Jennifer's Body and Shutter Island

"Hell is a teenage girl."
The film opens up with the camera slowly approaching a house giving a sense of voyeurism which adds to the eerie atmosphere. After the story unfolds through the eyes of Anita "Needy" Lesnicky, who we first meet in a mental institution. This film reminded me of Heathers is many ways. Needy is a bit like Veronica, in a sense that she is much more average than Jennifer, who is a bit like all three Heathers combined. To an outsider their friendship does not make much sense but they have a bond. Some other comparisons to Heathers is the over the top feeling of the film; it does not take itself too seriously, and neither should the audience. There is also a good amount of social commentary especially when tragedy strikes the small town of Devil's Kettle.
During the first scenes there are two instances of foreshadowing. One is when the camera focuses on a picture of a boy during Needy's voice over and the other is when she is expressing her hatred for the song that plays while she is in solitary confinement. A song you will probably get stuck in your head and come to hate as well.
One of my favorite scenes in the film illustrates a good use of cross-cutting. This is when Chip and Needy are seen about to make love and Jennifer is about to make Collin her next meal. We see the juxtaposition of these two encounters.
I also was amused seeing Adam Brody playing Nikolai since his most memorable performance is as dorky but lovable Seth Cohen on The O.C. Even though he is all dark and Satan-worshiping he still added a great deal of sarcasm to his role. Another great thing was the dialogue. There were some very funny moments
The thing I disliked the most was the completely unnecessary kiss between Needy and Jennifer since it did nothing to move the story forward. This was not in the original script I feel like it should not have been added.
All in all I think you either love it or you hate it, but I think it deserves far more credit than most people have given it.







Atmospherically this film is haunting. Scorsese really captured the feel of an asylum circa 1954. The film is about the investigation of an escaped mental patient who has gone missing. Leading the search is two U.S. Marshalls, Teddy Daniels (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck Aule (played by Mark Ruffalo). Upon arriving at Boston's Shutter Island Ashecliffe Hospital they meet Dr. Cawley (played by Ben Kingsley)whose revolutionary take on medical treatment is unprecedented in this era; he humanizes the prisoners.
     Throughout the film DiCaprio is haunted by visions and dreams of his deceased wife (played by Michelle Williams). Williams successfully escapes Dawson's Creek and shows how truly talented she is. DiCaprio and Ruffalo work so well together in this film. Kingsley with his pipe made me think of his portrayal of the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland however that did not get in the way of his role in this film which was done so well. All the actors executed their lines so well it was as if they were really from the 1950's.
  My only gripe was the sweeping score. Although it help add to the overall creepiness of the film I found it to get in the way at times. Actually this film may have benefited from the approach No Country for Old Men took and omitted the music all together.
     Overall this was a very good film that kept me intrigued throughout and even made me want to read the book. I personally feel one of the best Scorsese films is Raging Bull with the Departed as a close second

Travel light

Have you ever wanted to like a film but just couldn't? I recently watched The Go-Getter and there was nothing good about this film. It is boring from beginning to end. However, there is one highlight: Zooey Deschanel. Even she can't save this movie from being dull. 

This film is about a young 19-year old boy, played by Lou Taylor Pucci, named Mercer, who randomly steals a car to find his half-brother and tell him their mother has died. He receives a call from the cars owner, Deschanel, and they develop a weird relationship through out the course of his trip. Along the way Pucci picks up an old classmate, played by Jena Malone and the film seems like it is going to be interesting but don't be fooled. The characters are, with one exception, under developed. I found myself not caring whether or not Pucci ever found his elusive half-brother. Although I do adore Deschanel this was far from her best performance.

There are a couple of scenes where you think the film is going to show some promise. Such as when Malone and Pucci and hunting for clothes in what appears to be a thrift shop or when Pucci and Deschanel are in a dream sequence on the beach pretending to be outlaws. These moments are fleeting and the film regresses to being pointless.

If you want to watch a good road movie with interesting characters and scenery watch Into the Wild, Thelma and Louise or Sullivan's Travels.

 

New Coconut Records album

If your like mellow indie rock then be sure to check out Coconut Records. Jason Schwartzman, actor and former Phantom Planet front man showcases his talents in their new album Davy. Amazon offers a great price and you can preview the tracks on the bands myspace page. Their sound combines catchy hooks and dance beats with slow melodic rhythms. Their previous album Nighttiming features the song "West Coast," which was featured on The O.C. So if you were a fan of the show give this band a listen.

