Where the Wild Things Are: A Review

I saw Where The Wild Things Are last Friday, and I have to say, I am in complete love. Spike Jonze is a visionary, and the movie was just stunning. There were some scenes that were just absolutely breathtaking-- the whole world of where the wild things are, I can't even believe Jonze managed to capture it and bring it to life.

Spike Jonze wrote this script with Dave Eggers (You Shall Know Our Velocity!, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) and expanded a 10 sentence children's book into an noteworthy script. There were times when the dialogue seemed a little muddled or nonsensical, but I'm assuming it was intentional considering it was through the lens of a little boy. The CGI, animatronics, and suitmation made the viewing experience so surreal, almost like a hyper reality where the lines of fantasy and real life became blurred. It was unlike anything I had ever seen in a movie. I know it sounds like I'm just ranting and raving, but I can't help it, this is a total fan girl moment for me. I was just so impressed!

Of course, the music was amazing, and Karen O and the kids couldn't have complemented the movie any better. The fact that the songs were very thematic and done by the same artists added a continuity to the film that made it feel more legitimate. The casting was also impeccable, I thought the voices sounded like they belonged perfectly to the monsters. I thought that James Gandolfini, as Carol, was particularly excellent. He really sold me. I loved that Jonze brought them each to life by giving each one a very distinct personality and name. Max Records, who plays Max in the movie, gave a very touching performance, and I was convinced as soon as he yelled, 'Let the wild rumpus start!' Tangentially, didn't anyone really think he looked like Ellen Page? It was freaky. He'd be her doppelganger if he wasn't much younger and well, a little boy.

I know there have been a handful of negative reviews and backlash towards the violence in this film, but I think people have to remember that this isn't a children's film, it's an adaptation of a children's novel. This was never meant to be a feel-good, lesson learned, Disney type of movie, and WB never marketed it that way. In fact, a majority of its campaign was focused on broad-based and adult markets. Obviously, I didn't think it was very violent at all, but I'm much more desensitized and I haven't been a kid for awhile now. What I do know is that this movie is a real depiction of what kids can be: tyrannical buggers who occasionally pitch hissy fits.

The verdict, in case you haven't paid close enough attention to my embarrassing adoration throughout this whole post? Go see it--especially if you grew up reading this book as a kid. Film adaptations can often miss the mark, but this was near perfection. You can tell this movie was a labor of love that Spike Jonze spent years perfecting.

One last great thing from the film? Max's suit! It was so awesome and perfectly worn and loved. I used to covet the wolf suit that Max wears. I wanted to romp around and wreak havoc in it. I still do! Ah, the good ole' days. It was the Max suit, the easy bake oven, and a cabbage patch kid--all of which I never got! Boohoo.

Coming up this week: a roundup of this fall's must see TV schedule per request.

Fall movies and music

With fall here comes new fashion and new releases in movies and music. Here's what to look forward to:

1. Where The Wild Things Are, October 16, starring Max Records, Catherine Keener, James Gandolfini. An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book. Spike Jonze, an amazing visual landscape, and Karen O? Nothing could be better.
   
   
2. Paranormal Activity, October 16, starring Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat. This is the much hyped and reportedly scary as hell movie that has finally gotten a nationwide release. Think Blair Witch Project type hype. This low, low, low budget movie got picked up by Paramount Pictures and originally got a limited, after midnight only release, but now after staggering box office numbers and plenty of fans, this movie will finally be in your local theater. This home movie, shaky cam style film is about a couple who is haunted by a demonic spirit and in an effort to catch it in action, they set up cameras around their house. This is also the movie that Steven Spielberg got a screener of, took home to watch, and was so freaked out, he returned it back to Dreamworks in a garbage bag.
   
   
3. New York, I Love You, October 16, starring Natalie Portman, Shia LaBeouf, Hayden Christensen, and MANY more. An anthology film of several stories (directed by several different directors) revolving around love in one of the greatest places on earth, New York City. See this film if you love a whole cornucopia of actors (i.e. He's Just Not That Into You).
   
