Love & Magic in the Future & Japan

First things first, you gotta watch both of these movies if you haven't already. Watching them is like being spooned by the universe. If I was a useless doctor I would prescribe these movies like a tonic for the sad and lonely. I sometimes want to be a doctor, for the money mostly, but also because I like helping people and stuff. Anyway, this is my contribution to the happiness quotient of the world. Watch these two movies and feel better. 

But why?

Well, they are both ridiculously good, like ten-outta-ten vibes. They are also both deliciously life-affirming which is strange given the presence of a Catbus (see here) and an intelligent operating system that with the perils of Vodacom shitty network coverage and airtime, seems maybe more unbelievable than a fucking Catbus. 

"Her" the top one if you didn't already know, is so beautiful to watch that it falls into the category of movies that you can absolutely enjoy on mute. But that doesn't mean that the dialogue isn't amazing, because it is... Intelligent, interesting and beautiful, the dialogue is still swimming in my brain, albeit bastardized by my poor memory. Also, I really, really loved the colours in the movie, rich hues of orange and brown, and the notable absence of the colour blue. The future according to Spike Jonze is actually a 1930's throwback with the presence of "close", intuitive technology. I kinda hope that he is right, I personally cannot wait to wear Opening Ceremony like it's a uniform. A movie about love. A movie about death, transience and high-waisted pants. I loved everything about it. 

Now on to "My Neighbour Totoro". Goodness! This movie just made me want to wash my mouth out with soap (in the best possible way). It presents a world that is so sweet, innocent and sincere that it made me feel like I've been a bad girl my whole life for thinking otherwise. I only wish that I had watched it when I was younger instead of being introduced to the world via the lunacy of Disney's scare tactics. Actually, just thinking about the movie makes me smile and roar "TOHHH-TOHH-ROHHHH!" 

In conclusion: now I really need to get to Japan and just get knee-deep in some Totoro merch. Also, I need to rethink my haters-hate-everything stance on Amy Adams given her great performance in "Her".

The Coen Bros Can Have My Money

This opens tomorrow good people. 

I enjoy so many things about this movie and I haven't even seen it yet. 

I always knew Oscar Isaac was gonna be a star. I mean, the man can pull off a buffet of nationalities, like, is he Greek or Latino? I leave that to you. He's actually talented and he has the whole different accents thing on lock. That shit ain't easy, just ask Naomie Harris. Also, he sings! He's pretty much the future, yo. 

I normally don't get popcorn (it smells better than it tastes) but for this one I'm going all out. There even might be some M&M's involved. Maybe. 

Frances Ha

If you veer on the hipster side of life, you most definitely know that Frances Ha is going to be thee movie to watch. Shot in black and white, this movie is said to be the cinematic lovechild of Lena Dunham and Woody Allen. Ah shucks, I just made that up but it seems pretty apt. 

I want this one moment. It’s what I want in a relationship, which might explain why I’m single now. It’s kind of hard to- It’s that thing when you’re with someone and you love them and they know it, and they love you and you know it- But it’s a party! And you’re both talking to other people, and you’re laughing and shining, and you look across the room and catch each other’s eyes. But not because you’re possessive or it’s precisely sexual, but because that is your person in this life. And it’s funny and sad but only because this life will end. And it’s this secret world that exists right there, in public, unnoticed that no one knows about. It’s sort of like how they say that other dimensions exist all around us but we don’t have the ability to perceive them? That’s what I want out of a relationship or just life, I guess.

Pretty wonderful, huh? After being forced to watch the latest Riddick movie, I need a palate cleanser. 

That's My Shit: Harriet The Spy!

Nostalgia on a hundred trillion. 

This was the first movie that I watched at the cinema during the week. My dad took me to Fourways and I was amazed that people actually did stuff on a school night. The trailer included the pilot episode of Hey Arnold! How's that for winning? 

For months after watching this movie I ate tomato and mayo sandwiches just like Harriet and I attempted some part-time spy work on my neighbors with binoculars and a notepad to boot! I still have that notebook and I must say that my rather keen eye is wasted on this life, with insights such as "her nose looks like it belongs to an angry pig" and "he shouts with his eyes" I should have become a P.I. instead. 

