September. It's a Wrap

We've arrived at the last quarter of the year. How odd. Just yesterday, I was traipsing through the snow at Sundance. In case you missed the goodies as summer changed to fall, here's a sampling of my personal favorite moments from the month that was.Pandora's Box I love to get lost in the images of my second favorite silentLove... (The Poster) reactions to Gyllenhaal and Hathaway and their fig

Streep and Roberts for "August: Osage County"

The news, which isn't actual news yet so much as 'in talks' talking-points (the bulk of online movie articles), is this: Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts will take the plum Oscar bait roles of the pill-popping abusive matriarch Violet and eldest control-freak daughter Barbara in August: Osage County. The new (to feature directing) John Wells will sit in the director's chair instead of Mike Nichols

Modern Maestros: David Fincher

Robert here, continuing my series on important contemporary directors.  As Nathaniel has mentioned, the series is coming to an end.  This will be the third-to-last entry.  Enjoy! Maestro: David FincherKnown For: dark, suspenseful, psychological thrillers.Influences: Hitchcock, all kinds of noir, Welles, Kubrick, Ridley ScottMasterpieces: Seven Disasters: Alien³ Better than you remember:

Ribbon Braids Headband

Start the french braid as you normally would but add a ribbon to 2 of the braid strands.  You are going to be making 2 braids along the face line.  Braid all the way to the ends.

 Do the same french braid with a ribbon on the other side along her face line. 

Braid all the way to the ends.

 Attach the braids together in the middle of her head (loosely)



Unsung Heroes - The Students of "Election"

This is Michael C. from Serious Film  back again to shine a light on a cinematic achievement that has been hidden for too long in the shadows. This week it is a film I've been an evangelist for since it's release over a decade ago: Alexander Payne's Election (1999). Pick Flick!Is there any setting more misrepresented in movies than high school? Courtrooms, maybe, or hospitals with their staffs

First and Last, Gymnasium

first and last image from motion pictures, excluding the credit sequences.Can you guess the movie?That's right, it's [highlight for the answer] BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. The film not the TV series. *

Donna Murphy is "Mother Gothel"

If you don't just skip the occasional theater post on The Film Experience you may know of my love of Tony winner Donna Murphy. She has what might be her most significant screen role ever this very year. 'But what they want from her is....her voice.' She is playing Mother Gothel, the villainess of Disney's Tangled. She's the one who grounded Rapunzel, like, forever. [Okay, stop gagging. I know the

The Links Are Alive...

In Contention Tapley's review of Conviction.New York Magazine Mark Harris great piece on The Social Network in case you haven't read it yet. "I poked Aaron Sorkin..." Cinema Styles "Coming Home to Tango" a look back at two seminal 70s films and how they age when you age. Interesting stuff. For the record I love Coming Home and don't care for Last Tango in Paris but saw them both in my early

"Hit Me" Schedule and Other Programming Notes

Just a heads up that tonight's episode of  Hit Me With Your Best Shot starring Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita (1960) must be delayed. It's a long film, I've been totally ill for two days and I want to give it its proper due. Plus this will give as many of you peeps out there a chance to see it as possible. All you need to do to take part in this 'more the merrier' movie-loving series is choose

Actors on Actors: "The Susan Hayward of it All"

Actors on Actors looks at screen moments when stars are name-checked... by other stars! It's very meta. Since we're multi-tasking today trying to catch up, it's also a Tuesday Top Ten! In this episode, a scene from My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)Julia Roberts: I have big plans for dancing. Just give me 30-35 years."Rupert Everett [the voice on that ginormous cel phone]: The misery. The exquisite

"Angels in America" Celebrates 20 Years

I mentioned very briefly this summer that I was working on a piece about Angels in America for a magazine. (That's why we covered HBO's Angels in the 'Best Shot' series -- multi-tasking!)  The magazine is WINQ which covers global queer culture and the issue is out on newstands now. My piece was timed to coincide with the New York City revival. I'm seeing both halves during the Thanksgiving break.

Top Ten: NC-17 Box Office Champs

Robert here. Did you know that yesterday was the twenty year anniversary of the NC-17 rating?  That tag, applied to the most controversial of films, has developed the most controversial reputation itself, with artists and advocates complaining that it's implemented unevenly and scares away theaters an rental providers.  We're going to leave all that be for now and instead celebrate the ten films

Sally Menke (RIP). Tarantino Films Will Never Be The Same Again.

Terrible news to report. This morning Sally Menke's body was discovered in Beachwood Canyon. She was 56 years old. It may have been California's extreme heat on Monday when she went missing but details are still emerging. She had been hiking with her dog, a black lab (the dog is okay). The amazing film editor was best known for her work with Quentin Tarantino. She edited all of his feature

Uruguay Must Choose: "Leo's Room" or "The Useful Life"?

