Flick Pick: Frank & Lola

I recently bit the bullet and administered an ad-blocking program to my computer. As an avid YouTube watcher, it's one of the best digital decisions I've ever made. But when I'm on my mobile device, I still suffer through those pesky commercials. While most ads are no more than time thieves, when properly executed, they occasionally deliver inspiration and guidance. Enter the promo for Frank & Lola that ran before a vlog I watched from a Wiccan medium who lives in DC (shout-out to Psychic Bob).



Deliciously described as a 'psychosexual noir', Frank & Lola delivers in the form of fast-paced suspense and erotic romance. Viewers are taken inside the scattered lives of characters whose worlds are divided between the bright lights of the two very different cityscapes of Las Vegas and Paris. In his feature debut, writer-director, Matthew Ross, enchants with seedy cinematography that perfectly sets the tone. Fans of similar movies within the genre such as Manhattan Night will enjoy this film as well. 7/10.


Frank & Lola is available for rent or purchase online.











Now Playing: "Weird Fishes / Arpeggi" by Radiohead

29 Things About Me: Love Songs That I Love

http://open.spotify.com/user/1265165104/playlist/1hbUhN8xJCTNrIW3zrh2xa

Happy Valentine's Day, Lovers! ;)

Quoteworthy

Now Playing: "Sweet Thing" by Van Morrison

*One of my all-time favorites!

October. The Month of Magic.

Now Playing: "Maine Island Lovers" by Okkervil River
*One of those rare beauties of a song that demands you to stop and listen.

Quoteworthy

Now Playing: "No Diggity" by Chet Faker (Blackstreet Cover)

Flick Pick: Charlie Countryman

The other day, I was in a bit of a somber mood and willing to watch something moving on Netflix. The service recommended Charlie Countryman. The title threw me off but the face on the poster drew me in. I've mentioned in the past my alarming interest in Shia LaBeouf. He just does something for me. Where other girls are repulsed, I am intrigued and dare I say, turned on.

The same can be said for reviews. When a film generally receives negative feedback from both audiences and critics alike, I'm more than willing to give it a shot if it looks good to me. This film is a perfect example as to why I'm happy to think for myself; I rather enjoyed it. The acting was superb, the cinematography gorgeous, the message endearing.



Evan Rachel Wood, another one of my favorite actors, paired very well against LaBeouf. As I had recently returned from traveling abroad, I was eager to take in the scenery that the Romanian backdrop provided. While the piece certainly wasn't perfect, the ending more than made up for any misgivings. The soundtrack (The xx, M83, Moby) also did a fantastic job of adding to the overall vibe of the film.

If you're a fan of romance, American films with a foreign feel or you're just a bit of a weirdo like me, check this one out. You won't be disappointed.












Now Playing: "Soul to Squeeze" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Flick Pick: Endless Love

Here, we have a movie that my intuition tells me will either be very entertaining or so bad that it's actually good. Either way, I need to find myself a Valentine, get to the theater and see what this one is all about. I'm a sucker for a sexy little romance and what better love story plot is there than a good girl-bad guy scenario? So over-dramatic, so cliche, so perfect.














 Now Playing: "I Will Be There" by Odessa

Flick Pick: Safety Not Guaranteed

Apparently Safety Not Guaranteed came out last year but I don't remember ever seeing any trailers or hearing a thing about it. I'm really glad that I stumbled upon it on Netflix. Simply put, this was one of the most outstanding films I've seen in quite some time. It was completely original and the type of screenplay that I'd want to write. In fact, the movie itself reminded me of a Missed Connections ad that I posted here on my blog a couple years back (check it out here).

Charming, funny and surprisingly profound, I would definitely recommend seeing Safety Not Guaranteed. The cast was superb. This is a movie for people with an open mind and a longing for the past. If you've ever had your heart broken or known pain of any kind- the type of wound that time didn't seem to heal, this movie will capture that feeling. You'll finish with a sense that you're not in this thing alone.










Now Playing: "Shake" by The Head and the Heart
*This song fits the film perfectly!

Missed Connections: Colors and Effects Edition

Sometimes you stumble upon the most poetic bits of lit on Missed Connections. No snark this time. Only love.









Now Playing: "Alaskans" by Volcano Choir
*I miss you.

ever thine ever mine ever ours

Good morning, on July 7 

Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved. 

ever thine 

ever mine 

ever ours

-Ludwig van Beethoven, Third Letter, Immortal Beloved










Now Playing: "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven

Quoteworthy

“It's no good pretending that any relationship has a future if your record collections disagree violently or if your favorite films wouldn't even speak to each other if they met at a party.” 
-Nick Hornby









Now Playing: "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison
*I like to sing "Krista, Krista" because I'm a lyrical purist and all.

