Bouncy Blonde Brigitte & Her Bodacious Black Boots

I haven’t seen many of Brigitte Bardot’s films, relatively speaking, nor would I consider myself a “fan” — yet, there is something about her that lures me in every once in awhile and I’ll go on a BB  kick (so to speak — she could rock thigh-high boots like nobody’s biz).

 

Interest has been reignited by seeing her portrayed by Laetitia Casta in the beautiful biopic, Gainsbourg: A Historic Life, but I am trying to remember when I first became truly aware of her. I suppose I always knew who she was on some level, my own mom being something of a sex symbol and pinup… so, I grew up with an almost inborn appreciation of feminine beauty — but my first strong recollection is from reading Roger Vadim’s autobiography, BARDOT-DENEUVE-FONDA in 1986. It is an extremely personal, revealing book, certainly one of the best filmmaker memoirs I’ve read. I’ve gone back to it a couple of times, since.

 

I saw some of her movies in the 80s. I recall checking out her breakout film, one directed by Vadim, called And God Created Woman (1956). A few years back, I watched all of the movies (Come Dance With Me!, Les Femmes, Love on a Pillow, Naughty Girl, À Coeur Joie) on a boxed set I got for review. I remember not being overly impressed with the dated films, but I liked her. She’s a woman with playful, girlish qualities, but it’s easy to see at a glance that she’s nobody’s fool.

 

Favorite Bardot performances of mine are definitely from the Edgar Allan Poe anthology, Spirits of the Dead (1968), in which she’s a brunet bad-girl named Giuseppina (in the segment William Wilson, with Alain Delon and directed by Louis Malle), and Contempt (1963), directed by Jean-Luc Godard. I only just saw the latter for the first time in 2010, some 37 years after its golden star retired from the silver screen.

This image from it has ever captured my imagination, but the entire film is even better. It’s a must-see for anyone who loves movies about movies.

 
She’s only wearing a sheet in that image, and is only clad in little of the same in the Gainsbourg pic, however, she was known for a certain “look” and seeing it once again gave me the impetus to break out the black thigh-highs and my vintage style leopard-print coat from storage.

I’ve never been much for boots myself. Being petite as I am, heels, especially the kind that don’t create a break at the ankle, look best on me. But that doesn’t mean I can create an illusion through photography — hence, my boot-kick. Here are some cool kicks I really love…

 

But Wait… There’s More!

Tags: boots, Brigitte Bardot, contempt, high heeled sneakers, luchiny spanish boots, sam edleman boots, Shoes

Gainsbourg’s Girls, Garb ‘n La Gueule

 

 

PLOT SYNOPSIS FROM FILMMAKER MAGAZINE: Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life is a live-action fantasy based on the life of über-French chansonnier and peerless provocateur Serge Gainsbourg (embodied by look-alike stage actor Eric Elmosnino), whose Russian-Jewish background and almost mythic love affairs with Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin (whose orgasmic moans made famous their 1969 duet “Je T’Aime… Moi Non Plus”) he explores with eccentric charm, employing a kind of dream logic to connect different episodes from the singer’s life.

Sfar’s biggest conceit in Gainsbourg, which was released to great acclaim last year in France (it won a César for best debut feature), centers on an incident that occurs early in the film: walking through Occupied Paris, a school-age Lucien Ginsburg (who later adopted his stage name) is alarmed to see a horrifically anti-Semitic caricature and, in the shock of self-realization, sees it spring to life, a monster that morphs into eerie alter ego (played by Doug Jones of Pan’s Labyrinth), his shadow id and (occasionally misguided) conscience.

Sfar’s depiction of the iconic composer captures many facets of Gainsbourg’s persona, including the self-abuse that he seemed to parade as proudly as his smuttiest compositions, but it’s the elements of comic-book-inflected fantasy (the director enthuses equally about F.W. Murnau and Peter Jackson by way of explaining his visual technique) that differentiate the film from standard-issue music biopics.

 

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE FROM ME: I first learned of this most unusual biopic a couple of years back from Doug Jones, who acts in the film as “La Gueule” — a fanciful manifestation of Serge Gainsbourg’s impish Id — and I really wanted to see it. Not because I was especially interested in the life of the infamous French songwriter and soused celebrity but mainly due to the way Dougie described it as a fantasy moving picture adaptation of a graphic novel as directed by the artist. (check out my most recent interview with Doug, along with my cohort/co-host Matt Raub, for “This Week In Horror” right here)

I am generally very receptive to biopics (and am an avid reader of biographies and autobiographies), especially the ones that color outside the lines (prime examples are my favorite biopic of all time: Todd Haynes’ Bob Dylan parable I’m Not There, as well as Kevin Spacey’s take on Bobby Darrin and George Clooney’s adaptation of the bizarre Chuck Barris tell-all, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind).