Keeping up with the foreign film Oscar submission announcements is a sisyphean task. Uruguay hasn't announced yet but I'm hearing from an inside source that three different groups of voters weigh in and the field has been narrowed to two films: Leo's Room, a gay drama about coming out, and The Useful Life which is about a film programmer and a dying theater. MUBI calls it "distinctly ungeeky in

Curio: Steve Dressler's Film Poster Prints

Alexa from Pop Elegantiarum here, bringing you more from the intersection of print design and film. Steve Dressler is a favorite artist of mine, maybe because you can tell from his art that he is a sometime comedian in addition to being an illustrator. His designs comment on all things pop culture, from Donald Glover's Spiderman campaign to the douche of the decade Joe Francis, but he dabbles in

Disastrous Javier and Disaster Epic Compete For Foreign-Language Oscar

Fifty countries have now announced their Oscar submissions. We usually end with sixty-plus competitors so there's a dozen movies (approximately) left unannounced. The big question marks are Spain (we're guessing Celda 211 nope, Spain chose Even the Rain starring Gael García Bernal) and Italy (we're guessing The Man Who Will Come) since both countries are favorites of Academy voters. We'll know

Yes, No, Maybe So: "True Grit"

The teaser for our Christmas present from The Coen Bros has arrived. It's our first good look at the second film version of the novel True Grit. Now why can't trailers for musicals admit their genre as readily as all westerns do -- despite westerns being a similarly troubled genre with notoriously fickle public interest.  As a teaser there's not much to go on yet. But I am happy to say...yes Joel

Gloria Stuart (1910-2010)

She was born on the 4th of July, 1910 in Santa Monica and a little over a century later she left this mortal coil right next door in West Los Angeles. But oh how this American blonde travelled in between.She was engaged to The Invisible Man (1933) in a tiny village in Sussex. She made it out of The Old Dark House (1935) in Wales as a young ingenue, when the gothic mansion was set on fire. Her

How I Feel / How I Wish I Felt

 As articulated by Cate Blanchett in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.  (Ugh, I'm seriously sick today. Someone read to me from happier-days diaries before I croak.)*

here we go again...*

NYFF: "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives"

*slight spoilers ahead but this is not a "plot" film.*Uncle Boonmee can recall his past lives. My memory is hardly as uncanny. Recalling or describing Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, the Cannes Palme D'Or winner and Thailand's Oscar submission, even a few days after the screening is mysteriously challenging. Even your notes won't help you.This is not to say that the movie isn't

Flashback: Olivia & Travolta

Happy 62nd birthday to Olivia Newton-John. Rather than celebrate with the usual Xanadu (1980) fixation or the more universally beloved Grease (1978) how about a duet with John Travolta from their flop reunion Two of a Kind (1983)? The third of her movie soundtracks is largely forgotten. I can't remember anything about the film other than that there was some divine romantic comedy intervention

Take Three: Amanda Plummer

Craig back with a new Take Three. Today: Amanda Plummer Amanda Plummer photograph from Jeannick Gravelines PhotographeTake One: No film without herThere are certain characters who, when they appear on screen and begin adding their particular slant, I know I'll want to see more of. Sometimes the filmmakers oblige with this. Sometimes they don't. Personally, I'm thinking Radha Mitchell in

Justin Timberlake Wrecked My Piano. And Other Dream Mysteries.

My subconscious is angry that I have only done one big NYFF write up. Last night I tossed and turned -- 3 hours of sleep tops -- and had one of those persistent dreams which recycles stuff you've just experienced. Each time you fall back asleep you return to it and in its relentless disturbance, it becomes a nightmare even though it's not scary. It took place in a huge empty house in which I'm

Yes, No, Maybe So: The King's Speech

I suppose I must pick up my Oscar-pundit speed now. Sorry for the delays...Let's talk about The King's SpeechAs you know this film came roaring out of Toronto as the audience award winner (see previous post) and The Film to Beat at the Oscars... unless you think that's The Social Network but it's since it's only late September fans of either (in reality or in theory) need to calm down. We were

Links: Social Networks, Hulk Bulges and Zombie Pornos

Just Jared more pics from the set of Captain America. Chris Evans with prosthetic feet. I always did wonder how they filmed barefoot chase scenes.The Evening Class a defense of Bruce LaBruce's porno/horror hybrid LA Zombie.Freaking Awesome ...speaking of zombies, this poster is created from zombie movie titles. Sick.The Playlist Stanley Tucci shopping a sports biopic to direct and star in? At

Foreign Film Race: Coco Martin's Winning Moves, France's Losing Streak

Coco Martin (left) is smiling because his career is going so nicely, thank you very much. He employs the savvy modern move of many a contemporary Hollywood star which is to say he alternates between mainstream projects for the fame/money and indie films for the cred. 'One for audiences, one for me' as it were (see also: Clooney, Moore and dozens of American A-listers). The irony for stars outside

7 Word Review: The Social Network

Screwball sharp dialogue meets riveting bad behavior.(A-?)I'll get to a fuller review soon. Screened it at 9 AM this morning and I'm already desperate to see it again. The film has its big premiere tonight at the NYFF. Expect another torrent of crazed "buzz" to follow. That word is often used interchangeably with "hype" in Oscar punditry and online discourse -- I use it incorrectly myself I

Which movie...

