Invested in the Future

      Though I am now unemployed, I feel justified in saying that I've been decently productive the last week. Despite my body's firm betrayal in our agreement to keep me healthy and top-notch at all times, I got up, re-dyed my hair, attempted to transport my life onto my new laptop, finished The Vampires Diaries, season 3 (I had fallen out of touch after the hiatus last year... today I finally caught up to the rest of the world, and OH MY GOOD GOD, that remains one of the most intense shows I've ever watched. I'd forgotten how brilliant it is: plotwise and character-wise. And I was sobbing during the last episode, even though I already knew the twist at the end. I'm just saying.) and then spent the evening finally ironing patches and studs onto my vests!

     I accidentally put this off way longer than intend... but with the Amazon gift card I recieved for my birthday two months ago, I ordered a beautiful sugar skull patch from Square Deal Recordings & Supplies, a Fullmetal Alchemist patch, and 100 Iron-On, 7mm Silver Pyramid Studs (also, the company sent a bunch of random sample studs along with the ones I bought... very useful). They all arrived on a different day. Combined with the Johnny Cash patch that I've had for months and the Dumbledore's Army patch I picked up at Whimsic Alley this summer... I knew it was time to actually put them on the vests.

 Here's how I created the beautiful and questionable creatures that are my vests: 

• I found two structured jackets that I didn't wear anymore. One is obviously denim, which I bought years ago at H&M, while the white jacket was originally my mother's. I'm not sure what material it's made out of, but its layout is the same at the standard jean jacket would be.
• I cut off the sleeves, using the actual seams as a guide. When cutting T-shirts, I tend to ignore the seams where the arms are sewn onto the body, but with this, it was a lot easier to just cut around the outside of the two sleeve seams. Where the fabric changes thickness... if that makes sense? Don't actually cut through the seam; it's difficult and there's no point. Surprisingly, it actually fits well if you cut where the jacket wants you to.
• I distressed the denim jacket myself, by cutting lines into the fabric with sharp scissors, and then putting the article through the wash. I didn't do anything to the white jacket. Instead, I left it be and used fabric paint to slap a movie quote on the back. I haven't washed it since. 

• Cutting horizontal lines in the denim + washing will result in something like this: 

  

• Cutting vertical lines in the denim + washing will result in something like this:  

 

•  Once dry, it's alright to put on the patches. Place the patch in desired location, place a thin cloth over it, and press your hot iron onto the area. I used some old, thin, worn dishtowel over mine. I kept my iron on its highest setting throughout the process. I held the iron onto the patch for about 10 to 15 seconds, usually holding still. After that, I would press on the patch with strokes, back and forth across the area.
• Check to make sure the corners are well-adhered onto the jacket. It may take a few times to get the patch completely on there. And then you may think you have it on, only to have it start to peel off when you're ready to move on. You should be able to move, ripple, and bend the jacket without your whole, patchy world falling apart.
• When I was sure the patch was mostly secure, I flipped the jacket inside-out and ironed the area where I knew the patch was on the outside. It's a bit strange to explain, like many things in this post, but I basically ironed on the patch from the other side of the fabric. I read on the internet that this would make the patch even more secure. It certainly doesn't hurt.
• For studs, it's basically the same process, except you can't really move the iron once you press it down, for worry that it'll dislodge some of the studies. I came at it from different angles, though never moving in strokes like with the patches. At first, I did all of the studs individually. But it's quite easy to do many at a time. Also, when I removed the iron, the pyramids were covered in adorable little water droplets. The studs will slide around a lot more easily than the patches, so it's best to let them dry for a few minutes before adjusting the jacket. 

Johnny Cash Patch. A cut-out from an A Perfect Circle T-shirt that I accidentally destroyed, generously sewed on by my mother. A sharpie design that kind of accidentally evolved out of a few mistakes, drawn while watching The Vampire Diaries. "I go to seek a Great Perhaps," the dying words of poet Francois Rabelais, and one of the most important quotes in my current favorite book, Looking for Alaska by John Green.

  

   

D.A. (Dumbledore's Army) patch from Whimsic Alley in Los Angeles, California. Purchased right after I re-read the fifth Harry Potter book. Colorful sugar skull patch... which I now realize social justice bloggers will probably have my burned at the stake for... :/ I love the idea of Dia de Los Muertos, and all of the beautiful artwork and celebration involved. Fullmetal Alchemist (not Brotherhood, okay. I grew up with the inaccurate and amazing 50ish-episode anime. I still have a lot of emotions associated with that particular timeline..) patch. I'm currently reading the manga series. I finished Vol. 2 earlier this month. Also, one of the pyramid studs on this side is hanging on for dear life... I'm thinking of hot-gluing it on tomorrow?

