt!)

But twist! It's not the usual grandma cardigan twinset look. There's something sensual in their outfits, and it's not just because they're both gorgeous women. It's the details - the slim tailoring and miniscule ruffles of Scarlett's jacket, and primly rolled sleeves of Rebecca's ordinary cardigan contrasted with a sensual v-neck (picture later disappeared, sorry). Oh, and their hair too. It always comes back to the hair. Seriously, you barely noticed their clothes, right? And yet they look incredibly good. It's in the modesty, the simplicity.

As Coco Chanel said (along the lines of), "if you walk into a room and people say your dress looks good, then you have dressed badly. If you walk into a room and people say you look good, you have dressed well."

Seriously, have you ever seen anyone pull off a hat the way Penelope does in this movie? Her style was terrific in the movie as well, but she doesn't count as a style muse because when you have a body and face like Penelope Cruz, you look good in a damn potato sack.

Keira Knightley as Cecilia Tallis in "Atonement"

To be honest, Keira Knightley gets on my nerves most of the time, but her wardrobe in "Atonement" is probably the first one in years to come close to achieving the "iconic" status. I'm referring to of course, the magical emerald gown that completely seduced James McAvoy (and hence brought on unending years of grief and heartache) but my favorite look was probably the one that she wore in the fountain scene.

The green dress

the fountain outfit

She looked ethereal in the green dress, but it was so perfect it was practically boring. But in this outfit, there are some many things going on. Again, details. Firstly, what color is it!? Is it fawn? Palest purple? Colorless? And check out the patterns. I love the little silk flowers on her blouse, the way its knotted at the waist and that little piece hanging out on her waist that completes the sensual quality of the outfit.

I think a hat (ooh, font back to normal) would have just reduced her image in this one to a cliched '40's outfit (the ones you see in countless period films trying to imitate Ingrid Bergman in the last scene of Casablanca). But you see, a single piece of elegant clothing can do it all!

Finally, no movie style entry would be complete without mentioning the ubiquitous Audrey Hepburn. She dresses like herself in all of her movies, so I don't feel obligated to name just one. Audrey reminds you it isn't just the clothes that makes someone beautiful, that beauty stems from an inner glow. Capris, flats, button-down shirts, Givenchy dresses would have been just that without her sparkling eyes and sly innocence......But for those with similar body types to Audrey, it's great to look upon her as a reference. Classic, chic, timeless...effortlessly Audrey.

working for UNICEF in the 80's - still got it!

So first question - what are YOUR favorite movie styles?

Where The Wild Things Are

Yes, the last line of my first blog post is a variation of a quote from "Where the Wild Things Are", my latest obsession.

I mean, who DIDN'T grow up reading Maurice Sendak's child classic? First confession: I was never very taken with the book. Probably because I was unable to identify with Max, the little trouble-maker who retreats to the jungle of his imagination. 

One of my unique qualities is that I have very little imagination at all. I was an obedient kid growing up, the kind who emphasized more with the adults' POV than with the other kids', and though I cherished books very dearly, never created my own Wonderland, or Neverland, or whatever. It's probably because of my genes; as my dad says, we were never the creative type. I hail from a family of professionals, most of whom have never read a book that didn't contain useful information on electrolytes or quantum physics, you get what I mean. 

But again, I am just completely taken with Spike Jonze's upcoming adaptation. It looks a little creepy and dark, yet quirky and touching. The trailer's just so energetic. I soar when I watch it. 

First trailer: 

Second Trailer: 

The movie went through some notorious post-production hell. Apparently the executives didn't like it - it was too scary, too weird, etc. I hope the end result is worth the struggle, like The Godfather was. I love the fact that it's a little darker than most children's movies, because I can hardly list a movie adaptation of a child's book that wasn't just cheesy and the spirit of the book dumbed-down. This movie doesn't seem to be condescending or too cutesy, and maybe that's the reason why I've found that so many adults and teenagers alike are interested in this movie. Man, October just can't come soon enough!

Who am I?

Who am I? An apologetic member of the Ipod, freewheeling, Gossip Girl, text-crazy, hedge-fund manager aspiring generation. Someone with an affinity for stray animals, IMDB, over-thinking it, and making cookies. New York is my home, and will forever be, no matter where I live or go (except for these nine months of hell I spend every year in New Hampshire, where I live with my dad and attend school as well). 

This blog will my commonplace book, my diary, my newspaper column. Expect movie reviews, pseudo-intellectual rants, random quotes, youtube clips, and dreamy posts on style, tv shows, baking, and oh, I don't know, just the bitch of living! Being an intensely private person, I will often exaggerate or change details to protect my privacy, especially from the eyes of my prying parents and sister. Which leads to the question of why I'm writing my blog on the free-for-all haven of the internet, but it's probably because I'm bored, as most bloggers are. Let the not-so-wild rumpus begin!