...have you (or had you) borrowed for the longest without watching. Maybe a friend loaned it to you or it clogged up your Netflix queue or you paid a zillion late fees back in the days. Did you ever get around to watching it?*

First and Last, "Worth Repeating"

first and last images from a motion picture (excluding credit sequences).first and last lines of dialogue if you need help though I'm not sure it'll be of helpfirst ~ [unintelligible whispering... I think it's "I not like her. Mr ____ not like her.]last ~"Come on."Can you guess the movie?Highlight for the answer to check your work... It's GODS AND MONSTERS (1998). I wish more biopics were this

Crying with Juli M. Laughing with Jamie Lee. Casting of Chloe M.

Go Fug Yourself Jamie Lee Curtis & Sigweavie repeat their You Again joke on the red carpet: same dress.Hollywood Reporter Speaking of JLC, she has...feeelings about this True Lies reboot for TV. Coming Soon Chloe Moretz to play Emily Strange. She's the only young girl in Hollywood. The only one you're allowed to see in anything, okay?! Learn to love her. Or else....And my latest column at

Modern Maestros: Aleksandr Sokurov

Maestro: Aleksandr SokruovKnown For: critically acclaimed Russian art filmsInfluences: Tarkovsky, Tarkovsky and... well TarkovskyMasterpieces: Russian Ark Disasters: noneBetter than you remember: none, or allBox Office: over 2 mil for Russian ArkArt cinema is alive and well (and not as difficult to watch as the naysayers keep naysaying), and the lovers of such cinema are thankful that

Unsung Heroes: The Editing of 25th Hour

Hello again, Film Experiencers. Michael C here from Serious Film with another episode of Unsung Heroes. This week it is a tribute to one of my favorite of modern films and one of the most chronically under-appreciated of film professions.Spike Lee's 25th Hour (2002) is a film that feels wired to the psyche of its main character. Working itself up into fits of rage and down into long, disconsolate

"God of Carnage" The Movie

News this heavy with starry wattage and awarded source material spreads quickly. I'm sure you've heard this morning that Kate Winslet & Matt Dillon will square off with Jodie Foster & Christopher Waltz as the combative couples of Yasmine Reza's hilarious and occasionally disturbing four-hander, God of Carnage. Make that Roman Polanski's God of Carnage, since he's bound to make adjustments in the

First and Last, Ritual

first and last images from a motion pictureHighlight for the first and last lines of dialogue if you need extra help. You won't believe it but I remember my circumcisionHow sweet it is to sit, surrounded by your brothers.Can you guess the movie?[Highlight for the answer if you're stumped]. It's the Holocaust drama EUROPA EUROPA (1990).  *

Hit Me With Your Best Shot: Se7en (1995)

In this film-loving series we look at movies from all over the cinematic time line and in each genre pool to select a shot that particularly resonates with us, be it for aesthetic, thematic or for simply eye candy reasons.This week we look back at David Fincher's breakthrough hit, Se7en (1995) which celebrates its 15th anniversary today. It happens to be my favorite serial killer picture ever,

Familiar Faces: The Woody Allen Hierarchy.

Woody Allen's newest feature You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger opens today in movie theaters. It's currently confusing me with its Curse of The Jade Scorpion or The Purple Rose of Cairo -like silhouette poster. With this move the marketing department has made me recall both the worst and the best from Woody Allen's filmography simultaneously. It's very schizo... maybe this means the new feature

We all go a little link sometimes

Antenna looks at the year in Bollywood box office. Not a pretty storyPussy Goes Grrrr on loving Julianne MooreMr Hipp "we all go a little mad sometimes"If Charlie Parker... Sir Ian McKellen before and after.popbytes Clint Eastwood wants Joaquin Phoenix and Leonardo DiCaprio as lovers for the Hoover biopic.Twitch a teaser poster for Wong Kar Wai's The Grand Masterpopbytes Kate Winslet's new

First and Last

first line of dialogue"Sigh no more..."last imageCan you guess the movie?That's right it's [highlight for the answer] Kenneth Branagh's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (1993). Such a boisterously fun movie. *

Haute Couture Cateure

Cate Blanchett should do another movie where she's a glamour girl, like in The Man Who Cried. She's wasting her red carpet gift on... the red carpet. No reason not to put blow that up on 70 mm, you know?*

MM@M: "The Beautiful Girls"

This week's episode of Mad Men "The Beautiful Girls" contained no movie references -- unless you count Faye calling Don "Mr Bond" (we think we heard that?) when he pried too much into her business with other ad agencies -- and a few celebrity name-droppings in a pitch meeting. What we did get is a lot of forward movement on Mad Men's quest to illustrate the 60s itself as a character. Vietnam is

