movie time.

Don't worry, I'm not gone, just bein lazy.

Friends! I'm alive! I know it's been a slow week around these parts and I don't even have a good excuse, I'm just seriously slacking in the blogging category of my life. Hey, it happens. I'm going to make it up to you though... I'm going to make it up to you by recommending a ton of movies, ALL of which I watched on the airplane to/from Australia (because there's a lot of time for movie watching when you're flying to/from Australia!) So go buy some microwave popcorn and head into the weekend armed with this something-for-everyone movie recommendations list!

* 20 Feet From Stardom

This documentary tells the stories you never knew you were dying to know about the backup singers for some of music's greatest legends. From those who are happy to stand behind the star to others who simply couldn't make into the spotlight, this movie is a fascinating look at the voices you've always known, even though you never knew the person behind them.

* 12 Years a Slave

So this isn't going to be a feel good film, but it is going to move you. I never got around to seeing 12 Years a Slave in theaters (because motivating to see something sad can be tough) but I'm so glad I mustered up the courage to watch this film because it is outstanding. Based on a true story of a free man captured and imprisoned for years as a slave, this movie tells a story you need to know, via actors who deliver exceptional performances. 

* Julie and Julia

The perfect delightfully warm, wonderful and sweet anecdote to my previous recommendation, Julie and Julia is a hit from several years back that I just enjoyed for the first time. Amy Adams and Meryl Streep are perfection in this lighthearted story of two women (a modern amateur chef/writer Julie and the famous Julia Childs early in her life/career) discovering themselves through cooking, perseverance and love from their wonderful spouses. My only warning: prepare to salivate, the food porn in this flick is divine!

* Foxcatcher

This Oscar nominated film from 2014/15 didn't get very much buzz or wide circulation in theaters and I have absolutely NO idea why! An almost unrecognizable Steve Carrell plays the wealthy (and creepy) John duPont with astounding poise, while Channing Tatum portrays an Olympic wrestler in what I feel is the most significant role of his career. Add in the always talented Mark Ruffalo and a shocking true story and you have 1 fantastic movie experience. (Note: it starts off a little slow, but stick with it!)

* and then there's Birdman...

I did not get this movie. I did not get it at all. I'm putting it on this list because I watched it (how do you not watch the film that took home the award for Best Picture!?) but I cannot say I recommend it. I don't even know what to say about it... it was WEIRD. It was artsy. It was interesting? Give it a shot, maybe you'll fare better than I did!

I'm sorry Oscar...

Birdman joke or not, Oscar hosts should
keep their clothing on at all times.

What better way to get back into the blogging groove than to talk about Hollywood, movies and fashion!? For those of you who may have missed it, last night Hollywood got all dolled up for the Oscars and if you missed it, you actually didn't miss much. My two cents:

* I thought Neil Patrick Harris was pretty terrible. I generally love me some Doogie Howser, but his hosting style better suits the schtick of the Tonys than the Academy Awards. He had a few good zingers (an opening dig about the lack of black nominees seemed promising) but generally I thought he fell flat.

* The show overall was a serious snooze. Dr. H and I actually tuned out in favor of our DVR because as much as I appreciate the brilliant costuming, editing, producing, scoring that makes up so much of the movies we love, seeing those awards handed out isn't really what we're tuning in for.

* Lady Gaga are you serious!? Put away the crazy costumes and be this version of your talented self always. 

* Who was feeling the girl power last night!? Patricia Arquette made a passionate call for equal rights for women during her acceptance speech (Meryl and JLo loved it!)

* While we're discussing last night's feminist vibe, not sure how I felt about the #AskHerMore campaign, aimed at getting red carpet presenters to talk about more substantive things with actresses than just gowns and diets. While I agree that women are often asked incredibly sexist/objectifying questions, the red carpet is a lot about the fashion. I think for this campaign to have legs it needs to be applied to non-red carpet moments.

Ok, enough rambling... let's look at some fancy people in fancy clothes shall we!? There were not many looks that blew me away last night and several of my reliable favorites left me scratching my head or straight up shakin it...

Rosamund Pike in Givenchy

Remember when I questioned Rosamund's fashion decision at the Golden Globes because it was unflattering? Well, I'll shut up now. Holy WOW!

Margot Robbie in Saint Laurant

This is a pretty sexy look and I really like how Margot is rockin it. It manages to maintain some elegance while being very rock and roll. Her necklace is the perfect accessory and I also like the bold lip and lob (long-bob that is!)

Lupita Nyong'o in Calvin Klein

I can't decide what I feel about this. From far away the dress is stunning and the detailed pearls on top of pearls concept is amazing, but up close for me it didn't look quite as glam. I dunno... a dress made entirely of pearls is pretty fabulous!