          And here is my Inglourious Basterds vest... for a while, I wore it with just the letters painted on the back. Stark red and black on a white canvas. But then I took some spray paint to it this morning and an idea struck me: what if I made it look like it had just been pulled from a burning building? I have to say, I like the look of it now much more... Though the pictures don't do it justice. They make it look like the vest is a mockery of a cow, when in reality, the contrast between the white jacket and the black spray paint is not nearly that drastic. And I added on some of the free sample studs to the pocket and the collar. It's not exactly A+ design work, but I dig it. Those studs seem to be holding on fine. My only advice would be to remember that larger studs need more time to get themselves adhered on!

This post was actually formulated in the middle of the last week, but I've been unable to get on the website! I got the same error message every time I logged on, telling me that I'd logged out from another computer. Nothing worked to fix it! And then magically, I tried while sitting in my new dorm room and alas-- It works! I did absolutely nothing to repair the problem, but I'm happy it worked itself out anyways.

Reasons I'm Still Excited About 2012

     Despite the fact that the year already feels as though it is drawing to a close, there are still many movies that I am excited to see! Many films are being released just in time for Academy-consideration deadlines, and perhaps the awards season will even be interesting this year. Some won't be considered, some will, some wouldn't touch the Academy with a five-foot pole. I don't really care. The point is: you should still be excited for the year 2012, because it ain't over. Film-wise, we're coming up on spring's full bloom. I think, if I let myself get away with it, I will be spending a fair amount of money on cinema tickets before year's end. And considering I'll be in college among people I've never met, I'll probably be taking trips to the theater alone. Haha!

End of Watch. Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick.
In theaters: September 28, 2012.
I am actually... completely... beyond STOKED for this movie to come out. I have seen the trailer three times in the cinema, most recently when my mother and I went to see The Words. And the ending of the trailer about gave me a heart attack. The seconds of black screen after its ending allowed me to hear the unmistakable thumping in my chest, and process the adrenaline rushing to and from my brain. A few minutes of preview clips-- no,  basically just from 2:01 on-- left me with an intense emotional reaction... I wonder what two hours will do.



Silver Linings Playbook. Starring: Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.
In theaters: November 21, 2012.
I AM SO EXCITED to see this film. Seriously. I wasn't too keen on it until I heard about the incredible feedback Jennifer Lawrence has been getting. I mean, mid-film applause? How can you not be amped to see a performance that sparks that kind of reaction?! I'm a big fan of Jennifer Lawrence, as both a flawlessly real person, and as an actress. In addition, Silver Linings Playbook won the People's Choice Award at TIFF. And this clip, for whatever reason, intrigues me to no end and I just keep watching it over and over.

Django Unchained. Starring: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo Dicaprio.
In theaters: December 25, 2012.
If you didn't know, my favorite movie is Inglourious Basterds. And I went through a mighty Tarantino phase during my junior year of high school. This is the first of his films to release since I dubbed myself a Quentin Tarantino fan, and I am pretty much over the moon about it. The cast is flawless, the story is hopefully going to be another pleasing story of vengeance, and I love the musical choices of the trailer... Starting with Johnny Cash, and then the second song has such a classic Tarantino feel to it... Merry Christmas to me. It's the first since Sally Menke's death, and I hope, somehow, this movie makes her proud.


 

Smashed. Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul.
In theaters: October 12, 2012.

I don't really know very much about this movie, and thus I'm not sure what to make of it. It may be very preachy and weird about life post-alcohol, post-partying, post-conventional 2012 "fun." Or maybe it will be a very honest look into what alcoholism is really like. Either way, the cast makes me too excited to not give this film a chance. The acting should be brilliant, no matter the subject. And I think I'm going to really enjoy the camerawork... I certainly like the way it moves in this trailer.

Deadfall. Starring: Eric Bana and Olivia Wilde.
In theaters: December 7, 2012.
I've always felt that Olivia Wilde has a lot of silver screen potential, but just has yet to land the right role. She was unbelievable as Thirteen in House M.D.! And so I'm really rooting for her, and for this movie. It may not turn out to be much, but the trailer promises some good performances and some high-adrenaline thrills. Can't say I'm going to spend the money on theater tickets, but I am stoked to see it eventually!