Never Let (This Piece of) Me Go

It's hard not to lose your heart a little to Never Let Me Go at the start. Carey Mulligan, making good on that An Education promise, stares through you with big caring soulful eyes. She even confirms that look with dialogue about being a "carer". Andrew Garfield stares back, through glass, with an uncomplicated smile on his face. He's prone on an operating table and obviously in need of her

Curio: Show Your Team Zizzou Colors

Alexa here. Bill Murray turns 60 today, the perfect age for his curmudgeonly ways. I've always been a lover of his, probably because he and I share the same hometown and oddball taste. And no one can play an aging, washed-up grump grasping for his former glory quite like the Murricane. In that vein, here are some ideas for how to dress like one of his iconic grumps, Steve Zizzou, just in time

NYFF: "Poetry"

Nathaniel, reporting from the New York Film FestivalIn the first shots of Poetry, the latest film from gifted director Lee Chang-dong (Secret Sunshine) an idyllic moment of little kids playing by a river is interrupted by a floating object in the water. The corpse of a middle school student is floating their way. This nonsensational but horrific reveal will soon intersect with the story of Mija (

The Master Is Dead! Long Live The Master

.JA from MNPP here. In case you missed the news, it seems that Paul Thomas Anderson's next film The Master - which was to star Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the leader of a new Scientology-like religion in the 50s with Jeremy Renner as his disciple and Reese Witherspoon as his wife - has turned into a pillar of salt and gone poof. It's E-meter done gone and flat-lined. I'm sure it supposedly being a

FishTail Braids

This is a very simple and quick hairstyle. 

First make a part,  I made hers with a slight diagonal at the front of her head and curved it to the middle of her head going all the way down.  Then pull each side into a low ponytail. 

Once the ponytail is in place then fish tail braid it.  For those of you who don't know what a fish tail is you braid with 2 strands of hair instead of 3.

Fish tail braid both ponytails and then I took the new sports ribbon (you can use any ribbon you want or have already)  and I tied the ribbon around the front of her head as shown below.

Actress Italian-Style.

Jose here.As I was watching The Story of Adele H. yesterday it struck me how Isabelle Adjani is still one of the few actresses to have been Oscar nominated more than once for performances in a foreign language. Only twelve actresses have received Best Actress nominations for non-English speaking roles (the Academy usually waits for them to work in Hollywood and then reward them...see Simone

Flashback: Maggie Cheung and... Sigourney Weaver?

A very happy birthday to the incomparable and elusive Maggie Cheung who turns 46 today. We haven't seen her mysterious mojo onscreen in about six years -- since Clean and 2046 hit and she announced that unfortunate retirement -- but she did do a cameo earlier this year in the Chinese film Hot Summer Days (pictured left), an all star ensemble romance about a heatwave.Here in this ancient clip from

The Foreign Film Oscar Race: So Much (International) Drama

But first things first. If German's popular drama When We Leave is nominated and wins, can the actress Sibel Kekilli please -- pretty pretty please -- repeat her barefoot acceptance/sit- in from Germany's Film Awards this past April? That'd be so sweet.Oscar night thrives on weird surprises and they get so few. Sibel to the rescue. (I'm aware that Actresses don't accept Best Foreign Film Statues

TIFF: The People Speak.

Unlike many of the A-list festivals, Toronto does not do the big celebrity jury thing to hand out their awards. So it's up to festivalgoers to vote and the Audience Awards result. This is why, roughly speaking, the TIFF winner usually goes on to Oscar success, popularity being the key to both honors. This year's winner The King's Speech can now follow the same path as famous films before it like

10th Anniversary: MUSIC

Ten years ago today, Madonna's Music (2000), one of her very best records, dropped into record stores. Director Guy Ritchie, to your left, was then her new man. He was advertising -- the record I mean! See the "Music" logo on his tanktop? Ever the selfless altruist, Madonna wore a black t-shirt promoting his project, Snatch (2000) which had opened the month before in the UK and was soon going to

Day of Rest

Mr. PittWe're not really resting. But behind the scenes things are taking us forever. And we're rapidly running out of stamina.What are your movie plans like this weekend?

