Holiday Dress Up

It's the 1st of November. All of the creepy movies have already been swept from existence on television and Christmas flicks are actually airing on the Hallmark channel. Elf also aired on Halloween night - I guess there has to be the counter entertainment for people who don't like to be scared.

I, however, can't get enough of all the spookiness that comes with the one holiday where it is deemed acceptable to wear a costume all day. To work, to the grocery store, and out in the streets - the day has no bounds for the silly and the scary.

Due to my surgery recovery I had to bail on any actual "going out" plans for the night, but with family stopping by and trick-or-treaters on the prowl a costume was still a must. One problem - going out and about hasn't been too easy for me of late, so hitting up Value Village to throw together a get up wasn't high on my list of priorities. It is in times like these where creativity can be the greatest of virtues.

Over the years I've collected quite a trunk of random accessories. Everything from a mini water gun (saved from a showing of Rocky Horror) to an assortment of hats (because who doesn't love a good hat?) has been saved just in case they could come in handy. Merely looking around my room and closet I came up with numerous great ideas for an ensemble.

Thinking through my list of random costumes, I settled on one homage to a classic flick, The Birds. I just needed a few pieces to pull it off. From my closet I pulled a 1960s feeling dress with a pencil skirt and a green cardigan to match the color of Tippi Hedren's outfit from the flick. Next was some murderous crows. Those could simply be printed out, taped on the sweater, and maybe even one could be rigged up to look like it was attacking, swooping down from above.

Earlier in the day I told my grandma (aka a classic film aficionado) all about my plans. She was excited, but came up with an even better idea. I had also filled her in about some of my other ideas, to which she replied, "Well, why don't you just change into as many costumes as you can?"

Challenge accepted!

Move over SJP. Last night was no 2000 MTV movie awards, but I did give Sarah Jessica a run for her money, and had seven costume changes. Maybe it was just the pain killers I'm on, but boy did I have fun.

All of these were quite simple to do. Each only required a few pieces of clothing, used interchangeably, some accessories, and a little make-up. Below are some fun snaps of the night. Enjoy.

The Pompous Yacht Owner

Farmer Ted

Snidely Whiplash  / 

Generic Old-Timey Movie Villain

Magician! Ooooh. Aaaaah. 

Wannabe Lounge Singer

Bonnie Parker 

For The Birds

 

To be honest, I could have done more. After awhile though I got tired of bugging people to take my picture and those rabid trick-or-treater's started coming in mass quantities making it difficult to transform.

Other costumes I had up my sleeve: masquerade ball attendee, noir film actress, flapper, 80s talk show host, Jon Snow, princess (with a unicorn), old time gym workout man, Carrie White, gypsy, fortune teller, Hunter S. Thompson, Cruella de Vil, and a pageant contestant. This list could be longer, but my brain gave up after awhile.

Twenty! That's twenty costume ideas just pulled together from things I already own. Well, with a little assistance from a computer and a printer. I never would have thought. It's funny, since every year I think that I have absolutely nothing to wear for Halloween. A fun exercise indeed.

Get collecting more props now, make a hat wall, and you too could be ready for any costume party.

Until next time.

World Cups-A-Palooza

Where were you during the Women's World Cup in 1999? You know, when this intentional wardrobe malfunction happened. More might recall a little better now after checking out that photo, but it  probably was not as significant of a moment to most. Well, unless you were a 12-year old soccer fanatic like me - that day became one of the first pop culture events that is vividly stuck in my memory.

What an iconic moment! Brandi Chastain was watched in anticipation by my own soccer team gathered in a living room. Just a a bunch of squeeling girls peered on as Chastain, stuck in a shoot out, soared that final goal into the net. We jumped up, cheering for them as if we were right on the field. Women's sports still don't get enough credit, but to me and those girls back then, and definitely to millions of other girls around the world, that moment signified a sense of power and excellence - we never doubted it, but it proved to the rest of the USA that girls could be awesome athletes too.

I played Soccer nearly year round from about age 7 to 8th grade. With the competitiveness of state championships and what not in High School, it all got a little too political for my taste, which lead to me taking orchestra more seriously instead. If only I'd known the stress of success hits the arts just as avidly as the athletes.

It's been awhile, but I always hope one day the part of me that misses organized sports will get back to it. Can you tell that getting absorbed in The World Cup this week has left me pitifully nostalgic?

