The latest film from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar presents the ultimate fashion statement.   The Skin I Live In follows plastic surgeon Robert Ledgard,  on a mission that can only be described as - absolute.   Almodovar regular, Antonio Banderas is the man with an obsession, a brilliant mind, and a broken heart. ELENA ANAYA  Banderas is at his best in the trusted hands of the man that made him a star, back in the late 80's when the actor was a handsome unknown.  (Madonna is also credited with giving Banderas his first notoriety state side when she openly flirted with Antonio in her behind the scenes film -Truth of Dare back in 91).  Elena Anaya plays Vera, the object of Robert's obsession.  Almodovar alumni Marisa Peredes also joins Banderas in the cast as the strong female lead that so often holds his films together.

The Skin I Live In is a bit less comedic than most Almodovar films, but the laughs are there.  Black comedy runs throughout the story.   A film by Pedro Almodovar is always complicated and layered, just like real life.   His magic is the ability to present the most outrageous circumstances, MARISA PAREDESmaking them seem almost rational.  Without realizing it is happening, you are emotionally invested - sometimes to the least attractive characters.   It is hard to hate even the villain of an Almodovar film.

Telling the story as much as the characters themselves are the brilliant sets, interior decors, costumes, and individual styles of each character.  All central to the story, these choices are the silent members of the cast that shape the film.

The Skin I Live In is the perfect film for Halloween, or anytime.    See the film while still in theaters, as it is a visual pleasure to watch it on the big screen.   Watch the trailer below.

The film opens with the press conference held by the late Yves Saint Laurent himself on the announcement of his retirement in 2002.  Told thereon from the point of view of Pierre Berge who stars in, and narrates the film.   Berge unfolds the story of Saint Laurent's rise to worldwide fame and great fortune.   Beginning with footage of the painfully shy and socially awkward YSL being named head couturier of the iconic house- Christian Dior.   The untimely death of Dior at the age of 52, left this 21 year old assistant as the heir apparent.   The youngest designer ever to design Couture, Saint Laurent would go on to set trend after trend as he blazed a fashion legacy for over 40 years.   Most of his greatest designs were also as political and controversial as they were creative.   Be it the androgynous look of women in tuxedos, being the first designer to use black models on the runway, or the naming of his fragrance Opium - each move sent shockwaves through the fashion world and the main stream media. Opium would go on to be one of the most successful fragrances every sold.   It would be this fragrance, and the creation of the concept of Ready-To-WearYVES SAINT LAURENT & PIERRE BERGE that would catapult the duo to a stratosphere of fame and fortune they had never known.

Pierre Berge was the man behind the scenes to the world, but known to all in-the-know as the mastermind behind the delicately creative YSL.   Without Berge there to make every business decision and champion his great love, clearly Saint Laurent would not have become the legend he was, or create the legend his body of work still is to this day.  

The documentary, directed by Pierre Thoretton, is set around the auction of Yves and Pierre's Art collection in 2009 by Christie's auction house.  Organized by Berge after Saint Laurent's death in 2008, the auction was a spectacle in its own right and was staged at the Grand Palais in Paris, France.BETTY CATROUX, YVES SAINT LAURENT, & LOULOU DE LA FALAISE CIRCA 1968   The astounding collection of over 733 works of art broke world records with final sales of the three day auction at over $480 Million dollars.   It is hard to think of an important artist the two had not collected.  Degas, Picasso, Brancusi, Warhol, Klee, and Matisse only scratch the surface, as hard as that is to imagine.  

What makes the documentary so entertaining and charming is that it is told by Berge himself and a small cast of Yves's supporters.   Famous friends and muses to the designer, Loulou de la Falaise and Betty Catroux give an inside look to the creative genius, the madness, and the friendship of Saint Laurent.   Berge is purely personal and partial - as only a great love could be.    The story is not sugar coated and Berge talks of Yves emotional battles, his addictions, and professional ups and downs.   While Berge does come off a bit too saint like in the telling, the documentary is a treat on so many levels.     

L'Amour Fou is a must see for any fan of the creative fields of Art, Fashion, and Interior design.   The DVD will make a most welcomed gift.

Watch a trailer from the film below.  -   For more information on the film - click- IFC

RENTAL RECOMMENDATION

This brilliant 2008 film directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Angelina Jolie is one of the best of both superstar careers.  The movie tells the true story of Christine Collins, a single mother living in Los Angeles in 1928 when her young son is abducted.   Ms. Collins struggles to find her son at a time when there was no national response to missing children and the streets were a rough place.   THE REAL CHRISTINE COLLINSRougher still was the treatment Ms. Collins received from a corrupt police commissioner who would ultimately match Ms. Collins with the wrong child in an attempt to make the case go away in the eyes of the media.   Ms. Collins was left to fight City Hall in her quest for the truth about her son, even being wrongly committed to a mental hospital for disobeying the LAPD.   Were it not for an outspoken preacher played in the film byANGELINA JOLIE & JOHN MALKOVICH - CHANGELING John Malkovich, Ms. Collins would have lived the rest of her life in an insane asylum. 

It is shocking to learn the film was all based on true events and case was eventually solved.  The Wineville Chicken Coop Murders would shock the nation when details emerged of just what had happened to these missing boys.

