The Paradise

Some of my girl friends recently told me about a BBC drama that has totally consumed me...

The Paradise, starring Emun Elliott and Joanna Vanderham, is a two-season series that dramatizes the life and culture of the first department store. It is loosely based on the novel by Émile Zola, Au Bonheur des Dames.

Denise (Vanderham) is a shopgirl who comes from a small town. Seemingly out of her league in the metropolitan atmosphere of the Paradise, she proves herself resourceful and graceful. With never-ending ideas, though, she threatens others above her; entrepreneurial, independent woman are not part of 1870s culture.

The owner of The Paradise, Mr. Morray (Elliott), is a devilishly handsome and enterprising man. He captures the hearts and loyalties of everyone with is dimples and inventive ideas. While he is engaged to be married, he and Denise have an undeniable chemistry as like-minded members of The Paradise staff.

So what all will happen? While drama and romance have their moments, the most exciting part of The Paradise is the novelty. The staff must come up with different advertising campaigns, sale schemes, and funding. They host the first one-day, store-wide sale; a special ladies' night for lingerie (which would be too uncouth for everyday display); the creation of a confectionary attached to the department store. It's revolutionary and romantic.

Also, the lighting and color-scheme are gorgeous, and the costuming divine.

Watch the first season on Netflix and the second on iTunes!

Photos via: 1, 2, 3, 4

Nine Kisses

Last week the New York Times released their annual short film series featuring the year's best actors. (I loved when they did the genre episodes that were melodramatic and captivating.) This year the series is called Nine Kisses, and the brief episodes are diverse and endearing. I found Steve Carell and Laura Dern's clip hilarious––a comic surprise. Julianne Moore and John Lithgow (some of my quiet but consistent favorites) nailed theirs. The color, mood, and atmosphere is a hit and their inhibition is electric.

Still shot of Julianne Moore in Still Alice (d. Richard Glatzer, 2014)

Speaking of this year's films and actors: I have been woefully out of touch with films this year, so some of these actors were a surprise to me. I know that Benedict Cumberbatch is a real favorite among the ladies, but I've never quite found him appealing. (Something alien about his pale, smooth face and high cheekbones...) However, I want to see him in The Imitation Game. There is always one good history film around the holiday season, and this seems to be it. I also want to see Wild (with Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern), the movie based on a true story, as well as Still Alice, which addresses the diagnosis of Alzheimer's for a prolific academic.

Photos via: NY Times, Indie Wire

Interstellar: Water Cooler Currency

It seems as though everyone in the office at work as seen Interstellar, and we're all talking about it. Critics have been a little split on the film, with some praising it's stunning visuals and entertainment value and others critiquing its lack of sophistication/intellect. Here's what my co-workers and I have determined over coffee and the copier:

1). Paying for IMAX seems to have been worth it. My co-worker Kate said its enormity was astounding.

2). Along that line....it's visually spectacular. We think the sublime of nature in romanticism is being replaced in the twenty-first century with galactic film.

3). Matthew McConaughey is so orange!

4). The dimensions of time (especially near the end) actually blew our minds. Worm holes, black holes, alternate universes, etc. We talked about time and relativity for 20 minutes and still felt perplexed/curious!

5). Matt Damon and the snow planet: gratuitous macho scene that came off as foolish boys having a snowball fight.

6). Robots were not as impressive as our beloved original HAL: their voices were almost too real; their design was bizarre and nonsensical; but their programming capabilities fascinated us.

7). We're happy Anne Hathaway is out of Hollywood hiding.

8). As per usual, Hans Zimmer knocked it our of the park with a shimmering and cavaliering (albeit loud) soundtrack.

9). Dylan Thomas's poem, "Do not go gentle into that good night," while a lovely poem was overused and felt forced. We get it, Nolan, you're an intellectual! 

10). The pathos was delicately balanced––it wasn't cold, but it wasn't sappy.

Photo via Wired, by Paramount Pictures. 

Upcoming Movies

I rarely go to the theater, because I can't justify spending a fourth of my grocery bill on movie tickets. However, I've come across several trailers that pique my interest. I'll admit that I don't have refined, artistic taste, so some are pulpy and trendy. Regardless, these are what I'm looking forward to.

The Theory of Everything

Eddie Redmayne stole my heart in Les Miserables and now this. I'm aware of the potential sappiness with this, but I think it will be touching and heartfelt. 

Dear White People

This satirical film is getting so much buzz and being celebrated as a culturally relevant for everyone. It deals with identity, acceptance versus tolerance, and raises some pressing questions of contemporary American prejudice.

Gone Girl

The book is totally pulpy, but has been getting a lot of attention as a surprisingly gripping novel. The film has gotten mixed reactions from critics, but I still want to give it a try. I typically like Ben Affleck and I've been a fan of Rosamund Pike since she was in Pride and Prejudice.

Interstellar

Matthew McConaughey is on a career high and Anne Hathaway has come out of performance hiding. I was never a huge fan (and she is the epitome of my childhood in The Princess Diaries), but after such cruelty with the "Hathahaters" she deserves a moment to shine again in a great movie.

