"Forks Over Knives"

This is important stuff.  Start watching.
  

(les Petits Mouchoirs)

Perhaps a French version of "The Big Chill?" Well that's that. Must see this soon...

"Little White Lies" (les Petits Mouchoirs)

Moviestars and Bicycles

I'm a big fan of old, classic movies. Particularly during the holidays, I just can't seem to get enough of the singing and dancing that used to be a staple of american film.

But bicycles? Who knew?

Sartorialist mini-doc

This is a fun/interesting little documentary done on Scott Schumann a.k.a. The Sartorialist.

Kiss Me

I am absolutely smitten over this image from "Rear Window." Jimmy Stewart was such a beautiful man and such an honest actor. I don't know who would be able to resist him if he swept them up like this.

La-Di-Da, La-Di-Da

Joanna Goddard featured this poster on her blog and it made me squeal (just a little).

Have you seen the movie, "Annie Hall"??? If you haven't, you're missing out on an iconographic piece of American cinema! So get on over to your closest movie rental store and rent "Annie Hall" for your Friday night film of choice. I promise, you won't regret it. Diane Keaton is simply wonderful. Woody Allen, for all his real-life flaws, is pretty hilarious, too.

Ode to Julia (Roberts)

I just got back from my date with my Nonna seeing "Eat, Pray, Love." I have to admit, the beginning was a bit odd. I was slightly taken aback by the voice of the character, Liz Gilbert, analyzing her life in the background while she went through the end of a rocky marriage (it's complexities not fully understood in the short span of time portrayed), and a rebound relationship with a spiritually-renewed boyfriend. However, once her journey began, I felt my breath taken away. Her entrance into Rome, Italy was raw and beautiful. As she creates relationships along her journey through each country, you see her develop as a person who is more aware of herself, and therefore, making it easier to be more aware of those around her.

Again, I haven't had the opportunity read the book, and it's mostly due to the fact that I've heard bad things about it- that Liz Gilbert, as someone writing about herself, is rather selfish. However, throughout the entire film, I could not think anything but the opposite. This woman was leaving her marriage not just for her sake, but for the sake of her husband who also seemed extremely unhappy and dissatisfied with the life he was living, always trying something new but never fully committing. As she traveled from place to place, she discovered herself as she made more meaningful relationships with those she met along the way. Javier Bardem, in particular, is a helpful character during times of hardship...and his fiiine looks don't hurt.

So here it is, my "Ode to Julia":

Oooh Julia. When will the day arrive that we finally meet? Your brilliance, kind face and jovial laugh get me every time. I can only count the days until that moment arrives, when we cross paths on the streets of some lonely road, and you and I are the only people around. You are my secret female desire- my "woman crush," so to speak. Until then, I will watch your films with devotion. I will smile when you smile, cry when you cry, and laugh (although, not quite as loudly) when you laugh. Thank you for being a true lady of Hollywood, and not some Lindsay Lohan, spotlight hogging, LA narcissist. You are one in a million.

Love.

Jacqueline

p.s. The soundtrack is also fabulous. I couldn't help but think to myself during the entire film, "God, I love that song" during every scene!

images via here, here

weekend casual

How beautiful does Audrey Hepburn look in this photograph?! It makes me want to have a nice, relaxing weekend in loose clothing...and maybe get a super-short haircut...

Okay, maybe not that short. Maybe just a haircut in general would be nice.

{image via here}

What are you up to this weekend?

Tomorrow I'm spending the day with my Nonna and probably seeing the film, "Eat, Pray, Love." I am not a particular fan of the book itself- based on others' interpretations, not mine, though. However, I L-O-V-E Julia Roberts! "Pretty Woman" has been my favorite movie since I was 10 years old (it was also the first rated R movie I watched without my mother's permission!) Then, tomorrow night, my Mommy is coming to visit and sleep over and play with her granddaughter (No, I didn't have a baby in the past few days. Oregon is her grand baby :)

"Never Let Me Go"

Ohhh, goodness. Time to go to the movies, again?



{images via here}

Responding to my Comments

You will hear me say this on many occasions... I am always beyond grateful to receive comments on my blog. Salman even likes to tease me and say "oh! you have comments!" sending me into an hysterical jubilation, only to then realize that he is joking and just loves to see my reaction each and every time for his own sick amusement.

The other day on my "Waiting for Superman" post, I received the mostly lengthy, well thought-out comment ever to appear on my blog. As a rather opinionated person myself, I was immediately drawn into what this reader had to say about the school system in the US and the importance of teachers' viewpoints, and the lack thereof in the film's trailer.

Let me first say this: Kudos to those who have the guts to say what they believe is right! I enjoy posting on this blog for what it is- a place to tack up my amusements, inspirations and everyday thoughts. When another person takes the initiative to look hard and deep into what I've written or portrayed, I am very honored and thankful.