Over the last couple weeks exciting moments have made for fantastic entertainment. First, the US vs Portugal match was a heartbreaker. Oh that Rinaldo with his perfect faux hawk got us again. Then, just when it looked like we were ruling the world, the US is officially dunzo.

Merely minutes ago, after a full match with a tied 0-0 score and thirty minutes of overtime that had me on my feet yelling, Belgium made for a rigorious competitor and in the end edged us out 2-1. Mr. Goalie, Tim Howard, was diving and sliding like a boss, and officially has my heart.

I know, I know -  too much sports talk for a movie-centric blog? To me all kinds of culture blend together, so in that vein lets celebrate the world's pandemonium over Soccer/Football with a few memorable flicks.



My brother, cousins and I were all kids that played soccer, which lead to certain movies playing on repeat, especially during summertime sleep-outs. 

The Big Green

[My face whenever I was picked to play goalie.]

Kids down on their luck who work together to become the best team around has been a popular movie theme for years. They started as nothings, but guess what, they became something. Everyone fondly remembers owning this in the big VHS plastic case.

The Ladybugs

Guy who is great at soccer dresses as a girl, and wears one hell of a wig to play on a fledgling soccer team - a plot we learn years later also works in reverse... Man I want to watch this right now. It's Jackée!!

Switching Goals

Mary Kate and Ashley, whose made for TV/straight to video canon are what every 90s childhood was made of, did it again when they played sisters, who, from what I recall, really want to switch soccer teams. They just literally switch goals, with hyjinx ensuing!

Really you should stick with the ridiculousness of Getting There and Winning London, but this one really fits the theme.
 



Even as a teen, there were still a few movies coming out that revolved around the pitch.

She's The Man

Soccer and Shakespeare (it is based on Twelfth Night after all), Amanda Bynes in her prime, David Cross, and Channing Tatum in his early work. All good things from this honestly hilarious movie.

Bend It Like Beckham

Being a teen during the height of the British indie's release meant I was obsessed with this tale about two BFF's traversing the trials of life while also being bad-ass soccer players.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers is also there being all attractive as their soccer coach - nobody blamed Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra for having a somewhat inappropriate crush on that guy.



Generally being a sports movie/Colin Firth fan means that there are also quite a few flicks that I always meant to watch but never have. Looking for a soccer movie that doesn't star an Olsen Twin? Maybe give these a shot, I will too.

Fever Pitch

The Damned United

The Green Street Hooligans

The US might be out, but the world's population will still have a 101 degree football fever for the next couple weeks. Even if you're not usually a soccer fan, try it out. The stakes are so high for the players that the odds of coming across an electric game to watch is a certainty.

Until next time.


P.S. Want to learn about the origin of soccer? Take time to listen to the "Stuff You Should Know" podcast on the topic immediately. It is packed full of interesting facts.

Let The Credits Roll

For the purposes of its implied meaning, the old timey idiom, "never judge a book by its cover", is awfully grand.

Not judging people by how they look on the outside is the greatest advice anyone could bestow on others, but if we instead take the meaning of the saying very literal, truth be told, I break this rule all the time.

Who isn't intrigued by beautiful cover design as we peruse the shelves of the library or bookstore? Just because I don't like the cover, however, doesn't stop me from reading a book, I am a reasonable person after all, but a well designed cover in a bright color can definitely catch a readers eye more than something bland looking.

The cover is the first thing we see - it's the introduction to the story before we even know how the plot will unfold.

In movieland this is also true. Often the first frame of a movie is a list of words; produced by, starring so and so, the film company, etc. An eloquently thought out opening credits sequence is an art all its own.

These seemed to be essential for older films - Rogers and Hammerstein musically set title cards and zingy Doris Day cartoon openings come to mind. These type of elaborate openings have mostly gone out of vogue, where movies tend to just start and throw up the title over a freeze frame of one of the characters.

Some newer films have kept up the tradition - Woody Allen's simple black screen with white text is his perpetual trademark, the trailing of a criminal by an FBI agent in Catch Me If You Can is stylishly animated, and a pile of tater tots with ketchup (among other random food/items) creatively open  Napoleon Dynamite. 

Two title sequences in particular inspire me all the time, even in this here blog. One is definitely already deemed a classic and the other will be considered that soon.  Look up to the blog header or below - does that picture remind you of anything? Maybe there is a hint of a 15 year old rock loving enthusiast who does some writing for Rolling Stone?