   
4. Antichrist, October 23, starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg. The controversial film by Lars von Trier that shocked (and mainly disgusted) audiences in Cannes. What's it about? A couple who tries to cope with the loss of their son. Beware of severed genitalia, rough sex, and violence.
   
   
5. Saw VI, October 23, starring Shawnee Smith, Tobin Bell, Donnie Wahlberg. Just in time for Halloween, yet another chapter of the Saw franchise.
   
   
6. Michael Jackson: This Is It, October 28: A mashup of rehearsal footage from MJ's last tour and a goodbye to this musical legend.
   
   
7. Youth in Revolt, October 30, starring Michael Cera. Based on C.D. Payne's novel of the same title. Watch Michael Cera try and get the girl yet again with his offbeat, quirky, and awkward style.
   
   
8. The Box, October 30, starring Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella. Richard Kelly's (Donnie Darko, Southland Tales) story about a struggling couple who receive a mysterious box with a strange proposal: receive $1 million by pushing a button, but pushing it will also kill one person they don't know.
   
   
9. A Christmas Carol, November 6, starring Jim Carrey. Another remake of a classic. Carrey plays Ebeneezer Scrooge in this animated telling of this classic story. Watch it if you're a fan of Robert Zemeckis-style animation (Beowulf, Monster House) and if you love that warm and tingly feeling Christmas gives you.
   
   
10. 2012, November 13, starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet. An apocolyptic tale of well, the world ending. A creepy Nostradamus feel, and some crazy, scary, and chilling scenarios. Watch the first five minutes here.
    
    
11. New Moon, November 20, starring Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Robert Pattinson. The highly anticipated sequel to 2008's Twilight. Find out what happens after girl and boy fall in love, when boy leaves girl. Expect long lines and die hard Twilight fans in t-shirts that say just that. What do I hear? Millions of screams, and the sound of cash registers nationwide.
    
    
12. Nine, November 25, starring Daniel Day Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Fergie, and MANY more. A Rob Marshall (Chicago) story that tells the tale of a man with the nine, yes nine, women in his life. Expect theatrics and plenty of music, which is certain to please just like Chicago.
    
    
13. The Road, November 25, starring Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron. After a postponement of almost a year, this movie is finally getting a release. This is a film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's (No Country For Old Men) book by the same title about a man and a son struggling to survive in a post-apocolyptic world. If it's anything like McCarthy's novel it will be dark, depressing, and disturbing: the makings of what sounds like a good movie to me.

Some movies that are out now that are definitely worth watching:

1. Zombieland : Zombies, bloody guts, the adorable Jesse Eisenberg, and a special celebrity appearance.
2. The September Issue : A look inside the making of the September issue of Vogue with the great Anna Wintour. Bring your best friend, not your boyfriend.
3. Inglorious Basterds : Another Tarantino great.
4. (500) Days of Summer : Wonderful, amazing, Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel... need I say more?
5. Adam : Hugh Dancy plays a man with Aspergers who learns to deal with the loss of his father and learns how to love the lovely Rose Byrne.

Besides movies, I'm looking forward to new music. I can never get enough of that. Fall's here, which means a whole bunch of new album releases! Here's what I'm listening to now and what I'm looking forward to:

1. Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson - The Break Up, available now : This is Johansson's sophomore effort and let just tell you, it is a million times better. It's surprisingly great and the songs have a catchy, folksy quality to them. Pete Yorn, of course, doesn't disappoint at all.
   
2. Madonna - Celebration, available now : it's a greatest hits album, as if I even needed an excuse to put Madonna on continuous loop. Check out the two new songs: Celebration and Revolver (feat. Lil' Weezy).
   
3. Paramore - Brand New Eyes, available now : I'm warming up to it, but at this point, I still like Riot! better.
   
4. Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack, available now : I love Karen O. and this does not disappoint. It's beautiful, and so aesthetically pleasing in every way. Can't wait for the movie release!
   
5. New Moon Soundtrack, October 20. Featuring Death Cab for Cutie, Thom Yorke, Muse, and Lykki Li--now that sounds like a great soundtrack.
   