Cate Blanchett in Martin Margiela Couture

I love this look. While I confess it's very basic and not exactly daring, the silhouette is working wonders on Cate and her statement necklace and hair are perfection. 

Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford

Reese, I am Bored with a capital B. Though this simple dress and hair combo is beautiful on you, I feel like I've seen you wear this look on every red carpet these past few years. I dare you to be a bit more adventurous. 

Julianne Moore in Chanel

I count on Julianne for effortless style and grace, but unfortunately I think this dress is a miss. Though the fit is divine, the color is washing her out and the strangely placed rows of darker beading create a strange overall shape.

Naomi Watts in Armani Prive

I can't totally hate this dress, but the thing it reminds me of most is a cobblestone Soho street. Not ideal right? Naomi looks stunning, but I just can't support the bricky look.

Globe Me.

Yes Ladies. (Wish we saw more of you last night!)

Yaaaaay for awards show season and for last night's Golden Globes to 1) ease my case of the Sundays 2) give me some guidance on movies I must see/shows I should be watching and 3) judge celebrities based on their fashion sense. Overall I thought the Golden Globes were standard awards show fare, though Amy and Tiny seemed seriously underutilized. Maybe because the show ran long some of their bits got cut? I thought George Clooney's sappy tribute to his new/true love Amal was adorable,  Gina Rodriguez (from Jane the Virgin) gave the most shocked/sincere speech of the evening (or maybe it was a tie with the amazing Joanne Froggatt from Downton Abbey?) and Jeremy Renner's reference to co-presenter J. Lo's "globes" scored the best candid laugh. Now on to the important stuff...

* The Movies

Because I am an award's show season movies junkie, I have already seen and loved Boyhood, Grand Budapest Hotel, Wild, Selma and The Imitation Game. All of them were excellent (and the 1st 3 extremely unique) and I highly recommend them. Previously on my list and now confirmed as must see are Birdman, Theory of Everything and Inherent Vice. And thanks to the Globes, I've added Big Eyes, (Amy Adams for the win!) Foxcatcher (Steve Carrell is that you!?) and Cake (who knew Jennifer Aniston had range!?). Also, if you haven't seen the HBO movie The Normal Heart (staring Golden Globe winner (and eternally sexy) Matthew Bomer) grab a box of tissues and hit up your HBOGo. It's Powerful and Wonderful.

* The Shows

Last night introduced a few shows I'm (somehow) not watching and maybe should be. The first is The Affair on Showtime. I have been intrigued by the commercials for this show, but it looked heavy and emotional so I passed. May have to rethink that and get my OnDemand on!! Jane the Virgin was cute when I watched the series premiere, but then I kinda forgot about it. Hello Netflix!? And finally, I suppose we need to say Hello Amazon because their original show Transparent was all over the place last night, including wins for Best Comedy (whoa) and Best Actor for the amazingly talented Jeffrey Tambor who apparently plays a trans character on the show. I am intrigued!

* The Fashion

There's always WAY more fashion than I can cover in a reasonable length post, but here are some of the big hits and misses from last night according to yours truly:

Hits:

This look, for me, is flawless. It's unique and risky while remaining classy and chic. Julianne Moore has a body a woman of any age can be jealous of and she knows how to dress it. Kuddos for combining metallic, ombre and feathers and making it look good!!

I love this dress. It is simple and high class, but the shade of teal and fabric detailing make it just interesting enough to stand out. Plus, Felicity Jones (Theory of Everything) picked the perfect hairstyle and jewelry to complete the look.

Another less is more look for the win! Ava DuVernay (Director, Selma) chose a perfectly curve hugging navy gown which had a cape/train along the back from the shoulders. It looks so classy, the color pops against boring black and her accessories and hair are perfection.

It ain't easy for a man to make the best dressed list because the gents don't exactly have a ton of options, but Matthew Bomer managed to make his tuxedo look unique and stylish without seeming garish or showy. Tailored to perfection and the perfect shade of navy, Matt crushed it last night! (Runner up = Eddie Redmayne who also dared to be different and did it well!)

Misses:

I want to cut Rosemund Pike (Gone Girl) some slack because the woman had a baby just 5 weeks ago and looks AMAZING, but why this dress? Why something that almost creates love handles and is giving you no boob support!?

Keira Knightley's Chanel birds and butterflies gown could have been weird and beautiful, but that neckline/hemline combo is just killing me. It's a doily explosion from another era. I also hate when a starlet's outfit make me wonder if she's pregnant but with tiny Kira and that poufy waistline, I'm wondering... 

Jane Fonda, we know you have an incredible body, especially for a woman your age, but what on earth were you thinking? The tacky cutout, the strange blood spatter on your sleeve..? Darlin, no thank you.