I would like to revisit this movie but experience has taught me that that's a bad idea. Still, it remains worthy of being the first entry in the That's My Shit category. 

P.S. Did you know Eartha Kitt was in Harriet The Spy? I knew I loved her from a past life! (See here too). 

Naturelle, Peanut Butter & The World!

This peanut butter is the champagne of the peanut butter world. Straight outta the fridge and straight outta my dreams, I want to eat this with everything. But actually, I like it best on its own. This terrible (beautiful) habit stems largely from my favourite movie during high school, 25th Hour. 

To bring you up to speed: Rosario Dawson's character, Naturelle made me consider homosexuality. But more importantly, in the movie she eats peanut butter fresh from the tub and it just looked so damned good. So that's where my love affair with the always claggy delight began. At the time I really hated peanut butter, so you can perhaps grasp the intensity of my affection for Naturelle Riviera. Up until then I had always associated peanut butter with grade one boys' breath. But Naturelle ushered in a new phase of peanut-loving that has served my belly well. 

This book is not at all related to my useless homage to peanut butter and the seemingly ageless Rosario Dawson, but it is my reading matter right now and it pretty much has me captivated. The title alone is gold. Plus, the colours of the cover reminded me of the peanut butter tub. Yup, I'm in that deep. I see it everywhere. 

Three Things That I Love Right Now!

1. This card. I love collecting interesting cards and each time that I visit somewhere that I really like I seek out a little memento for my purse. Unfortunately, when my purse was stolen (albeit temporarily)  the thief disposed of my cards and also (curiously) took the Polaroid that I had of Tommy, but (shamefully) left the Polaroid of me... My severely unphotogenic face now serves as a sad reminder that my photos are not worthy of criminal activity. 

2. This song. This song is from the soundtrack for A Place Beyond The Pines. At first when I heard it I thought that I had heard it before. Then I realized that when a song is especially pristine I often conflate emotions with the song and so, it turned out that more accurately, I had felt the emotion captured in the song before. It's that beautiful.

3. These Lindt babies. So just shy of a month ago, I went on a chocolate bender. If chocolate was a drug then I'd be the star of a sad reality show about an addict that just can't make good. Immediately after my aforementioned binge I decided that I needed to detox, in other words, I was Russell Brand-ing. We all know he will eventually relapse, but it is cute that he's trying. Anyway, tomorrow marks the end of my abstinence and like the sinner that I am I have stockpiled my poison for appropriate levels of regret and shame. 

Last words:

"I want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares."

Saul Bass

Half of a Yellow Sun!

I haven't read the book (yet). It is one of those that I never got around to reading despite my love for all books involving Nigeria. Now I guess I just have to 'cause I love me some Thandi Newton (what a doll) and I love being smug about reading the book before watching the film adaptation. 

Chiwetel Ejiofor will always be Thabo Mbeki so I'm going to have to remind myself that this isn't about him, although that could be fun too. 

“This was love: a string of coincidences that gathered significance and became miracles.” 

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 

An Oversimplication of Her Beauty

Aren't these posters just beautiful?

I need to see this for the mere fact that Flying Lotus, my friend FlyLo, lends his talent to the soundtrack. 

Mumbai & Midnight!

One of my favourite things about Mumbai was the masses of books lining the streets.

I got Midnight's Children for R16! However, I discovered that the bargain price came with a price of its own as two pages were missing and worst of all the book ended on a comma with the last page missing! 

This was most distressing as I love the feeling of finishing a book and although I hate the ending of most books, being stuck on the plane wondering what happened is somewhat equally torturous. 

So last night I went to Exclusive and quickly read the last page which was a bit of an anti-climax. 

Overall, the book is amazing and I can't wait to watch the movie although I read that it is terrible.  

"To understand just one life, you have to swallow the world.” 

Suzy!

We watched Moonrise Kingdom in Mumbai. 