Specifically regarding the reader's comment in relation to the trailer: I agree that the teacher's role is not adequately portrayed within the film's advertisement- that is not to say that it will not be within the film itself, but I do understand where you are coming from. I hope that the film gives a much more accurate and well-rounded portrayal of the US school system in comparison to the trailer's attempt at a summarized version. I also believe that you are wholly and without-a-doubt correct- teachers need to be a part of the revamping of our public school system! They are, in fact, the only adults present in the classroom day in and day out, along with the children. They are the ones who see the gruesome truths that come in and out of those classrooms in a daily basis...not to bash school administrators or those in the upper-echelons, but it is simply the hard fact that teachers do a lot of the dirty work for the least amount of payback (and I'm not necessarily talking about salary, but "payback" in terms of having a heard voice within the system's administration).

I am not a teacher. I have, however, spent the past 5 years living in Baltimore City, where drugs, crime and overall negligence have taken a toll on the most innocent of the population: children. When you see the hunger in a child's eyes for the ability to read and write at the level of his classmates and peers, you realize that administration and the rights of teachers and parents are all important, but what is the bottom line of it all is the fact that children need THEIR rights heard and addressed. They need to have the right to dream and turn their dreams into actions. When a child is asked "what do you want to be when you grow up" and they answer "a teacher, a doctor, a lawyer, a nurse, a policewoman," you want to be able to tell them that they have every opportunity to make that happen. With Canada's appearance in the trailer (the man, not the country) there is a sense of realization that the education the children within his school are receiving is not cheap and available to all, but it SHOULD be.

From the point of a film director, I think the purpose of asking a child "what do you want to be when you grow up" and receiving those answers filled with passion and determination is to draw the emotions out of your audience. That being said, I do believe that teachers can also give very raw, emotional and provocative answers to questions if they were given the chance to speak their minds; part of the reason there aren't many teachers speaking up in the film trailer may be simply because they are not being given the opportunity due to the politics surrounding their position. However, if you are a teacher and you have something to say that could change the face of education in this country, then by all means, please say something! Children, as much as they should have a voice, do not. They are seen as "immature" and "naive" when in fact, they are quite mature in their wisdom and will amaze you most of the time. Since this is not a well known fact, apparently, you (as the teacher) are their key to a voice within this society. You have the power to give a voice to what can otherwise turn into a lost generation. "Be the change you wish to see in the world," said Ghandi.

Again, I love to receive comments on both the pretty and the not-so-pretty things I post, so please feel free to speak up!

"Waiting for Superman"

I'm praying that everybody sees this film and understands the priceless value of a quality education...and that every child DESERVES it.

p.s. I am still in unpacking mode (for some reason, unpacking takes a lot longer than packing for me). Once I have everything in it's rightful place, I will be sure to post pictures from the Magic Kingdom and beyond!

It's Here...

{via npr}

Yes, it will most likely be cheesy, light-hearted and frivolous...but isn't that the fun of it all? I personally cannot wait. Hello again, ladies.

One Day on Earth

Ever wanted to participate in a documentary film?

I watched the trailer for this film, and I'm immediately hooked...



...you can also become involved! Check out the website. I already signed up and can't wait to film :)

Dakota all Grown Up

I spotted this on NPR.org this morning. Apparently, Dakota Fanning became a woman overnight and this is her new breakout film. Is there anyone else besides me who really wants to see this?

{via here}

Little Reminders

{via here}

Salman is in Texas this week visiting family, so I'm home on my own trying to get through a week by myself. Luckily, I have Oregon here to keep me company and plenty busy!

Last night my friend Nicole came over for a girls' night of food and movies. We watched Bridget Jones's Diary and ate Moorenko's Honey Lavender ice cream. This is the second time I've watched the movie, but I forgot how much Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy can make your heart melt. As cheesy as it may sound, he reminded me of Salman- understanding, comforting, quorky at times, handsome (of course) and someone who loves me "just the way I am."

{via here}

film favorite: Inglorious Bastards

Salman and I watched Inglorious Bastards the other night.

I couldn't help but buckle over in laughter when the scene came up with three of the Bastards making a worthy attempt at acting Italian.

How does Quentin Tarantino come up with this stuff?

Wild Thing

What I love second to food is watching movies. And there is never anything that satiates a movie junkie's palette more than watching previews. I can't get enough of them, mostly because they are like crack (in a very PG way).

TODAY: Friday, October 16th is the release date for "Where the Wild Things Are" and NPR had a wonderful episode this afternoon previewing the film and its ability to mesmerize the young and allow the older crowd to shed some long-withheld tears.

For your viewing pleasure, all things wild...

little wild thing (thanks, Laurel, for sharing this photo!)

wild hugs

wild hair

wild moves

wild view

**Look for a review of this movie (after I see it tonight!!) on my new blog that I am co-authoring: Critique-ly Acclaimed!