First and Last, 4.27

first and last images from motion pictures (excluding credit sequences)For another clue, the first and last lines of dialogue.first~ "Security has been tightened throughout the country."last ~ "And I'll miss you most of all Scarecrow"Can you guess the movie?[Highlight to check your answer]. Yep, it's the gag-heavy TOP SECRET (1984) *

Easy A Review

Is it better to blend in or stand out?It's a question everybody must have asked themselves at some point or another, particularly in the (peer) pressure cooker of high school. Easy A is about a good student named Olive (Emma Stone) who blends in. One day, ashamed of a lame weekend she spent alone at home, she lies to her best friend Rhiannon (Aly Michalka) and makes up a story. The lie

Links: Cher, Cheyenne, Celestia, Carey and CQueen

Guardian good piece on Anne Heche, her not totally recovered career post-Celestia, and Hollywood's double standards about men and women with troubled souls.After Elton first look at Cheyenne Jackson on Glee. He's replacing Idina as the Vocal Adrenaline coach. I guess that means he's off 30 Rock? But this'll be a better fit anyway. Yay for singing stars!Lazy Circles speaking of Cheyenne...Natasha

Yes No Maybe So: The Fighter

Our first glimpse of the highly buzzed David O. Russell boxing picture The Fighter. If it becomes a major player at this year's Oscars I want y'all to remember that I believed it would happen first. Toot Toot. (That was my own horn).And now the patented foolproof system for judging our own reaction to the trailer: Yes, No, Maybe So™. Join us with your own in the comments.First things first: It

Nathaniel's New York Film Festival: Coming Soon

The New York Film Festival starts officially on September 24th. Critics screenings have already begun but so far I've been in absentia. I have my reasons though the selection committee and certain cinephiles would surely scoff at them so they will go unnamed. This morning I picked up my credentials but opted to skip Carlos the Olivier Assayas film about Venezuelan revolutionary Ilich Ramirez

First and Last, From the Terrible Movie Files

first and last images from motion pictures.Need another clue? Here's the first and last lines of dialoguefirst~ [shouted order, unintelligible] _________, you Scottish pig!last ~ [applause] Thank you all so much.Can you guess the movie?Yes, it's [highlight for answer]... G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA which was just as nonsensical as these images / lines suggest.*

Modern Maestros: Alfonso Cuarón

Maestro: Alfonso CuarónKnown For: long takes, intellectual films that are sensuous and sensual.Influences: American Noir, French New Wave, Orson Welles (it's always Orson Welles ain't it?)Masterpieces: Children of Men Disasters: noneBetter than you remember: you probably love all of his stuff, but it might be time to revisit his good but lesser received films from the 90's.Box Office:

TIFF Capsules: Passion Play, Black Swan, 127 Hours and The Conspirator

My friend txt critic is completing his Toronto journey soon but he sent another batch of thoughts for your perusal. He starts by taking an against consensus stand. PASSION PLAYBy far the most loathed and eviscerated film of the festival, Mitch Glazer's brazenly out there, 20-years-in-the-works labor of love is extremely slow paced, unafraid to be laughed at for its sincerity and ridiculousness,

Unsung Heroes: The Fight Choreography of Rob Roy

Hey, folks. Michael C. here from Serious Film with another overlooked contribution to film greatness. This time out let's look at a favorite of mine going back to my teenage years: the fight choreography of Rob Roy (1995).William Hobbs is the Marlon Brando of movie sword fighting. He is the guy who blasted away years of mannered and artificial fight choreography and brought it down to Earth. A

And I Know That My Comments Will Go On...

Thank you to all commenters! I've had a rough week off blog and I enjoy hearing your thoughts. Spambots are getting smarter. Their latest trick is to copy your actual comments -- the text being totally related to the post -- and repost with their sales link, so blog masters like myself think it sounds legit. Argh. Knowing that real people take the time to comment is such a blessing... especially

First and Last, Excellent View

first and last images from motion pictures (excluding credit sequences)Can you guess the movie?It was the heavily touted but underwhelming Oscar bait [highlight]... THE SHIPPING NEWS (2001). Did you ever see that?

Hit Me With Your Best Shot. Pandora's Box (1929)

In this series, we look at movies from all over the cinematic time line and select a shot that particularly resonates with us, be it for aesthetic, thematic or for simple eye candy reasons. Join us! This week we gaze lustily at...PANDORA'S BOXThis is not a sex scene but a temper tantrum.okay okay, it becomes a sex scene.It's an easy thing to do. I've seen this 1929 silent (the original title is

10th Anniversary: Almost Famous

Today is the 10th anniversary of Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous (2000). I never quite understood its appeal but I understand it's beloved. I have only a vague recall of it. I remember Billy Crudup arms outstretched "I am a Golden God!" (and that Brad Pitt was originally earmarked for the part) and Frances McDormand's funny bossy telephone calls. I also vividly remember Penny Lane's (Kate Hudson)

Emma Stone Gets an Easy A

Molly Ringwald in Sixteen Candles. Winona Ryder in Heathers. Alicia Silverstone in Clueless. Reese Witherspoon in Election. Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls. Ellen Page in Juno. You're already smiling reading the list. Is there anything quite as sparkly as a breakthrough actress in a high school comedy? This weekend a shimmering new student transfers in to Movie High.In Easy A, a new comedy from

Lev @ TIFF: "What's Wrong With Virginia", "Never Let Me Go"