While the film in worth seeing for the magnificent acting, direction, and cinematography,  the costume design is the other leading lady in the film.   Costume designer Deborah Hopper showcased the feminine detailing of the late 20's that was the cornerstone of fashion legend Coco Chanel and her vision of women.  The Cloche Hats and drop waist dresses are timeless and beautiful.   While a woman like Ms. Collins would never have been able to afford Couture from Chanel on her teleophone operator salary, she certainly would have been buying items ANGELINA JOLIE AS CHRISTINE COLLINSchosen by department store buyers that attended Chanel couture shows in Paris.   Buyers at the time would employ mass market factories that turned out thousands of European inspired dresses in places like NYC's Union Square.   Chanel once said with a laugh of these knock-off houses that copied her look that she toured during a NY visit - "forgery is the best form of flattery".1920'S FASHION - CHANGELING

Jolie is painfully beautiful, just balancing on the edge of beauty that almost makes her unbelievable in portraying anyone other than Angelina.   Luckily for Ms. Jolie and for us, her talent keeps her lost just enough in her characters - despite her stunning looks.

While you might shed a tear watching this heart-wrenching story unfold, I think it is somehow a wonderful tribute to Mother's Day.   Ms. Collins' love of her son gave her strength to find courage only a mother can know.

To download the film now via itunes - click -CHANGELING

WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:

JAMES FRANCO & ANNE HATHAWAY HOSTIt's Oscar night, and no other night has L.A. buzzing like the lead up to the big show.   While other awards are prestigious- like The Golden Globes and S.A.G. awards - Oscar is king in Hollywood and in the world of glamour and fashion.   Tune in tonight to see who wears who, and who wins what!   This year has an incredibly eclectic crowd and list of nominees from films as diverse as True Grit, The King's Speech, Black Swan, & Rabbit Hole - just to name a few.   Escaping to the movies this year took us behind the scenes all over the place, from inside the castle of The King of England to the boozing party pad of the founders of Facebook.   What a year at the movies.    Hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway will guide us through the glamorous night.

My favorite this year is I Am Love.   While the movie has been all but shutout at the Oscars, it is nominated for Best Costume Design - which it should win hands down.

For more behind the scenes info - click Oscars.com  or for even more click- Oscars.org

See you at the movies!



Any movie starring CHER & Christina Aguilera needs little introduction!  A legend like CHER & a prime talent like Christina have an undeniable star power. Burlesque is the perfect vehicle to bring these showstoppers together for the first time on stage and screen.   CHER stars as Tess-  a former dancer, now club owner who is down on her luck as she tries to keep her dream alive despite a floundering venue.   Christina is the fresh faced Ali who comes to L.A. to seek fame and fortune.   Burlesque is the club & the art form that sets the stage for the drama, the dance, & the blockbuster songs that will make this film a classic.   CHER is CHER from the first shot to the last.  We get to see her sing and dance (as rare and limited as that is!).   Christina shines like a bright shooting star.  The whole world already knows she has one of the strongest voices heard in decades.  Burlesque gives her the chance to show off her acting and choreography skills.  She is brilliant!  Her moves are as impressive as her vocals.   Not to mention what CHER IN FERRAGAMO - VANITY FAIR - DECEMBER 2010motherhood has done to her beauty - STUNNING!  Her rendition of the classic burlesque fan dance is cause enough to see this film.

Lest I forget the bartender -Jack,  played by Cam Gigandet.  The hunky, if frustrated songwriter has lost sight of his dream of fame for the steady paycheck at the club.  With a twinkle in his eye and dimple in his cheek (not on his face!) Mr. Gigandet raises the temperature in every scene he is in - with or without his clothes.CHRISTINA AS FRESH FACED ALI

Dr. McSteamy himself Eric Dane is also in the mix as the smarmy entrepreneur with the charm of a vulture to feed on his prey - in business and in bed.   Stanley Tucci reprises his "Devil Wears Prada" character again as the mincing gay sidekick.CAM GIGANDET -JACK - THE SONGWRITING BARTENDER

Making his directorial debut for the big screen is Steve Antin.  Antin is an actor, writer, & producer who gives a solid albeit at times cliche vision of this told so many times before story.   Mr. Antin definitely does not reinvent the wheel here, but keeps the story rolling along.   

The film is a must see for any musical or Broadway fan.  It goes without saying that Cher & Christina fans already have their tickets!  Look for cameos by Peter Gallagher and Alan Cumming as well.

BURLESQUE is in theaters now - click SHOWGIRLS to find a theater near you.  View trailer below:

The biggest action movie of Summer 2010 is SALT.  Angelina Jolie is back at the box office as agent Salt, an undercover CIA officer with a double life - or is that triple?   Directed by Philip Noyce,  this action / thriller keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat the entire time.   Just what you want from a summer blockbuster.   Jolie is one of the few actresses out there that can hold her own physically and emotionally every minute she is on screen.  

There is no escaping Jolie's beauty.  In fact, her looks are almost a detriment to her ability to shift from role to role.   She is just shy of being too beautiful to lose herself in a character.  The success of Salt should prove that she can do just about anything.  

The back story of SALT is that the role was originally written for Tom Cruise.   Cruise apparently thought the story was too similar to his Mission Impossible Role and turned down the project.   Let's all send a big thank you to Mr. Cruise.

I just got back from a summer holiday on the French Riviera.   SALT opened the week I was leaving, and everyone was rushing to see the film.   Jolie spends time with partner Brad Pitt in the South of France every summer, which has really grown her celebrity in France.  FRENCH RIVIERA CINEPLEX - ST. RAPHAEL The French love American movie stars - even if they still dub the films - which is a whole different conversation.   SALT has topped $100 Million in the U.S. and is about to hit $250 Million globally as this article goes to press.

To rent or own via itunes click- SALT.   You will enjoy it.   There is also bound to be a part two and probably part three.  See the first one on the big screen so you can enjoy summer blockbusters for a few years to come!  Visit the cool website for the film  www.WhoIsSalt.com

Watch the Salt Trailer below: