After Baby Comes Love

I read someone on my Facebook Newsfeed write that after he saw "Friends With Kids," he describes Jennifer Wesfeldt, the writer and director of the movie, as a modern-day female Woody Allen, writing a story about present New York City with wit and intelligence. I had to think about that, since I did enjoy the film, and did enjoy the writing. And Woody Allen no longer does NYC-centric movies, so there really is an "opening" for that job. "Friends With Kids" is a rom-com, but not really, it's also a commentary on parenting, on friendship, on how relationships change between friends after all reach maturity. I thought in the beginning that it would be a story about how a group of people and their dynamics change after they have babies, and I still think that would be a good premise. But, two pals (Adam Scott and Jennifer Westfeldt) decide to have a baby without the complications of being in love with each other. I initially thought this was a gimmicky premise (I rolled my eyes) but you could never doubt great acting. Westfeldt and, especially, Scott are such good actors that you get on-board right away. Jon Hamm (Westfeldt's real-life husband) and Chris O'Dowd with Maya Rudolph and Kristin Wiig play their friends and the set-up and banter is so wonderful and natural that I wonder if these people are real close friends in real life. The story takes somewhat predictable twists and turns, and there is a great scene in a New Year's Eve dinner table that is touching and moving and funny and infuriating, but all so great. The last eighth of the movie seems a little forced, but by then this cast has already won you over (even Megan Fox was surprisingly effective) that it really won't matter anymore. i won't give Jennifer Westfeldt the title of the new Woody Allen just yet, but she is definitely a contender. 

Winter Green

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I want to write about a fragrance that smells "green," and it's Airborne, by Hussein Chalayan for Commes de Garcon. Mr. Chalayan has always been one of the more avante-garde fashion designers, and this perfume is based from his FW07 collection also titled Airborne. He has always been influenced by the idea of transformation, and this was his idea for his fragrance: "After selecting different elements such as neroli, lemon and lentiscus from Cyrpus, I proposed an imaginary scenario as how these ingredients could incur change during and after an air journey from  Mediterranean Cyprus to an urban setting." I kind of get it, about how scent transforms and evolves as it moves from one place to another. But first, I had to look up what lentiscus was, for I had no idea. It's a Green evergreen shrub that is associated with the Greek island of Chios. I don't know if that is what I smell, but the top notes are bright greens - I get neroli, and more lime than lemon, and it's big and sweet. It's a cold kind of green, like waking up to a winter morning in a mountain full of Evergreen trees. It then transforms to frankincense - and I love the transition. It's somewhat unexpected and unique for me. And it becomes a fuller incense, but still green. But...it only lasts for an hour or so and then it's...gone. I love this, and while it has great sillage in the beginning, it just disappears too quickly. It's avante-garde and I respect it a lot, but I give it low points for longevity.

Wonderworth

Ali Wentworth's memoir "Ali In Wonderland" has the most wonderful book cover. It's fun, it's kind of retro, it's very "American." Her book is a lot of those things, filled with fun stories,  essays strung out in a random fashion, humorous and very appealing.  She tells stories from her childhood, about her life as a struggling actress in Los Angeles, about living in Washington DC, motherhood tales. They are all laced with a humor, that you really can't discern whether the stories are exaggerations, or accurate. I guess it really does not matter, this is not a warts-and-all kind of book in the dramatic sense, but something more suited to the "Humor" section at Barnes And Noble (As opposed to "Biography")  I wish I liked it more, though. I don't know if as a person, I even like her. She is one of those spoiled and rich women, your typical Republican. (She praises Nixon and takes a dig at Obama) I have nothing personally against her, but based on this book, I really don't think I have a lot of things in common with her. Obviously, though, she connects with a lot of people, as this book is on The New York Times Bestseller list. It's a quick, fun read, and if you like Ms. Wentworth, you will find a lot of things to like about her stories.

Zing, Jason Zings!

