Oscars Oh My!

Good Morning Upper East Siders...

Being of the non-cable-television-owning persuasion (read: not by choice, but by unfortunate circumstance), I joined thousands in watching the Oscars streaming on Hulu...the day after they aired.

I considered pulling a Ted Mosby and sticking my head in the sand until I could watch the Oscars from opening number to the last, teary-eyed acceptance, but alas I do not have enough self restraint. And I happen to work in two media-centric industries, rendering any attempt to stay ignorant completely unsuccessful.

And let me tell you, though I already knew the overjoyed recipients of the Academy's favor, the ceremony this year was a sight to behold. I won't touch on Seth McFarlane's dubious hosting, as I'm fairly sure I stood with much of America in my open-mouthed, "Holy...did he just say that...?" reaction. He has a nice voice. There, I gave him a little carrot.

What I would like to touch on, however, is the return of grace to the entertainment industry.Though I cop to being a reluctant viewer of the Bachelor, and when the Kardashians are throwing their utterly ridiculous weight around on television I might pause a minute on the channel (again, if I had cable....), or watch a bit of a B-movie on Netflix. But the industry has, I'd argue, lately lost a bit of the luster of the Golden Age. Walter Benjamin has some particularly strong opinions in his Essay "The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction", namely that the arts have become more accessible to the masses and therefore have lost that untouchable quality which accompanied any masterpiece before modern technology.

So how does this relate to modern cinema...? As film is meant to appeal to the masses, I'd argue that as of late, there has been more "dumbed down" material, more junk. And the individuals recruited to work on these projects are a mirror image of the material. America does not need to be pandered to, in my opinion, and deserves witty, engaging, thought-provoking, outside the box cinema. We can totally handle it. A little challenge is good every once in awhile, n'est pas?

Which is why, when the Oscars roll around, I sit up and pay attention. Especially when and actors like Jen Lawrence and Anne Hathaway win for intelligent, provocative performances and no less than blush at the honor of winning such a prestigious award, I think that film (and so television, and so webcasts, etc...) are on the rebound.

And as Anne and Jennifer are quite young, as were others who were recognized in the ceremony, I hope this means a makeover for the slacker generation. Life imitates art imitates life and all that. For once, I was quite proud of the individuals representing my generation. See? We can work hard. And apparently dress to the nines while doing it. How lovely were Jennifer's Dior Haute Couture Gown, and Anne's Prada confection? No less than stunning.

Xoxo,

The Couture Conversationalist

I'd Like to Thank The Academy...

Good Afternoon, Upper East Siders,

It's that season again....

When Rachel Zoe can be seen on her eponymous Bravo tv show running about as if the roof is on fire, shrieking about "Bananas!" "OOC!", and "OMG that's beyyoooooond!" 

(view her thoughtful musings here )

When my favorite duo of fashion critics, Tom and Lorenzo, break out their finest glasses and best witticisms to judge the starlets and celebs in their couture hits, misses, and wtf moments...

And Hollywood is abuzz, or a-Twitter, as it were, about the films which have won the hearts of the critics and not the audience, the audience and not the critics, and those rare occasions when the two concede.

Oscars! The little gold man which Hollywood worships reigns again, and I have sadly seen few of the films which are nominated. Reviews? Yes. Discussions of casting choice and directorial POV and screenwriting? Sure. But this eclectic mix of films is a doozy for anyone who has a film type and sticks to it. "Silver Linings Playbook" hardly seems to exist in the same universe as "Life of Pi", and isn't that what the movies are all about? "Playbook"'s director David O. Russell has already snagged an 

Indie Impact Award and a place in my heart for making a film so close to home, and "Pi" was a brilliant, if vaguely tense, read, but neither is exactly my cup of filmic tea. Each nominated film is, in my humble opinion, a bit too much. Too long-winded, too tense, too graphic...and my inner critic will not abide.  Simultaneously, however, I adored parts of the whole. Try to drag me to Les Mis again and I'll demure with a quiet, "Only the quarter with Annie Hathaway." And Jennifer Lawrence is always a joy to watch, a union of blunt truth and genuine sentiment who catalyzes laughter as much as tears. Clooney, it must also be stated, never disappoints. So I patiently await the Academy's decisions, and the heartfelt speeches which will accompany them.

Here's hoping for another, "I beat Meryl!"Because while the world adores Streep, there is nothing quite so amusing as a starlet who feels the need to take her down.

Xoxoxo,

The Couture Conversationalist 

Spiffy

Hello Darlings,

After yet another long hiatus, precipitated by two new ventures in employment, I've revised my format a bit (tuned up the system, adjusted to the digital age, cleared the cobwebs from the keyboard, et cetera, et cetera). More hyperlinks, more media commentary, and hopefully, a forum which will be infinitely more irresistible.

Xoxo,

The Couture Conversationalist

Wannabe (a Hipster...)