Van Duesen Preserve: The Beauty of the Adirondacks

Brightly colored leaves create a carpet on the trails at the Van Duesen Preserve located off West Mountain Road in Queensbury, New York. According to Queensbury Land Conservancy's website these trails were donated in December 2003 by Richard Van Duesen and were made open to the public; the only requirement is that you sign in prior to entering. The parking lot is kept in good condition, as are the trails all of which are well marked. Upon arriving you can read the bulletin board and learn more about history of the trail before embarking. As stated by the QLC’s website the summit of these mountain trails offer a view of both Queensbury and Glens Falls.
The trails offer a wide array of terrain from steep hills to basic flat trails. As stated on the board the trees are eighty five years old, ". . .[giving] a sense of how grand the original forest must have been." They are open from sunrise to sunset giving adventures plenty of time to explore the picturesque surroundings. As if from a fairytale tree branches intertwine to form benches and landmarks along the way. The most notable ones are the old stone walls that appear to the sides of the trails. They look like small dens. Historically they mark the origins of the trails. Once the upland section of the preserve was used for farming. One of the other landmarks is a tree that has formed a step with an overhang. Be sure to duck when approaching!
Strength and comfort come to mind when visiting the trails. The trees act as a green blanket providing shade from the garish sun. As a hiker you have two options you may either take the steeper path which leads to the top or the flatter trail. Stop and appreciate the chirping birds and take a deep breath. Peacefulness encompasses you as you march through.
Residents and tourists alike can appreciate this untouched gem during the week and weekends. Pets are also welcome. The trails are even open during the winter. Nan Kopels, a Queensbury resident, first discovered this hidden gem from her husband, who is an avid hiker. As a frequent visitor when asked what her favorite aspect of the preserve was she responded, “Just being in the woods, close to nature and close to my home. [These trails are] great for hiking and not very time consuming. Also we see beautiful foliage in the fall and the snowfalls are a magnificent sight.” Wild life in the midst of community. Another resident, Lee Schurga, comments, “A walk in the wild in the middle of my community.”

Reviews

Dear John

The picturesque scenery of Charleston is one of the best things about this film. It starts of as the classic boy meets girl and they start to fall in love but it is not as simple as the trailer makes it seem. John Tyree, played by Channing Tatum (Step Up), first encounters Savannah Curtis, played by Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls) while on leave from the army. He heroically saves her bag after it falls into the ocean so to thank him Savannah invites him to her beach house for a barbecue. During the next two weeks their romance blossoms.
Tatum and Seyfried while both pretty decent actors seemed to lack chemistry to make their relationship seem believable. Even though this film is different than The Notebook I still felt that Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling had more passion. Also I felt as if we knew so little about these characters to really feel any connection toward them. Despite that they shared some good onscreen moments such as when John makes his promise to Savannah on the beach. Tatum played his role well and he seemed like a regular guy. I was disappointed with Seyfried, she seemed to lack something for me.
The best character and the most lovable was Mr. Tyree, played by Richard Jenkins (Step Brothers). He was truly the best thing about this film. His scenes were so well acted and heart warming.
All in all this movie was touching and sad at times but it was just okay. I would rate this film a 6 out of 10.

Book of Eli

This film was about a traveler who possesses the book of salvation. The film takes place after the apocalypse and it is now up to one man to help Earth rebuild. Along the way he meets a young woman who will assist him in his task. My favorite part was how the film was shot - lots of shadows and gray scale. The mise-en-scene echoed of western as well as a road film. Also the lack of dialogue in the opening was well executed, due to the cast being chosen so well.
In many ways this film reminded me of Stage Coach but with a modern take on the western genre. I enjoyed the relationship that developed between Mila Kunis (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Denzel Washington (Training Day). Especially in the scene where she tries to seduce him, because instead they gain mutual respect for one another. I admired Kunis' character's respect for her mother; she was very protective of her. The scene by the distressed wall helped illustrate the turmoil her character had been through.
The grayness and the muted colors that brightened up towards the end gave the film grit and a sense of realism.
"Stay on you path. . .this is none of your concern." Washington however felt compelled to save Kunis because she had an inner goodness.
The script was well written and so was the camera work. As well as the editing techniques used. For example the fighting scenes were nicely choreographed.
Gary Oldman's villian was cruel and I really hated him. Which shows that his personification of evil was a success. I would rate this film a 7 out of 10.

