The Cove

So, it's been a while.  So sue me.  This blogging thing is far harder than I expected. I figured once I'd watch a movie, I'd have all these things to say (which I usually do), but then I sit down in front of the screen and I totally freeze up and can't think of anything whitty or entertaining to write.  BAH!

Ah well, I finally got around to watching The Cove, the 2010 Oscar-Winner documentary about the un-just killing of dolphins in Japan.  I'd heard nothing but amazing things, and let me tell you, this film does not dissapoint!  In a covert mission complete with help from technology from the U.S. Military, and two free-divers this team sets out to witness and document the harrowing killing of thousands of dolphins in a highly protected cove in Taiji, Japan. 

In one of the very first scenes you're introdued to Richard O'Barry who was the dolphin trainer on the American classic Flipper. Since then, Ric has been heavily involved in fighting for dolphin rights and has been arrested throughout the world in doing so.  O'Barry explains how dolphins are one of the only animals that are self-aware (i.e. if they look in a mirror, they knows it's them).  He also explains how every breath a dolphin takes is a conscious one, because they don't have gills, they know when they need to breathe and rise to the surface.  Having O'Barry be the ring leader of this project gives this film so much more feeling.  In one scene he simply states, "Every year that Flipper was on, I went out and bought a new porsche, what I should have been doing is fighting for these animals."  TEAR-JERKER

The documentary moves with a the speed of a high-action thriller and uncovers several other social, economical and human problems along the way.  It's on-the-edge-of-your-seat viewing the whole way through and just a warning in the end you leave the film, crew, and Japan feeling a overwhelmed and a little sad.  Even my veiwing partner looked at me an hour later and said, "I feel depressed."

Do not let the emotion deter you. Every minute of this documentary is worth watching.  (However, you may never want to go Sea World again...just saying). 

Whether you're an environmentalist, humanitarian, animal rights activist, or just looking for a thought-provoking 2 hours, WATCH THE COVE!

Dads For My Daughters

This looks to be a guaranteed tear jerker, and how I'll be spending my Sunday night!

"This Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, Dr. Sanjay Gupta spends time with the dad and his children to explore what it means to truly care for people you love once you're gone."

Set your DVR!:
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2010/dads.for.my.daughters/index.html

Look What I Just Found!!

A place that lets you download and watch FREE DOCUMENTARIES!! Whoot - whoot!!  After a recommendation for my next blog post to be about Cocaine Cowboys (review to come - haven't watched it yet) I googled it to see where I could get it...lone behold, this beauty of a site came
up: 

http://www.documentary-log.com/

Cocaine Cowboys is on there, along with plenty others...Man On Wire (which is on my watch list as well.) 

So enjoy!
xoxo Mirn

The September Issue

So...FINALLY I sat down and watched The September Issue! Sheessh! Took me long enough - again, first heard this buzz while at the Sundance 09 Film Festival. Every screening while in Park City was sold out and  (gasp!) Anna Wintour even made an appearance at some of the screenings.

{Side Note: For those of you who don't know who Anna Wintour is, she is the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, and allegedly the inspiration for the villian character Meryl Streep plays in the movie, The Devil Wears Prada}

Anna is notorious for her skinny frame, perfect bob, chic clothes, and large frame sunglasses. Most recently, a la 2010 - she asked Lady Gaga to perform at the Annual MET extravaganza in New York, however in her invite to Gaga she requested Lady Gaga not "swear so much." Ultimately, she's (Anna) a perfectionist, whose seen as a bitch and really doesn't care either way. She wants the product to speak for itself - and every September it does.

Upon relsease, the press ate up this documentary. Four stars here, two thumbs up there, it traveled the film festival circuit and even landed on DVR's across the United States. It's a real behind the scenes look of the hours, costume changes, edits, cat fights, and power struggles that go into getting the September issue of Vogue magazine or the "fashion bible" as it's been dubbed ever year. (840 pages and nearly five pounds of fashion, glamour, celebrities, and blood, sweat, and tears.) R.J. Cutler, the films director was granted unprecidented access to Vouge's team in the months leading up to the September issue release.

