Crazy Stupid Love

 Media: Crazy Stupid Love

I just came home from seeing “Crazy Stupid Love” starring Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling.  The movie portrays the ups and downs of being in love and makes the audience question if there really is such a thing as true love.  While Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a pretty high rating of 75%, in my opinion, I’d only give it about a 50%, at most.  It definitely was a cute movie but some of the jokes were just a little bit too silly.  Regardless, It is still entertaining and if you are in the mood to see a movie, why not, go see it. 

Image from imdb.com

I'm sure the movie will make you think of this song:

 Crazy Little Thing Called Love 

Art & Design: 

There were a few things I noticed during the movie that I wanted to point out.

Bottega Veneta makes the beautiful bag you see Emily (Julianne Moore) carrying throughout the film: The Woven Trapezoidal Hobo

Image from imdb.com

 

You can buy this bag @ Saks Fifth Avenue

Another thing I noticed was Jacob’s (Ryan Gosling) manly accessories.  I think it is really sexy when guys can pull off masculine jewelry.  In the film, Ryan wears a long chain around his neck and a bold ring on his finger.  

Image from imdb.com

 I found a few things that I think would look great on a guy...

I am a huge fan of Chan Luu’s Jewelry Collection. I have a bunch of her wrap bracelets and am literally obsessed with every single one.  She also has a great collection for men and the following pieces would add the perfect touch to make any man look sexy:

   Onyz Pendant Necklace

Single Wrap Bracelet

You can buy these items @ chanluu.com

My Likes: Jonah Bobo

Robbie (Jonah Bobo) plays Emily (Julliane Moore) and Cal’s (Steve Carell) adorable son.  He is the cutest middle school boy ever and is brave enough to confess his love to a girl three years older than he is! He refuses to give up and continues to declare his love.  I definitely think everyone is going to fall in love with Jonah and he is going to be the next big thing!

Image from imdb.com

Amélie

Media: Amélie

  

Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amélie, (original French title Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain) is a film that blends together fantasy and reality.  The film follows Amélie, the main character, as she goes about her everyday routine in the charming city of Paris. The mise-en-scene of the film illustrates the dramatic changes Amélie brings to certain individuals.  Through its unconventional, quirky depiction of characters, pervasive non-diegetic sound, and unusual camera work, Amélie completely engages the audience with its dream-like visuals.  With his precise and distinct vignettes, fantastical use of color, and detailed and enhancing set, Jeunet encourages the audience to give more meaning to the seemingly insignificant things in life.     Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90 % 

Image from http://scarebearwendy.blogspot.com/2009/11/fabulous-destiny-of-Amélie-poulain.html

Screen Shot Image

 

                        

Art: Props        

Throughout the film, Jeunet uses interesting props to demonstrate that the seemingly insignificant things in life are what matter. 

This tin box was found behind a loose tile in her bathroom. It contains childhood artifacts belonging to a tenant that lived in Amélie’s apartment before her. She makes it her mission to return the box to her owner. When she does this, she changes this stranger’s life forever.          

This cute little gnome played a quirky role in the film.  Amélie gave the gnome to her flight attendant friend who took pictures of the gnome at various famous sites all around the world.  Her friend sent the pictures anonymously to Amélie’s father, allowing him to travel vicariously through the gnome.     

 

Amélie constructs a letter for her concierge Mrs. Wellss.  After being completely heartbroken over her husband’s discrepancies, Mrs. Wells is overjoyed when she receives this love letter.  Amélie pretends the letter got lost in the mail, but in reality she was the one to send it.     

All Images are Screen Shots

 Design: Saturated Color        

Amélie is a film of saturated colors, specifically green and red. The entire movie is like a beautiful picture book with its picturesque imagery and vibrant color palette.  The character’s costumes and the film’s set all blend together making it a very cool and interesting reality.  Because the film is predominately red in color, it inspired me to find pictures of red dominated interiors. Take a look:         

All 4 Images from Alkemie.blogspot.com

Image from Jubella.com

Image from thedecorologist.com

Image from elledecor.com

Image from apartmenttherapy.com

My Likes:  

While researching, I came across a really cute and unique blog, “Inspired by Amélie.” This blog is devoted to encouraging bloggers to discover the small details in life that sometimes go unnoticed, but are present in the film.  The blog creates several challenges, such as creating letters like Amélie’s love letter in the film.  By participating in these activities, people are extending Jeunet’s message to the greater community that lies beyond the reality of the film.       

 http://inspiredbyAmélie.blogspot.com/      

True Blood

Media: True Blood

This HBO drama series is one of my favorites.  Set in Bon Temp Louisiana, this fictional town comes to life through the realistic portrayal of humans and vampires coexisting.  Sookie Stackhouse (Anny Paquin) works as a waitress at Merlotte’s, Bon Temps’s local bar and falls in love with Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), a 173-year-old vampire that happens to be her neighbor.  The inherent differences that exist between them constantly put their love to the test.  The acting, set, and production of True Blood makes this fantasy world of supernatural beings an enjoyable show to watch. 

(Image from examiner.com)

           

  (Image from vampires.com)

(Image from poptimal.com)

                       

(Image from imdb.com)

Art: True Blood Comic Books

Creator Alan Ball takes the creatures, characters, and settings of the TV show and recreates them in a True Blood comic series with IDW Publishing.  If you’re a fan of the show you should definitely check the comics out:

(Photos from store.hbo.com)

You can order the True Blood comic series here:

HBO store

Art: Fan Art

True Blood fans illustrate their true dedication to the show and its characters by creating these one of a kind pieces of artwork.  Take a look:

(Image from tropicaltoxic.blogspot)

First 6 images from Deviantart.com

Design: A Look at the Set

Set decorators Rusty Lipscomb and Laura Richarz use their skillful talents to construct different sets making Bon Temp appear to be a real town.

Bill Compton’s House:

The crumbling and mysterious Victorian style home

       (Image from true-blood.net)

(Image from morewaystowastetime.blogspot.com)  

       (Image from true-blood.net)

The Queen of Louisiana's Pool:

The most grandeur indoor pool for a vampire

 (Image from setdecorators.org)

                                                  

Fangtasia:

The one and only popular vampire bar in Bon Temp

(Image from morewaystowastetime.blogspot.com)

(Image from setdecorators.org)

                                      

Merlotte’s:

The hangout spot for Bon Temp locals

(Images from morewaystowastetime.blogspot.com)

      

Gran’s House:

Cozy, warm, and homey

(All 3 images from morewaystowastetime.blogspot.com)

          

My Likes:

Sookie looks super cute in her Merlotte’s uniform.  I found that HBO sells her adorable outfit online - now you can dress like Sookie and the other waitresses!

(Image from store.hbo.com)

Here is the link to the costume along with other True Blood accessories:

HBO store