I'm also taking this opportunity to say that Boyhood is aptly placed in Oscar lists. (I will forever adore the precious treatment of time in that film.) Do you have any recommendations for me? I'd love your suggestions!

Photo public domain via Commons

Must-See Movies

Speaking of movies, here are some films that I've either been meaning to see or am anticipating.

1. "Fruitvale Station" looks tragically insightful and human. Jamie Foxx called it "a movie for the ages."

2. The newest Woody Allen film "Blue Jasmine" is a loosely-based 21st Century A Streetcar Named Desire, but does not act like an impostor. Cate Blanchett, who played Blanche on broadway, apparently gives an electrifying performance as she slides from her economically high tower.

3. William Shakespeare and Joss Whedon finally meet as primarily sci-fi guru tackles "Much Ado About Nothing." The film isn't a period piece, but uses the original text, which makes it fun. As always, Whedon sticks with some of his classic mainstay heavy-weights like Nathan Fillion and Alexis Denisof. With a cast like that, it's got to be good.

4. Yes, I'm J.T. obsessed, but "Inside Llewyn Davis" looks great! ("Runner Runner" may, too, be good.) The Coen Brothers are almost always a sure hit, and Carey Mulligan has been on fire lately, so my hopes are high! Anticipated the end of this year!

5. Last, but not least, Joseph Gordon-Levitt wrote and directed "Don Jon," which has been previewing in theaters for several months. With all the build-up, I'm hoping it's good. The preview is intriguing, and Levitt does not usually disappoint. With multi-talented and a smart actor/writer/director, the film has the potential to be huge.

What movies have you seen this summer that you would recommend? I have some free time coming up, so I'd love your suggestions! Furthermore, do you have any other suggestions for upcoming films? I'm often out of the loop for forthcoming projects, so give the details!

Photo via Tom Spaulding Flickr

Being Critical of Comedies

Friday Night Dinner

Our era appears to be in a new golden age of television series and films; everything champions "critically acclaimed" reviews. This critical acclaim, however, is extraordinarily exclusive to dramas. Yes, I love a good drama. But do you ever feel like those amazing comedies are being left out? It's like they're the losers of entertainment.

Yet comedies often show great intelligence, art, and truth. Remember Gilmore Girls? A remarkable comedy that really pioneered the portrayal of unique families, and rejoiced in the mother-daughter relationship. It dealt with real emotion, real issues, and kept you thinking, while still laughing. 

Likewise, The Office (both the UK and US series) is a hilarious look at workplace relationships. And while exaggerated to impossible stretches, every episode asks us to appreciate the nutty, the uptight, the bland, the dimensions of love, and the humor in life.

Both are gut-busting, with smart writing and honest characters. But not considered worthy of the elitist criticism. It seems as though those stomach-churning dramas that thrive off of little dialogue, overzealously peppered with gunshots, explosions, and blood show a "true genius." 

Because it's so difficult to make a crime scene interesting. And it's believable, too. Let's face it: some dramas are insanely genius. They're breathtaking and intricate. Let's not forget, though, that in times of crisis and distress, comedy often prevails with truth and comfort. (Remember: SNL aired after 9/11. Similarly, comedians are often considered the truth givers of our society; that we get the most honest information from comics.) 

So have a laugh, but think critically. You're probably enjoying a beautifully crafted, artful composition of language, cinematography, music, and acting. 

Photo via 

SoulPancake

Do you need your faith in humanity restored? Working as a reporter in investigative journalism, I have dealt with a lot of heavy things, from human rights violations to straight up lying for personal gain. There are so many moments today, in a world where news (and bad news at that) seems to be everywhere, and we simply can not get away for a bit.

Well, here's some good news: You can!

I always joked about starting a newspaper that only featured good news to counteract all the disheartening stories we hear. SoulPancake, with Rainn Wilson from The Office, has done it! And not only is there good news, there's good conversation! Finally, social media is actually being used to say something. I've been somewhat disappointed with how Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and even blogs have become platforms for shouting ideas, and nothing else. I got into social media, because I wanted conversations, thought-provoking interactions with people from everywhere. 

Check out SoulPancake for a dose of heart-warming, faith-in-humanity-affirming conversations. You'll day will get brighter, I promise! 

P.S. one of their most recent, intriguing conversations: What has more meaning? Questions or answers?

Photo via

Lonely Audience

Would you go to the theater by yourself? Normally, I think of the theater as a very social outing. I go with friends and family to see different shows on vacations, so normally when I think of a show, I think of getting dressed up, having a fancy dinner, and enjoying a night of sparkly shoes, velvet theater seats and glamour.

However, for one of my English classes I need to see a showing of The Twelfth Night at The Guthrie Theater. Despite showing for over a month and a half, my schedule is so busy that I need to see it pronto. And I'll probably see it by myself. I've never done it before. I've not even seen a movie by myself! So wish me luck! I think it might be fun to take everything in on my own. Get there early, wander around, check out the sites, wait to see the cast afterward...you get the idea!

Would you go see a show by yourself, or would you feel lost and lonely in a big theater?

Photo via