Cameron Crowe's credits for Almost Famous were just asking to be paid homage to and I'm surely not the first to do it. [Click here to view the credits]

Only in the least year did I realize that Crowe, with his title card creation, seemed to have been  initializing his own tip-o-the -hat to the credits of a beloved film and another one of my own personal favorites.



I knew there was a reason I was specifically drawn to both of these sequences!

Watching To Kill A Mockingbird last month I finally had the lightbulb moment about the similarities. Only last month! I've watched these both time and time again over the years, obsessed about the credits and only now saw the comparison.

The opening titles to Almost Famous and Mockingbird follow the hands of creative youth at work. They both exude that same feeling of the playful innocence we all had in our younger years. The two even specifically mirror each other in two instances, especially in how they honor treasured collections and looking back at memories.

One sequence shows a pile of childlike knickknacks saved in a tin box, where the other displays a drawer full of concert memorabilia (a right of passage for any teen). The closest similarity though, can be seen in the little girl rubbing a black crayon over her white paper to reveal the title of the movie and the hand of "the enemy" writing out the title of his movie on lined notebook paper.

These are great examples of how in just the opening credits the tone of the movie can already be set, with little bits of character traits and even some objects of each film creatively captured in one sequence.

Bad judgements can be negative, but anyone who judges these two movies by the first shot would be correct. Both films start strong and only get better.

When it became time to think about an update to the old blog design, it only seemed right to take inspiration from the other side of this honored duo. Maybe something like this:

Until next time.

Let's Hear It For The Girl(s)!

Two sisters are separated for years simply because of a low down, dirty man.

It only seemed appropriate (yet unintentional) as a lead in to International Women's Day over the weekend  that I checked out the many powerful female characters in The Color Purple for the first time. Well, it was the first time I had watched the movie all the way through - what Oprah fan hasn't curiously checked out some clips while it was playing on TV?

Even having read the novel years ago did not prepare me for the emotional wreckage the movie would leave behind in my living room. Yeah, it's definitely a full on, smeared mascara, audible sob, ugly cry kind of night.

There is not many sights more heart wrenching than watching those young sisters, Celie and Nettie, being dragged apart, down porch steps and through a field, all while they are panicked and screaming. Sisters who have only each other at a time where they are continually beaten down (literally) by the men in an unfortunate world.

It's impossible to not feel inspired by what they overcame to grow into strong willed adults, guided by the influence of the already powerful women they knew, Shug Avery and Sofia (Oprah in all her perfect acting glory).

We all are lucky to have women in our lives - moms, grandmas, aunts, friends - who inspire us daily. I'm a lady who is perpetually seeking answers and motivation from any source I can, even the movies

Early on I was transfixed by any story with confident female characters more than anything else. Maybe they were people I wanted to be like or I just was drawn to their take on the world.

Stories with these types of characters can be found everywhere. I'm sure y'all have your favorites, because I know I've already talked at length about the everlasting influence of Jo March. Even if there is no way to mention them all, here are just a few that stand out in my mind:

Working Girl

Living in a house with Carly Simon and Joan Cusack loving parents, this story of a Staten Island gal hoping to move up the ranks at her office, one large hairstyle at a time, was probably my introduction into the doldrums of working at a job you hate.

Tess Mcgill pounded the pavement on her morning commute in dazzling tennis shows only to switch to heels, but that dedication wasn't enough. "Let the river run" she did - there may have been a couple of lies told in the process, but her wit and smarts is what lands her that promotion in the end.

True Grit

How can you not appreciate a strong willed youngster who seeks out help for avenging the death of her father?

Tough dudes come to her aide, but, just like the title implies, the mission wouldn't have even begun without her gumption.

Contact

When I think of a lady standing up for their beliefs, no other movie resonates more than this one. (I might just have the long list of great old McConaughey flicks fresh in my memory...no, it's definitely the Jodie Foster character.)

After discovering what is potentially the link to another world, the people of our own planet pressure Ellie to proclaim that she should instead embrace something other than science, a "higher power" if you will, but she doesn't back down.

It always surprised me that an "alien" movie developed into something more philosophical - that only makes it much more interesting to watch.

Peggy Olson Takes On The World

She's not from a movie, but this can't go by without a mention to one of the greatest female characters on TV right now and will be a lasting legacy.

Over the years Peggy went after what she wanted and moved up from a quiet secretary to a brassy, tough talking force in the advertising world, who doesn't take crap from nobody. Quite frankly - she's the shit.