  The Hobbit. Starring: Martin Freeman (!!!!), Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett.
In theaters: December 14, 2012.
My best friend and I are very big fans of the The Lord of the Rings trilogy. We were also, at one point, very much into Sherlock on BBC. So, when we heard that Martin Freeman was pretty much about to get the biggest break of his life, we were beside ourselves. It's a dream! And though I haven't read the book, I'm very interested in the story. The only fears I have about this film are the visual aspects; I find too much CGI in a movie to be very distracting. When the setting is very obviously surreal, it's difficult for me to focus on anything that is happening in the flesh. It's something to worry about, surely, but not enough to skip the midnight premiere!! Fingers crossed that both my best friend and I will be able to go... One of my final exams for the quarter is the next morning... 

 

Seven Psychopaths. Starring: Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken.
In theaters: October 12, 2012.
To quote the top comment on YouTube, "This movie better be as amazing as it looks or I'll be so pissed."



Rise of the Guardians. Starring: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman.
In theaters: November 21, 2012.
Though I'm not 100% committed to putting forth the money for cinema tickets on this one, I'm a sucker for a multi-dimensional animated movie. Ones that aren't straight-out comedies, ones that seem to have backbone. The voice cast is very impressive, and Dreamworks is due for another one of their well-composed kids' films. Though I am still afraid of the main character, considering he looks like the ANIMATED INCARNATION OF KING JOFFREY (gif found here), I think it will at the very least be an amusing watch. We shall see!



On the Road. Starring: Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund, Sam Riley.
In theaters: December 21, 2012 (Limited).
Somehow, this fall, I will find the time to read the book this film is based on: On the Road by Jack Kerouac. I think the concept behind it has such an "American Dream" quality to it. And I want that literary essence to fill me up before I let the film do the same. Despite its lower-than-hoped rating on IMDB, I am still allowing myself optimism when it comes to this movie. I am a big supporter of Kristen Stewart as a person, though I'm not always sure about her acting. Plus Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, a fair bit of musical sequences, and a promising amount of true-to-the-book voiceovers? I'm in. Whenever you decide to wide-release, I'm here for you.

ParaNorman: A Review

 

According to IMDB, ParaNorman is about: "In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock is a boy who can speak to the dead, but no one besides his eccentric new friend, Neil, believes his ability is real. One day, Norman's estranged eccentric uncle tells him of an important annual ritual he must take up to protect the town from an curse cast by a witch it condemned centuries ago. Eventually, Norman decides to cooperate, but things don't go according to plan. Now, a magic storm of the witch threatens Blithe Hollow as the accursed dead rise. Together with unexpected new companions, Norman struggles to save his town, only to discover the horrific truth of the curse. With that insight, Norman must resolve the crisis for good as only he can."

       Be Aware, Spoilers Everywhere.   

     So, this review is wayyy overdue. I saw ParaNorman for the first and only time three Sundays ago with my best friend and a non-expirable CostCo. movie ticket, recently unearthed from the depths of my bedroom... I've been waiting to construct a post about my opinions until I was able to see it for a second time. But alas, the only online streams I can find randomly switch into another language about ten minutes in. The following paragraphs have been constructed from a less-than-crystal-clear recall and a list of fangirly bullet points I made last week.

     To begin, I absolutely adore this film. There is so much to love, between the stunning animation, and the adorable light cast upon the otherwise frightening, and the grand morals of the story. It's what I would call a very mature children's movie. This is both good and bad, depending on who you talk to. Personally, as a teenager with no child and no need for this movie to hold back, I found everything endearing. But ask my coworker about her experience in taking her elementary-aged brother to the movie, and she'll tell you of the discomfort she felt at both the content and language ("Within the first five minutes, 'Hey, what were you watching?' "Sex and violence.' I mean...").

     If I were a parent to a young child, I'll admit, I could see how one would be a bit taken aback by the use of language in the film: we hear such rhetoric as hell yeah, jackass, and a reference to the F-word that would hopefully go unnoticed by a little kid. But really, you're taking your precious baby angel to a film that is blatantly about zombies, witches, and a boy who literally talks to the dead... and wakes them accidentally. And then subsequently lays them to rest... what did you expect, if not a dark twist on the children's narrative?