Chicago Black Socks Scandal

Eight Men Out

The 1988 film Eight Men Out retells the infamous Black Sox scandal of 1919 and features some well-known actors such as John Cusack, Christopher Lloyd, and Charlie Sheen. I thought the film was very good and it kept my interest throughout. It was very well acted and I can see why they decided to make this into a movie since it was an unusual event. There were some funny moments too such as when Ring Lardner, played by the director John Sayles, is singing a parody of “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles.” I also enjoyed the interaction between the players and the media as well as Buck Weaver’s interaction with the little kids. Out of all the sports films I have seen this one was definitely one of the best and it is clear why it was critically acclaimed.
In 1919 baseball was very different from today and one of the major differences was the salary of the players because back then they did not make the astronomical salaries like they do today. Also they were paid by how well they played and how many games they won so injuries were more of a big deal then they are now. For example Eddie was hurt those two games and it affected him getting paid since he need to win 30 games. Today players get paid whether they win or lose and they also get paid through sponsorships such as Derek Jeter and Gilette. Baseball back then was all about the game and the players were celebrities but no where near to the extent that they are today.
In my opinion I do not think a scandal like this would happen in baseball today because the players are no longer being underpaid like the White Sox were. I feel the genre of sports films is still popular today since most sports films are about an underdog team who overcomes an obstacle such as in Remember the Titans. I also think that since sports are such a big part of our culture these films are popular.

Inspired by Georgia O'Keefe

Here are my latest sketches. I am also working on an article about a hiking trail that I frequently visit with my mom and my puppy. That will be completed soon.

Next month I am going to try to start watercolors and oil pastels. Also I am going to be posting my reviews and other pieces I have written as well as any new artwork.

New Paintings

     Currently working on some new artwork and will have images posted soon. Also, I recently completed act one of my short essay. Not sure what to entitle it but it is still a work in progress. So far the piece is just under five pages long and may be lengthened but not sure yet. I'll begin working on the next installment in the coming weeks. I won't be posting it any time soon but may wish to seek publication upon completion. 

     Any ways I plan on beginning watercolors soon since I have experimented with oil and acrylic. Before I venture to a new medium, I will be reverting back to black and white photography. Mainly photographs of flowers and parks. Such as Georgia O'Keefe inspired flowers. Focusing mainly on individual buds with blurred backgrounds. Then I plan on painting the photographs. I have included a painting I recently did as my current photo. This was done using acrylics, which I was initially going to do. I drew the flowers and leaves by hand. Then I went back and painted trying to show warmth and depth. This is my second painting so far.

     I have recently been reading The Hobbit. This literary work is enthralling and I love the way Tolkien describes every detail. Once I have finished I plan on going through the whole series and perhaps it will inspire some artwork. The weather has been perfect for summer reading and I am remembering all the times at the library when I was younger. Enjoying the sun with a good book can be relaxing.

Creation

Currently working on a new project. Not sure what the title is yet or what the topics will be about but it will be mainly short essays.

Twilight book covers

Here are my latest sketches. They are the first two Twilight book covers. I discovered that hands are so hard to draw just right. I decided to try anyways.

This has been the hottest summer in 10 years! So nice outside too but still not feeling well. However I got a new mac and it is the best computer ever. I recommend them if you are looking to buy a new computer. Other than going blonder nothing too exciting has been happening around here. Working on a short story. I have some that I want to go back and edit as well. I will post them when they are complete. Enjoy the art. Please note I am a fan of the these books which is why I decided to draw the pictures. This is a disclaimer. I wanted to see if I could sketch something besides still lives, such as pears. Also the names change is an ode to one of my favorite bands. It is a poignant piece of work to me right now. All my pieces are protected under copyright law as well. Unless given permission by me, the actual person, my work is my own. I appreciate anyone who respects this.

The Colour and the Shape

Due to life I have been on a bit of a hiatus because I needed to get my shit right. However, I have returned and am happy to present my first oil painting, with many more to come. My first piece is entitled Simply Pears. I am in the midst of another piece as well as several other projects.

The Space Between

My second painting class was this past Tuesday. Last week there was no class so I took this time to practice my assignment of learning how to draw pears since my mom has a some fake ones that she uses for decoration around the kitchen. I also decided to start using down time at work to practice drawing.

During my second class my teacher explained symmetry and learning to see the interesting shapes that can come from negative space. She said that things do not always have to be symmetrical and that often times the more interesting paintings are asymmetrical. However this also depends on the artist and what their style is. For example most religious paintings can be folded up and look the same on each side since they are perfectly balanced. Art is subjective. Things do not always have to be inside the box. I myself am a little left of center.