Seeking solace from the sun we searched the city for a cinema and discovered that in India the national anthem is played before the movie and intervals are standard issue..how else would you get your pizza slice and cup of tea?

Despite the struggle to find the elusive cinema, I'm glad that we went because Suzy and Sam are thee best couple ever and lawd knows that I love a great couple..

On top of that and perhaps more importantly, Miss Suzy Bishop is my fashion darling with knee high socks, collars and blue eye shadow to boot!

P.S. The bird scene is my favourite. 

What kind of bird are you? 

Turtles Are Surprisingly Fast Swimmers!

I watched this movie last night and the whole day I've been secretly smiling to myself thinking of the silliness. 

Japanese quirkiness at its best, I loved it.

Upon googling the main actress, Juri Ueno, I discovered Asian Wiki, which includes featured individual's blood types and comments such as "have my babies" with Skype numbers attached..

I like this kind of dedication, albeit misguided. 

By the way, if you were wondering, Juri is Type A. 

Ewan McGregor!

Oh Ewan. 

2012 has been his year mainly for Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, but he's also on the judging panel at Cannes, so removing that annoying little pimple/bump thingy in the middle of his forehead has done wonders for him...

He can dress well, really well. He seems to enjoy skin tight, crotch-busting jeans a bit too much, but I'm not about to begrudge a man for skinny jeans.

Oh Ewan, the 3rd most famous Scotsman after Sean Connery and William Wallace..

Screw The Tinker, Soldier and Spy..It's All About The Tailor!

So we finally watched it about a million years after the rest of the world.


And when I say we, I mean me, Heather was out within the first 10 minutes.


But I loved it.


Tom Hardy gets an honourable mention for that jacket and chambray shirt.

Carrie Fever!

AnnaSophia Robb
source: graziadaily.co.uk

AnnaSophia Robb is set to play Carrie Bradshaw in The Carrie Diaries. 


Not so keen on the mushed name, but very keen on the film.

The Friday Triple

If you're a bird then I'm a bird! 

Bucket list meet Maharajas Express.

Denim on denim. Only for the brave. 

Happy Friday! 

My Week with Marilyn

I found the film quite depressing, but the clothes were reason enough to smile. 

Camel, white and black. Simple, yet so effective. 

I loved the houndstooth capris (never thought I'd say that). By the way, capris get their name from the isle of Capri where they first rose to popularity in the 1950's and 1960's. Grace Kelly donned a pair while visiting the Italian isle much to the delight of fashion lovers everywhere. 

Anyone want to take me shopping, pretty puhlease?

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." Marilyn Monroe

Back to the Future!

Back to the Future Part II planted the seed for what is surely the greatest gift of all! A Hoverboard! 

I don't know if it really works because my excitement prevented me from being able to properly read the various articles on it, however, I do know it's set to be released at the end of this year!

Douglas Booth!

If you don't know him now you soon will, Burberry model Doug is set to play Romeo in the upcoming film Romeo and Juliet opposite Hailee Steinfeld. 

Set to be released this year, I am ready to get my swoon on. 

Amber Heard!

 Everyone knows that Amber Heard is haaaht.

Everyone knows that Amber Heard is Johnny Depp's co-star in The Rum Diary.

But what everyone doesn't know (or at least, I didn't know) is that Amber Heard is dating a woman. Thanks Wikipedia! 

This somehow makes her even better, which is quite a feat since she's already a Guess model and has snogged The Depp and got paid for it. I've realized that this is a trend for my blog, being jealous of people who kiss for cash. 

Anyway, I can't wait to watch The Rum Diary! 

Drive!

We went to watch Drive because Ryan Gosling can be trusted. Hello, Blue Valentine AND The Notebook!? 

Oh-em-GEE! We were right, Drive is thee best. 

Everyone should watch it, everyone should love it, no grey area.

After watching it if you don't feel like revving your car out of the parking lot then you're dead to me. 

And Carey Mulligan is now my favourite actress, soz Penelope.

P.S. Urban Outfitters, American Apparel and ASOS all stock satin bomber jackets inspired by the film.