6. Weezer - Raditude, October 27 : I'll say it now, I'll say it again. I love Weezer always and forever. I can't wait for their new album.
   
7. John Mayer - Battle Studies, November 17 : Looking forward to some Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston inspired love and heartbreak songs.
   
8. Norah Jones - The Fall, November 17 : One of the best and most beautiful jazz voices out there.
   
9. Timbaland - Shock Value 2, November 24 : I hated Shock Value, but I'm hoping for greatness this time around since it includes collaborations with Kings of Leon (who, by the way, I L-O-V-E), The Fray, Paramore, Justin Timberlake, and Lady Gaga. I'm also VERY curious about Brandy rapping, who goes under the new alias "Brand Nu" for her rapping efforts.

So, what will you guys be seeing and what will music will you be buying/illegally downloading?

Good things come in five

With a lack of much else to do (besides the job hunt), my friends and I have started a book club because a) we're awesome and b) we're a bunch of nerds. I chose our first book assignment and since it was our first, I decided to take it easy on everyone else and choose something quick and light: Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I have been confined to my house these past couple of days due to a wisdom teeth extraction (ouch!), so I had some time to kill. After exhausting my season 1 DVDs of House, I cracked open the book last night and read it just in time for our meet tomorrow.

It was a bittersweet, yet sweet (if that makes any sense at all) read, although I thought Albom was a bit preachy at times with lessons that are precisely (ala not subtly at all) laid out to the reader. But nevertheless, it was a quick, and nice read. Since I am so cheesy, I presented an exercise to the members of our group to compile a list of the five people they'd like to (or expect to) meet in heaven. Here is mine--it's a work in progress, seeing as I'm still living.

1. Someone that I have helped in my lifetime.
2. Someone that has helped me in my lifetime.
3. My significant other--I'm a sap who hates to be alone. Besides, it's heaven--why should you be alone?
4. Madonna--hopefully the lesson she'll teach me there is regret. Regret that she didn't realize we were best friends sooner.
5. Coco Chanel--'nuff said.

Since the theme is 5, here's a list of the last 5 notable books I've read:
1. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath : I can't stress how much I love this book.
2. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote : a very short, and holly golightly read. Get it? Ha.
3. Blindness by Jose Saramago : not for the weak-hearted, as it can be very disturbing.
4. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie : a classic murder mystery.
5. Choke by Chuck Palahniuk : quite disturbing, yet quite hilarious.

The next five books I plan to read. Any feedback? Suggestions?
1. The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
2. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
3. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
4. Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin
5. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Daily hits

Another day, another job hunt.

Personally, I'm fed up with talking about myself. That seems to be all I do. Submit resume. Embellish skills. Write cheese-filled cover letters. More self obsessing. I wonder--who even reads a cover letter with a straight face?

Since I've been focusing my efforts primarily on the entertainment industry job search, here are some of my daily haunts:

-Time Warner
-Fox
-Disney
-NBC Universal
-Paramount Pictures
-Universal Music
-I Want Media : A really great source with tons of links for job boards
-Mandy : production job listings and casting call lists
-Entertainment Careers : a good source of jobs and internships for the entertainment industry bound post grad
-Craigslist: TFR :tfr=television, film, radio jobs aplenty, but beware of the occasional odd, creepy listings
-Craigslist: MAR : mar=marketing, another great job source
-Indeed : search across multiple databases in various industries with this engine
-Media Bistro : mostly east coast listings for various media jobs
-Ed 2010 : see above

What I really love? Visiting these babies. I can't go a day without checking up on these sites.
Oh no they didn't! My hands down, favorite must read of daily celeb gossip and going-ons
Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily : up to date media biz info, nikki's always got the inside scoop
Variety : An industry must-read. pay wall going up in 2010 so read it while you still can!
The Hollywood Reporter : RIP. Their print division will stop circulation by the end of this year.
Scriptshadow : script reviews of movies currently in development or looking for a development deal.
WWD : Women's wear daily. Must read for all fashion lovers.
The Sartorialist : Fashion industry veteran photographs fashion daily on the street of various cities throughout the world
Cocoperez : Perez's spin off that reports on fashion
Laineygossip : good ole' gossipy smut
Nitrolicious : another Wendy who loves fashion