After dicussing this with me she had me set up my display. First she brought out five fake pears,a roll of tape, a desk lamp and a open box. Imagine a small cardboard box. Now cut of the top and two sides. This is where the pears are placed. The remaining sides of the box have a black background and the bottom is gray. Next she told me choose an odd number of pears, I picked three, and then set them up any way I wanted. I noticed one of the pears kept falling over on it's side. This seemed natural to the pear so I let it stay that way. My second pear leaned off to the side a bit and the third one was perfectly upright. If you were looking bird's eye view they formed a triangle. She explained to me that when she first started teaching this exercise what the student set up, they painted. A lot of students ended up disliking their work so now she first has us draw compositions using a view finder. This allows the student to look at all the angles and find the space between, which can often yield interesting results. So with my view finder(which is an index card with a small hole cut out in the middle) in hand I set off to search for what would become my first painting. Below are my six compositions.



After careful consideration I decided to go with my sixth composition, which features all three pears. My teacher explained that since they are all on different planes I would need to find where they each sit before proceeding. Once I accomplished that it was time to draw the to scale. She gave me the canvas I would be using and had me trace it, just like I did with the view finder. We tweaked it and came up with the end result. Notice the negative space between the pears. My favorite aspect is the shadowing and also how the one pear appears to be overlapping the other.



I have chosen to paint the pears red instead of green because why must they be green? I am very proud of myself for going from composition to canvas in just two hours time. Now on to the fun part!

First Painting Class

After searching for two weeks for an art studio that offered painting classes to fit my schedule, I finally found one. Today was my first class.

When the art teacher finally called me back to discuss classes she mentioned that she taught oils, acrylics and water colors. Being relatively inexperienced I decided on acrylics. She informed that this was a six week class that met Tuesday evenings and since I had missed the first class I would only be charged for five plus an additional fee if I used her supplies, which she advised so in case I changed mediums I wouldn't be stuck with things I may not use. This worked out well for me because art supplies are not cheap and I was unsure about acrylics. My art experience was limited to basic classes in elementary and high school, where the teachers paid little attention to those who did not display much talent. I am the type of person who thrives with one on one teaching. This class seemed like a good fit for me.

Upon arriving to class I was not sure what to expect, seeing as I missed the first class. Everyone else there was much older than me and they had been painting for several years, about eight or so. Like anything this takes practice and patience and I am determined to stick with this. To start with my teacher showed me pictures of nature landscapes in order to explain light, shadow, warm and cool colors. She said that warm and cool colors can coexist due to light and shadow. Then we went over the basics: primary and secondary colors and how the opposites on the color wheel are complimentary. After this she let me know that in her class we mix our own black since black does not occur naturally and she also taught me that black is the absence of color. So for the duration of the class I learned how to use colors to make black. First she had me mix ultramarine blue and burnt sienna. This I found to be hard since it kept coming out muddy. Next I mixed crimson and emerald green, which I found was easier and the black came naturally. Throughout this I discovered that acrylics dry pretty quickly so you can not really dawdle. After class I discussed this with her we decided that my first assignment would be acrylics and if I then decided I did not like, I could switch to oils, which takes longer to dry out.

Sadly next week there is not class. Just as I was getting into it. However, I learned that my first assignment will be drawing pears. This is seen as a right of passage. Luckily for me my mom has some fake pears lying around so I will be getting a jump start on this and will be displaying my progress on here from the start to the finished product.

The Search Begins

Okay so I started looking for art studios that offer classes and I found two so I will be calling them to see which ones offer classes that fit my schedule. I was also informed by a co-worker that some craft stores sell beginner's kits. I am really excited about getting started. Trying new things can be good. Once I get started I will be posting my art on here and on occasion I will be writing short essays on some of my favorite artists. But first to start off here is an article I wrote on a local photographer.