With the overabundance of neck beards, brogues and Portlandia-inspired buffoonery on parade (literally, like the eponymous Halloween spectacular in West Village), the dream of Portlandia is alive in 2013...isn't that how the saying goes? I consider myself a fierce proponent of one's right to dress exactly how one chooses, yet my subconscious (as the dear Anastasia Steele would say) peered over her half moon spectacles, rolled her eyes, and barely suppressed chuckles when Zooey Deschanel confronted a washing machine-phobic yooooth (quoth Schmidt) on her show "New Girl", who was, in sparkling clarity, the epitome of hipster-dom.

The conundrum reminds me of the odd period of befuddlement during my high school experience when "Emo" was a thing. The precursor, I guess, to the hipster movement. Evolution produces some mighty bizarre phenomena, no?

However....



It is too tempting to indulge in a bit of dress up now and then, wouldn't you agree?

Uncanny resemblance, isn't it? So take jump in, Upper East Siders, as I dub this "Dress Like a Hipster Day". Unless you already are a hipster in which case...thanks for the entertainment, and keep on keeping on.

Xoxoxoxoxo....

The (politically correct, ironically-dressing, eco-foodie, dishwasher-fearing) Conversationalist

It Will Rain

Hello, 2013! I forgo my typical "Good Morning, Upper East Siders" in deference to the now-caput Gossip Girl, one of the many changes of 2012. Difficult to imagine a world in which the names "Blair Waldorf" or "Chuck Bass" mean nothing. Ah well, take away the old to make room for the new, if that's the expression! And to begin the New Year, a quote from the venerable(?) Bruno Mars, it will rain. Keeping in mind the notion that we never quite know what the weather will blow in (evidenced in full by the devastation of Sandy), it occurs to me that striving for a more content, fulfilling life is within our grasp. 2012 was a doozy, no arguments there, but its revelations can be used as a study to create a contingency plan for those unplanned events that sweep us off our feet.

And to illustrate, a breathtaking photo from Huffington Post's "Best Photos 2012".

Happy 2013, all...may it be the best year yet!

Xoxo,

The Couture Conversationalist

Quirk and the Modern Professional

Good Morning, Upper East Siders,

Whilst indulging in a marathon of my favorite sitcoms and dramedys this weekend, it occurred to me that the face (literally and figuratively, it seems) of our dear television heroine is changing drastically. And no, plastic surgery has nothing to do with it. This season alone has brought in a crop of fresh-faced, unassuming quirksters, as far from the Blair Waldorfs and Marisa Coopers (of the ubiquitous OC, darlings, it wasn't that long ago...) as can be. They aren't quite hipsters, and thank god for that small blessing, but these chicas don't glide about on Manolo's or Louboutin's. In fact, they quite literally trip over their heels.

Ms. Deschanel is the archetype of this fumbling but determinedly cheery set, most recently during her turn as Jess in the comedy "New Girl". Deschanel exemplifies the new comedic heroine in all her idiosyncratic glory, due largely to her embrace of imperfection from wardrobe to lifestyle. Her character Jess is an exemplar of dichotomy, attaining a teaching degree and a job at a respectable school, but becoming unemployed; she regularly wears Kate Spade and Marc by Marc in saccharine-sweet ensembles, but inexplicably owns what her best friend calls "the ribbon hat", a bizarre and hideous accessory Jess adores.


The Mindy Project flies the same "freak flag", as it were, presenting Mindy Kaling as a brilliant but believably real professional whose life is marked by as many successes as flaws. While her professional life as a doctor boasts great talent and panache, her love life sadly hits below the mark, often resulting in comical high jinks.

In other words, these women the entertainment-equivalent of high/low fashion; they combine the sublime and the ridiculous, and we love them all the more for it.


For tips on Quirkster styling in the manner of Zoey Deschanel and Mindy Kaling, see below...

Zoey Deschanel as Jess on "New Girl"

Zoe Deschanel, promotional image for "New Girl"

Joie Garnet Leather Skirt (Caviar), Zappos.com

vintage 80s sky blue bobble tiny fit sweater by persephone vintage, etsy.com

Mindy Kaling on the set of "The Mindy Project"

Mindy Kaling, screen cap of "The Mindy Project"

Dress, Carven at Farfetch.com

Blouse, Madewell Block Dot Shirt, Madewell.com

Xoxo...

Musings on Domesticity

Hello Upper East Siders,

Today's post arose from a chat I had this weekend with a dear friend, a bit of a parley on the lifestyle which accompanies the choice to be a young professional in the city. With alarming frequency, it seems, I've heard from friends who simply don't have enough time to cook, let alone sit down at home for a lengthy meal every once in awhile. Seamless is the wave of the future, and Carrie Bradshaw dopplegangers everywhere are utilizing their ovens for shoe storage instead of cooking. Which begs the question: is domesticity out of style, a trend of last season? Or is will impatience of urban life and our techno-centric I-want-it-now culture simply not allow for little indulgence spent hovering over a cutting board or the oven?

In any case, I fought my undomestic Bradshaw-ian side this weekend and baked a delightful batch of christmas cookies. Just to buck the trend and be a contrarian.

Xoxo,

The Couture Conversationalist