Meryl's Moment

As many of you silently applauded your favourite actors while watching the 84th Annual Academy Awards, there was me who screamed at the TV and overzealously fist pumped (à la Arsenio Hall) when Meryl Streep won her third Oscar for Lead Actress in The Iron Lady.  

This was the scene from my couch where it all went down:

...I'm sure my scream startled my neighbours, but I just couldn't help but feel the jovial satisfaction of her long overdue victory since her wins in '82 for Sophie's Choice and '79 for Kramer vs. Kramer.  And how great was Meryl's acceptance speech! This truly was the night's golden moment: 

Congratulations Meryl!

J xx

Lips, Flicks & Chicks

Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm is a must have for any gal who aspires to perfect the just-rolled-out-of-bed, impossibly fresh-faced bombshell look.  At just $5 a pop, these moisturizing balms come in poppy tints that'll brighten up your face.  I couldn't help but snag all 4 colors: Cherry Me, Grape Vine, Pink Punch and Peach Kiss.  They smell delicious too!

I love this movie for so many reasons: 1) it's set in beautiful Paris, 2) it takes us to 1890s Belle Époque and transports us to 1920s Paris nightlife, 3) you meet some legendary novelists and artists from the past, 4) Corey Stoll who plays Ernest Hemingway is hilarious, 5) it stars my girl crush Rachel McAdams, and 6) Woody Allen's script and Owen Wilson's charm are a match made in heaven!

In Midnight in Paris, Rachel's character Inez is nothing like her beloved character Allie.  Her casual chic style is perhaps Inez's most admirable asset, and yet her agitating character only reaffirms Rachel's talent, and of course, my crush!

J xx

Unstoppable

Hallelujah! Meryl Streep on the cover of January Vogue hailed as America's greatest actress.  Hear, hear!  Streep's portrayal of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady is earning rave reviews.  S-h-o-c-k-e-r! 

The woman is brilliant and beautiful, and I really just want to befriend her gorgeous daughters Mamie, Grace and Louisa in hopes that I'd be invited to a slumber party at Meryl's house.

Saturday night, after my girlfriends left my Christmas party, I was laying on the couch flipping through the channels when I saw Bridges of Madison County playing. I immediately thought 'not a good idea, go to bed Jennifer. It's past 2am afterall.' Well, I ignored my better judgement and wound up a sobbing mess by the time the movie ended. I finally got to bed around 3:30am puffy faced and wishing she had only opened that damn door! Seriously, if a man tells you "this kind of certainty comes but once in a lifetime" YOU LISTEN!

The point of it all, is that Meryl is awesome and I love her movies - especially Bridges of Madison County - even though I swell up with estrogen and cry my eyeballs out every time I watch it.

Man, she's got the world on a string.

J xx

Yes, yes, yes!

I am beyond excited about this news from The Guardian UK:

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy wake up to possibility of Before Sunrise sequel

Actors in talks with film-maker Richard Linklater to make follow-up to Before Sunrise and Before Sunset films

"Baby, you're gonna miss that plane …" The ending of Before Sunset, Richard Linklater's second instalment in the romance of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) looked to conclude things sweetly: with Jesse failing to return to the US, and the couple reuniting properly after their nine-year separation. 

But in an interview with French website Allocine, Hawke reveals that he, Delpy and Linklater are negotiating a third outing for the transatlantic couple. "All three of us have been having similar feelings that we're ready to revisit those characters," said Hawke. "There's nine years between the first two movies and, if we made the film next summer, it would be nine years again, so we really started thinking that would be a good thing to do. We're going to try to write it this year." source

Do it, do it, do it!  Best. Movies. Ever.

J xx

Saw it, Loved it

I loved this movie.  After watching the trailer I thought Anne's accent would be a big problem, but for some reason her fake accent was a non-issue in the movie.  Anne was great in the role, and Jim Sturgess was so, so adorable and perfect as Dexter.  The movie reminded me of all my favorite parts in the book, and I really thought it did the book justice.  I never found myself wishing they did more with this or that scene, I always felt satisfied.  In fact, there were points in the film where I was moved to tears - not because of the nature of the scene, but because the acting was so well done.  To me, this movie was a celebration of the book.  I highly recommend you see it (and read it!). And Jim Sturgess...oh, Jim Sturgess...I'm in love.

J xx

Home Made Fiction

Do you recognize this house?  A naval instructor romanced a navy fighter pilot to the tune of Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" in this oceanside bungalow.  You guessed it! "This is the Top Gun house used as the home of fictional character “Charlie” (Kelly McGillis) and key rendezvous point with movie love interest “Maverick” (Cruise).  This San Diego cottage made news recently because it sits on the site of a planned $209M upscale beach resort.  It is said the house will be restored and moved nearby and incorporated into the resort and used as a coffee house or gift shop" source.  

