His Kind of Woman, Jane Russell

Just watched His Kind of Woman.

Crazy ass Noir.
The level of camp from Vincent Price is just shiny.
Robert Mitchum and Raymond Burr.
And Jane Russell.
She was just smoking hot.

 Howard Greer did the costumes.
Of course he did.
This is a Howard Greer on Dita.

Here is a couple more pictures from the movie, the other gal's dress is also amazing.

I added Kate O'Hara's Hot Cuppa TV Blog over in the Vagina Enhanced Human's blog link list because she's interviewed Benedict Cumberbatch.
I'm shallow like that.
And hey, it's another reason to slap his sexy mug on the blog too.

I feel I should add that this newest group of photos that cropped up from this NYTs interview has me jonesing for The Batch in a 40's Noir remake. Seriously, add a fedora and a gun holster and he's a private dick or a gangster.
And he'd be able to use that American accent he seems to want to use.
Someone needs to make this happen.

I Love a Man in Uniform

So I saw War Horse at Christmas.
Mostly because I wanted to see Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Hiddleston (LOKI in Thor and Avengers) in uniforms.
It was what I expected, a good film that would have been a great film with a bit more editing.
All of the actors did a wonderful job, it is a beautifully rendered movie, but the truth is it was the best when we were watching the "war" part.
Whatever, because oh, there were some lovely men in manly uniforms
The boots and gloves the officers had were just too. die. for.

Look at those boots:

Rawr.
One more:

Which is all a way to say I thoroughly enjoyed this interview with costume designer Johanna Johnston from Clothes On Film.

Thanks to Cumberbatchweb for the heads up on the article.

Woman In Black

I love The Woman in Black by Susan Hill.

Terrifying book.

So I was excited they were making a movie version.

Went to see it today.
Enjoyable Gothic ghost story, no gore, and with lots of bits to make you jump.

If you have read the book then you will be disappointed (I was) in the way they changed the story around since it lost some of the pathos and depth, but Mr. Goddess has never read it and he liked it as a good old fashioned ghost story. 

Very much a homage to old style Hammer Films.
I will not mention how attractive Daniel Radcliffe looked in period costume and scruffy jaw since that would be pervy, we watched him grow up for heaven's sake. He plays terrified while angry very well and looked to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. Of course he's been playing that part in Harry Potter for years, but still this was well done on his part.

Supporting actors Janet McTeer and Ciarán Hinds (really, there has been a nice flurry of films with him in prime parts lately) were excellent as always. Roger Allum in small part at the beginning made me smile, I was not sure his character really was sorry to send Radcliffe off to Eel Marsh House at all.

So it was better then War Horse (there was a great movie in there somewhere), not as good as Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, which means I was not disappointed paying for it as long as it was a rush hour show.

And I will be sleeping with the lights on for the next week.

It is a situation.

The Benedict Situation.


Yes, I have a Cumbernest.

“But nearly every woman I know has a roughly similar story - in fact, dozens of them: stories about being obsessed with a celebrity, work colleague or someone they vaguely knew for years; living in a parallel world in their head; conjuring up endless plots and scenarios for this thing that never actually happened.”

—	Caitlin Moran, How to Be a Woman  Two Very Smart Women.

Men's Wear

 Hello, Tailor  (one of my new favorite blogs) has an interesting post on the costuming in Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy (opening in the US in December) and how, when done properly, costuming is not just about getting the look of a specific period right, but also the effect proper costume design has on characterization.  I'll not delve into his points, I'll just use this as an excuse to post a few pictures of the lovely Benedict Cumberbatch in his snazzy flare trouser suits.

Jonathan has another informative post up on Kickshaw Productions, this time about the Zoot Suit. I had no idea it became unpatriotic to wear them during WW2.

And for the Hobbit fans out there there is a new production video from Peter Jackson on You Tube. I mention it not just because it made me squee, but there is a short bit with the costume designer discussing how the filming at 46 (?) frames per minute effected the types of fabrics she has chosen to use.

Shitty Movie Blog

If you like movies you might want to check out Shitty Movie Blog.
It's no Pajiba and the author is one foul mouth dude (takes one to know one, right?) and our household TOTALLY disagrees with his review of Inglorious Bastards (though Quinten could be more generous with his editing and I am tired of the black hole that is the Tarantino ego) but still, there is some good fun writing there.
Go check him out.

RDJ

Squee!
Robert Downey Jr.
Badass!Sherlock Holmes.

I need to fan myself....

Paul Newman

Requiescat in pace et in amore

Why?

Just why?
Why does Hollywood think it is a good idea to remake movies that were made of awesome the first time around?
Case in point The Women.


The Women has been updated for the 2000's.
Oh goody.
Now I have nothing against witty films filled with great actresses, most of whom I love, I just hate the idea of re-making this film.

Top Chef

Tonight on Top Chef the teams had to create a course based on their favorite movies.
OMG, I was screaming The Thin Man, The Thin Man.
No one choose it of course, what a great course you could make based on all the liquor.
There is a liquor course in a six course meal, right?

If not there should be.

But really you could make some kind of awesome sauce with gin (or drink lots of gin and get sauced) and serve it with a dry martini.
Or two.

Just a reminder why The Thin Man (besides all of the fabulous vintage 30's and 40's clothes Myrna Loy wears) is awesome:


and yes, I want that cute Australian or Stephanie to win.

File This Under "Dur"

The big Harry Potter news this week is that Deathly Hallows will be
split into two, yes two films.
This means lots of face time for Professor Snape...of course Rickman will be
like, what, 70?
I am doing a happy dance....even though the film will not be out until
2010.