     Personally, I think this movie is great for a wide variety of ages. There are jokes for the little ones (which filled the cinema with the most adorable prepubescent laughter Sunday afternoon) that I didn't find amusing until they did, and there are lines clearly geared towards an older audience, soaring unapologetically over the tikes' tiny heads. And we were all going absolutely mad during the scene where Norman tries to pry a book out of his uncle's dead hands. Which is why I think this is a great movie-- it's for everyone and talks down to no one. The film knows we can handle it, so you might as well embrace that fact as well.
     My favorite was this little pause in the action where Norman is in the car with his parents, spouting out a ridiculous plan to save the town. His mother encouragingly tells him that it was a great idea. And the father just turns toward the mother and, in complete seriousness, says, "I wish I understood you." It doesn't sound like much when I try to explain the off-beat moment to anyone, but I nearly died in the theater. I missed the next few minutes of the movie because I was slumped down in my seat, trying to stifle hysterical giggles. It was such an insight into their marriage, beyond the current situation; so random and didn't need to be in there and a very adult quip to stack upon a well-used dynamic (you know, in children's movies: the parents who fight a lot, but only as a means of comic relief? No? Okay.), and the delivery was so spot on. Something about it made me laugh out loud-- something I honestly don't do much of in the theater.

     Along the same lines, keep your eyes peeled for horror movie references! The creators are obvious fans of the genre, but as the very first scene will clue you in on, they are not above poking fun at it. And that's just on the front. If you look at it from a symbolic point of view, many of these little horror-movie-throwaways help prove one of the great realizations of the film: What you perceive as frightening is most likely just a misunderstanding.

WHICH BRINGS US INTO THE META PORTION OF THE SHOW.

(But first-- enjoy this clip and be amazed at how much work was put into each screenshot of this movie. Applause all around. I can't even fathom the tedium that goes into each minute of runtime.)

     Though there are a lot of components to this film, I'd say it all comes down to a message of anti-bullying and pro-understanding. And ParaNorman does this by targeting both the bullies and the bullied, and how one can easily be either when presented with a certain situation. How being bullied can turn one, like Aggie, into the monster they once feared. How even the ones who instill fear, like Alvin, the bully who accidentally but still committedly joins the effort to save his town, have more to them than meets the eye. Even our hero Norman is so effected by his past mistreatment that he prefers loneliness, and at times lashes out that those who wish to help him, because they couldn't possibly understand.

     This film tells its audience that hate is derived from the human condition to fear what we don't understand. But it doesn't have to be this way. It's okay to be different, and it's okay to be a bit nervous about those who seem foreign to you. But you can't let your insecurity over the situation drive you to hate and violence. Your gut reaction does not need to be your only reaction! Every person can make the decision not to act out negatively. Every person has the power to seek out a true understanding of an individual, and to accept and cherish the differences they find.

     A post on Tumblr turned me onto the idea that this film is a metaphor for homophobia, which I can definitely see. But at its core, ParaNorman's lessons stretch beyond a single social issue. However, while we're here, let's talk about how revolutionary of a character Mitch is!  

     Near the end of the film, when he non-chalantly mentioned his boyfriend, my best friend and I both kind of freaked out. We tried to high-five, but that just evolved into this strange form of clapping in an otherwise silent theater. I even missed Courtney's response to the rejection, because I was too impacted to keep myself focused on the movie. I just remember telling my friend, "I think I'm gonna cry," and the promptly bursting into tears. Which was certainly not the reaction the creators were expecting, I'm sure, but that tiny little detail struck me as SUCH A BIG DEAL that I just couldn't keep it together.   

      

    After returning from the theater and searching through the 'ParaNorman' tag on Tumblr, I found this really great article that you should check out: "The Thing About Mitch (You Know, Mitch, The Jock from ParaNorman)". As pointed out by this lovely author, the throwaway joke about the long-sought-after love interest being gay is typical, but that that fact that it appears in a mainstream children's movie isn't. And I think this tiny addition is really great because 1) Mitch isn't a stereotype, gay for the sole purpose of constant comic relief, 2) He is out and obviously doesn't see it as a big deal, and 3) Mitch's plotline isn't hinged on his sexuality. All of these points really bring home the message that being gay isn't a big deal. The movie doesn't think so and neither should you. Even Mitch is what the mass would consider "different," but after all we've been through over the last 90 minutes, hopefully no one would dare voice hate over it.         

