The First Blogger

Netflix can breed more anguish than entertainment. The drinks are poured, the popcorn is seasoned, but the queue has not yet situated itself. So, for the next 45 minutes, we're left to browse film titles, read descriptions, and identify noteworthy cast members before finally settling on some mediocre movie from 1998. For the past few weeks, I've been carefully selecting quality titles that will breed quality recommendations. It's been a long, hard battle, but I've lived to share the lessons of my venture. You're welcome. And now, without further adieu, my Netflix Lately Haul:

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Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel
The greatest fashion documentary since The September Issue, this is a real Netflix treat. Diana Vreeland gives eccentric stories to every vision, every moment, and this film invites you into her world for a bit of time. She's the muse behind the fashion editor in Funny Face, the visionary behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, and Coco Chanel's best friend. There are notable appearances by all the industry movers and shakers to pay homage to the fashion icon. Even, Diane von Furstenberg respectfully recalls her office memos as the first insightful blog.  With all of the vibrant magazine shoots, historical bits of pop culture, and Vreeland's own red living room, The Eye Has to Travel is a great movie for a  dreary, winter snow day (or any day in Pennsylvania).

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Let the Right One In 
While, I've never jumped on the vampire/zombie bandwagon and fail to see what all the fuss is about, this movie makes me reconsider my aversions. I first saw this Swedish film in 2008 at Alamo Drafthouse, and it remains amazing. Let the Right One In is suspenseful, with a touch of horror. There's a last minute twist that infuses infinite layers into the story that will leave you contemplating what just happened. Maybe I should give Twilight a go.

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Frances Ha
If you have seriously contemplated just buying a ticket to Paris for no particular reason and with no particular plan, you will enjoy this adventure. It's for all the twenty-somethings trying to figure out their life. With little to no expectations upon pressing play, this awkwardly wonderful movie completely took me by surprise. An artistic dreamer (and dancer!) in New York City meets reality after college and struggles to adapt her expectations. There's a notable cast that includes Adam Driver (Girls) and Grace Gummer (Meryl Streep's daughter).

50/50 Movie Review

Life happens without asking for permission. There's no briefing where you are able to discuss the next step or bluntly state that you are not quite ready for that challenge. It would be nice to guide life and have the authority to confirm or deny any change, but then there would be no real challenges or surprises. And while some challenges are small or surprises great, life is never fair with its allocation of tragedy. 

Last night, I finally went to see 50/50. It's tragic to think of anyone getting cancer and suffering through life with such a debilitating illness, but somehow Will Reiser leads the audience into the reality without loosing them. 

It was fabulous. Seth Rogen impressed with his approachability and unwavering loyalty to his best friend, Adam, who developed spine cancer in the movie. Rogen is friends with the screenwriter, Will Reiser, who developed spine cancer in his 20s and based the screenplay off of his own experiences. 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Adam in his usual quirky, nerdy persona and Anna Kendrick plays the psychologist in an endearing, naive fashion. Overall, it was a comedy, but a very real comedy, where the depth of any struggles were not dismissed or overlooked. Sometimes, all you can do is laugh.

win win movie review

I ventured out to see this movie last night (on a weeknight, crazy cats). It was a great movie. The characters were endearing, the situations were realistic and the off-beat comedy was perfectly balanced.

Paul Giamatti plays a lawyer struggling to keep his own practice afloat. When he claims to become the guardian of an elderly man solely to collect the pension, everything spins out of control, subtly. "Quiet comedy" describes the film accurately, and it is best for a relaxing weeknight out. There are no surprises in the plot and it's free of feel-good gimmicks. But, the writing is fantastic and keeps the audience listening for a bit of advice. Amy Ryan, of The Office fame, and Jeffrey Tambor, of Arrested Development, were pleasant surprises in their supporting roles.

Nerd Alert

Things I love:

The Social Network (Facebook Movie)

The Social Network is a great movie about a defining aspect of today's culture. David Fincher did an incredible job directing this movie that could have easily disappointed. I was skeptical, immediately thinking that a movie about something so trite could only be dull. But all the elements came together: good script, good acting, good directing. It's worth seeing particularly for the generation that has grown up with Facebook.

Glee:

Dear Glee,

I'm in love with you. Every time I watch an episode I get goosebumps. I giggle at the TV when no one else is around with no shame. The characters are endearing and the music is incredible and I don't care who makes fun of me for loving every moment of it.

Forever Yours,

Amy

The Sun Also Rises:

I read this book in high school and while it was great then, it is even better today. I'm a little sad it's taken me this long to rediscover it, but I'm glad it finally happened.

I would go on, but this post is getting nerdier by the minute. I promise I'm cool and don't just sit inside alone watching Glee and reading Hemingway.

Pinkie Promise.

I quit.

not cool.

The September Issue, finally.

Following the whirlwind last couple of weeks (including planning and throwing a surprise party), I had the most relaxing evening yesterday.

Homemade pizza, a glass of Cabernet and this movie:

Amazing. Such a great escape with such creative talent, particularly refreshing when I spend all day with politics. It's been on my to-do/see list for a year so it's about time.

On another note, will someone please start a fan club for Grace:

inspiring, endearing, love her. A little glimpse can be experienced in this article.