Falling into the world of Wes Anderson

Sunday evening we finished an amazingly warm weekend watching The Grand Budapest Hotel. Maria and I had been urgently wanting to see it! I am not going to critique the film here, I'll leave that to the critics. Only it was an absolute Marvel to the eye! (I think Gustave H would have described it in this way)

Here are10 reasons why I feel that Wes and I would make the very best of friends.

Images are from my Favourites: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Mooonrise Kingdom, Life Aquatic, Rushmore, The Darjeeling Limited, The Royal Teneabaums

• He clearly loves people - All his characters are warm and funny and likable (Apart from his awful villains, who are greedy and spiteful and deserve to face their flaws) 

•  We both LOVE the colour yellow

•  He loves childhood memories - Tents, Music, books, 

• He loves hand written letters

•  He is obsessed with detail and the very fine touches that makes things 'real'

•  His attention to costume and set design is amazing - I would definitely hire him to be my personal stylist

• He loves a good old adventure

•  He celebrates friendships and families in every film

•  He makes outsiders cool

• His world through a camera is better and brighter than life itself and he's not afraid to be silly!

Thank you Wes Anderson, for sharing your world! 

Gem x

Coen Brothers, Spike Jonze, Wes Anderson are all reasons not to hate the rain!

So the rain continues and we are finding ourselves indoors again and again. But instead of fighting it, I am secretly enjoying the opportunity to kick back and relax. This year it seems like we have been absolutely inundated with some very exciting films. My sister and I got around to seeing Inside llewyn Davis last weekend and we loved it. It does not scream Coen Brothers in terms of characterisations or satirical plot lines but it does leave you thinking. Llewyn goes on a short journey in terms of time scale but what he learns on the way is immense and it got me reflecting on life in many ways. Oscar Issac is charismatic and convincing in his performance, so much so that you want to like Llewyn but deep down know that he is ultimately a selfish, lost musician.

Next week ready for valentines day is Spike Jonze greatly anticipated film - HER
I saw the trailer last week and it looks amazing - Joaqiun Phoenix is one of my favourite actors and has been out of the cameras eye for a while now. It also looks like the Tash is back. It's all about the facial hair!

Maria and I also can't wait to see the Dallas Buyers Club, the trailer looks like viewers will get a spectacular performance from Matthew McConaughey.

Will have to wait a little longer but I can't hold back my excitement for Wes Andersons newest quirk fest - The Grand Budapest Hotel. I really wanted to go to the secret cinema event of this, but this month I am broke! Free tickets welcomed! ;)

I was upset to hear this week that the well admired and fantastic actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died from a drug overdose. What saddens me greatly is that nobody should die alone in the way he did. Why is there still such a taboo about drugs in this age we live in?  Would legalising class A drugs in a controlled monitored way be so bad, if the plus side would be that the people who were addicted were monitored by professionals and able to get the help they needed. Big questions. For ages drugs have been associated and represented predominantly as a stereotypical class issue with depictions of the working class and often under represented 'drop outs' of society. But this is not a class issue, this a growing social issue of addiction, influenced by the rat race and high pressures of our current society. The question should be why are people seeking self destructive escapism in the first place? And how can they be helped.

Love your loved ones and keep happy

gem x

....finding out about Vivian Maier and other inspirations

Tonight I have been mostly blowing my nose (summer cold.. or would be if it actually felt like summer)  and watching long episodes of Grey's Anatomy. Whilst this cathartic activity has strayed my mind a little I have still been reflecting very much on how memories are captured and saved. I am not sure if  this relates to the time in which we are in, at the moment at work; taking photographs of our classes and trying to somewhat capture that moment in a digital celluloid, that is making me slightly more obsessive about why I have such an instinctive need to have something solid to save my memories on. Maybe it makes it easier to say goodbye to the past...... sorry about my mindless cold induced ramblings. Anyway I thought I would share with you some of my inspiring finds that have really sparked my imagination these last couple of weeks.


This is  a film clip my friend Jindy sent me of London in 1927. It is just mesmerising and really moving, all those people busy with their lives and the vitality and life that is captured within the beautiful film making, appears effortless and seamless. I just can't believe it was filmed in 1927  - and don't get me started on the buses!





London in 1927 from Tim Sparke on Vimeo.

And tonight I found this. At work I am truly spoilt, surrounded all the time by like minded photography & film enthusiasts. Especially my boss who has more cameras than anyone I know and is forever developing his own film (I really can't see how jessop's went out of business) So I am always on the look out for news on Photography exhibitions and film projects. Tonight I found this amazing glimpse of a life of a secret snapper - Vivian Maier through The Jealous Curator blog.

I can't wait to watch this film! 

more info can be found here

Her photos instantly reminded me of the well known documentary photographer Diane Arbus. But this lady's talents were never really celebrated until this young man John Maloof bought some of her negatives at an auction. Spiralling from this amazing discovery is a documentary feature film and Photography exhibition of her work. Beneath the Americanisation of this story is something really exciting. This nugget of inspiration and the help of my creative friends have inspired me to get my Olympus trip out this holiday and  get snapping!

Have a great Friday! 

Gem x

....wishing you all a happy valentines day!

Okay Valentines Day does keep moonpig, and card shops in business this sleepy time of year and helps high street shops sell a few chocs and fluffy pink bears, but is this really a bad thing! I just find it all quite funny really. My favourite gifts have been those that have been home made or really thoughtful, just showing someone you love them speaks more than anything!

These little origami hearts are inspired by Maria's friend Cara, Maria has them in her kitchen and I really loved them when I went over for coffee in the summer time. We were planning on making these little hearts with friends at lunch. But had one of those days!

I used  origami paper from Muji
String - RE

1. Fold little square so you have a cross fold

2. Fold the bottom half to the middle

3. Then fold in the bottom corner sides

4. Flip over and fold those folds on the other side

5. Flip back to original side

6. Fold in top sides to the centre

7. They are springy hold with finger

8. Then fold in the corners to the middle

9. Trickiest bit fold so points meet just about point to point

10. Tuck in the top point into the envelope and turn in top tiny corners on both sides

Turn Over and Whaalaa! Your very own little heart! 

Make a few more to make a little garland! 

 Moomin love xx

Cinema is one of my greatest loves so here are a few of my most favourite  romantic moments;

Amelie - last scene

Blue Valentine 

This is my favourite clip! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZgUM542VI

Up 

Ellie & Carl's relationship from the start!

It's a wonderful life - James Stuart

A very long engagement - End scene

Maria's Favourite
Breakfast at Tiffany's (I need to see this film again!) 

Almost Famous - What kind of Beer? 

I think most girls would fall for bad boy  'Russel'

The Great Gatsby

Jay and Daisy reunited
A fave of mine and my mums - Robert Redford! 

The Graduate - Dads Favourite! 

Love, Love, Love

Love is all you need! (cake & cash sadly do help sometimes to) although money can't by you love!

I'll stop now! Have a great evening!

Gem x 

.........hibernating and watching films

It looks like some cold weather is approaching! This means that I can lie guilt free on the sofa and watch all those films I've been meaning to watch but didn't quite get around to in 2012! Some little trips to the cinema might be needed to, and thats exactly where I am heading tonight, to see the life of Pi.  I have watched the trailer and have my 3D glasses at the ready, from what i've seen already I am expecting an assault on my eyes and  heart, I think it's going to be a tear jerker.

Below are a few other films I'm excited about watching at some point this year!

Sightseers

An independent British movie
From Director Ben Wheatley

Screenplay - Co written with Edgar Wright

On the Road

Directed by Walter Salles

I read Jack Kerouac's classic 

when I was a student and really loved his

 passion, perceptive visualisations and powerful characterisations.

I'm not sure how it will transfer to film but I think I will love

 the mise en scene and the soundtrack!! 

Gangster Squad

 Director Ruben Fleischer

Looks great fun but most importantly....... Mr Ryan Gosling in a 50's suit!! 

The Great Gatsby 

Directed by Baz Luhrmann

This is one of my favourite books of all times, such a sad story full of failed relationships and deception.
I am positive that this film will be over the top and rich in style with a soundtrack to match!
Don't you just love the era;  the decadents and drama! I would have loved to have been invited to a Jay Gatsby Party!

I hope you get some time this week for some film watching and pop corn munching!

Gem x