     This is one of the many reasons why I don't understand how Tumblr hasn't grabbed hold of this movie and abosultely lost its head over society's and the media's progress. I suppose that comes with the poor box office rakings... But on the brighter side, because of this movie's unpopularity, public controversy has not been stirred over the "issue." Which also screams to a little kid watching this movie that being gay is not call for a national outcry. So that's nice.

     And as for the message board referenced in the above article, I have one thing to say: 

Congratulations, you missed the ENTIRE point of the movie. The one that the writers set up for an hour and a half and spoon-fed into your ignorant mouth. Really?? REALLY?! Also, is it really that hard to talk to your kid about the world? Because from what I've seen, they have a hell of a lot of questions. You are a parent. This is what you signed up for.

     Also, people who refer to being gay as a "personal" or "lifestyle" choice make me feel a bit queasy, but I guess the homophobic are just different from me, and I have to unfortunately accept those differences. If they can keep their hate to themselves, I can keep my disdain for them chained up as well. Even if they mostly don't...  

     ANYWAY BACK TO WHAT I WAS SAYING. It's actually good that I pushed reviewing this movie for a few weeks because yesterday, I heard an Ezra Miller quote that I think really relates to Mitch as well as Miller's own character: "Now that we 'allow' gay people into the movies... you see them as either tokens, where it's like, 'Oh hahaha he's so gay,' or they're a victim. And they're a helpless victim. And that's the common..." Seeing as Mitch is neither, I like to think of him as a step in the right direction. Sure, the emergence of his sexuality is pretty much a joke, but it's not meant as a jab toward homosexuals. And Mitch isn't victimized by the world, when I guess he easily could have been, considering the overall message of the film. He could have been made an example of. But he wasn't. The effect was all subliminal. Or one could see it as unrelated to the anti-bullying campaign throughout the movie, which is great too. Mitch isn't defined by his sexuality, he is just a person, as he should be. And he is a confident person, which is great... even though he's kind of an idiot, and he admits that he is definitely not mature, and his bodily proportions don't make anatomical sense. Haha. It's all good, it's all self-loving, it's all sex positive. 

      I have certainly been lurking too many social justice blogs lately, but I think that's a nice perspective to have on these characters and this story. But as stated above, I don't believe this film limits itself to addressing homophobia. This movie isn't for one specific topic-- it's an analysis of how humans react when presented with outsiders that they find threatening, and how that carries into a million aspects of life. It's about human nature. This goes from being teased at school, to being condemned to death for a power you cannot control.

     Which is why I think the zombies in this movie represent how people perceive those who are different. How, without even taking one look at how a being actually is, we jump to violence and misdirected anger because we feel threatened.  From childhood, we are taught that zombies are evil. They are the object of countless horror stories, and our favorite future-instigators of the apocalypse. Upon first sight, every human's first instinct would be to 1) run from the zombies, or 2) kill them. But in the reality constructed by this film, these creatures weren't out to hurt anyone. The zombies weren't on a quest to chomp down on some delicious people brains... they just wanted to go back to sleep.
     Self-defense is a person's first reaction. But as I stated above, it doesn't have to be your only reaction. Take a moment to assess what is actually happening, and let go of your pre-conceptions. You don't know everything. I don't know everything. Which is why an open mind is the key to success in this world. The lessons of this film are a challenge to all of the Bible-thumpers who grew up hearing about the "abomination" that is homosexuality (in which case, I encourage you to read it more carefully), to all of the racists who were taught by family or society about the superiority of one skin color, to all of the self-hating teenagers who were bombarded from childhood about the perfect way to look, or the perfect weight to achieve. What we have been conditioned to think is not always correct. Not all of the zombies you've been conditioned to fear are actually dangerous. Not all of the people you've been encouraged to reject are very dissimilar to you after all.
    
     If you take anything away from ParaNorman, let it be that, if you are ever attacked by a few-century-old curse and need to save your town from certain peril... or maybe if you're just maneuvering your way through the average, boring day... an open mind and the acceptance of unexpected help are your best weapons.

 

Time Well-Wasted

     I've been falling a bit under the weather over the last few days, and though I am currently working on a movie review, trying to construct well-formed opinions takes a strange level of effort. And mustering my brain power for anything right now is difficult. So have yourself a haul post. Might as well put up the clothes I have recently procured, before the no-doubt long lull in purchases that will come once I start school.