Oscar Tag...goodtimes

Jesus.
Ang over at eVintage Society's blog Vintage or Bust has
tagged me, she obviously has not noted my distaste for:
A. Inspirational Jesus Emails
B. Joke Emails
C. OK, any kind of forwarded email except LOLcats
D. "Tag Your It" blog thingees

Its blog tag time! eVintage will kick it off with some questions about the Oscar awards (fashions, not the awards themselves….who was paying attention to THAT part?)….

~sigh~ Remember, I spent the night in a haze of temperature induced hallucinations (so who knows WHAT I really saw) and various flu/cold meds.*

1) FAVORITE GOWN OF THE NIGHT & WHY?

Really, for me it was a tie between Mrs. Seal (Hedi Klum) and La Mirren (whom it can be said even my 15 year old thinks is hot)...they made the rest of the ladies look like sad little Haus Fraus.

2) WHAT ERA DO YOU THINK IT REPRESENTED BEST?
The body conscious designs of the late 50's and early 60's like those William Travilla made for Marilyn Monroe.

3) LEAST FAVORITE GOWN OF THE NIGHT & WHY?

I thought Cameron Diez (whom my kid also thinks is hot) was a hot mess. What is it with her and her "I just got in from the beach" hairstyles and makeup? Plus her dress did just not work for me and needed a good steaming.
I would add Daniel Day Lewis' wife's dress except they (as a couple) are much like Tim Burton and Helena Bonhem Carter in the wearing of the strangely goth evening wear that shows much boozums so this was par for the course for them....at least the hubby is yummy and it still is no swan dress.

4) WHAT ERA DO YOU THINK IT REPRESENTED BEST (or worst, as it were)?
The same as #2 except done wrong and it looked like it was too tight and her ass looked huge.

6) TILDA SWINTON, FASHION SCORE OR SCARE?
Score.
I really liked it, for Tilda (you have seen what she has worn before, right?) it was avant garde while still being very classic. Lux fabric, great cut....my only problem is the neckline which would look better cut bateau instead of scoop.

WHAT DID YOU EAT WHILE WATCHING THE SHOW?
7-up and crackers.

And let me just add that there is NOTHING sexier in the world then guys who bring their mom with them to an awards show instead of some starlet. Props to Colin Ferrell (even if you still looked a bit skeevy) and Javier Bardem for loving their mums.

So I will pass this bit o' torture fun on to Carol over at Jersey Girl/Dandelion Vintage.

*I'm feeling better, thankyouverymuch, and while there were a few misses on the red carpet, all in all the gowns were just lovely to behold and there was nothing truly crazy. I miss Cher and Bjork.

Obligatory Vintage Oscar Dress/Drinking Game Post

This would be my obligatory vintage Oscar dress post…..
if I was not down with The Crud.

Not the flu, but The Crud.

I feel yucky….but not OMG! Kill Me Now sick.

Just, ~meh~ I need to go back to bed and sleep.

I have done nothing for 3 days. Mr. Vintage Goddess has been a trooper. Made dinner for 3 days, cleaned the kitchen, did the laundry and cuddled with me last night when I got the chills from my temp.

That is why we get married ladies, so that someone is there a 12 midnight when you are cold or to make sure you did not fall asleep in the bath and drowned.

So here is Liz Taylor in a great dress from Edith Head in 1969. Here is a paperdoll of Liz Taylor and her hair from Fancy Ephemera:

Fancy Ephemera Paper Dolls features Brenda Sneathen Mattox's original art.
Paper Dolls include: literary heroines, royalty, Hollywood costume, classic movie stars, Victorian ladies, historical fashion, and vintage brides!

There are tons of cool links and information on her site go by and take a look around and buy some paperdolls.

I will not be taking part in the Oscar Drinking Game (which basically is a shot every time you say “OMG!”, “What was she thinking.”, “Who let her out looking like that?” and “It is called a fucking bra Gwyneth.” ) since the meds already make me feel dunk.

What I will do is begin writing down my impressions of the cracktastic Oscar fashions I see as long as I can stay awake.

Enjoy the show and I’ll get back with you later….

Rom Com

Valentine's day brings out the romantic comedies on TV.
Most suck.
‘Tis the truth.
Except for High Fidelity, I really love that movie.
Not really sure why.
Of course they really don't make Rom Coms like they used too.

I think my favorites are the Thin Man movies.
I know they are not really considered romantic comedies, but they are funny with tons of witty banter.
Myrna Loy and William Powell infuses the couple, created by Dashiell Hammett, with an adoration that is romantic without being overly sweet.
Nick and Nora Charles are funny, quirky, and elegant.

Just fun movies full of smart dialogue and fabulous frocks.
Nora really dressed well....very, very well.
Oh and there is copious amounts of alcohol.

Cloverfield

Am I the only one who hopes that the Cloverfield Monster
is The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man?


Just asking....

A Celebration of Grace

Last week the windows at Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship store displayed couture creations inspired by garments worn by Grace Kelly and then auctioned off to benefit the Princess Grace Foundation-USA.
I was happy to see that one of the dresses used as "inspiration" was the lovely black and white beauty Edith Head designed for Rear Window. I will watch that movie just to see that dress.
While I thought Carolina Herrera's design was a fine gown with its chiffon skirt and wrap black blouse, the truth is that Head's vintage 50's dress is so perfect, so lovely that it outshines the
inspired design and makes us go "ahhhhhh" at how sublime it is.