Seeing the World in Black and White
By: Jenn Schurga

While most people would ignore a crack in the road or a garden hose left lying in the front yard, Pamela Connolly finds beauty in everyday little things.
On March 1 Lot 84’s newest exhibit will feature work from local photographer Pamela Landau Connolly. The exhibit is called ‘here + there’ and will be open until June 30. Connolly, who has been a black and white photographer for 30 years, has the ability to transform something as insignificant as a cracked side walk into something beautiful. Her work features the modest beauty in every day life. She was recently awarded 2nd place at the Soho Photo Gallery for “Cracked Path,” which is part of her series of works entitled Archaeology of the Ordinary. “I am interested in how things break down, how they are repaired, and how the layers of each together create something new,” she explains.
While color photography shows off the vibrancy of life, Connolly still prefers to use traditional black and white, “I love the way black and white renders light, shadow, and form. I find that it reveals a certain essence in my subject.” Her interest in pursuing photography began with the purchasing of her first real camera when she was a senior in high school. “My first roll of film was black and white,” Connolly explains, “I went to a local park in my town and photographed these wild little kids playing on the swings and the monkey bars. They played with complete abandon.” Her ability to capture children in their element is astounding as well as her talent for finding beauty in the most unlikely of places such as in cracked pavement. Connolly is able to transform a simple landscape into something much more, as seen in “Inkblot Landscape.”
Aside from being a photographer Connolly has also been a middle school photography teacher for the past ten years. Connolly taught at various institutions such as Northern Westchester Center for the Arts, The Point Community Center in the South Bronx and The Horace Mann School in Riverdale, NY. She credits most of her inspiration from the work of her former students, “Their fresh take on the world never ceases to surprise me.” She has even done some philanthropy work with children affected by Hurricane Katrina. The two day workshop took place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was called “Kids with Cameras,” in which Connolly, along with Mark Teiwes, a local photographer, taught them how to use the cameras. The children were then able to go out and take photographs of their environment. Connolly then coordinated an exhibit at Louisiana State University that featured the children’s art.
The owner of lot84, Rossana Fiore, opened up the boutique in August 2007. Fiore formerly owned Vintage Home in Chappaqua, New York. She decided on the name lot84 because she often buys from auctions, where items are listed as a ‘lot’and 84 is in reference to the street address. Fiore’s love of the mixing vintage and modern provides a unique atmosphere which makes this an ideal location for local artists to display their work.

Broken Flowers

Here is the first film review I have ever written. Enjoy!

“Sometimes life brings some strange surprises.”

I went into this movie not really knowing too much about it. But I had a very open mind. I figured well this movie has Bill Murray in it, so let’s give it a try. And let me tell you, I was rather impressed. This movie is about a man named Don Johnston (Murray) who has a series of bad relationships and he has just been dumped by his girlfriend Sherry, who is played by Julie Delpy. He then receives a letter in the mail from an unidentified former love, in a pink envelop written on pink paper with pink ink. The letter states that Don has a 19 year old son who is on a “kind of road trip” looking for him. In reading this it forces Don to reflect on the past. He is encouraged by his friend Winston (Jeffrey Wright), who is a Sherlock Holmes wannabe, to assess his past relationships in order to find out who sent him the letter. Don reluctantly goes on a cross-country trip to visit his four old girlfriends (Sharon Stone, Francis Conroy, Jessica Lange, and Tilda Swinton) and try and find clues as to who is the mother of his supposed son.

The thing that makes Bill Murray such a good actor is his facial expressions. Without even saying a word, you can tell what he is thinking. It’s all about the non verbal. They say that actions speak louder than words, and oh how true it is. If you see someone walking around with there nose up in the air, you are most likely going to say to yourself, “That person either is very confident or they have a great big stick up their ass.” But anyways, getting back to my point, there isn’t much dialog in this movie which is ok because you can tell what the characters are thinking just by how they act and the gestures that they make.

I really enjoyed this movie, everything about it was wonderful. As with anything it had it’s ups and downs, good and bad. Overall it is a very well acted movie.

“The Girl with the Peek-a-boo Bang"

Bette Davis once said that Veronica Lake was, “the most beautiful person who ever came to Hollywood.” Her sultry beauty and her infamous long, wavy platinum blonde hair with her trademark peek-a-boo bang made her an icon of the 1940s and beyond. In the 1940s most Hollywood actresses such as Rita Hayworth and Judy Garland wore their hair short with a permanent and then Veronica Lake came onto the scene with her unprecedented long, wavy hair. The men loved her and women wanted to be her; according to the Internet Movie Database many women lost their hair trying to imitate her platinum blonde color. Also her look was much more modern then most actresses during this time and she could easily star in films today.