Pop stars singing standards? It's almost a predictable trajectory, almost everyone has done it.  There are so many out there that I am so jaded - very few impress me. Even Sir Paul McCartney's standard failed to make an impression for me. So when I saw Jason Donovan's similarly-themed album, "Sign Of Your Love," I was kinda rolling my eyes. I really am not even a big fan of his pop songs, although I did like his SAW duets with Kylie. Plus, I was not a big fan of his foray into West End via Joseph. But I did like this album. The arrangements are fun, they are bright and fun, and he seemed to be having fun with the material, not treating it too seriously, and not handling them like museum pieces. I love that he seems to really connect to the material. For example, he is zippy and joyous singing "Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart," and has the same mirth as Judy Garland. And not a lot of people do Peggy Lee's "Bewitched" (yes, from the situation comedy) and Peggyphile that I am, I was so happy hearing someone else do that song, in a modern arrangement. Actually, that's the one great thing about this album - it sounds very "today." I was even digging the original songs. I am welcoming these songs for my playlists, his dreams will do!

Just A Perfect Blendship

Sometimes I am reading a book, and I just don't like it. That was the case for me and "Jack Holmes And His Friend. I have wanted to read this since I saw the Times (rave) review, and I thought the topic was so interesting, it centering on a friendship between a gay man and his straight friend. The book started out fine, when the main character Jack Holmes, moves from the Midwest to Manhattan. We get a glimpse of Manhattan in the 60s (and it was kind of interesting for me since I just finished 'Just Kids' which covered, more or less, the same era) and it was interesting to see their friendship flourish. After a while, though, the friendship rang false and shallow for me. Something happens (a bathroom incident) and they fall apart around the same time that Will, the straight friend, marries Alex, Jack's best friend. The book then fast forward to nine years later, where they accidentally see each other again, and they rekindle their friendship. The narrative also shifts to Will's first person, and it became so uninteresting for me that I almost gave up on it. This maybe a personal choice, but I would have preferred to hearing Jack's voice, self-loathing though it may be. I think I just didn't like both characters - they were miserable most of the time, and I just did not agree with most of their life choices. It could also be a generational thing. Still, White's elegant prose is beautiful to read. It sounded and felt like "literature." I really wish I liked it more. There's a part of me that wants to re-read it sometime in the future, maybe I just missed some nuance, maybe I need a little more life experience.  As small aside: I loved the cover above, it is so 70s, and I even think I know that exact spot, somewhere on park Avenue in the high 40s. Though, curiously, the UK cover is quite different, see below (BC-23)

Smash Episode 6 - Chemistry? Yeah, Chemistry,

Can this be real, can this be true? SMASH is starting to have one thing that, for me, would make it even more delicious: camp. Whether intended or not, there were a couple of scenes last night that came close to classic camp. It first comes when Ivy is in her bedroom singing "Who You Are," (by Jessie J) and the lights kind of dim, and then all of a sudden, she sees Karen as Marilyn, her very worst nightmare. It's being credited to Prednisone, of course. I really don't know if Prednisone causes hallucinations, but I have taken it and it does wonders! I am allergic to seafood and had hives galore, and seconds after I took it, I could literally see my hives disappearing, it was like magic! And now the same drug brings Valley Of The Dolls to Smash, how great is that? And then of course Anjelica Houston goes to a bar where there are $7 Martinis, and she starts playing video games. I personally think Ms. Houston has accepted the fact that her character is a one-dimensional cartoon, so she is just having fun with it now, and more power to her. The Julia/Michael affair went full throttle last night, where they finally succumbed to their desires right there at the couch at the Rehearsal room. And lo and behold, the cast stages a number on *that*very*same*couch* the next day. All I was thinking was, Gee I hope they wiped it clean! Seriously, though, I really liked that scene right before the big whoop, there was all kinds of emotions on Deb Messing's face, and it was quite effective, and touching, and dangerous, and lustful...and did they use a body double? Of course, tehre's even a double entendre in the song from ths show, titled "History Is Made At Night," History? Yeah, history. There's a side storyline where Kat McPhee sings Florence And The Machine's "Shake It" song and it was kind of funny how all the Jewish kids start grooving to her. And she gets a card from Bobby Raskin, a record executive. Cue suspense music - I suspect he will be an integral character to all this soon. All in all an enjoyable episode.

