oh, tenenbaums

I was completely taken aback when I saw somewhere that it was the 10th Anniversary of the release of THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS...how is that even possible!?! Anyhow, seeing as though I still count this as one of my very favorite films, I thought I'd do a little post. warning: this involves a mass quantity of screen caps and a clip or two...

a clip of one of my favorite bits...

 

Everything from the cast, to the script, to the production design (oh, and the soundtrack!) is perfection in my humble opinion.  It still seems fresh 10 years later so I'm sure it will be one of those timeless films that holds up for decades to come. If you haven't seen it, you should!

screen caps via here & here

reckless daughter film report: Qui êtes vous, Polly Maggoo?

Recently, I sat down to watch a film I had been meaning to see for ages: Qui êtes vous, Polly Maggoo? It is one of those iconic 60s films that I knew I should watch but one that also collected dust in my Netflix queue for (quite literally) a year. Though I could easily let the photos do the talking, I may as well give you a bit of insight into the plot. 

The film centers on a young American Supermodel (Polly Maggoo!) who is being followed around by a Television crew for a tv special. 

 There are several other narratives swirling around: the mad Editor-in-Chief of a fashion magazine (loosely based on Diana Vreeland) and her posse of "Yes women",  the Prince of a small nation who is obsessed with marrying Polly, a fashion designer who uses galvanized steel and aluminum as "wearable" materials, etc...

For me one of the best things about the film is the irony that  lies within it. Despite taking very clear satirical aim at the fashion industry and all the narcissistic / materialistic silliness perceived to be ingrained in its fabric (pun intended), the costumes and production design are truly gorgeous. Every other scene looks like an editorial straight out of 1966's Vogue.  I suppose, if you are going to really go after a subject you need to do your homework to get the point across or risk looking out of touch.

Regardless, I appreciated both sides of this cinematic coin. And, while there isn't necessarily a moral resolution for the heroine you get the sense that things will change for her in the near future. 

If you are a fan of 60s fashion and cinema you'll definitely appreciate this film.
 

photos from killerslikecandy & shelley.se

reckless daughter film report: bill cunningham new york

Yesterday "the Brit" and I headed over to the Nuart Theater in West LA to catch a screening of the documentary, Bill Cunningham New York.  I have been a huge fan of Bill Cunningham for a long time - even pre-blogging and long before I used the internet for fashion purposes.  I still listen to his On The Street  audio clips on the NY times from time to time so when I heard there was a documentary about him in the works I was thrilled.  He is, after all, the original street style photographer.  I have even heard Scott, The Sartorialist pay homage to him and site him as a huge influence.  He was the pioneer of that whole movement and he started way back in the 1960s.  When you think about it, it is sort of funny that it took so long to become a real trend.

The film gives us a very interesting glimpse into Bill’s life and he is quite the character.   For example, he gets around town on a bicycle  and has apparently gone through around 30 since moving to NYC (most of them stolen) - his outlook on money is essentially that it is poison and unimportant  -  for years he slept among rows of file cabinets filled with his photos from throughout his career – he started out in fashion during the early 50s as a Milliner (aka: women’s hatmaker) under the brand William J.

 

 It’s very interesting to see how this eccentric 80+ year old man lives and works. In truth, the lines between work and personal life seemed extremely blurred in his case. 

The film is half way through a very abbreviated Los Angeles run at the Nuart, I know it is currently showing in NYC and that it will be going to various cities through out the US and I would expect throughout the world.  Anyhow, if you get the chance, I highly recommend it.  He is a fascinating person.