     During the constant and perilous the debate whether to scroll on Tumblr, watch Netflix, read (finally got my hands on a copy of Paper Towns!! Praise my strange dedication to stalking this book's progress; from checked out to sorting on "on shelf." Because up until this week, the book's been constantly checked out. For months it has been like this. For MONTHS. You have no idea the heroic feat I have accomplished... But I digress.), or (attempt to) write, I often get extremely bored and need to get away from my bedroom desk. And so, yesterday, my mom and I went to see "The Words" (which was very 'meh' for me... I don't even really have an opinion on it; it didn't cause any impact, emotional or otherwise, to be honest.) and eat dinner together. (Wow, there are a lot of parentheses in this paragraph.)
However, we had some time to kill in between, considering the film ended at 4:30pm and we are not little old ladies in need of a 6 o'clock curfew. Thus, we spent a little time in the palace that is TJMaxx. My mother bought herself some new pajamas and I picked up three lovely items:

BeBop dress on sale for $20!

Monteau: Los Angeles top on sale for $10! Because I've been watching an embarrassing amount of  Once Upon A Time recently, the first time I put it on, I felt like Snow White. And today it struck me that it could be the vital component of an adorable Minnie Mouse Halloween costume. That aspect of Disney (you know, Mickey, Donald, Goofy-- Them miscreants.) has never really been my home, but I am very excited to get dressed up in it. I've always loved Halloween, but it's never quite lived up to the hype for me. Mostly because I LOATHE trick-or-treating, and for whatever reason, people my age still do?? Since age 10, I have honestly thought it to be the most boring activity in the world. Haha. But this year I may actually get to dress up and attend a party. And I am already ecstatic! Oh, it's the little things?!

Mine button-up top, $14.99. I wish this picture did it justice. This shirt is collegiate as hell, looks great with a flowy scarf, and feels amazing on. Still figuring out how to get the crease out of the bottom. Soon!

This morning, I ventured to Forever 21 to exchange those sunglasses with the weird white marks along the side. Plus, I was also recently emailed a 20% off coupon from H&M, only useable until September 16th. These forces combined, I have been passed on the power to shop! So I took a detour to H&M on the way back to my car in an effort to find brown sandals and ended up with a few other things...

 Adorable and tiny black sneakers by Divided, $12.95 before my 20% off.

Three pairs of hotpants/hipsters, 3 for $10 at H&M.

Sheer black tights by H&M, $4.95.

And here you have it, folks: the literal only pair of brown sort-of-sandals in the store. $5.95. I was hoping for something a little classier to wear with my dresses, but with these on, the straps are actually quite pretty. A lot more dressed-up than my Rainbows, even if you wouldn't think so just by looking at them. The goal is to wear this babies during Rush; because heels and I aren't exactly close friends.

When I wake up tomorrow, hopefully I will possess the motivation to finish my ParaNorman review, and it can finally be put up for the world to see! I have a lot of feelings when it comes to this movie; I really do.

The Perks of Being A Wallflower

I can't believe this film is already coming out... For everyone else, maybe it has seemed like an eternity since the production of the movie was announced to the public (and when a source said Emma Watson would be playing Sam, I was unwaveringly convinced for WEEKS that the film was just a rumor), or since we were first anxiously anticipating the first trailer. But to me, it's been in the blink of an eye.

Apparently, the original release date for "The Perks of Being A Wallflower" in the United States was supposed to be the 14th, but I believe it was pushed back to the September 21st. However, the movie will be in limited release, regardless. Hopefully it's playing in a theater near you! One of my biggest pet peeves is when studios do not release films in certain countries, and then complain when fans of the world are driven to piracy. Everyone should get the opportunity to experience a film in the cinema... It's the best way to see a movie for the first time... But that's just wishful thinking, I suppose.

Last night was the Perks premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Everyone looked stunning, as always. Photos from Just Jared.com.

Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Mae Whitman, Ezra Miller, Johnny Simmons, Nina Dobrev.

And the man himself, writer of the book and director of the film, Stephen Chbosky.

I'm trying not to let myself get excited for this movie... The cast is great, and the book was one of my favorites when I read it at the age of fourteen. It's definitely soothing on a fan's mind to know that the writer of the novel was directly involved with every aspect of the movie. I know it's in good hands. Yet, expectation is the root of all heartache. And so, I'm trying to keep mine very, very low. Perks could be a timeless teenage tale that we all relate to beyond measure and come to cherish whole-heartedly, but it could also very easily be a hurricane of hipster gimmicks and cliche moments. It all depends. I must admit, though, the many clips that Summit has already released for the film certainly sway my opinions in a positive direction.