One last thing, though: On the scene where Julia accidentally burns pancakes, she takes them off the griddle but she never turns off the flame. This went on for minutes, and the scene brings them out of the kitchen. All I could think of was: please turn the flame off, please. I'm OCD like that.

Woman Builds A Man

I was in the middle of a serious book when I had the inkling for something light, and funny so I started "Build A Man" by Talli Rolland.  I thought, well, the cover has one of those whimsical drawings so it should be a breeze. And fun it was, especially in the beginning. Although you have to suspend a lot of disbelief, you come along for the ride, though at times I want to smack the main character and want to shout at her to grow some balls. Without about a third left in the novel, though, the tone turns serious and it really does make you think: about life and what you need to give up for success, and realizing what is truly important. It even makes you think about plastic surgery, its pitfalls without being condescending or preachy.  Ms. Rolland even has a knack for suspense, and got me second guessing myself in various parts of the story. I was quite touched by the end. Although the novel follows a certain pattern, I felt it was still original enough to keep my attention. I was truly pleasantly surprised by this book.

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Sarah, Seriously.

Seriously, just give Juliane Moore the Emmy now. As Sarah Palin, she has humanized a monster. With every facial tick, a smirk, a snort, she has given Palin a soul that even I - who despises the ex-Governor of Alaska - kind of felt sorry for her. "Game Change" premiered on HBO last night and tells the story from the 2008 Presidential Campaign. Extracting and expounding from two chapters of the book, the story feels full, and scarier than a Horror film. I guess this is what happens when you thrust someone unprepared on the biggest political platform. My biggest concern about the piece, though, is how Steve Schmidt and John McCain seems to be washing their hands of the responsibility for creating the demon that is Sarah Palin. Yes, she is stupid about foreign policy and stupider about thinking she is the new Gods gift to Humanity, but I am just a little miffed that they almost don't acknowledge that they had a big hand on making her that way. I think it would be safe to say that they were the sources for the content of this film. And they sound like they are still bitter, and some people are saying that to this day John McCain is still bitter about losing to Obama, that's why he opposes everything the President does. Sarah Palin has told her supporters not to watch this movie and that's bad for them because she was treated fairly in this movie, showing a side of her that her haters would even like.

Loud Lavender

I don't believe in genderizing scents. However, I also believe it takes a certain kind of man to carry a heavy floral, like Carnal Flower, for example. On the other side of the spectrum, some scents just scream "Man, man, man," and Pour Un Homme de Caron is one of them. This is your typical barber shop scent, and when I smell it, the vision in my head of the wearer would be a "Cary Grant" type, a classic mid-century man with a well-tailored suit and a fedora.  I really haven't fully appreciated the Caron house, and I know this is one of their signature classic scents. I don't own this as I am smelling it from a sample given to me.  It's loud, it calls attention, and usually I like those kinds of scents, but this just is not me. It's too barbershop, and I am more a salon kind of guy. Right now, as I sniff my wrist, I really can't imagine myself wearing this - it's too plain for work, and too "boring" for going out. Years ago when I used to wear suits and ties maybe I would have worn this, but on second thought, I doubt it. (I was wearing bombastic 80s scents even then) It's not a scrubber for me (it's night and I wore this after showering) but it's not a keeper either.

