Summer Movie Monday: Magicians, Anarchists, and Lovers

Since I skipped last week (oops, sorry)...

Before Midnight

Opening Friday, May 24th
Directed by: Richard Linklater
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy
97% on Rotten Tomatoes

This third installment in Jesse and Celine's story of love and life and Europe continues on in Greece, two decades after their first meeting. These movies are made with love and passion, and these characters are infused with reality and care. This third (and hopefully not last!) story should be as much of an adventure as the first two.

The East

Opening Friday, May 31st

Directed by: Zal Batmanglij

Starring: Brit Marling, Alexander Skarsgård, Ellen Page, Toby Kebbell, Shiloh Fernandez, Aldis Hodge, Danielle Macdonald, Hillary Baack, Patricia Clarkson, Jason Ritter, Julia Ormond

70% on Rotten Tomatoes

This looks to be an indie thriller that is fraught with tension as it goes into the world of the CIA and anarchist groups. How far will a young operative go to uncover and expose their actions, and will she be persuaded while trying to do so? This could either be very interesting or it could miss the mark and veer too far into clichés. It's especially refreshing to see such a strong female cast with this genre.

The Kings of Summer and Now You See Me after the jump

The perfect outfit for Memorial Day

Memorial day is upon us and the as unofficial start of summer, it's the perfect time to make a style statement. I chose pieces that I'm comfortable in so that I can go anywhere all day and be prepared for every situation. I originally bought this dress from Zara for graduation from high school just about two years ago and it has proved to be versatile and amazingly easy to pair with just about anything. ((similar here))

T-4 hours! Don't make a huge mistake...

If you missed Arrested Development the first time around (I was one of the loyal followers from the start... all credit due to my family) MAKE SURE TO WATCH WHEN 15 NEW EPISODES ARE RELEASED TOMORROW!

"Get rid of the Seaward."
                                        "I'll leave when I'm good and ready."

What are your favorite AD quotes/episodes? Sound off in the comments below!

Style Icon: Carey Mulligan

Carey Mulligan is young, sure, but she's still made an indelible mark on both the film and fashion industries. She takes risks and manages to embrace many different styles while always looking like herself, which is quite a feat for a young actress. I first started paying attention when she showed up to the Oscars in a gorgeous black Prada - something I normally would have ignored but for the embellishments made up of miniature forks, scissors, and more! Prada has been her go-to, but she's worn the likes of Lanvin, Vionnet, and Valentino.

In a quirky Prada at the Oscars

In Prada at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival

Dirty up a floral skirt

Florals are my jam. I am just inherently drawn to them, whether on a skirt, backpack, or sneakers. That being said, sometimes they can feel too pretty. Florals aren't a one trick pony though. With some simple touches you can turn florals into a perfect casual weekend piece.

Sweater: Maison Scotch; Blouse: Loft; Skirt and Necklace: American Eagle; Boots: Frye

Here I took a few pieces that I've featured before including a bright orange blouse and accordion pleat floral skirt. I ditched the heels and the topknot and added my favorite oversized sweater, Frye lace-up boots, and a long necklace with some fun bobbles on it.

The shoulder and elbow detailing on this sweater give it a cool vibe! I kept my hair down and my makeup minimal. I did a slightly smoky brown eye. Recreate the look with any floral or pleated skirt and oversized sweater! Balance is key, though. A maxi skirt or even a midi skirt puts you in danger of looking frumpy.

Song of the Moment: Short Skirt/Long Jacket by Cake

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Tuesday Tunes

If you've spent any time reading this blog you know I love my girl Zooey, so I feel it completely, 100% necessary to alert you of the fact that the musical duo of which she makes up one half has come out with a new video for their new song "I Could've Been Your Girl." It's endearing, funny, and has fabulous 60s dance moves. What more could you want?! Bonus - check out the guy in the yellow pants. I'm just gonna come out and say it. He's fierce.

Summer Movie Monday: Zachary Quinto's Eyebrows

Star Trek Into Darkness

Opening Friday, May 17th

Directed by: J.J. Abrams

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Alice Eve, Bruce Greenwood, Leonard Nimoy

87% on Rotten Tomatoes

First I need to establish that I am definitely not a Trekkie. All I know about Star Trek, I learned with Abrams' first foray into the franchise and I loved it. Similar to the first Iron Man, it was snappy, fast, and made its own rules. This second looks a little darker, and remains as mysterious as most of Abrams projects do. I hope, again, like Iron Man, that it retains the humor and quick-wittedness that made the first so memorable.

Update:

This was an intense, funny journey with as much character development and wit as there was fighting and explosions... which is to say, plenty! Despite the twists and turns and deviations in intent from our villain, it was so much fun to watch and I just wanted it to keep going so I could explore every character even further. It's not too often that you get that from a summer action flick.

The English Teacher

Opening Friday, May 17th

Directed by: Craig Zisk

Starring: Julianne Moore, Michael Angarano, Lily Collins, Greg Kinnear, Nathan Lane, Fiona Shaw

42% on Rotten Tomatoes

What is a summer without some indies? With the stellar cast and a quirky premise, this caught my eye. Julianne Moore plays an english teacher of a former student who returns after failing at playwriting in New York. That combined with the comedic chops of the cast should provide laughs and awkwardness aplenty.

Also playing: Frances Ha (93%), Erased (26%), Black Rock (44%)

Coming next week: Before Midnight