The Women Of Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates, never the conventional leading lady, yet all of the characters she plays have real guts - not all actresses can say that. The unsinkable Molly brown! Towanda! The examples could go on and on, but there is one performance in particular that always made my heart break every time I caught it playing on cable. It's one of those I always remember seeing when I stayed home sick from school.

In A Home Of Our Own, Bates played a single mom who takes her bundle of six children on the road to start a new life. They find an abandoned house and spend the rest of the movie making it their own, one wall at a time.

It always struck me how tough this situation would be, but Bates, reassuring both the audience and her movie children at the same time, makes it all look like a breeze with a warm smile and twinkle in her her eye.

The Women Of Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts was on a roll of playing stand up broads. Her characters were always going after what they wanted and almost always succeeding.

By telling an alarming true life tale, she boldly stepped into the life and revealing clothing of Erin Brockovich, who played a large part in stopping a large corporation from hurting and killing the people of  a small town.

Then, in Mona Lisa Smile, she playing a professor who was big on women's lib in the 1950s. She encouraged her students to seek out jobs instead of getting married right away. This was one of the movies that made me excited to go to college and feel privileged to be living in a time when society had bigger expectations for me, and women like me.

Roberts can't be found as often up on the big screen anymore, but the smart, bold women she has played will never go out of style.

Juno

Critics loved and then quickly turned on this story about a pregnant teen. The kitschy dialogue may rub people the wrong way now, but remember the heart of the story!

This strong girl spends most of the film never doubting her situation, all while getting made fun of and judged. It's a movie filled with women who won't let the world take them down.  This is perfectly played by Allison Janney, as she rips a bitchy ultrasound technician a new one.

It's a movie to always appreciate for these merits alone.


There are plenty more bold characters and real life ladies that deserve a mention, so let's leave with name dropping some other cool chicks.

Harper Lee   Tina Fey   Jane Pratt  Neko Case   Diane Sawyer   Hilary Clinton   Jane Austen
Dorothy Parker  Jane Eyre  Emma Thompson  Kate Winslet  Tami Taylor  Bridget Jones
Lucille Ball   Eleanor Roosevelt  Amelia Earheart  Jenny Lewis  Kathi Goertzen  Robyn
Gwen Stefani   Sandara Bullock  Regina Spektor   Carole King  Dolly Parton  Debbie Harry
Cyndi Lauper  Patsy Cline  P!nk  Rachel Maddow  Meryl Streep  Julie Andrews 
Nancy Wilson Rachel Portman Amy Sedaris  Amy Poehler  Emmylou Harris 
Christiane Amanpour  Patty Murray  Michelle Obama  Nellie Bly  Sofia Coppola 
Judy Blume  Helen Mirren


Until next time!

"Hello! This is the 90s."

Summer always breeds nostalgia. I don't know if it's the bright blue skies with sun cascading down till late in the day, or the calmness of comfortably lounging outside during warm nights at twilight, but this time of year always tends to leave me in a state of thinking about the past. 

We've been having plenty of these luxurious days weather-wise, but there have also been plenty of other triggers perfectly encouraging this element of transporting your mind back in time.

Songs and shows have been popping up on my radar this week which all echo back to my time in matching purple stretch pants and headbands, pink striped "shorteralls", and scrunchies - being a kid of the 90's was equally incredible, hilarious, and terrible. 

Kicking off Monday morning with the discovery of Pandora's genius, "Summer Hits Of The 90's" station is the way to start any day. You will not have to skip a single track as the likes of, Third Eye Blind, Sugar Ray (!), The Goo Goo Dolls, and Mariah take you back to recording songs off ZED 95.3 (R.I.P). Unless you realize how utterly insipid the lyrics to Steal My Sunshine are - that will probably warrant a thumbs down.

Besides dancing it out to some familiar jams, here are some more instances of the 90's re-surging back into the world:

Mazzy Star : Fade Into You

I don't believe in regrets or turning back time, instead I believe in concocting, "If I Was..." wish lists.

Listening to "Fade Into You" has been a growing obsession since last year when the song popped onto the random, yet surprisingly excellent, Best Coast inspired Pandora station. The tune was familiar, but the appreciation didn't start until then - Pandora just really gets you sometimes.