The Top Gun house may not be the most recognizable of movie homes, but it got me thinking about all the famous houses featured in some of best films, that are just as integral to the movie as the characters themselves...

Father of the Bride

"I love this house. I love that I taught my kids to ride their bikes in the driveway. I love that I slept with them in tents in the backyard. I love that we carved our initials in the tree out front. This house is warm in the winter, cool in the summer...and looks spectacular with Christmas lights... But the thing I think I like best about this house...are the voices I hear when I walk through the door."

The Big Chill

A group of old college friends reunite to morn the loss of a friend who committed suicide.  They spend the weekend together in Harold and Sarah's South Carolina home where "small talk turns into a discussion about responsibility and adulthood"source. 

Home Alone

"This house is so full of people it makes me sick. When I grow up and get married, I'm living alone. DID YOU HEAR ME? I'M LIVING ALONE!!!"

It's a Wonderful Life

(Three-twenty Sycamore.)

Mary:  Welcome home, Mr. Bailey... Remember the night we broke the windows in this old house? This is what I wished for.

George:  Darling, you're wonderful.

The Notebook

Noah got the notion into his head that if he restored the old house where they had come that night, Allie would find a way to come back to him.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Where the Griswolds had the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny f**k*** Kaye!

J xx

If you insist on celebrating...

...do so by watching Richard Linklater's 1995 film, Before Sunrise.

J xx

The Way She Was

Barbra Streisand as 'K-K-K-Katie' in The Way We Were was b-b-b-beautiful! And her styling no less!  While watching this movie, I felt the pangs of envy in every scene for her 70s clothing and her perfectly shaded baby blues!

I wish I could hire a tailor to replicate Barbra's clothing in this movie. Wouldn't that be amazing? I just love the cut of 70s fashion...

Oh, Babs... Thank you for the meeeeeemories!
J xx

Christmas Vacation

Allow me to get this off my chest: I CAN'T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS SO I CAN WATCH NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION!!! I adore this movie, it brings me good old fashion merriment every holiday.  I just picked up Hallmark's 'Vacation' Keepsake Ornament and I figure I need to host a viewing party complete with t-shirts and Eggnog Moose Mugs. Can't hardly wait!

J xx

Gals & Garbs

There's The Devil Wears Prada and Sex and the City, but for me there is more importantly, Stealing Beauty and Love Story.  The fashion in these movies epitomized my romantic ideals and shaped my style aspirations.   I am so taken with Liv Tyler and Ali MacGraw and their cinematic 'je ne sais quoi' that my subconscious self has directed my style choices accordingly.  I don't mind following trends, but I will never veer too far from home base.  On the spectrum of style, this is exactly where I want to be.

J xx

The Meaningful Gift Generator

Has the extent of your holiday shopping sucked the joy and creativity out of year-round gift giving? Or, are you simply hard-pressed in deciding what to give your best friend for her birthday? If so, let me show you a simple way to generate unique and meaningful gift ideas.

OBJECTIVE
The idea is to provide an experience or facilitate a mood, rather than simply gifting an object. Creating a mood through gift giving adds instant value and gives you some control over how the recipient feels about your gift.

DILEMMA
Your 'movie buff' friend always receives DVDs for every gift giving occasion, and you'd like for a change to give your friend a suitable gift, but are reluctant to give her the same old thing. Besides, no one wants to spend money on a gift they are not excited about giving. So, how will you satisfy your friend's appetite for film in a way that is unique, meaningful, and worth your while?

SOLUTION
If you are the gift giving type, money doesn't have to be an issue. You can spend more or less, as long as you ask yourself the relevant questions and think in terms of the experience your gift will create. You can still gift a DVD, but you want to ensure it is extra special.

Answer the following questions in sequence to generate a meaningful gift idea.

QUESTIONS
1. What does your friend enjoy doing most frequently?
2. What kinds of things, products or services, are associated with this activity?
3. What feeling or sentiment is commonly associated with this activity?
4. Further, is there a product that is associated with this feeling or sentiment?

ANSWERS
1. Watching movies
2. DVD, popcorn, Cinema gift card
3. Relaxation
4. Candle, blanket

MEANINGFUL GIFT

A movie to watch while wrapped up in a cozy fleece throw, 
relaxing on the sofa by candlelight.


J xx

Roots® Checked Fleece Throw: $29.99 CAD, Sears.ca
Voluspa Travel Tin Santiago Huckleberry Candle: $8-$12 CAD, Chapters Indigo Stores
DVD, The Big Chill (1983): $14.95 CAD, Chapters Indigo.ca