Born Constance Frances Marie Ockleman, in 1941 she changed her name to Veronica Lake and created a new femme fatal persona. While she was typically cast as the seductive, vampy woman, such as in the film noir classics This Gun for Hire (1942) she also did some comedy such as Sullivan’s Travels (1941), I Married a Witch (1942) and Hold that Blonde (1945). One of her most memorable performances was her role as “The Girl” in Sullivan’s Travels. Her character was not even given a name which worked for the role since she had such a presence onscreen. When she first appears she is sitting in a diner dressed in very glamorous attire and she offers to buy McCrea, who is working on a social experiment and only has ten cents, ham and eggs. This is arguably the best scene in the movie. Lake delivers each line with such sharp wit, deadpan and cynicism. Also the banter between Lake and McCrea is wonderful. Some of the best lines of the film come from this scene such as, “You know the best thing about buying food for a man, is that you don’t have to laugh at his jokes,” which is ironic since she says this right after lauhing at McCrea’s comment about wanting to give her all she needs. Lake then sarcastically explains why she feels at ease talking to him in a rather straightforward way:

“Just think, if you were some big shot like a casting director or something I'd be staring into your bridgework saying, 'Yes Mr. Smearkase, No Mr. Smearkase, Not Really Mr. Smearkase! Oh Mr. Smearkase, that's my knee!”

This is a great example of dramatic irony, since the audience knows the true identity of McCrea and he is in fact a “big shot.” It was very easy to see why Lake was such a popular actress during this time since you cannot help but fall in love with her. In this role she was able to show audiences that not only could she be a sex symbol but also funny and charming. Even in the scenes where she is dressed up like a young boy she is still gorgeous.

Apart from being breathtakingly beautiful, Lake was also very short; she was barely five feet tall and a platform would often need to be built for her in close-up scenes to make up for the height difference since many of the actors were much taller. But once she began working with Alan Ladd, who was also short, this was no longer an issue. They made four films together (This Gun for Hire, The Blue Dahlia, The Glass Key and Saigon). Rob Winning writes that the pairing of Ladd and Lake was one of the best romantic duos of the ‘40s. Not only were the a hit at the box office but that they also created the style of the vamp and the tough guy paving the way for actors like Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart.

Despite a short-lived career, Lake still has a big influence on Hollywood today. One of the most unforgettable was Kim Basinger’s Academy Award winning performance in the film L.A. Confidential, where she plays a high class prostitute who is supposed to look like Lake. She is even referenced in a song by Peter Hammill entitled “Like Veronica.” Her influence does not end there. In the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Roger’s girlfriend Jessica was modeled after Lake and she even wears her hair in Lake’s trademark “peek-a-boo” style. Her hairstyle has also made a comeback and many popular female actresses and singers have been seen sporting her look such as Christina Aguilera, Kate Winslet, Amy Adams and Cate Blanchett. A recent article in The New York Times titled “Working Toward Veronica Lake” explains how to achieve her signature look and there are many other how-to videos and websites that elucidate this as well. This look has also been spotted on the runways such as on Gucci models. Lake became the epitome of classic Hollywood glamour.

What makes someone an icon? There are many factors that are included in this such as being able to withstand the test of time and not just being popular during a specific time period. Also someone who breaks a certain mold by creating a look that is fresh and different. They should be able to appeal not only to an older audience but also be appreciated by younger generations. Icons are people who define a generation and who live on long after they are deceased. Actresses such as Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe are icons and actors such as Humphrey Bogart, James Dean and Marlon Brando are also iconic. Veronica Lake with her very modern, sultry look and her unforgettable “peek-a-boo” hairstyle definitely makes this former leading lady an icon. Even though she is no longer alive she continues to inspire films and celebrities alike. She has this appeal and way about her that allowed her to withstand that test of time and her look was something that had never been seen before, it was somewhat rebellious. Lake once said, “I was always a rebel and probably could have got much farther had I changed my attitude. But when you think about it, I got pretty far without changing attitudes. I’m happier with that.” Younger generations have come to appreciate this starlet by attempting to recreate her look and by watching her films. She was with out a doubt beyond her time and much more modern then her fellow actors and actresses. The film Sullivan’s Travels, which was not only a comedy but also a film with a message: sometimes all people have is there sense of humor, fits in so well with movies from this era. Not only was she gorgeous, but she was also very talented and her films are still classics to this day. Contrariwise to her self-deprecating take on her talent, if one were to put it all in there left eye they would most certainly go blind.

"Seize the moment. 'Cause tommorow you might be dead"

While I have always had an affection for art, mainly painting, I have never thought I had much artistic ability. I mean I like to doodle flowers and such but I have never really tried. I always just brushed it off and said " I just can't draw/paint." Lately I have been in the mood to try new things and I have decided to start by learning how to paint. I may not be the next Claude Monet but who knows I may surprise myself. So tomorrow I will begin to search for an art studio that has classes that fit into my schedule. What have I got to lose?

This blog will follow me as I try new things and broaden my horizons. It will be an account of my new adventures and I will occasionally post stories, articles and film reviews I have written.