Say U.N.C.L.E. to Guy Ritchie

SPIES SURROUND YOU - CLICK IMAGE TO STREAM MOVIE NOWIf you haven't seen The Man From U.N.C.L.E, directed by Guy Ritchie - then you haven't seen the best action / romantic drama of 2015.  Ritchie's style of shoot-em-up old world glamour have never been better.   Clearly romanced by the 60's his references are often retro, so set in the height of the cold war (1963) - Ritchie is really in his element with this film.  This big screeen adaptaion of hte hit 60's TV series is set inside a CIA / KGB power struggle to contain nuclear weapons in the hands of a mafia stronghold.  Representing the US - Henry Cavill.  Every bit the Superman in his fine tailored suiting, Cavill has the charm and ease to portray an undercover CIA agent.  In the Russian corner - Armie Hammer.  NEVER WEAR WHITE AFTER MIDNIGHT - CLICK IMAGE TO STREAM MOVIE NOW Hammer (Social Network) is a 2015 designer wearing version of Dolf Lundgren's Drago from the Rocky movies.   Brute force kept underwraps, almost The Hulk without radiation.  Adding the element of romance and sexual tension is the unwilling spitfire mechanic played by Alicia Vikander (Ex-Machina).  Her character is complicated, and her Audrey Hepburn / "My Fair Lady" like makeover in perfect 60's style is worth watching the film in itself. 

At the helm of that dark force is one of the best femme fatale characters I've ever seen on screen.  I'd challenge anyone to find a better portrayal of the glamour and evil represented by this archetype than seen here by Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby).  CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH MOVIE TONIGHTShe oozes seduction and evil.   I went on my Summer holiday to the South of France just after seeing this film, and I was looking for Ms. Debicki to turn the corner when I was in any glamorous setting on the Riviera!

The Costuming, cinematography, and direction are seamless.   Dizzying at times, it's a sheer pleasure to watch.   Hats off - and hopefully Oscar nominations for Joanna Johnston's Costume Design, John Mathieson's Cinematography, Guy Ritchie's Direction, and of course various nominations for the cast.

Click  U.N.C.L.E. to stream movie now

Bravo Guy Ritchie.   The Cold War never looked so Hot!  See the film now, while it's still in theaters..  watch the trailer below.

BLUE JASMINE - WOODY ALLEN DOES PARK AVENUE

CLICK IMAGE TO STREAM IT NOWWoody Allen was back at the box office this year with Blue Jasmine.   Starring the Hollywood heavyweight Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine is Allen's telling of a Bernie Madoff like story at the expense of the Park Avenue hedge fund wife. The Classic CHANEL Jacket as seen in the New York Times PH: Tony Cenicola - Approx $6,000.00 Allen has an incredible ability to skewer subjects with such accurate depictions that straddles the edge of caricature - but remain based in real life examples.   If you live in New York, watching this film you will no doubt find yourself thinking "oh, that's just like..."  - many times.

Jasmine is the ultra privileged wife of a New York Hedge Fund financier, philanderer, and ultimately a ponzi scheme crook played brilliantly by Alec Baldwin.  The movie is told in a flashback format that follows Jasmine as she goes to live with her poorer, blue collar sister in San Francisco. THE TALENTED AND BEAUTIFUL - CATE BLANCHETT Jasmine has gone from her Park Avenue life of Pilates, fundraisers, and private planes to sleeping in the spare room of her sisters walk up apartment in last year's CHANEL jacket. Her life of luxury just a memory.

Actually, the Chanel jacket is a fantastic prop that travels throughout the film.  It was a genius choice by the costume designer, as it proves the investment in those magical tweeds by Chanel.  One luxurious jacket and your fashionable for the next 20 years!  It was a brilliant choice to make that a white Chanel jacket.. showing us just how luxurious Jasmine's life was.  Buying a $5,000.00 jacket in white - that is luxury. (If you only buy one Chanel jacket - choose black).  Cate Blanchett is transformative in her role as a woman who had everything that money can buy, but at the same time.. nothing.  

Woody Allen is a master at pinpointing the human condition.  His movies cover the range of emotions from fear to joy, ecstasy to sorrow, and usually a big dose of inadequacy from an insecure character that is the unseen Woody of the film.  There is no filmmaker that puts New York on film more intimately than Allen.  With two gorgeous cities like San Francisco and New York in one film - what's not to love.

If there has ever been proof that we get better with age, Woody Allen proves that point with Blue Jasmine.   Click images and links to see more and find the film.   STREAM IT TONIGHT - CLICK- JASMINE