The Bling Ring



Image source: teaser-trailor.com

The Bling Ring is the latest film to be directed, written and produced by Sophia Coppola, who's work includes Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette and The Virgin Suicides. The film is inspired by the actual events of a group of fame-hungry LA teens, who with the help of the internet, robbed a bunch of high profile celebrities including Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, Rachel Bilson and Orlando Bloom. The notorious buglaries took place in 2008 and 2009 and saw the group take more than 3 million dollars of designer possessions. Within these two years, the criminals used gossip websites to track the celebrities whereabouts, allowing them to target the homes when they were empty. 

The film opened one of the sections at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, after which, Coppola admitted she's never really followed the tabloid and internet side of pop culture. In fact, she hadn't even heard about these break-ins until she read Nancy Jo Sales article about it in Vanity Fair magazine, titled "The Suspect Wore Louboutins". Coppola was said to be fascinated by the whole thing, believing it to say so much about our culture today and the obsession with celebrity status.The Bling Ring stars British actress Emma Watson,  as well as newcomers Katie Chang, Israel Broussard and Clare Julien.

The Great Gatsby

   

I've been looking forward to The Great Gatsby's release when I first heard it was being made a couple of years ago, whilst working at Mudpie. With Miucci Prada heading up the design side of things, it's not surprising that its release has been highly anticipated by the 'fashion crowd'.

I went to the movies with Josh to see it and both of us were glued to the screens for the entirety of the film. In fact, I could have watched more after it ended which is rare for me, as usually after two hours sat in one of those cinema seats I'm ready to go home.

I've heard that Baz Luhrmann's remake of The Great Gatsby has had a fair number of bad reviews from critics, and while I loved it, I guess I've nothing to compare it to as I never watched the original film or even read F. Scott Fitzgerald's book. I think it was a combination of wonderful cinematography (the scene where Gatsby and Daisy first meet again, with those hundreds of flowers and French macaroons), along with the ultra modern Jay-Z produced soundtrack, and of course beautifully breathtaking costumes, that fed my concentration the entire way through. Oh and of course, I cannot review the film without mentioning Leo Dicaprio, Carey Mulligan and Toby Maguire - all of who I couldn't imagine the film without.

Honestly, everyone please go see this film, I promise it does not disappoint.

On The Road

Image Source: www.altfg.com

So Jack Kerouac's classic On The Road is soon to be released in UK cinema's, after what felt like years of waiting since the news of the adaptation first arose. After being introduced to the book from my mum, On The Road has since become one of my favourites, and the only book I've ever read more than once. It is one of the key texts from the Beat Generation and follows the journey and relationship of Kerouac and his muse Neal Cassady, represented by the characters Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty. The mostly-autobiographical novel sees Paradise hitch-hike back and forth across the United States (usually with Moriarty), whilst meeting a number of interesting characters along the way - each of which you get to know well through Kerouac's descriptive writing style. During their travels, the pair explore the limits of their freedom, through drink, sex and drugs, whilst enjoying the rhythms of 1950s underground American Jazz.

In the film adaptation, directed by Walter Salles, Sal Paradise is played by Sam Riley and Dean Moriarty by Garret Hedlund. While Kristen Stewart and Kirsten Dunst play the parts of Moriarty's love interests Marylou and Camille.

Often I don't find the film adaptations of my favourite books too great but I have high hopes for this one!! Definitely give it a watch - it's due for release October 12th!

My Week with Marilyn

I’m pretty excited for the UK release of My Week with Marilyn this Friday. I’ve been stunned by the beauty of Michelle Williams on the front cover of this month’s Elle magazine and cannot wait to see the actress play the lead. I’ve only seen a few stills from the movie but I couldn’t imagine a better person to portray Monroe- she looks almost identical. The film focuses on the time Monroe spent in London in 1956 whilst filming The Prince and The Showgirl and is sure to spur an outbreak of similar looks on both the streets and fashion editorials in the upcoming weeks.

When You're Strange

A film about The Doors directed by Tom Dicillo, When You're Strange is a beautiful documentary narrated by Johnny Depp. The film is a story about the band with a strong focus on lead singer Jim Morrison. Previously unseen footage gives an insight into the impact The Doors music had and the influence it had on fans and all people at that time.

Watching in a packed tent at this year's Glastonbury festival was incredible. The atmosphere was amazing, everyone clapped, laughed, sung... so so good. This film is an absolute must-see for any Doors fan.

All Is Love

Where The Wild Things Are is an adaptation of Maurice Sendak's 1963 children's book of the same name. Directed by Spike Jonze, the film sees a nine year old boy run away from home to an island that's home to a group of huge furry creatures. Beautiful scenery and imaginative, almost trippy visuals make up the film, and what's best about it all is the soundtrack composed and sung entirely by Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Listed on the soundtrack as Karen O and the Kids, she was nominated for a 2010 Grammy for the song All Is Love. The film shows a fantasy, almost fairytale-like other world that Karen O reflects flawlessly. I can't stop listening to it.