The Frugalista

With fall here, two obsessions have started to creep back into my life: jackets and boots. Nothing looks better on a woman than an amazing pair of boots and a smart leather jacket. Since I'm in no position to spring on a new Balenciaga beauty or these beloved CLs, I thought I'd compile a list for the frugal girl aka, the recent grad. I know you must love the cheese in this post title (all thanks to Nat!). Who doesn't love a cheesy play on words?

The Leather Jacket:

All things studded, spiked, and zippered seem to be the ubiquitous trend now, and I am not complaining. Ask anyone, and they know I love 'em. However, just like many things in fashion, it's a fad, so I don't really feel the need to splurge when it comes to pyramid studs and zippered details.

This Topshop leather jacket is gorgeous and perfect for winter, and what do ya know? It's studded galore. It's also white, which makes it even better. I love the way a white jacket can automatically make you look more crisp and polished. No girl should ever be afraid to rock a white leather jacket, accident prone or not.

Unless you live in NY (where Topshop's sole U.S. storefront is located) or in the UK, you'll have to buy it here via Topshop's website (along with a $15 flat rate shipping cost) for $320.


The cheaper alternative? This Asos studded leather jacket for $200. It's real leather, it's studded, and it's a moto jacket = all things you want in a jacket.

What I love most about Asos is that they know how to churn out all the latest runway trends for low prices. They don't have any actual brick & mortar stores so they can cut down majorly on costs by selling exclusively online, and they ship all over the world, that way it's a global marketplace. Now that's a smart business strategy. Also, they are a UK based company, so you know not everyone will be sporting them, unlike the Forever 21 knockoffs that we've all been guilty of indulging in. Hey, I'm not knocking on f21. I love them, I just don't love seeing everyone sporting something you thought looked amazing on you and only you. Ha.

Another great thing about Asos (as if you needed more incentive after I already uttered the two magical words: low+prices)? $6 shipping. You and I both know shipping can make or break an online purchase.


Cheapest? This Forever 21 studded jacket. If you're environmentally friendly or if you're pinching pennies, this is perfect. It's polyurethane and a lovely $47.80.

You, me, and the next person all love Forever 21. They make nearly (I say nearly as in, they slightly change the placement or size of buttons, zippers, etc) carbon copies of your favorite designers like Missoni, Alexander Wang, Rodarte, Chanel, etc.

But..my solution to the perfect studded jacket at a post-grad friendly price? A DIY project. Why not? You've got the time. Har.

Pyramid studs of all sizes and colors are available at Studandspikes. Just pick your size (I like the 3/8'' size) and color, grab an x-acto knife, and heaps of patience, and you've got yourself a (hopefully) amazing one of a kind piece.


The Boyfriend Blazer:
Thanks to Balmain the oversized blazer is back. It's a perfect way to dress up any outfit, especially when you're feeling lazy and just wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, you can throw one of these babies on, and voila!



Left: Express studded blazer, on sale for $73.50. Right: Zara studded blazer (seen here on Kim K) available in store for $99.90. I happen to own this baby, and I really love Zara's take on Balmain.

Some more traditional takes (I especially love the two tones):


Left: Silence and Noise Two Tone Lapel Blazer via Urbanoutfitters for $78. Right: Necessary Objects Boyfriend Blazer at Alloy on sale for $41.92.


The Classic:
Now there's something I'd like to refer to as the Holy Trinity: Chanel, Mr. Karl Lagerfeld, and me. There is nothing more classic than Chanel. Period. I cannot stress how much love for Karl I have. No woman will ever look more classic or more polished than a woman in Chanel. And who do we have to thank? Miss Coco and the Karl. And what's more classic than the classic tweed jacket? Nada.