Under My Skin

You never know what to expect from a Pedro Almodovar film, that's why I purposely did not ready anything about "The Skin I Live In" before seeing it. I did not want to know anything about the plot, since I think that's the best way to experience his films. I want my reactions to it to be fresh. This movie is definitely bizarre, a hybrid of horror, melodrama, all wrapped in wit and intelligence, though. You don't know if he is doing all of this with a *wink* but you do know he definitely knows what he is doing. Nothing is not planned, and all of it makes sense. About a quarter into the movie, I was so confused and was doubting my comprehension. And then the whole thing started to make sense, and it is full of vivid imagery that you just succumb to it. You believe it before questioning it. This is one of those movies I cannot wait to see for a second time. After you know how everything goes down, you now search for clues you may have missed, and concentrate on the layered performances here. Antonio Banderas has never looked better. I have read about him and his wife getting his and her facelifts, and if that is true, then his surgeon has done a magnificent job on him. He gives a straightforward performance her that doesn't call attention, even if its very essence is so complicatedly bizarre. I can't remember the last time I saw hm give as good performance. As a matter of fact, I am now racking my brain on the last movie I have seen of his. Marisa Paredes gives an almost comic-relief presence, but I was mesmerized by Elena Anaya. Her face is a blank slate, and that is exactly almost a literal translation of her role. Almodovar sets a mindset, and everyone is on board, and even if, let's be real, this is a story that's almost science fiction, it's human and very honest. I am still in pleasant shock.

Her Story Of His

"Just Kids" is one of the most successful books of 2010, both commercially and artistically.  It stayed for 37 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list, and it won the 2010 National Book Award for non-fiction. This has been on my TBR pile for so long, definitely for more than a year now. I just finished the book literally minutes ago and it is definitely well-written. Smith definitely has a way with words, but we all knew that for she is a celebrated poet and a songwriter. The last chapters are heartbreaking, when she describes her last encounters with Robert Mapplethorpe, of whose life this book is a celebration of. I wish I related to it more, or was more interested in this time line for artists, spanning the late 60s, all the way to the 70s. I was mildly interested in The Chelsea Hotel when it was an artists' colony, because I have passed by that building hundreds of thousands of times because that area is very close to my heart. A lot of times the book seems to be constantly name-dropping, but it never sounded put on. I wish there were more "story" to their story, and some people have commented that her version is a bit white-washed. I have to admit that I was more interested in his part of the story than hers, and how his art was created more than how she hers. Truth be told, while reading the book wasn't boring, it took me a longer time than usual to finish it, but I was glad to read it, and it gave me a glimpse of the city I know and love right before I met it. 

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Smash Episode 5 - Let's Misbehave

I have mixed emotions about Episode 5. For me, it's another one of those "exposition" episodes where things are getting set up. But, didn't we just have one of those? When are all the dramatic payoffs happening? Or maybe the payoffs aren't as good as I expect them to be? And I really don't know what they are doing to the Megan Hilty's Ivy character. Yes, I do understand the insecurity and the passive aggressive diva thing, but in this episode it's more aggressive than passive lately, and they are trying to create a villain out of her. I liked it more when she was a real, three-dimensional character. And next week's episode hint that she may be going through a pill-abuse situation, which, come to think of it, was Marilyn's situation as well, so they may be doing a parallelism kind of thing, and I don't know how I feel about that. But then again, that's just a hunch. And speaking of other hunches, I feel like they are also setting up something between Tom and the black chorus boy who likes basketball (Chorus buy into basketball? Doesn't exist) so at least the gays may have a love triangle to look forward to. And Kat McPhee - she showed such promise, but her character is so all over the place that she probably doesn't know what to do with it either. Is she a Midwestern hick? Then her being sassy at the Intrepid last night seemed so out of character. I have said from the very beginning that I liked the Deb Messing love story line, and that went front and center last night, and I kind of liked it, though it felt kind of funny to see art imitating life. You can see that there was mad chemistry between them personally. Oh, and the scene from the show they are creating? I loved the number - well choreographed, fantastically sung. I wished that I liked the song, but it could grow on me. With each episode, though, it is becoming more and more evident that Ivy is better for the role than Karen. 