It seemed like forever and day before G:AHL finally made it from France and Europe to we Stateside cinefiles. I had to miss the preview press screening of G:AHL on August 24 (only because I was working on directing a short film… such a flimsy excuse, I know!). I was disappointed to miss it as a journalist, but vowed to see it as a fan regardless. So, last night at The Landmark in L.A., I finally fulfilled my wish. G:AHL is now playing in select theaters, in a limited engagement (yada, yada — basically, see it on the big screen now, before it’s gone!).

My dear Dougie is really great in the film as the tyrannical muse of the troubled troubadour. There is something about Doug himself in real life that’s very muse-like. As Guillermo del Toro can certainly attest to, since the autuer’s chosen to work with Doug as often as possible since first meeting him when he was directing his first big American debut, Mimic. (By the by, the director’s cut of Mimic is out on Blu-ray, and I reviewed it for Horror.com) Doug has a way of bringing nightmares, dreams and figments to life. This is him below, augmented as the Serge Id.

Doug was even my muse for a day. This was last year when I undertook a massive project in which, diligently over two months, I photographed a variety of people separately but in the same location (the Korean Friendship Bell in San Pedro, CA).

It was fascinating for me to discover how each one’s personality and vibe transformed the static stone and steel structure into something different every time. The morning Doug arrived was unexpectedly rainy and quite blustery, creating climate calamities I wasn’t too thrilled about in the moment, but which stimulated some of the most arresting images in the series (water-spots on the lens, and all).

Doug is his own amazing muse, on occasion — check out the incredibly compelling self-portrait he contributed for my now-defunct “Blog I’d Like to Fuck [BILF]” on said subject, a few years back (you’ll have to scroll down, after downloading the PDF - totally worth it, promise!)

But Wait… There’s More!

Tags: Brigitte Bardot, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Doug Jones, Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life, Jane Birkin, Joann Sfar, Laetitia Casta, Lucy Gordon, Serge Gainsbourg, Staci Layne Wilson

Skinny Guys in Skinny Ties!

Last night, I covered The Walking Dead red carpet. Now, as most of my friends, readers, and random stalkers know… my red carpet reports are usually about the ladies and their high heels.

But last night’s event was hosted by AMC channel, and the influence of its hit show Mad Men was so pervasive, I absolutely could not ignore the men. In spite of the icy temps, the fellas were looking hot-hot-hot!

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My favorite suit of the night belonged to Steven Yuen. The skinny tie, narrow lapels and crisp, clean look were just so perfect.

AMC News Host Jacob Soboroff was also rocking the retro-cool vibe with his jacket and tie, plus those sexy black rimmed glasses (glad those are back in style).

Linds Edwards was hands-down the best rocker/hipster of the night. I wasn’t able to get as many good photos of everyone as I would have liked, but I had lots of interviewees in front of me and also the carpet was tight — I could not zoom out very well. On the left, Linds had a bandana wrapped around his wrist, plus several assorted bangles with pendants shaped like guns, skulls, knives, etc. I really liked it the whole deal. He had skinny jeans with the cuffs folded over.

Definitely stripped down compared to the stars, but I thought even AMC’s Roving Photographer looked smashing.

Andrew Lincoln, the main attraction of The Walking Dead (aside from Frank Darabont — his photos are at horror.com), also looked great but I never did get a decent snap of him. In fact, I feel kind of guilty posting such an unflattering angle of him, but it’s all I’ve got. He totally blew me away with his memory — the first thing he said to me when he stepped up to my mic was, “Oh, hi. We talked at Comic-Con!” That was three months ago. How could he possibly have remembered that? I’m impressed.

OK, the women were there too. This is Gale Ann Hurd, a producer on the show. I liked elements of her look (patterned tights, boots, leopard, leather, studs) — but not all together. She was really funny and smart (as usual) though, so it was a pleasure (as always!)

Shoes, shoes. Publicists’ shoes!

Here’s me with Mike from ELS (the lighting people). We remember to take a pic together every couple of years (that last one was at the Hellboy 2 premiere, even though we see each other all the time!).

Myself and the zombies… at first, I tried to blend in. But who am I kidding? I can’t hold a snarl for more than a few seconds.

I hardly ever wear fur, but I do have a couple of pieces. This one is a Chris Ann original. I figured for something called “Walking Dead” it was appropriate. The last time / item was my fur-lined suede leather jacket at The Wolfman premiere (it was freaking freezing that night, too. Yesterday, I was so cold I thought my mic had turned into an popsicle).