The problem is not everyone can afford to buy everything Chanel (trust me, if I could, I would. It's a sickness, I know. I'm trying to get help.) So what do you do? Oh you know, just rely on the powerhouses of commercial copycats: Forever 21 and H&M.


Left: Chiffon trim tweed jacket at Forever 21 for $27.80. Right: Black and white cropped jacket at H&M for $34.90. (Photo credit to: thebudgetbabe.com)


The Perfect Boot:
A shoe obsession is something I've never been in denial of. That being said, here are some boots I have been coveting:












Left: I spotted these Topshop Pin Up studded booties in the August issue of Marie Claire and it was instant love. Here for $310. Right: Nine West always makes some amazing shoes. These lookalikes can be purchased for a more afforable $129. NW Facade.

Next is something I'd like to refer to as the Balmain phenomenon. All of a sudden nothing was overly studded, and nothing was overly gaudy. Chains, spikes, rhinestones, sequins, and sparkles--everything and anything goes. Here are some tamer, more commercial and affordable alternatives:
Left: Aldo Yumas suede boots ($109 w/free shipping!) Right: Yet another pair I dog-eared in August's Marie Claire: Abaete for Payless (!) Antoine feude (faux suede) booties, $49.99 (and of course, eligible for BOGO). Sadly, due to high demand, no doubt from MC's plug, these are out of stock.

With winter coming up, these would be perfect for everyday wear. I always find it difficult to dress up on days that are chilly and gloomy. There's nothing better than feeling comfortable and looking good without trying too hard. They're casual without being too casual, and the best part? They have traction. I can't stress how important that is especially during rainy days because no one wants to fall on their ass when they're already feeling miserable from the cold.

Left: Colin Stuart Shearling Bootie at Victoria's Secret for $99. Right: Colin Stuart Shearling lace-up bootie at VS for $79.


And last but not least? The boot that can be dressed up or dressed down.

No girl wants to be out in the dead cold wearing some strappy contraption on her feet that makes her feel like her toes are going to fall off. The problem with the right boot for day and night is that some are too casual, some are too fancy, and some are just plain boring.

These are perfect because of one thing: the platform. A platform on a shoe is my best friend. No longer are the days I can go all night in a pair of 4'' heels with no platforms and no frills. I need my platforms. I am an old lady trapped in a twenty something year old's body. I can't run around all night in those strappy contraptions. I need my platforms, goddamnit! These Nine West Ice Age booties are perfection for day and night. I'd wear 'em out with a pair of jeans or a pair of leggings and a dress (a dress, people. not a top. Because leggings aren't pants! Do I need to spell that out?) Buy a pair here for $139.95.


My fave? These Colin Stuart Convertible boots. Why? Because they can be easily rationalized. And every girl who shops knows how to rationalize. Why did I buy these boots even though I have many others piling up in my closet? Because these are convertible--they're 2 for 1! In the words of Col. Hans Landa ala Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds--that's a bingo! That's right. These can be worn with a pair of jeans tucked in or as an ankle boot.

What's not to love? Suede+leather? Good. Knee length boots? Goood. Ankle booties? Gooood. Plenty of colors to choose from? Goooood. All in one pair of boots? GOOOOOD, goddamnit.

So how much are these babies? $149 via Victoria's Secret. But if you really think about it, since it's practically two pair of shoes, you can rationalize it as $75/pair. Right, right?!

Breaking it in

When a good friend of mine first suggested I start a blog to harness my energy into something more productive than sitting around all day exasperated by messy job boards and impatiently looking forward to some quality primetime (House, anyone?), I told her it was a waste of time. When she pestered me to start one about anything and everything, as long it was something, I decided what was a waste of my time was bitching about my lack of employment. So what better to do than harness my bitchiness into a blog?

So here for a lack of anything better to do, is my blog. I'm a twenty-something and unemployed post grad who is suffering in these recessionary times. Here is my journey to finding a job, wasting time, learning how not to waste time, and other random going-ons which may or may not include indulgent fashion posts, movie reviews and previews, and miscellaneous, snarky commentary on a wide variety of things.