8

Clooney. Pitt. There couldn't be bigger stars involved in the Los Angeles reading of '8,' Dustin Lance Black's play based from transcripts from the Prop 8 hearings. And they were all there, in their glory, bringing attention to this project, even broadcast worldwide on YouTube. This certainly is good for the cause, bringing awareness to its importance. The play "exposes" a lot of the bigotry and ignorance of those who side with Prop 8, and it is quite clear in their testimonies. I initially questioned if Black as being fair, as these people look like buffoons, their characterizations quite cartoonish, and unbelievably stupid. Then I realize that these were actual transcripts from the testimonies. They did say they were "condensed," and I just hope Black didn't just pull the stupid quotes. On a dramatic level, it diminished whatever suspense there was in the piece. I think i would have preferred a fairer fight, because I would also like to understand where these people are coming from, as they appear to be cardboard characters presented as such. Of the performances, I was quite surprised to be touched by Chris Colfer's. This trumps everything he has ever done on GLEE, and made me realize there is something else beneath that vapid exterior. I also liked the small monologues done by Matthew Morrison and Jamie Lee Curtis. I crinegd when Jesse Tyler Ferguson was on, and that was just me - he makes my skin crawl. Matt Bomer, Brad Pitt and even Clooney really weren't given much to do, and Martin Sheen's bombastic monologue became the crowd pleaser it was intended to be. John C Reilly almost steals the show as the bumbling Mr. Blankenhorn. All in all, I can nit pick things about the play, but when the cast took their bow, and the real figures behind the case went up on stage, I became the stupid fool when I found myself crying. Crying on a Saturday night, that's what my life has come to. 

Hugo Nots

Did Marty Scorsese really direct HUGO? There are no gangsters, no swear words, no violent killings here. It's a children's movie, made to warm your hearts during the Holiday season (This movie opened Thanksgiving weekend) I passed on the movie last year, but since it won five Oscars past weekend, I figured I might as well see it. It certainly deserved its technical Oscars, and I am sure it must have been magical to watch on 3D, though on Blu-Ray a lot of the visual details are still very much evident on-screen. The story worked well, though a bit too "long tooth" for me. It's a good movie. I just didn't emotionally connect to it. I'm old now, and I'm cranky, and sometimes I have very little patience for things I don't respond to initially. I wish I could say that this movie had me enthralled from the very first frame, but I had to watch, stop, and repeat a couple of times. Ben Kingsley was great, and Saha Baron Cohen is perfectly cast for his role. I am sure this movie has brought, and will bring a lot of joy for a lot of people, and I am just going to have to accept that I am not going to be one of those. It's like going to a museum, looking at a painting and recognizing its beauty, significance, and artistry. Then you leave and you instantly forget about it. I thought of one other thing, though. I think this would make a great stage musical.  

Bring Back Romance

Sometimes I just want to read something mindless, something fun, something light. Beth Orloff's "Romantically Challenged" fit that bill to a T. It's a cute book, it made me laugh, it passed time quite pleasantly, it was entertaining. Sometimes that's all you need. I can't say it made me think real deep thoughts, but it kind of made me think anyway. Julia Burns is a lawyer in Los Angeles, and she is 32, and she is looking for love. She goes through every imaginable scenario out there, just to get a date: blind date, set-ups, dating service, speed dating, internet dating. Of course, the right man for her is right in front of her eyes, and we all know it half-way through the book of course, even though she doesn't. It's pretty standard fare, but Orsoff is a great storyteller and she makes even the most cliched scenarios interesting. I see the publication date of the book as 2006, but  I bet that that this was written way before that, as some things are kind fo dated. Plot points hinged on answering machine messages, a relic of ancient times if there ever was one. This is a very enjoyable book, and this is just what I needed right now. In a lot of ways, it seems old-fashioned in tone, but of course, things have not changed much since, and love is still love and romance is still romance. 


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