My Blog Travels

I'm thrilled to be guest blogging over at Big Screen Little Screen this week! Ted Zee's blog is one of my favorite daily stops; he gives me all the film and telly information I need and care about. Ted has picked a great, eclectic group of guest contributors I'll be joining, and I've been busy working on some new, spiffy collages just for the occasion! So come check us all out here. Above is a fitting road trip image from painter Eric Mecum.

Gia-hottie!

I love it when a blog post perfectly articulates my unexpressed thoughts. That's just what the fabulous Lisa did in her post this week on Paul Giamatti. He is indeed the coolest of cats: humble, underrated, and able to elevate any project he takes part in (yes, even Lady in the Water). In honor of Paul I will be purchasing a Gia-hottie t-shirt from Hobocamp Crafts... or should I get the tote bag instead? Hell, why not both? Paul deserves it.

What a Dame!

From Agnès Poirier: "Cyd Charisse represents the antidote to lap-dancing culture. Her culture was one of nobility and mystery, where emotions and sex are raw and yet left unsaid." Goodbye, Cyd!

Pop Goes the Hulk

I left The Incredible Hulk this weekend feeling a bit deflated. Even the likes of Edward Norton couldn't make it more than a decent B movie. When Tony Stark appeared I realized I wanted to be watching another movie. Still, it was reasonable for summer adolescent entertainment. Probably cooler than the movie is Hulkgly Green, above, one of Matt Elem's popstractions. Check out all of Matt's artwork, including his Spiderman and Smurf, at the etsy shop Feed The Wall.

Bette Davis Eyes

I am consistently inspired by Sara over at The Women Within. She is fighting the good fight, critiquing representations of women in film and celebrating its feminist icons. Her latest post covers the formidable Bette Davis. Above is a linocut relief print I'm loving of Bette in the film Jezebel by Micha over at Baking With Medusa, who has a bevy of great Bette prints to choose from. Go out there and Netflix the great ones, ladies!

Jonathan Demme's Party Days

I recently re-watched Something Wild and Married to the Mob, two great examples of Jonathan Demme's crazy-quilt Americana, an alternate universe where hipster bands play at your high school reunion, FBI agents dance and Jamaican waitresses break into song. The protagonists of this party are Lulu/Audrey, Melanie Griffith's sweetheart femme fatale, and Angela, Michelle Pfeiffer's suburban mob wife. Angela escapes the chokehold of big Long Island hair and discovers Sister Carol's dance party in the city. Lulu drinks whiskey on the road way before Thelma discovered Wild Turkey in the minibar. All this and two soundtracks filled with eclectic 80s gems. What more do you need?

Mmmm... Sprinkles

Today is National Donut Day! Yes, I am looking for any reason to scarf down some cruellers. Krispy Kreme is offering everyone one free donut of their choice -- but how could I eat just one? In addition to enjoying some glazed delights I may celebrate by bidding on this kitchy-cool mug set on ebay or ordering a half dozen of girl meets craft's felt donuts. Another idea: Twin Peaks fest!

Bang Bang

I came upon this painting by Michel Keck at a local art fair and wanted to hang it in our house immediately, where it would encourage me to kick ass every day. Turns out Michel is a very accomplished artist - I especially like her mixed media and collage work (check out her Catholic schoolgirl being abducted by aliens). She also sells giclee prints of her paintings, and has a great book of her mixed media collection (both a little easier on the wallet). You can see more of Michel's work here.

Literary Style Manual

I Netflixed a great movie recently: Starting Out in the Evening. I was anxious to see Frank Langella, who I've enjoyed in everything from his younger, more flamboyant performances to his more recent, restrained work. His performance was amazing, the film was intelligent and nuanced, and yet as I watched it I became more and more obsessed with Lauren Ambrose's wardrobe. Just call me Mallory. Turns out Lauren's character was outfitted in Lyell, the gorgeous clothing line by Australian Emma Fletcher that is both vintage-inspired and modern. I could spend all day looking at the beautifully photographed Lyell Spring and Summer collection. You can check out the trailer to Starting Out in the Evening here if you don't want to be quite as superficial.

@#%&*! Smilers

I've been a fan of Aimee Mann's music for some time, what with her tuneful melodies and acerbic lyrics and her giving the major record labels the finger. Hell, she was even in my favorite movie (no, not Magnolia). So imagine how excited the art nerd in me was to learn that for her new album, "@#%&*! Smilers" (awesome), she collaborated with one of my favorite illustrators, Gary Taxali, on the liner art. The album comes out tomorrow, and the deluxe edition includes the above die-cut book with Gary's illustrations. You can hear the first single off the album here, and order the album here.