midnight.

If you see one movie in theatres this summer, I urge you to make it Before Midnight. 

One of the fabulous things about these warmer months is having the time to take in those easy pastimes. Also, a few of the days I've been home in Kelowna have been so hot that I could hardly stand it.

So why not escape to the cool, fresh, air conditioned movie theatre?

 Last week on "Cheap Tuesday", I'm sure nearly everyone in line was actually there to see Despicable Me 2. 

So we chose to go to Before Midnight. 



Having seen Before Sunrise many years ago, I was eager to see how the storyline would progress since we last saw Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Deply).

The conclusion? It was perfectly imperfect.

I applaud Hawke and Deply for their portray of a very "real" marriage. The chemistry, reactions and dialogue, which was also written by the actors, is superb. In many ways, I saw the moments between many couples whom have been together or married for a long period of time.

Is their relationship "messy"? Some may argue that. However, I think out of all, the movie was a snapshot of what the modern relationship is actually like. Happily ever after can come in many ways. It's doesn't have to be defined by marriage, a house in the suburbs and fancy toys.

As well, the cinematography in the movie is quite unique. Many of the scenes where there is a long dialogue between Hawke and Delpy has been shot in one or two frames. This leaves little or no room for errors!

After all the movies I've seen this year, Before Midnight is refreshing. Definitely my must-see pick for the summer.

luhrmann.

I fell head over sparkly high heels into Baz Luhrmann's world over 10 years ago.

After seeing Mouling Rouge!, I didn't become just a fan, it became my obsession. I played the moview soundtrack over and over on my mint green boom box, choreographed routines in my living room to "Roxanne" and dreamed of seeing the famous cabaret in Paris one day.

Needless to say, I'm a Luhrmann fan through and through. I still remember feeling something different when I watched Moulin Rouge! It was as though someone had untapped the most creative things out our imaginations (and with awesome music) translated it onto the big screen.

It's truly been a decade since I've felt that same magic while in a movie theatre. With high expectations, I am pleased to report how much I adored Luhrmann's latest project, The Great Gatsby. 

Having recently reread the epic story (I had studied it in high school but didn't understand a majority of it), I had a fresh memory and knew exactly what was going to happen in the movie.

Is it perfect? Of course not, no movie is. However, the casting is impeccable, the scenery matched what I had imagined, and Lana Del Rey's song "Young and Beautiful" hauntingly hangs onto you after the film is long over.



The film itself is complete eye candy, with each frame somehow becoming more beautiful than the next. Leonardo DiCaprio is perfect as the mysterious Jay Gatsby, and as a friend and I discussed, it's refreshing to see him in a slightly more quirky/comedic role than what we're used to seeing him do.

All in all, absolutely my favourite movie of the year (so far). Give yourself a treat and head to the cinema to see this on the big screen - it's worth every moment.

golden.

'Tis the eve of one of my favourite times of the year, awards season. 

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will kick it off hosting tonight's Golden Globe festivities (and HBO's Girls is also premiring - oh the choices!) 

We're all busy, but in I was speaking to film critic Richard Crouse last week about his pick films to expect to win during award season, and he cited a few movies like Lincoln and Les Mis as must-sees. 

I find keeping up with the television world difficult as I don't have cable (or many free evenings to watch) but movies are always doable. 

My plan is to see as many of the Oscar-nominated "Best Picture" films before the Academy Awards in February and hopefully review/blog about them. Needless to say, I'll be taking full advantage of cheap Tuesday at the theatre. Stay tuned! 

Have a lovely Sunday and enjoy the mild Toronto weather! 

knight.

Looking back, I paid more attention than ever to film this year. Between working at Canada AM and having movie reviews, screening and interviews with various actors every week and my personal interest, I've spent a lot of time looking at a screen.

But it wasn't wasted. 2012 was definitely a good year for cinema. From action blockbusters Skyfall, The Dark Knight Rises and The Hunger Games, to comedies like Friends with Kids, Moonrise Kingdom and Magic Mike...there was a lot of variety for every palette. 

I stumbled across this video a couple days ago, which has captured more than just the highlights of movies that came out in 2012.

Not only is it good to help reminisce about what films I enjoyed, it's a gentle reminder about the ones I missed.

Check out the video here: 

vreeland.

The first was the September Issue. The documentary about photographer Bill Cunningham came next.

Ladies and gents, I think we have this year's next fashion film/documentary about Diana Vreeland, called, Diana Vreeland, the Eye has to Travel.

The fashion editor worked for both  Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, and challenged quite a few of the norms of fashion...beyond clothing that is. Fashion throughout the 1960's and 70's was changing into the glamorous photographs we see of the time today - musicians, artists, dancers, painters, et cetera all indulging in their craft and glossing it in magazines. 

"She made it okay for women to be outlandish and extraordinary,"says Angelica Huston in the movie trailer. 

As someone who tries to live their life opposed to the typical, I am quite excited to see this film and the birth of where so many things that inspire not only my wardrobe, but my life come from.

In Diana Vreeland we trust.

Check out the trailer below. When it gets to Toronto, I'll be first in line with my highest of heels on.

cinéma.

How many times have we all said, "oh I would love to see that movie"?

How many times have we actually gone to see it or watch it at home?

I've decided to finally take the time now to try to watch a film that I have never seen before, and that have wanted to. Out with the "shoulda, woulda, I wish, I need more time." The time is now.

Plus, these all sound like awesome films. Give me a shout if you want to join!

Woody Allen: A Documentary


Winter's Bone


Melancholia


happythankyoumoreplease


Atonement


Coco Before Chanel

Anything I'm missing? Send them my way!