After that listen, the song instantly topped my, "Life would be complete if I had slow danced to this song in high school" list. Alas, when it was topping the charts in 1994 I was eight and had no idea of its glorious existence. All you teenage dance-goers of the 90's count yourselves truly lucky.

All I can hope for is a cheesy prom themed party where that song will be played and my dream will come true.

Nowadays, Kids Will Never Know...

That Amanda Bynes was funny! In the late 90s she was definitely All That.

Bynes, we know it's definitely all an elaborate act, but you don't need drama. In order to get appropriate attention just go back to what you do best; dancing awkwardly with Colin Firth, dressing up like a boy while having Tobias as your high school principal, and just being a no fears comedian. 

They used to compare her to Lucille Ball and now the image she perpetuates is the build up to the  now infamous, shaved headed Spears smashing a car window. Which one is better?

SNICK would not have been the same without Amanda, and she could still be delivering the funnies. Well, that is, by acting in movies and TV, not with wearing terrible wigs in court.

Say Hello To Your Friends...

...Babysitters Club!

That theme song is the ultimate cheery ear-worm. There have been times (too many to count) when I'll be doing absolutely nothing, and the lyrics for that song will just start bouncing out of my mouth like a crazy person.

After not thinking about it in years, that's right people, the show that only lasted one season, but repeatedly played on the Disney Channel all through the 90s, is streaming on Netflix!

The Disney Channel is now a cable standard, but back in my day the most exciting time of the year was the Disney Channel free preview week. Normally during Christmas or summer break (I'm sure whenever they thought kids would be around to beg their parents to fork over more dough and update their cable plan), this amazingness would just click onto the tube.

Obviously, I would annoy my brother with the insistence of watching the same season of the The Babysitter's Club over, and over, and OVER again. I can' believe there was only 11 episodes! There is a good chance I watched each of those 10 times...or more.

Re-watching some of them this week and still remembering exactly what happens in each episode (stop judging Claudia for needing the creepy neighbor lady to be her tutor!) has been blowing my mind.

Those chicks were the coolest. I was always a Mary-Ann, but wanted to be a Claudia. Even now, Claudia's style is worth obsessing over.

The Fresh Prince

Another 90's show with a killer theme song also came back into our hearts this week.

There is something on my Oprah style ultimate favorite things lists that is not a physical object - it is the fact that most people can sing all the words to the theme of The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air. I could do it right now even - Wanna hear it?

If you're interested in awkward family rap time or watching Will Smith pretend he had a hit single in 2005, watch this video from the beginning. If you just want to witness some treasured moments from the 90s re-created in the present, skip to the 2:30 mark (paying special attention to Heather Graham at 2:33).

I very much hope that Carlton was not in London, and was flown in specifically for this occasion.

Side Note: Graham Norton's talk show repeatedly breeds magic moments. Some American talk shows need to take some lessons from him.

Until next time, or more appropriately - Yo homes, Smell ya later.

Living The Dream

Some of us watch Sesame Street, and one of us grew up to be a red fluffy monster on Sesame Street.

Watching the documentary Being Elmo over the weekend, I couldn't help but be completely swept up in the life of Kevin Clash; a man who rose from an amateur puppeteer, to being the arm and talent behind one of the world's most beloved characters-none other than Elmo.

His story is funny and fascinating at first, especially in seeing how young Clash's passion began. He even constructed an incredible Monkey puppet out of his dads coats as a child!

Then we get to the box-of-tissues weep worthy fest that is Elmo's almighty effect on the people of the world. He's a puppet, yet even I would lose my mind if Elmo glided into a room, and I'll probably be crying all week about the images of sick children cuddling with Elmo.

What is so magnetic about a single puppet? "He is love", as Clash so effortlessly puts it.

Clash is a true story of success. Sure, he is financially successful, but more critical, he achieved his most desired dream. Being inspired by the life of Clash, led to the procurement of a little list-one made up of movies involving characters who also set out in their life to grab hold of their ultimate dream profession, and life.

There may be other professions other than writing , but this lady writer can't see past that, so here is a somewhat biased list, yet inspiring none the less. For all you writers out there, this one is for you.

The Help

[Source]

One aspiring writer and a town of under appreciated maids in the south end up assisting  each other in seeking out one goal; being heard. They whole hardheartedly succeed in a time and place that every day told them they couldn't.

Miss Potter

Beatrix Potter went against her time and place in society (and some people thinking she was a little nutty) to paint and create a timeless world which continues to charm children, and will for the ages.

