HOUSE PARTY

Went to my first house party! It was themed "Things you always want to wear but never do".  Men were dressed as women and a bathtub full of beer and liqour.  Currently undergoing a recovery process.  Brain not working well.

FAIRUZA

I want to make a movie about a witch (there's more) and cast Fairuza Balk.

THE LAST CIRCUS

I don't know if anyone else is going to think this song is one of the most passionate things they have ever seen, but it has seriously been haunting my dreams.

I saw a movie called The Last Circus as part of the Spanish Film Festival that is going on right now and it really stood out to me.  It was obviously done as a larger production with more $$$ than the smaller movies being screened, but I really loved the subject matter.  It took the overdone plot of a love triangle and transformed it into something medium rare--both the way I like my movies and my meat.  Amongst the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War and the end of the Franco regime, a story unfolds of a boy who wants to follow in the footsteps of his father to be a successful clown.  Although he isn't funny, he joins a circus as the sad clown where he falls in love with an acrobat.  Enter: Natalie.  Similar to the dynamic of Shelly and Leo in Twin Peaks, Natalie and the "happy clown" (ironically) of the circus are involved and she is constantly abused mentally and physically by him.  The sad clown becomes more than determined, obsessed really, to "save" her from the happy clown's evil ways.  

The cuts hit you with a one, two punch before you can even realize what's coming.  Next thing you know the clowns are wielding machine guns and the bloodiest of battles ensue.  The movie manages to walk a fine line of being as violent as humanely possible while still somehow being quite funny.  This movie is like the love child of Quentin Tarantino, Jean Pierre Jeunet and Tim Burton.  But instead it is from the wild workings of Alex De La Iglesia's twisted mind.  If you don't end up liking it, it is definitely something to talk about.

The movie The Mosquito Net also stood out to me.  Boiling it all down, it was a story of a family growing apart and showing all the ways they each decide to deal with it.  The son ends up having a knack, if you will, for picking up stray animals and bringing them home.  Whereas the parents decide to take out the frustrations they have through their sexuality--both going for people about half their age.  The Mom's sister takes it out on her young daughter, almost to an abusive point: even in one scene literally making her walk on egg shells.  And the grandparents have several failed suicide attempts.  I liked this movie because something about it just seemed like nothing I can say more than, real.  It seemed real.  Mainly performace driven, it also had some beautiful moments.  Basically if you happen to somehow stumble across this movie ever, give it a watch.

FRIENDS

little Elly

Katie

Shaun, right

This post is for people I made friends with about one week ago today through a series of extremely random but even more fortunate events. I also hope they don't get offended I posted their Facebook profile pictures just so I could illustrate this story..yikes. Basically I met Elly and we hit it off ridiculously well.  I don't even have many girl friends back home that I can talk everything from movies to graphic novels with--it is the coolest ever. No, she's the coolest ever!  Our first day hanging we went to this really great tea and dessert place which had the most glorious cherry pie (she called it the Twin Peaks replica, so I smiled the entire time eating it and thinking of Kyle Maclachlan) and pineapple tea.   I wish I had more pictures because the wallpaper was this kelly green print that had caught my eye many a times passing by. After, we decided screw going home despite the fact it was a Monday night (which is apparently a hopping night to go out and as if I had anything else to do).  We went to a lounge for cider and ended up going out to a pretty great venue/bar where we bonded over some gin and tonics (both our drink of choice, great taste).  I got to meet her friends Katie and Shaun who are both the sweetest people.  The highlight of the night was dancing on stage proceeded by eventually getting kicked off the stage by an employee.  We simply could not be handled. 

Finally some people that get my sense of humor (or so I hope) and that I can have genuine conversation with and just chill [bro]. I feel pretty damn lucky I met all three of these gems. Oh so lucky.  I'm actually downplaying how excited I actually am: let me just say, I had never gone to a movie alone before Melbourne and before this I had gone to at least 4.  (I actually don't mind it now but just saying).  Can't wait for more good times ahead and for my pictures to be developed!

Also, Shaun showed me this Australian band, Tame Impala.  I would describe them as chill-delic.

THANK GOODNESS FOR MOTHERS

Fact: My Mom's name is Wendy.

My Mom and I had a great day all to ourselves for Mother's Day.  I drove us...DROVE..into the city and we went to this Chinese restaurant I made reservations at called the Red Emperor.  Then we went to Village Crown (a place well known for their much talked about Casino) to watch a movie which ended up being Source Code (meh)..  A movie which I could totally ramble about right now but I don't want to cause spoiler alerts for any of you die hard Jake Chill-enhall fans.  We were both suffering food comas so we just came home and drank wine and watched this thing on Greta Garbo.  Simply spelndid day.  


Also the pictures at the bottom of myself I decided to post because I thought maybe someone would get a kick out of how I got dressed today while thinking of ice cream.  My favorite color combo: mint green and baby pink (although I'm not much of a pink person).  And the scarf = the cone.  Not only did I eat so much yummy food today, but I also felt really delicious.  I know, I know. I need to get a job.  That's what I'm saying.  Anyone hiring?

Card I made her, ain't she pretty?