Valentine's Day Megamix!

The best gift I can give- a mixtape featuring some of my favorite songs. From Me to You. Happy Love Day! XOXO

1. "This Magic Moment" by The Drifters

2. "We Don't Need No Love Songs" by Fitz & The Tantrums

3. "The Great Fire" by Future Islands

4. "Video Games" by Lana Del Rey

5. "Lotus Flower" by Radiohead

6. "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star

7. "No Other Plans" by Sunny Levine

8. "Steve McQueen" by M83

9. "Kaputt" by Destroyer

10. "Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space" by Spiritualized

11. "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver

12. "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

13. "Big Poppa" by The Notorious B.I.G.

14. "Sway" by The Kooks

15. "Rewind" by Paolo Nutini

16. "Lovefool" by The Cardigans

17. "I'll Stand By You" by The Pretenders

18. "Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy

19. "What Ever Happened?" by The Strokes

20. "Stay" by Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko

21. "Something" by The Beatles

22. "Hometown Glory" by Adele

23. "Cosmic Love" by Florence + The Machine

24. "With Every Heart Beat" by Robyn

25. "Paradise" by Wild Nothing

26. "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure

27. "Wonderwall" by Oasis

28. "A Rush of Blood to the Head" by Coldplay

29. "Mind Games" by Leagues

30. "Blood" by The Middle East

31. "Happy Together" by The Turtles

32. "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak

33. "You Got Me" by The Roots ft. Erykah Badu

34. "Sexual Healing" by Marvin Gaye

35. "What Goes Around... Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake

36. "Do You..." by Miguel

37. "Love Lost" by The Temper Trap

38. "Your Song" by Elton John

39. "Honey and The Moon" by Joseph Arthur

40. "Someday We'll Be Together" by Diana Ross & The Supremes

41. "Best I Ever Had" by Drake

42. "Crazy" by Patsy Cline

43. "Everlasting Light" by The Black Keys

44. "Museum of Flight" by Damien Jurado

45. "Rocket Man" by My Morning Jacket

46. "If I Had a Boat" by James Vincent McMorrow

47. "Beauty" by The Shivers

48. "Jolene" by Ray LaMontagne

49. "You" by TV On The Radio

50. "29 Years" by The National

Roman Candles

"Because the only people that interest me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, desirous of everything at the same time; the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow Roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars."

 -Jack Kerouac

This quote by Jack Kerouac is one of my favorites. I also happen to really love Roman candles (fireworks). I live in a city that seems to have an obsession with them. Every other night in the summer, there's a firework display happening or throughout the year for holidays and special events. But here are some pictures of traditional candles. Something about being in the presence of candles or just looking at pictures makes me relaxed and happy. I seriously think it reverts me back to a previous life when there wasn't electricity. Either that or I'm just a romantic soul (could be my Cancer Ascendant). 

 #SerenityByJan (for any fans of The Office, this site is worth the click).

Now Playing: "Ladies & Gentlemen, We Are Floating In Space" by Spiritualized

Missed Connections: Breaking Amish Edition

Per usual, I've regularly been perusing the best reading material online; the Craigslist Missed Connections. Lately, there just haven't been any posts worthy of sharing... until I came across this one. The dry spell has been broken:

Now Playing: "Minds Awake" by Rumspringa
*Obviously

Wonderwall

Now Playing: "Meg White" by Ray LaMontagne
*This song is great but it always makes my friend and I laugh.

Happy 30th Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

Today is my parents' 30th wedding anniversary! They've actually been together since Halloween 1964. So, technically, it's almost been 50 years of being a couple. My Dad served in Vietnam, stepped on a landmine and lost his leg but my Mom stood by him through it all. They have worked through a lot to get to this day and I'm very proud of their commitment to each other and our family. My parents have been a stellar example of working hard to make a marriage work. I love and appreciate everything they have done for me and my sister. I owe my flair for fashion, intellect, responsibility and creativity to my Dad. I get my writing ability, thoughtfulness, manners and love for animals from my Mom. Together, they are your typical "old married couple" but they are very special to me and I love them both dearly. Here's to 30 more years of wedded bliss!











Now Playing: "Dedicated to the One I Love" by The Mamas and The Papas