Lev, checking back in. Early mornings and late nights have prevented me from fulfilling my Film Experience duties, so capsule reviews will serve the purposes best. Starting with . . .The Illusionist which is an achievement in many ways. What makes it so remarkable is its focus on every day sadness. Whereas most animation relies on comedy to engage, Chomet transmits his ideas through small

Imaginary Actress Wars

Weird but true confession: Whenever I look at photos from film festival press conferences, I always end up imagining that it was one big press conference with all of the movie stars and films represented at the same table. This can lead to weird imaginary resentments, unspoken battles and other duets.I mean what would Nic' & Hil' even have to say too each other? Not that Hilary wouldn't feign

First and Last, Comic

first and last images from motion picturesCan you guess the movie?It's a weird one. If you're still stumped the answer is... [highlight] COOL WORLD by Ralph Bakshi starring Brad Pitt and Kim Basinger. More first and last puzzles here.*

TIFF Capsules: Let Me In, Tamara Drewe, The Illusionist and Stone.

Normally my friend txtcritic who must remain anonymous just, well, texts me. Usually in the form of pithy sentence long reviews or moviegoing observations. But this time he sent capsules of his Toronto experience thus far. Enjoy. "The Illusionist" shifts downgear from the infectious exuberance of "Triplets of Bellevile" to a more melancholy, low-key thing. It's largely lovely and endearing, but

Curio: Iain Hector's Animal Instincts

Alexa here. Like Nathaniel, I am waiting with bated breath to see Natalie Portman's transformation into an evil swan. But until I can see Natalie grow feathers, I'll look to the work of London-based artist Iain Hector. You might say Iain specializes in theriocephaly along with screenprinting. He also loves a great film. What results is a great mashup of the zoo and the cineplex. Herewith, a

I Link to Link

Salon on the "Magical Negro," the offensive movie cliche that just won't die.pullquote the Cinetrix appreciates the mise-en-scene of a unique triple feature: Pee Wee's Big Adventure, In the Mood for Love and Metropolis. Three great disparate movies. If I lived in Boston I would surely love the Brattle.IMDB Penélope Cruz' rep makes it official: She's pregnant. The world will get the genetically

Toddler Twist w/ Rockin Bobbie Pins

I apologize for not many toddler styles anymore.  We cut my little girls hair into an A line and she will only let me use 1 elastic for her hair.   I will tell everyone that her hair looks much better cut and is filling out after taking off her baby hair.

Her bangs are still trouble so we did a twist or roll across the front of her head and wrapped it around to the left side of her head.  I secured it with an elastic.

We then put a flower made from http://www.mom-stuff.com/ they are called rockin bobbie pins.

First and Last - "River Junction"

first and last images from a motion picturecan you name the movie?That's right it's silent classic... [highlight for answer] STEAMBOAT BILL JR.*

TIFF: A Glimpse of Rabbit Hole Enthusiasm To Come?

Nicole Kidman and hubby hit Toronto for the film festival. I haven't seen more than one true review yet, but she wore Prada. Just Jared has pics from the premiere.As for the review(s)? Well it's mostly tweets at this point though I expect more reviews to emerge soon. Let's start negative and get positive.Negative@ioncinema "Belly flop for JCM. Wish entry point into story was at the 10month point.

Which movie...

...do you put on if you can't sleep? (or maybe you just channel surf?)**

Dame Judi is Rich

I've heard Dame Judi Dench perform this classic before but I somehow missed this particular performance from a Sondheim 80th birthday celebration this summer.Isn't she rich?*

MM@M: Peyton Place (From Big Screen to Small)

Previously on Mad Men @ the Movies: 4.1 Live From Times Square 4.2 Sixties Sweethearts 4.3 Catherine Deneuve & Gamera, 4.4 Jean Seberg, 4.5 Hayley Mills & David McCallum, 4.6 Chaplin the Sad Clown 4.7 "No Bad Seats" freelance creative Joey and name-dropping Harry discuss Peyton PlaceEpisode 4.8 "The Summer Man"In yesterday's episode, Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) and Joan (Christina Hendricks) have a

Yes, No, Maybe So: Mildred Pierce (2011)

It's not intentional but today will be something of a TV day here at The Film Experience -- and to think how we were just bitching about all the false arguments in its favor -- and let's start with this trailer for the HBO Miniseries Mildred Pierce. [thanks to Sebastián for alerting me]Like Angels in America seven years back, the director, cast and production values allow us to easily pretend

First and Last, Hugs

first and last images from motion pictures (excluding credit sequences)Can you guess the movie?That's right. It's... [highlight for answer] DEAR JOHN (2010) starring Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum.more first and last quizzes by clicking the label below.*

Take Three: Steve Buscemi

Craig here with Take Three. Today, one of cinema's the most recognisable, ubiquitous and hard-working character actors: Steve Buscemi Steve Buscemi (seen here in Sally Potter's Rage)Take One: Every dog has his dayBuscemi was the one who gave Quentin Tarantino’s dialogue much of its snap and vigour in Reservoir Dogs (1992). It’s not so much the opening Madonna chatter I recall first, rather Mr

Miscellania: Claude Chabrol (RIP), Venice (Post-Mortem), TIFF (First Impressions)

As you've undoubtedly heard, the French auteur Claude Chabrol passed away at 80. Both The Telegraph and Glenn Kenny have fine obits for your reading pleasure and if you can read French, Le Monde collects testimonials from many cinematic luminaries to honor him. I didn't know his career as well as I should but I quite liked both L'Enfer (1994) and the recent Ludivine Sagnier love/murder triangle A

TIFF (False) Day One and "The Trip"

Lev Lewis from the Toronto International Film FestivalThe Toronto International Film Festival begins anew and with it my annual and indispensable musings. Well, scratch out indispensable and change musings to ramblings and you most likely have a good approximation of the coming week. Many thanks to Nathaniel for indulging me. TIFF got off to a late start for me this year. A full two days of the

actual e-mail received last night.

LOL. I guess my friend wasn't happy that I dropped Nicole Kidman in Rabbit Hole from those Oscar predictions. The film has it's official premiere tomorrow in Toronto so expect a lot of net reaction for better and for worse. Please get distribution and release date nailed down Most-Desired-Film-of-Mine-Except-for -Black-Swan (sorry)! You can do it.*

Actress & Supporting Actress. So Many Oscar Questions

I've finished updating the acting charts. Just in time for Toronto so they might need fresh updates any second now as more reviews and hoopla hits.I've opted to completely overhaul BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS which is a total cloudy mess. Beyond arguably Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom), Dale Dickey (Winter's Bone), Sissy Spacek (Get Low) and the Nowhere Boy women (Kristin Scott Thomas and Anne Marie

Venice Awards: Somewhere, Black Swan, Barney's Version, Miral

Festivals tend to have more than one jury so let's deal with the sidebar prizes first, before we get to the main competition jury, headed by Quentin Tarantino. But a little preview: Natalie Portman went home empty-handed for Black Swank but Mila Kunis didn't. Interesssssssting.Various SidebarsEuropa Cinema Award: This honor comes from the Venice Days sidebar and the winning film was Bertrand

Oscar Predictions Revised: Actor and Supporting Actor

Don't believe anybody who starts shouting about "locks" just yet. It's only September. Both male acting categories look highly competitive. The easiest gets on paper are probably the two men from King's Speech just on account of momentum (Colin Firth) and general awards magnetism (Geoffrey Rush) combined with prime Bait. But most of the competition isn't that clear yet. Toronto will clear some

Modern Maestros: Zhang Yimou

Robert here, with another entry in my series about great contemporary directors.Maestro: Zhang YimouKnown For: films about the lives of women in China and more recently wuxia epics.Influences: American Noir, Chinese fantasy and mythologyMasterpieces: Raise the Red LanternDisasters: noneBetter than you remember: If you're among those who think his recent films aren't as good as his older

Venice Red Carpet: The Town, Potiche, Meek's Cutoff

Toronto kicked off last night but before we get to our coverage there -- we'll be hearing from the same folks who covered Toronto for The Film Experience last year -- Venice is starting to wrap up. Awards will be announced before you know it.The most 'Hollywood' Venice premiere was probably The Town which brought out the happy familiar faces of Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm and last year's

Twists Inspired by Selena Gomez

This a very simple easy and fun style.  It was inspired by watching Selena Gomez. 

First take a small triangle shape of hair on the left side of her head.  Simply twist the hair by 2 strands and secure with bobby pins.  I cross 2 bobby pins going in opposite directions to make sure the style stays in place.

Do the same thing to the other side.

Top View

This style really takes just a few minutes and looks great.

Oscar Predictions Revised: Picture, Director, Animation, Documentary, Sound

I'm working on revising the Oscar predictions. So far we've updated the extensive foreign film pages (yet, we're already behind again the news is coming so quickly), the animated and documentary categories, the aural categories like best score and song (I could use some help there -- offer it in the comments) and NEW best picture. And yes I know that many people believe that The Way Back will not

First and Last, It's Not Easy Being Green

the first line of dialogue from a motion picture"Where's the nearest good restaurant?" and the last image Can you guess the movie?It came from the 80s. It's called [Highlight for answer] SWAMP THING (1982)*more puzzles

Links: Glenn Shadix (RIP). Plus Jones, Cronenberg, Captain America

/Film first set photos of January Jones as Emma Frost in X-Men: First Class. As I believe I've stated before I love this casting. But it does seem wierd that she is already pigeonholed as "sixties girl". Will this be our first true period piece superhero flick or am I forgetting something? At least they're trying something slightly different with this one.All Things Fangirl relives the glory of (

TV vs. Movies

Did you read the recent NYT editorial "Are films bad, or is TV just better?". The article cites the obsessive fandom and acclaim for several great TV series and wonders why movies can't excite the public in the same way? There are a few interesting online responses to this perennial question. I love this history heavy emotional commitment focused piece at Observations on Film Art. And Movie|

