The September Issue
I was lucky enough to be invited to the San Diego premiere of “The September Issue” by R.J. Cutler last night. I have been anticipating this movie for a while now, and I can definitely say it lived up to my expectations. All I really wanted was a behind the scenes look at what goes on at Vogue, but this movie is so much more than that. You get to see the real side of some very high profile people: Anna Wintour of course, Sienna Miller, Mario Testino and Oscar De La Renta. The real star of the movie to me, was someone I had never heard of. Actually I’m embarassed to say that because she has played such a huge part in making Vogue known for it’s dreamy fantastical lay outs and fashion spreads. Her name is Grace Coddington and not only is she the Creative Director of American Vogue, but she is really the high light of this movie. She’s passionate, emotional, hilarious and very, very inspirational. I can see a lot of myself in Grace. She puts her heart and soul into what she does and although it doesn’t always go her way, Vogue would not be what it is today without her.
It’s also very interesting watching Anna. She’s very reserved, but knows exactly what she’s doing. It’s an interesting paradox that some so petite and fragile looking as Anna Wintour is the most powerful women in the fashion industry. Just goes to show that you don’t need to be loud or dominating to be a powerhouse. You need to completely believe in what you’re doing and you can definitely see that in Anna.
Probably the funniest thing about this documentary is that the Vogue offices are pretty much like every other office. People talk behind others backs, feel that they’re not getting recognition for what they’re doing, gossip and make a lot of copies. Vogue is a very glamorous magazine, but glamor cannot hide the realness and the hard work that is shown in this movie. I highly recommend “The September Issue”.
“The September Issue” can be seen in New York, Los Angeles and other select cities nationwide September 11th.
Tags: american vogue, Anna, Anna Wintour, fashion, Fashion Industry, glamor, Grace, Grace Coddington, issue, Los Angeles, Lot, Mario Testino, Movie, New York, night, Oscar De La, oscar de la renta, powerful women, premiere, profile, R.J. Cutler, realness, San Diego, September, september issue, side, sienna miller, VogueFuzzy Favorite Flashback “Clueless”
So since knee high stockings seem to be back, I thought I’d reminisce about the movie that started the trend (at least in my lifetime), Clueless. The movie came out when I was a freshman in high school and is still one that I can watch over and over again…
Okay, so when I first saw this movie, I had no sense of style whatsoever. None. I mean, I thought I did at the time, but now when I look back at old pics, man it was bad. And the girls in Clueless were so pretty and cool, you think that I would learn from them…nope. Anyway, aside from how fashionable Cher and all her friends were, this movie is hilarious. I’m probably just speaking the obvious truth (because I can’t imagine anyone has NOT seen the Clueless, shame on you if you haven’t), but come on, this is definitely one of the best high school movies ever.
This was before cell phones were mainstream. Remember that scene where all the girls are in the bathroom and one of their cells goes off and they all answer their phone? That was hilarious back in the day. Oh and remember Paul Rudd? Who knew that he would turn out to be one of the funniest guys ever? And how perfect was Alicia Silverstone as Cher? I can’t imagine anyone else doing that part.
I guess you could say that the Gossip Girls are this generation’s Clueless as they have very similar taste in style. Many of the trends from the movie have come back around in the last year or so such as plaids, baby doll dresses and of course knee highs. Here’s some flash back photos…
By the way, this song is supposed to be funny, so don’t take what she says about not eating seriously!
Tags: Fuzzy Favorite “Dazed and Confused”
For some reason I’m in a 70s kind of mood. I’ve been listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, and Doobie Brothers lately and I just can’t get enough. Anyhow, I might be a 70s gal at heart which would explain why my all time favorite is Dazed and Confused…
This movie came out when I was 13. I was kind of a movie buff back then. I used to get Entertainment magazine so I knew all the new movies coming out and I knew what the critics thought about each one. I got the issue that changed my life forever. Owen Gleiberman gave Dazed and Confused an A (you can read the real review right here). They had a picture of Wiley Wiggins with these big 70s head phones and I was totally curious. I was a pretty innocent 13 year old and here was this movie about high school kids partying, listening to music and smoking pot. It was a world that I really didn’t know too much about, other than the music. What I think I connected with the most was Wiley Wiggins character who was just entering high school which is what I would be doing the next year.