For example, I am in love with the way Logan delivers a variation of the most iconic line of the novel: "I feel infinite." Very genuine. Ezra Miller's subtle way of asking inspires confidence in the film as well... That even Patrick, with the brashness that has been featured tirelessly by the sneak peaks, and even at the beginning of this very clip, is given his tender moments. He's human. He doesn't just live in a pool of his own cleverness.

Also unlike the trailer's version, Emma Watson's deliver of "Let's go be psychos together" in this clip is spot on. I know I'm putting a lot of emphasis on the way actors are saying the things they are saying, but really, the delivery of a classic line is the difference between cringe-worthy and moving. 

...And I may or may not have started crying when I first heard this audio clip...



For someone who is trying to keep her expectations low, I sure am talking this movie up, aren't I? The most important thing, I think, is to keep an open mind, and perhaps this is my way of doing so. My friend got to see the film a few months ago, as part of a survey, and said it was fantastic. Better than the trailer could even come close to portraying. Together, all of the evidence allows me the tiniest glimmer of hope. And so next weekend, or the one after that, or whenever, I am going to sit myself down at the cinema and watch The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Here's to hoping (:

Also, B-Rolls are the literal best, so have some... Spoilers, I suppose.

I Just Want to Feel Everything...

I Just Want to Feel Everything... from reservoirsnogs on 8tracks Radio.

     I've been itching to make a playlist for a while now... This one I guess could be classified as "songs that put me in a trance" or maybe "songs that I make my head all twirly and sad." Haha. There isn't really a pattern or a story to these songs; just a feeling. A kind of hazy sadness (I hope that makes sense to you). Not that I was feeling that way today... I just needed this playlist. I needed an organized shelf to place all of the songs I've fallen in love with over the past few weeks. Most of it was heavily influenced by Cathy's trntbl. There lies a box of treasures in need of your listening ears.

I JUST WANT TO FEEL EVERYTHING.

1. Breathe Me (Cover) - Aiden Grimshaw
2. Hanging On (Solo Version) - Ellie Goulding
3. I Am Not A Robot (Clock Opera Remix) - Marina and the Diamonds
4. Swim Good - Frank Ocean
5. Beautiful Boyz - CocoRosie
6. Primadonna (BURNS Remix) - Marina and the Diamonds
7. Born Into This Mad World (Mashup) - Gary Jules Vs. Lana Del Rey
8. ‘81 - Joanna Newsom 
9. Spirit of the Stairwell - Circa Survive 
10. Every Single Night (Djemba Djemba Remix) - Fiona Apple
11. Night - Zola Jesus
12. Animal (Cover) - Sky Ferreira
13. Spanish Sahara - Foals
14. Young Blood (Renholder Remix) - The Naked and Famous

Lana Del Rey for GQ Magazine

 

Photographs by Mariano Vivanco. See the rest here.

 

 FROM THE INTERVIEW:

"'lt’s been nine years since my last drink... That’s really why I got sent to boarding school aged 14 — to get sober. I was a big drinker at the time. I would drink every day. I would drink alone. I thought the whole concept was so fucking cool. A great deal of what I wrote on Born To Die is about these wilderness years. A lot of the time when I write about the person that I love, I feel like I’m writing about New York. And when I write about the thing that I’ve lost I feel like I’m writing about alcohol because that was the first love of my life. Sure, there have been people, but it’s really alcohol. 

My parents were worried, I was worried. I knew it was a problem when I liked it more than I liked doing anything else. I was like, I’m fucked. I am totally fucked. Like, at first it’s fine and you think you have a dark side – it’s exciting – and then you realise the dark side wins every time if you decide to indulge in it. It’s also a completely different way of living when you know that, it’s like being a different species of person. It was horrific. It was the worst thing that ever happened to me.'” 

Lana has also struggled with the public recently. Apparently she was sued for breaking copyright laws for her "Video Games" video. Over the past year, she has faced a mountain of criticism. After being asked if she felt betrayed by America, Lana responded: 

“'No, just like the love of my life isn’t with me any more. The Hollywood community has been so good to me and they didn’t have to be, but not New York. As a person who becomes really attached to places for their energy and their beauty, for me New York was a match. To lose it, it really felt like my life was over. It’s a totally different life experience when you have to learn to love the things that don’t love you back. It’s the last great life experience. Not that many people have to live like this – live without their icons or their idols or their country. I know people won’t be listening to my music next year, but I still will have lost those places I cared about so dearly.' 