Judy Garland's Clark Gable Fixation

Actors on ActorsYou know what's odd? Though Judy Garland excels at dreamy sadness, I always end up smiling when I listen to her sing. As soon as she tears up onscreen I feel way better; she alchemizes sadness and turns it towards the bittersweet at the very least. I love her two movie shout-outs here in Love Finds Andy Hardy: one is to Greta Garbo but she also has to reference her main man.I'm

First and Last, 4.20

first and last images (excluding credit sequences) of motion picturesCan you guess the movie?That's right it's [highlight for answer]... The Sweet Hereafter starring Ian Holm and Sarah Polley (who are in those frames above). Such a fine movie.

Unsung Heroes: The Special Effects of Eternal Sunshine

Hey everybody. It's Michael C. here from Serious Film introducing my new series for The Film Experience: Unsung Heroes. Each week we will celebrate a previously unheralded contribution to film greatness.This week it's the special effects work on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.Special Effects: Mark Bero, Brent Ekstrand, Drew Jeritano, Thomas VivianoVisual Effects: Wizards from Custom Film

Old Fashioned Marquee

I never actually see them changing one, so this was a welcome sight. So much better than digital marquees where someone's just typing on a computer. Typing on a computer is so mundane. I'm totally going to start handwriting The Film Experience! Why should posts take a few hours to write when they could take whole days?

Foreign Film Oscar Submissions: Alexander Skarsgård's Little Brother

We haven't heard quite yet if Norway will submit A Somewhat Gentle Man for Oscar consideration but if they do the Skarsgård clan could take up two spots in the Academy's foreign film competition.The Skarsgårds are totally taking over movies and television! Father Stellan has been in everything for decades now from blockbusters (Pirates of the Caribbean, Mamma Mia) to arthouse favorites and beyond

Foreign Film Oscar Submissions: Juvenile Delinquents and Missing Persons

I've updated the foreign film pages to reflect some of our now known contenders: Iraq (Son of Babylon), The Netherlands (Tirza), Romania (If I Want to Whistle, I'll Whistle) and Taiwan (Monga) have all announced. South Korea has narrowed their list down to six films, though most suspect it'll be Lee Chang-Dong's Poetry in the end. Many countries have yet to announce but there's still time. We

Pandora's Link and JGL's Bad Romance

Due to the long holiday weekend which put me behind and a busy screening week, I've decided to postpone this week's HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT. The series will be back next Wednesday the 15th with Pandora's Box (1929) so you have another week to watch this awesome silent classic whether on DVD or Netflix Instant Watch. Thanks for understanding and please join in the celebration of the immortal

Love... (The Poster)

Gaze upon the great poster for Love and Other Drugs. It's a casually lovely earth-tone -- what with the brown backdrop and lots of flesh -- which is not a palette movie posters regularly embrace. We like it lots. But there are three totally unnecessary or faulty things about this poster...Duh, the pillows.the text "& OTHER DRUGS" is superfluous. We only want to LOVE.There's a typo to your far

Best Pictures From the Outside In

Have you seen all of the Best Picture winners over the years? I'm nearing my personal finish line. (Mea culpa. 5 remain unseen: Gentlemen's Agreement, Hamlet, A Man For All Seasons, The French Connection and *gulp* The Godfather Part II. I am deeply ashamed) If you're semi-new to The Film Experience, check out this tri-blog series wherein Nick, Mike and Nathaniel (c'est moi), rescreen the winners

Curio: For Your Clutter

Alexa here, and no, I'm not shilling for Netflix now. I had big plans this holiday weekend of staging a Terence Malick double feature. Life interfered, so now envelopes with Badlands and Days of Heaven will be gathering dust on our ottoman. Today I spotted this handmade Netflix organizer on etsy and was tempted.Silly thing is, RCR Fabrication sells them reading "FLIX" since they aren't

First and Last: "You Got New York in Your Bones"

the first image from a motion pictureand the last line of dialogue:This life came so close to never happening. Can you guess the movie?If you're still stumped the answer is... Spike Lee's 25th Hour (2002)... it's so underappreciated!

MM@M: No Bad Seats

Mad Men @ The Movies discusses the cinematic references in television's best series.Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) and Don (Jon Hamm) succumb to exhaustion.Four seasons of great acting will knock the wind right out of you.Episode 4.7 "The Suitcase"This week's episode was a well timed Peggy & Don duet. The historic backdrop was the infamous boxing match between Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay (Clay had

Near, Far, Wherever Comments Are...

I just wanted to take a moment out to publicly thank those of you who take the time to comment. I do read them all. Comments aren't exactly a reliable gauge of how popular a post or "series" is, but they're fun to read nonetheless and can help with motivation on darker days. Some time ago I had to switch to "moderated" comments for any article that's not on the front page to prevent the spambots