Anyhow, I literally can watch this movie over and over again, I never get tired of it. I love the outfits. So it came out in 1993, right, and I wanted to rock bell bottoms so bad like in the movie. Well, back then there weren’t so many style choices as are there are now and believe me, bell bottoms were not in. So needless to say, I never really fulfilled that fantasy. I loved the soundtrack! I got it on tape because all I had at that time was a Walkman tape player and I would listen to it all the time. And I loved the characters. Obviously I wasn’t a high school student in the 70s, but I would imagine that’s what it would be like. Everybody just seemed so cool and laid back. The bitchy girls were the queens of the school and the football players/stoners were the kings.
Dazed and confused was written and directed by Richard Linklater. Much like Almost Famous, Dazed and Confused was actually based on Linklater’s own high school experience in the 70s. The cast at the time was full of newcomers, some who have turned out to be some of our biggest stars like Matthew McConaughey and Ben Affleck. Everyone in this large ensemble cast was awesome. If you’re a fan of real acting, good classic rock and tight bell bottom jeans, watch this movie. My grade A+.
Original Dazed and Confused Poster
Milla Jovovich, Rory Cochrane and Jason London
Sasha Jenson, Matthew McConaughey, Jason London and Wiley Wiggins
Deena Martin, Michelle Burke, Joey Lauren Adams and Parker Posey
Tags: Almost Famous, Bell Bottoms, Bitchy Girls, Dazed And Confused, Doobie Brothers, Entertainment Magazine, Football Players, Head Phones, High Scho, High School Kids, Jason London, Jasson, Laid Back, Matthew Mcconaughey, Milla Jovovich, Movie Buff, Owen Gleiberman, Richard Linklater, Rory Cochrane, Sasha Jenson, Smoking Pot, Steely Dan, Style Choices, Tape Player, Walkman, Wiley Wiggins
Fuzzy Favorite Almost Famous
I had a friend over last night to hang out and watch a movie. I came across Almost Famous on Demand and she said she had never seen it. “You’ve never seen Almost Famous?! It’s one of the best movies ever!” I exclaimed. So immediately dictated that that’s what we going to watch. This is probably one of my top five all time favorite movies…
Almost Famous stars Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand and a host of other amazing actors. This movie is soooo well cast. It’s definitely a large ensemble and each actor nailed their part. The movie was directed by Cameron Crowe who did Jerry Maguire and Say Anything. Almost Famous is a semi autobiographical story of Crowe’s own life as a teenage writer for Rolling Stone in the early 70s.
Starring Patrick Fugit as William (based on Crowe), a young, innocent writer who goes on tour with the fictional band Stillwater (based on a tour Cameron went on with The Allman Brothers) to write a piece about the band for Rolling Stone. Along the way, he meets Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) who is the leader of some groupies called the Band Aids. The Band Aids also join the tour, which turns out to be an eye opener for little William about the fantasy world of drugs, sex and rock & roll. While all this is happening, his poor mother (played perfectly by Frances McDormand) is at home worried to death about her son who’s been kidnapped by rock stars, calling him everyday to tell him not to do drugs.
What I love about this movie is pretty much everything. The writing is phenomenal, the actors truly bring these characters to life and it’s all set against some of the best music ever written. I grew up with my parents listening to Classic Rock my whole life, so I just love the soundtrack.
I really thought that pretty much everyone had seen this movie, but I just looked it up on Wikipedia and I guess it didn’t fare too well at the box office when it came out in 2000, but it was highly rated by critics, with Roger Ebert hailing it as the best movie of the year. So, if you haven’t seen it, take my advice, rent it. You’ll be happy you did.
Tags: Allman Brothers, Almost Famous, Autobiographical Story, Cameron Crowe, Eye Opener, Famous Stars, Fantasy World, Fictional Band, Frances Mcdormand, Groupies, Jerry Maguire, Kate Hudson, Media, Patrick Fugit, Penny Lane, Poor Mother, Rock Stars, Roger Ebert, Sex And Rock, Teenage Writer, Wikipedia
Top 15 Movies From My Childhood
I thought it’d be fun to reminisce about my favorite movies from my childhood. This was supposed to be a top ten list, but there were so many good movies back then. I grew up in the 80s and as I was researching for this post, I found so many awesome movies that I had forgotten about. And there’s still so many great movies from that time that I came to love later on (wasn’t allowed to watch pg-13 and R rated movies at the time 
…so join me on this blast to the past…
15. Honey I Shrunk the Kids
I used to love this movie, although I haven’t seen it in about 15 years. I always used to get so sad when the ant died, oh and I used to cover my eyes during the kissing scene, but I would always sneak a peak.
14. Short Circuit
I remember watching this movie over and over again as a kid. Johnny 5 is so cute!
13. Labyrinth
I remember watching this one at sleepovers a lot, it was definitely a favorite. Love all the characters, I was really into fantasy movies as a kid.
12. Home Alone
Classic movie. I wanted to live in their house which was perfectly decorated for Christmas. I remember this movie being so funny as a kid, don’t know if I would like it as much now, but was definitely one of my favorites.
11. Never Ending Story
Do you remember this one? God, I used to love this movie, it’s so magical.
10. Ferris Buellers’ Days Off
Classic John Hughes movie with a big house. This movie was hilarious and still is today.
9. The Princess Bride
Ask anybody that grew up the 80s and they will tell you this is one of their favorite movies. There’s so many awesome parts to this movie, if for some strange reason you’ve never seen it, go rent it right now!
8. Star Wars
I love the first three Star Wars, the last three, not so much. What made the first three so great was that it was really character based regardless of the special affects. Man, they were so cool back then. Actually I’d love to rent all of them now and have a Star Wars night.
7. Flight of the Navigator
Do you remember this one too? I literally haven’t seen it since the 80s, but I remember watching it all the time. Awesome story and the little alien creature is so cute!
6. Indiana Jones
I love the first 3 Indiana Jones movies, but probably The Last Crusade is my favorite. These movies just never get old to me, love them.
5. Willow
Such a magical movie. It’s got an awesome story and it’s funny, what more can you ask for?
4. Goonies
“Hey you guys!” One of the best lines ever. Seriously, who doesn’t like this movie?
3. Back to the Future
For the longest time, I couldn’t understand the title…how can you go back to the future. OK, so I wasn’t the brightest kid. Anyhow, I can watch this movie over and over again. It’s like a masterpiece and Huey Lewis, come on.
2. The Little Mermaid
Considering I was obsessed with drawing cartoon characters as a kid, I’m surprised this is the only animated one on the list. Regardless, this will always be one of my favorite movies of all time. I absolutely love the story and the characters…and the music. This is kind of embarrassing, but I used to sing Ariel’s Out of this World. Hey, I was pretty good.
1. ET
This will always be my favorite from my childhood. Is it me or do they just not make movies like this anymore? ET is so well done. The acting is real and the movie takes it’s time. I pretty much cry at the end every time I see it. It’s da best.
Fuzzy Favorite 80s Dance Movies
Bummed out about something? Maybe you’re stressed about the economy or broke up with your boyfriend? Well, put all your worries aside, get comfy on the couch and get ready to be entertained because nothing will lift your spirits like a cheesy 80s dance movie.
I just realized this the other night. I wasn’t bummed out about anything, but Footloose just happened to be on HBO and I just happened to catch it from the beginning. This might be strange, but this was the first time I had watched it the whole way through. I was a pretty young kid when it came out so I don’t remember seeing it in the 80s, but I have caught bits and pieces on t.v. So after watching the whole thing I have to say Footloose is awesome!! All the corny dance moves and the really bad 80s ballads put me in the best mood! All I wanted was for Kevin Bacon and Sarah Jessica Parker to be able to dance to Let’s Hear for the Boys in their hometown. And what about the tractor race scene, how intense was that? I highly recommend this movie to anyone anytime.
Who can forget Flashdance? Amazing dance scenes and a totally unrealistic storyline, what more can you ask for? And the soundtrack totally brings me back to my childhood. I’m pretty sure I put on many performances in the living room to She’s A Maniac.
And the best dance movie of the 80s, maybe of all time is, duh, Dirty Dancing. I remember seeing the VHS cover in the video store and thinking how racy it looked (I was very young at the time). Then I saw it years later and thought, this is was I wasn’t allowed to see? So tame! Anyway, every time this movie is on t.v. I get sucked in. It’s hard not to with those erotic dance scenes and of course the ending is like the best dance sequence ever! And I know every girl that watched that movie wanted to be Baby during that scene dancing with hot Patrick Swayze.
So I’m telling you this works. There’s just something about 80s fashion, music and dance that will make you feel all warm and gooey inside. Forget therapy and watch one of these movies and you’ll feel a million times better!
Tags: 80s Fashion, 80s Movies, 80s Music, Ballads, Best Dance, Bits And Pieces, Dance Moves, Dance Scenes, Dance Sequence, Dirty Dancing, Erotic Dance, Fashion Music, Flashdance, Hbo, Kevin Bacon, Maniac, Media, movies, Music And Dance, Patrick Swayze, Sarah Jessica Parker, Vhs Cover, Video Store, Worries
Fuzzy Favorite “The Fall”
The Fall is a visually stunning movie that I saw a couple weeks ago and want to share with all of you. Anyone who has an appreciation of art, special affects, costume or fashion design will really enjoy this film.
The Fall is directed by Tarsem Singh who also directed The Cell and R.E.M.’s video, Losing My Religion. If you’ve seen The Cell with Jennifer Lopez, the art direction is along the same lines, but much less dark and creepy and much more fantastical and magical.
The story is based around a little girl, Alexandria and a wounded stuntman, Roy, in a hospital set in Los Angeles during the 1920s. One day Alexandria is bored and starts to curiously wonder around the hospital and comes across Roy who paralyzed because of a stunt accident. They begin an innocent friendship by Roy telling her a story in which she imagines with several real characters at the hospital. Turns out that Roy actually has a secret motive for telling her the story which results in a terrible accident.
Alexandria is adorable as the little girl and her acting is so real, it’s hard to believe she’s acting at all. Roy is played by Lee Pace from Pushing Daises and gives a charming performance. While the visual affects are the true star of the film, the story and the actors are heart touching and real.
Check out The Fall trailer below…
Fuzzy Favorite Flashback “Stealing Beauty”
I’d thought I’d do a post on a favorite movie of mine from back in the day. Stealing Beauty came out in 1996, right in the middle of high school for me. It has a killer soundtrack and a captivating story.
The movie stars Liv Tyler and was directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. It takes place on a beautiful villa in Tuscany. Liv plays Lucy Harmon, an American 19 year old visiting her deceased mother’s British friends now living in Tuscany. She visited there four years earlier and fell in love with Nicolo, an Italian playboy her age.
One more thing about Lucy…she’s a virgin. Which is kind of funny since the villa she’s staying at is full of sexually open folks. Once news gets out that she’s still a virgin at 19, everyone is shocked and she becomes the object of affection of some of the men at the villa. But only guy she really wants is Nicolo…so do Lucy and Nicolo become an item? Well, it’s a little more complicated than that, you’ll just have to watch and see.
This movie is very European and it really conveys the difference between the open attitude about sex that Europe has and the more conservative views that we have here. But what I like most about the movie is that although it is sexually free in some ways, the core of the movie is sweet and innocent. Lucy is torn between wanting to fit in and holding on to what she really wants. I think that’s something that a lot of young girls have to deal with which is probably why this movie had such an impact on me the first time I watched it.
I still love this movie. It’s so beautifully done. The Tuscan background is gorgeous and the soundtrack has some awesome 90’s tracks including the one playing by Hooverphonic. If you haven’t seen Stealing Beauty and you love complicated eccentric love stories, see this movie!
Tags: Affection, Bernardo Bertolucci, British Friends, Conservative Views, Deceased Mother, Flashback, Hooverphonic, Italian Playboy, Killer Soundtrack, Liv Tyler, Living In Tuscany, Love Stories, Lucy Harmon, Movie Stars, movies, Music Playlist, Open Attitude, Stealing Beauty, Villa In Tuscany, Virgin, Young Girls
Kate