Becoming Jane

[Source]

Another lady, Jane Austen, fought to pursue her passion for storytelling in a field dominated by men, and in a world that just wanted her to settle down. Well, F that, she said (possibly more proper than that), and created most ladies ideal for a classic romance.

Julia

Playwright and author Lillian Hellman crafted a story true to life portraying her troubles and eventual success in the writing world. The film, based on the short story, eventually spins off into a mysterious tale of a friendship struggling through a dangerous situation in Nazi Germany, though, it is this circumstance where Hellman forms one of her most memorable pieces of writing.

Finding Neverland

JM Barry would have done just fine and survived comfortably with his initial success as a playwright. People always liked his work, but he wanted to craft something better. He is only a legend because of befriending and becoming inspired by one family, and will always be remembered for a boy who didn't want to grow up and a place called Neverland. 

Julie and Julia

[Source]

Julie, a writer seeking inspiration, looks to the story of one aspiring chef; Julia Child. Their tale bridges time and countries, but their struggles and objectives are the same, and they both end up getting what they really desire.

Welcome To The 60's

Millions of people continue to make The Help one of the most popular films of the summer; this weekend I became one of the masses.

Those who have not caught the movie, have at least heard the positive buzz. All the exit reviews I heard were, "yeah, it's good". They are lying-The Help is not a good movie, it is an excellent movie!

Warning-this is an occasion for an ugly cry. The symptoms were nearly inflicted on me from beginning to end, but sobbing like an idiot in front of strangers is worth it, as waiting a couple months for it to come out on video would be too long.
 
The Help draws in all of the eventful/heartbreaking stories from 1960's, and I couldn't help but continue to be wrapped up in the decade after walking away from the movie. The costuming alone will have anyone clamoring to break through the screen to take a gander through each characters closet.

Most of my life I have been slightly obsessed with the decade (fashion, books, culture, and history), and to follow suit, a huge selection of my favorite movies, and TV shows (Mad Men), were either produced in the 60's or set in the era.


With a little inspiration from The Help, I present a retrospective of those most noteworthy movies:

Hairspray

[source]

One vibrant Baltimore girl with dance fever, goes after her dreams of being
a regular cast member on the hottest dance show, snagging the dreamiest guy, and standing up for the equal rights of all people.

Catch Me If You Can

[source]

Doctor, Lawyer, Pilot-with the right skills, a conman can be anyone he wants to be, and Frank Abagnale Jr. had the smarts to give the FBI the run-around all over the country.

Barefoot In The Park

[source]

A young married couple set up house in their first apartment, and discover
the hilarity of their new independent life. Fonda and Redford are an outstanding comedic duo. 

(Also, there are not a lot of things better than young Redford.)

Mermaids

[source]

Two daughters tag along with their charismatic mother as she moves them from state to state trying to escape any man who wants to tie her down. 

Set during the time of the Kennedy Assassination, this film is one of the best at capturing what it would have been like to be a teenager during this era.

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

[source]

As Brad ages in reverse, he meets in the middle with Cate Blanchett,  where they enjoy their early (or late) adult years roaring around in leather jackets on the back of a motorcycle.

Dogfight

[source]

What starts as a heartbreaking game, ends in a new love, for a solider on the last night before he is sent to Vietnam.

Down With Love

[source]

Clothes, clothes, Ewan Mcgregor, and clothes, make this fun modern take on a swingin' Doris Day romance, quite enjoyable indeed. Those glasses.

An Education

[source]

Teenage girl growing up in 1960's London, learns about life after getting caught up in her first romance-with an older man at that.

A Single Man

[source]

A single day in the life of a college professor in the early 1960s, fantastically told through the artistic eye of Tom Ford.

That Thing You Do

"The O-neders!" Uh, it's the One-ders! 

The 1960s were all about the British Invasion, but this movie chronicles the
rise of an American foursome who reach sensation level status only to be hit with the brutal reality of the music industry. 

The catchy pop soundtrack is still a highlight.

Bobby 

[source]

The night of the assassination of Robert Kennedy is told through the lives of the guests at the Ambassador Hotel-which was the site of the murder.

The Parent Trap  (original, Hailey Mills style)

[source]

Two kids separated at birth? By their parents? Something that would never happen, but a classic indeed.

Rosemarys Baby

[source]

Terrifying, yet classic movie, where the sets and style of Ms. Farrow define the generation.