For twenty years, Anna has been the Editor-In-Chief and driving force behind the magazine and its success. Matching her tenure, is Creative Director, Grace Coddington. In my humble opinion, Grace is the films, heroine. A former model, Grace allows viewers to see the fashion world through her eyes, the 'magic' and 'wonder' that surrounds the business trips to Paris, the photoshoots at 3 in the morning, and the down-to-the-wire changes that go into making each issue seamless. The push pull-relationship between Anna and Grace is cinematic genius! Anna may be the face of Vogue, but for me Grace is the passion.

Regardless if you're a fashionmonger or not - The September Issue is cinematically stunning and definitely worth an hour and half of your time.

Oscars 2010!

Another successful year at the Oscars! Truthfully, I enjoyed this year far more than last's.  Here's the top ten moments of the night:

10 - Out of the car, one foot on the red carpet - to my left George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Mark Anthony. To my right Nigel Lythgoe.

9 - George Clooney runs to sign autographs to the fans on the way stops, smiles, and winks at me!

8 - Make our way through the tent on to the "real red carpet"  right behind Kristen Stewart and Keanu Reeves - small appearance of my arm, hair, and profile grace the internet in stock shots!

7 - Sarah Jessica Parker, Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Taylor Lautner, Miley Cyrus, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Woody Harrelson, Ryan Seacrest, Monique, Queen Latifah, Robert Downey Jr, Oh my!

6 - Free glass of champagne as you enter the Kodak Theatre- "Cheers!"

5 - Neil Patrick Harris opens the show - I love him and want him to host next year.

4 - The Cove wins Best Documentary! I knew it would!! (review coming soon!)

3- I win $25 in my Oscar Poll - The reigning champion since 2000! 

2- Tim Robbins pops out on stage to honor Morgan Freeman - side note: I'd run into Tim Robbins at breakfast that morning at The Curious Palate in Venice.  Same Oscar routine as T.Robbins? I'll take it!

1 - Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges, Christophe Waltz, Monique, Kathryn Bigelow, and The Hurt Locker all win!!!

It was awesome!!

Guess Who...

is going to the Oscar's again this year?!?  ME!  I feel so lucky to have this incredible opportunity again. Thanks to my friend (maybe best friend now) Debbie Peters.  Debbie works at the Academy and has graciously given me one of her tickets.  I'll be walking the red carpet and laughing hysterically (I'm sure) as Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin take the stage to host.  Also it's the first year, the Oscars are trying something new and have nominated 10 films in the Best Picture Category.

Here's what I'll be wearing, without the shoulder cover...
Thank you Nordstrom Rack for providing me with a $300 dress for $100. (gotta love a deal!) 

Nursery University

1/2 a review, for 1/2 a movie.

I stumbled across this documentary while flipping through the higher channels on my Uverse. It was probably about halfway through when I tuned in, but nonetheless I was hooked.

"War zone" - Probably not a phrase you'd expect to hear when discussing preschools. However, in Nursery University, a documentary depicting the competitive world of Manhattanites desires to get their children into prestigious nursery schools - it's "Toddler versus Toddler" and everyone is for themselves...or rather, their child.

The belief among the elite is that you have to start your children out early, the best nursery school allows them to get into the best Kindergarten, which sets them up for success when the real application for college comes. These nursery schools are teaching Mandarin to 2 year olds, while half of the children "applying" aren't potty trained and can barely speak English! Oh, and did I mention that cost for one year at the one of the profiled schools is upwards of $20,000?

The documentary follows 5 different families and goes "behind the scenes" at some of the schools with Admissions Directors candid quips.

Two scenes stole my heart.

The first, during a "behind the scenes look" at the selection process one of the teachers laments to the a room full of teachers, " Ugh, did you see (Child X)? She had a temper tantrum and had to be calmed down with a lollipop!"

Guess what? Child X's fate is sealed...not getting in.

The second - When acceptance letters are finally sent out - the film captures one dad literally 'freaking out' and 'breaking down' when the envelopes arrive. To his standards, the envelopes are "far to thin". He can barely open them he's so sure of rejection. This scene captures the movie's theme entirely. (And is hilarious as well!)

It's an interesting look into a world I will never know and be a part of. From the application process through the acceptance/rejection, this doc shines a light on the ultra-competitveness and determination of NYC parents.

The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pppEdSmTkB4

Disclaimer: I didn't even go to Pre-School.