Such was the criticism, and Del Rey’s heartbreak, that, from the sounds of it, either this year or last year, she came close to pressing the self-destruct button once again:

'Yes. It hasn’t been activated in some time. In the last two years I do feel more upset, which kind of triggers those feelings, making me feel as if not everything is in my control. The bigger things get, the bigger this whole thing gets, the easier it is for things like that to start happening again. When I feel like I’m being overwhelmed it’s hard to remain a guiding force. That’s one reason to keep things small, play small venues, that sort of thing, which is what I always wanted to do.'"

 

 Until I read this interview, it didn't occur to me how difficult Lana Del Rey's rise to fame has been. And that should could be some honestly affected by it... Most celebrities are so adamant about how much they DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK OF THEM!!!!11!1. So many shrug it off and flip the bird to the media, I forget about how the average person would react to such a backlash. I forget how I would react in a situation similar to Lana's... I go back and forth on her music, trying to decide if I like it or not. But I let it slip my mind that everyone else has been doing it too-- more vocally and more aggressively. The opinions of the haters have been in mass quantity and at mass volume. I hope this hasn't gotten her down too much... though I do appreciate her honesty. The interview paints a picture of depression and, eventually, acceptance of the way her last year was spent. And she hasn't lost crucial parts of herself, at least. I don't pray, but my thoughts are with her? If that makes sense. Whatever is best for her, I fully support it. Just be okay. Okay?

Captain Rook: Week #3

Flower stud set from H&M, $5.95.

I don't have a lot to remark upon this week. My rook piercing has evolved from an exertion of adult freedom to a painful possible-regret to, now three weeks in, a really cool piece of jewelry that I forget I have 80% of the time. Sometimes I will answer the phone and accidentally slam the handset into my ear, which I come to resent a half-second after I do it. And, on occasion, brushing hair behind my ear causes a bit of a twinge. But these days, anytime there is pain with my piercing, it is a direct result of my own neglect or mistreatment. Mostly, I've reached the plateau of satisfaction. Today I even went out a bought a few sets of earrings. I find that just placing two round studs on the lobe looks a bit odd on the same ear as my rook; it's too symmetrical. And so, while picking up my liquid eyeliner from Sephora, I stopped by Forever 21 and H&M to do some hunting for interesting pieces. I also got some sunglasses out of the deal, so here we go, down the rabbit hole:

 Peach Heart earrings, $3.80 at Forever 21.

Silver "BURN.S" earrings, $2.80 at Forever 21.

Two pairs of Forever 21 Sunglasses, $5.80 each.

However, I am debating whether or not to return the black pair, because of some white marks on the side. I'm not sure exactly what it is... I can't tell if there is some white paint added, or if the black paint had been scratched off?? I'm not sure if it's even worth the effort. But considering that I am down to my last few pairs of sunglasses, I suppose I should just trek back to the mall and ask for an exchange. Sigh. White people problems.

Next, I really want to write a review of the stop-motion film ParaNorman, which I saw last Sunday. It's absolutely incredible. As soon as I find a link to rewatch the magic, and the time to put all of my feelings into words, expect a movie review to come flying at your face. Stay tuned!

I'm Still an Animal

    Sometimes an average Sunday afternoon can accidentally evolve into an amateur photoshoot of 300+ pictures. What started as a backyard adventure quickly turned into an hour and half-long game of dress-up in the upstairs bedroom. Personally, I think the pictures are great! A fine mix of humorous attempts, beautiful portraits, and awkward posing. Plus, it was an opportunity to use my brand new camera! I recently bought a Nikon S6200 for just over $100, and I have to say that I'm more than pleased. It's small, lightweight, and the quality of photos is lovely. In addition, we unintentionally produced very interesting effects on the photos without meaning to... light tricks, shadows, blurs, etc. Most of which were the camera's doing. Maybe some people wouldn't be into the camera making up its own mind on these matters, but then again, some people are experienced enough to maintain control haha. I was thankful for the variety.

Because I was only hanging out with one person, all the photos of me (the unnatural, though thoroughly convincing, red-head) were taken by Cathy. And all of her less-than-professional portraits were taken by me (: