i didn't want to wake you up, but i really wanna show you something

I have never, ever, so eagerly anticipated the release of a film as I am at the moment. Where the Wild Things are is going to be my favourite movie, whether I like it or not, I've already decided.

I can't imagine any way I won't like it though. It's a recipe for Lou's favorite movie success; 1 part favorite childhood author, 1 part excellent director, a dash of sweet Karen O music (I actually get bursting capsules, real ones Han, every time I hear the Arcade Fire, just because of these trailers), and mix it all in with what looks like some incredible production design and art direction, a cute actor kid, and beautiful cinematography. Oh, and did I mention Dave Eggers co-wrote the script? Sold.

So then there's the whole book to movie debate. Any worries about the film doing the original story justice should hopefully be quelled by listening to what Maurice Sendak has to say in this little featurette, and by reading the incredible We Love You So.

"[The blog was] established to help shed some light on many of the small influences that have converged to make this massive project a reality."

The result is a treasure trove of links and articles about music, art, skateboarding, film making, and Maurice Sendak, which you'll need a day or so to catch up on if you're not already following.

“You know I really love this movie and I hope people like it, because if not they can all go straight to hell.” Maurice Sendak

why should I listen to you, anyway? you're a virgin who can't drive.

Today I've been feeling really mopey.

This is making me feel better:

Dionne: [about Murray shaving his head] Why do you care what *he* thinks, Murray? I'm the one who has to look at you! What am I gonna do with you now? And right before the yearbook pictures? What am I gonna tell my grandchildren? You know what? That's it...
Murray: That's it!
Dionne: You wanna play games?
Murray: You wanna play games?
Dionne: I'm calling your mother!
Murray: Wait! Don't call my mom! Don't call my mom...

rooms and plants, a randomly jumbled together post

I'm a nester, and am always inspired by pictures of light filled, barely furnished spaces and homely, modest rooms with comfortable clutter.

How lovely it is to have plants inside, fresh flowers, potted lillies, pansies and ferns. My windowsill is home to a growing collection of greenery planted in white pots and tea cups and soon my flowering hyacinth bulbs (Spring must be close right? No?) will be moving inside too. I love the different vessels people use to grow and store things in and am on the lookout for a nice something to convert into a terrarium.

I had no idea when moving into a room with such capacious storage (a wall of floor to ceiling shelves) of its capacity for clutter. Everything just seems so exposed and messy. I'm trying to counter this by filling the shelves only with white things and green things, and keeping most of the photos, craft supplies, clothes and general stuff hidden away. I've recently started collecting business cards - belonging to people I love and shops and restaurants I want to go back to. They're all quite pretty and while I've never been much of a 'mood board' person, I'd quite like to display them somehow. Any suggestions?

tonight or never

The Melbourne International Film Festival has just started, hot on the heels of Auckland's and Wellington's, of which I saw only one film that I hate to admit, put me to sleep.

Movies to me are the perfect Winter activity - in Summer the only films I'd see being those shown in an outdoor setting - and I'm excited about the film festival for a few reasons, not least being Anna Karina, a guest of the festival and the subject of a retrospective.

"The embodiment of the 60s French New Wave, Anna Karina possessed the kind of screen presence that both defined and wooed a generation. Former wife of iconoclast Jean-Luc Goddard, Karina starred in eight of his films, and collaborated with the likes of Agnes Varda and Rainer Warner Fassbinder. She has also directed two films and recorded music with Serge Gainsbourg and Philippe Katerine."
And she's gorgeous. Sufice to say I love her.

The timetable for the festival is here, My picks of Anna Karina's are Living Together, which she also wrote and directed, screening on Saturday August 8th at the Greater Union on Russel Street, and Pierrot Le Fou, Screening tonight at the Forum and on Thursday at the Greater Union. If you haven't already seen them, rent Alphaville and Anna on DVD, they're both amazing, she's a babe, and you've already missed them in the festival...

all photographs are there to remind us of what we forget

Square America is an amazing site found by the lovely Leibermarlene.

My favourite part so far is the Vintage photo-booth.

I love seeing photos of people just hanging out with their loved ones from times past - sneaking into a photobooth to kiss their date or pull faces with a best friend.
But mostly I love the images of people who, for some reason, sat in the booth alone.

The lady in the second photo might be one of the most beautiful I have ever seen...

All images taken from Square America.

is this the epitome of bursting capsules?

Inhae's MY MILK TOOF might be the closest visual approximation of bursting capsules I'm yet to encounter.

Check it: Years ago, Inhae put her baby teeth under her pillow. Then years later, a little tooth appears on her doorstep and home-style adventures begin!

From the top we have the Toofs enjoying Lamorisse’s Le Ballon Rouge; Toof bathtime; a teething Toof and finally, the lil' guys home safe and sound after getting lost.


All images Copyright © Inhae Renee Lee 2009. All rights reserved

just one more...

"well, billy joe never had a lick of sense, pass the biscuits, please"

Her name is Bobbie Gentry. Check out her awesome pants and huge hair!

The song is just great but I'm also really into her look - it kind of reminds me of Elaine from the Graduate (played by Katherine Ross)who I go through intermittant phases of trying to dress like.



Ali McGraw in Love Story - same deal (even though it was made in 1970).



There's something about big-haired, dark-eyed, all-American ladies from sixties I really like, I guess.

I especially like skinny, ankle-skimming jeans and slightly-too-big white T Shirts. Unfortunately, those are all items which seem like they should be straightforward enough to find, but are almost impossible to perfect! Every now and then I try it out, and wind up looking like a street urchin or the loveable tomboy from Westside Story...perhaps bronzer and fake eyelashes would help?

homecoming

I'm going back to NZ, this time tomorrow I'll be with my two best girlfriends..... I can't think of anything to write but I am very happy.

Oh and Han and I have a little surprise/project to start when I'm back, we'll keep you posted!

x

geranium kisser

You know those times when you get stuck on one song?
It fits your mood exactly, when it ends you bite your lip then play it again?

Found one. Its called "Two Doves". Its by the Dirty Projectors. Off the Bitte Orca album which I am currently obsessing over. It makes me feel all romantic and like smoking ciggarettes alone on my deck. Which I do.

I really just want to play it to all my friends (especially Lou, cos I KNOW you'd love it, babe).

The whole album is fantastic.

I work for an Opera company, which means I'm learning lots and lots about Opera all the time and discovering what I like and what I don't.

I totally understand that people our age are a bit terrified of it but the more I learn about it, the more I like it. Also, through seeing performances up close (up really, really close) I've gained so much respect for the singers and composers.

So I especially like this aria. Its from Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss and it is sublime.

Here's a version of it from 1960. Just wait til those harmonies kick in!