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Legends of the Guardians – The Owls of Ga’Hool are Fashion Forward

Legends of the Guardians – The Owls of Ga’Hool are Fashion Forward

Writer/director Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) isn’t exactly known for his hilarious, whacky sense of humor so I don’t know what else I was expecting, but his new animated 3D family-flick Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hool is awfully stuffy.

The epic spectacle is based upon a series of fantasy adventure novels about Soren, a young barn owl who’s birdnapped and forced into a life of military servitude. Not that the story lends itself to comedy, but a little feather-light levity (ala Charlotte’s Web, The Lion King, or Toy Story 3) would have been welcome. Grave and heavy from start to finish, Legends of the Guardians doesn’t really take flight until the glorious battle scene at the end.

Fortunately, the animation is absolutely breathtaking and the 3D immersion is organic to the narrative — the flights, fights, and even the quiet moments are stunning. Also, they’re ultra-realistic. At the red carpet premiere, Warner Bros. brought out Twilight, a European Barn Owl, and I have to say seeing him just before the screening really added to my enjoyment of the animators’ attention to detail. There’s not a pinfeather out of place.

Hm, coincidence or calculation? The premiere was just across the street from HOOTERS.

The voice cast of Legends of the Guardians is also excellent across the board. The main character Soren is played by Jim Sturgess, and the young actor hold his own with the likes of Dame Helen Mirren, Geoffrey Rush, and the ever-eminent Sam Neill (who got a real kick out me mentioning his work in Possession, when I interviewed him on the red carpet! Check out the video, below). Overall, the movie is solid but it just didn’t work for me. (I’m holding out for Sucker Punch!)

Legend of the Guardians, posted with vodpod

Since my mind is always taking flights of fashion fancy, I wore my owl ring to the premiere.

But someone on the red carpet was even more owl-obsessed than me: check out her cool purse!

Here are some more owl-inspired fashions I found online.

Tags: legends of the guardians review, owl purse, owl ring, Owls in fashion, twilight the owl, Zack Snyder

Easy A & The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter is a novel of high-drama, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and published in 1850. It recounts the fictional plight of young bride Hester Prynne who, in 17th-century Puritan Boston, who commits adultery while her husband is away and is badged by her friends and neighbors with a giant “A” on the bodice of her gown. There’s that self-same uppercase letter worn in the new comedy Easy A, too.

Emma Stone plays Olive, a sardonic high school student who fakes the loss of her virginity and then talks about it via webcast — a sex, lies and YouTube tale, if you will. But Olive’s intentions are honorable. She does it to help the reputation of her closeted gay friend Brandon (Dan Byrd), and to make her classmates take notice of her (as if this Olive were as drab as her name! Stone is perhaps too hot for the role, but she makes it her own quite beautifully as the sordid story unfolds).

Once word of Olive’s easiness gets out, the boys flock to her — she sets them straight on the virgin angle, but angles in on some nice deals for herself along the way. Before she can say “Charge it!” she’s the proud owner of cash, coins, gift certificates and coupons. It’s a sort of prostitution, but without the execution.

Along for the wild rumor-ride are the boy she loves (Penn Badgley), her freewheeling parents (Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson), her meddlesome teachers and various elders (Thomas Haden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Malcolm McDowell), and of course, the school’s resident sanctimonious bitch (Amanda Bynes). The cast is flawless across the board.

A few things didn’t ring true in the dialogue for me; especially the many references to John Hughes and Judy Blume. I looked up the screenwriter, Bert V. Royal, and saw that he was born in 1977… I’d assumed he was in his 40s, if those are his points of reference. The movie is somewhat contrived and everything ties up far too neatly, but it’s enjoyable overall.

When it comes to the costumes (this is a fashion blog first, after all) I can’t complain but I felt designer Mynka Draper (no relation to Don, I assume!) was just a little too on the nose. Not that Easy A is a subtle comedy anyway, but I think the wardrobe will appear quite dated in the years to come. Especially the egregious use of skinny jeans… when even slim 19-year-olds like Stone can’t pull it off, it’s a trend that needs to end. After her sullied rep is nice and solid, Olive begins to wear her heart on her sleeve (via webcast) and her letter on her bust (As on the bustiers). It’s a cute idea, but after a while: We get it! As the school mascot, the woodchuck costume Badgley is forced to wear during an adorable, out-of-nowhere musical number (and those are the best kind, aren’t they?) is appropriately embarrassing and quite amusing.

In fact, I give Easy A an A for amusing. It’s probably not bound to be a classic, but Stone shines with star power and it’s definitely worth the price of admission for some laughs on the big screen.

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Check out my interviews with Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, and Stanley Tucci at TV-Wire.

Emma and Penn

Emma and Stanley

Tags: Easy A Movie Review, Emma Stone Interview, Penn Badgley, staci wilson, Stanley Tucci, The Scarlet Letter films