I love the show, but as has become the norm, I hate their fashion. I thought the entire cast of Girls wasn't looking their best last night from Lena's ill-fitting bizarre hemline, to Zozia' beige/pink color clash and Allison's overly busy Christmas outfit. No thanks.

Misc fashion commentary:

- I though Melissa McCarthy nailed dressing her figure in black tie for the first time (ever?)

- No no no. Yes yes yes.
- Jennifer Aniston's hair did nothing for her not-all-that-interesting look.

- Kate Hudson you are so hot, but you should consider a classier, more fabric-inclusive look! 

- Katherine Heigl looked hungry

- It's not easy to stand next to George, but Amal did a great job except those white gloves which could have been amazingly old Hollywood, but instead looked baggy and cheap party store.

- I can't decide if I love or hate this look on Sienna.

For a full list of the 2015 Golden Globes winners, click HERE.

Summer Cinema.

Ferosh.

No particular reason, but I am in love with that zebra. That fabulous, (fake?) neon zebra.

Anyyywayyyss... HAPPY FRIDAY my friends! Just in time for these warm summer nights, I thought I'd send you off into the weekend with a list of some of my most favorite summer movies (plus 2 to get excited about seeing in theaters). So when the sun goes down, you've finished admiring the fireflys and you're basking in the gloriousness that is air conditioning, consider one of these fabulous flicks. Have a great weekend!!!

* Wet Hot American Summer (Trailer HERE)

Wet Hot American Summer

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Set on the last day of camp in 1981, "Wet Hot American Summer" follows a group of counselors (Janeane Garofalo, Paul Rudd, Michael Showalter, Molly Shannon, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper and Christopher Meloni in what is arguably his greatest role... EVER) each trying to complete "unfinished business" before the day ends. Totally inappropriate and completely hysterical, this is a Merry Meri must watch for summer.

* Moonrise Kingdom (Trailer HERE)

Moonrise Kingdom

Though it only came out last summer, this endearing Wes Andersen black comedy sky rocketed to top of my favorites list immediately. Set on an island off of New England in the 60s, a young boy and girl fall in love and run away together. Concerned parents Bill Murray and Frances McDormand enlist local law enforcement Bruce Willis to search for their daughter while fearless khaki scout leader Edward Norton searches for the boy. And even with that cast, the most brilliant performances come from the kids... watch and love. 

* Almost Famous (Trailer HERE)

Almost Famous

This story of a teenaged aspiring writer who is "kidnapped by rock stars" is pure brilliance. Originally released in 2000 (with a killer soundtrack and gorgeous newcomer Kate Hudson!), Almost Famous is a semi-autobiographical tale (writer/director Cameron Crowe was a teenage writer for Rolling Stone) about coming of age during the tumultuous 1970s. Amazingly, life lessons about growing up, falling in love and the glamorous (rock n' roll) life will be relateable to people from every generation.

* Caddyshack (Trailer HERE)

Caddyshack

This movie is like a right of passage... every human on earth simply must see it. When an exclusive golf course (think rich old members and young, pathetic caddies) has to deal with a crass new member (Rodney Dangerfield) and a destructive dancing gopher (leave that to Bill Murray) classic 80s comedic hilarity ensues. From the infamous "doodie" scene to Chevy Chase's pursuit of prize money on the course, Caddyshack is a must see.

* Vicky Christina Barcelona (Trailer HERE)

Vicky Christina Barcelona

Another visit inside the brilliance that is Woody Allen's brain, I absolutely adore Vicky Christina Barcelona. The 2008 romantic dram-edy tells the story of two American women, who spend a summer in Barcelona and meet a sexy artist, (hell-o Javier Bardem!), who is attracted to them both and still in love with his mentally and emotionally unstable ex-wife (Penelope Cruz at her best). Charming, perfectly cast and set in gorgeous Spain, VCB is summer perfection. Bonus - the soundtrack is awesome as well! (Woody Allen runner up... Midnight in Paris) 

And to wrap this post up, (because blog formatting is a pain in the ass and I do have a full time job to contend with):

* Jaws (Trailer HERE). This movie absolutely terrifies me (still), but it's a summer classic and truly one of Spielberg's best. 

* Dazed and Confused (Trailer HERE). Before there was Wet Hot, there was Dazed and Confused. Anyone who has ever lived through the last day of school (1976 or otherwise) will love watching Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Milla Jovovich and Ben Affleck play out the infamous day.

And two newbies getting much buzz for summer 2013:

The Way Way Back - From the creators of Little Miss Sunshine, with a stellar cast (and plenty of cameos) the Trailer for this Sundance darling had me cracking up! Can't wait to see it!

The Kings of Summer - Another film festival favorite, this movie is being compared to another summer classic, Stand by Me (which I must confess I've never seen... it's on the "to do list"!) Plus, anything with Ron Swanson in full beard deserves a shot. Trailer HERE.