JEFF GOLDBLUM

Dear Jeff Goldblum,

I am in love with you.  I always thought you were cool since I first saw you in Jurassic Park at the movie theater that one night.  The night where my Mom was out of town and my Dad decided to do the cool Dad thing and make his special dinner--which was really just extra saucy spaghetti and meatballs: the way I like it, and take my brother and I out to a movie our Mom wouldn't want to see otherwise. The night where we waited in line for what seemed like eons on opening night because maybe at that time there was only one major movie theater on Guam.  I saw you on the big screen for the first time and I knew then that you were something special.

I guess you were always a thought in the back of my mind ever since you captured me with your one-liners and quick wit that fated night.  You had me at semi-tinted sunglasses and shitty pleather jacket.  And so naturally I kept coming back for more.

But as I grew up, I admit, I kind of started to neglect you in all your awesomeness.  There was a time where--I'm ashamed to say--my life was Goldblum-less.  But alas, thanks to technology and the internet, my love for you has been fully refurbished.  And in better condition than ever.  (And I guess ironically at that since you time and time again have sold the message of how dangerous science/technology can be, I mean: "What you call discovery, I call the RAPE of the natural world.")  I know that it is a faux pas and so not 'film major' of me to be watching your movies on a 13 inch screen with crap sound and at times waiting for my internet to do it's only major job: to work.  But I hope you can forgive me.

All I wanted to say is, thank you.  Thank you, Jeff Goldblum.  For your washboard abs, what's on and in your head, and for following your dreams of becoming an actor.  Because of you, I want to make movies to work with people just like you.  In fact, I want to work with YOU.  Let's face it.  No one, and I mean no one, can do a better scene than you can when my only direction is "do it this time like Jeff Goldblum would do it".  So here's to you.  And my future prospects and dreams of getting to work with you.  Not to mention speak or be in the same room as you.  Look, I will convert to be a practicing Jew for you, Jeff Goldblum.  This is serious.

But also a word of advice.  I hope you don't fully start appearing in movies like The Switch just so major motion pictures can use your name to draw in people like me.  It's a cruel joke and I don't appreciate it.  Not that I didn't like that movie.  I didn't even see that movie.. I'm just saying.  I like you best when you are just being the charismatic, intelligent guy you are or shirtless.  Or even displaying cheap prosthetics or rambling about flesh and plasma pools.  You're so cute when you digress.  And digress I have.

Yours truly, sincerely and forever,

comma,

Gabby

This could be me, Jeff.

Ps. I thought you should know we also wear the exact same glasses.  Which was my entire initial reason for writing this post:

http://www.laeyeworks.com/press/goldblum2010.html

JE T'AIME, JE T'AIME

 

This movie was playing at the ACMI the other day, and having seen Alain Resnais' 'Night and Fog', I was really interested in seeing more of his work.  I came late because I wasn't expecting many people to show up, but damn--that theatre was packed to the brims!  I had no idea.  This movie was pretty great.  It had all elements of a cynical protagonist, a frustratingly deep love for a troubled woman, humor, and time-travel.  What else could you ask for, right?  At times the jump cuts became annoying and it seemed to beat a point into your head.  But I guess I'm a forgiving viewer because I still enjoyed it.  Plus, the intro to this movie was hauntingly beautiful.  The score and visuals instantly drew me in.  I don't think it's the best movie I've ever seen but I do think it's worth a view.  Especially if you're in the mood for a down-in-the-dumps meets sci-fi kind of movie.  Anyone?

I learned how to drive.  Dear God, I hope I survive.

 

Poor Dawn Weiner

I WANNA BE YOUR LOVER

This video is PERFECTION, please watch it. Awesome song, sweet video.  It makes me want to know worlds more about Euro Disco from the 80's.  Say hello to my little friends, La Bionda, in their song 'I wanna be your lover' (1981):

NEW SHOES

Also, THESE finally came in the mail today.  I have had my eye on them for over a year now and finally decided to suck it up and get them.  (Man, no one is even going to care 1/8 as much as I do, but you should of seen my face this morning when they arrived.  One word: CHRISTMAS. ) Feast your eyes, all the way from Sweden, I present you:

STREET ART AND GOOD FOOD

ps. My songs used to have themes and be somewhat related to posts.  Recently I think I have just gone off the deep end and decided to post songs I just like and am currently listening to.

My mum and I went to this Italian restaurant the other day for lunch called, of all things, the Yak Bar.  I realize it is probably not the most appetizing name for a restaurant, but it was quite the opposite of what its name calls to mind.  The dishes were what I imagine an Italian mom to cook if I had one of those.  The lasagne al dente, not too rich and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.  As soon as I saw the grilled wild mushroom and goat cheese bruschetta, I knew I had to have it.  I am a complete, and I mean complete, sucker for anything goat cheese.  I didn't even discover this love until this year, but damn.  That stuff is gooo-hoood.

Along the way I saw some street art down the alleys that I decided to take pictures of.  It's always interesting to see what the street lurking rebels are up to in different cities.  Or countries. 

Oh my g00dnass! TIRAMISU.

Always look up.

One of my favorite little alleys, Degraves st.