2 Days in Paris
Films are popular primarily because they provide an escape from the drudgery and repetition of everyday life. The characters are then as unrealistic as most of the storylines — too well-dressed, attractive, insightful and witty to be real. With 2 Days in Paris, Marion (Julie Delphy) and Jack (Adam Goldberg) are petty, neurotic and jealous. They have stupid fights, awkward, unfulfilling sex, and are initially difficult to like because they are so visceral. Inappropriate parents, ex-boyfriends and a flirty sister provide further relationship gristle and quite quickly you find yourself caring about them for the same reason they were initially so repulsive — their authenticity. Bonus points for being set in Paris. French is such a delectable language that even a description of bowel movements or a bus timetable sounds musical. Delphy (also the writer and director) shows a talent for shot composition as major landmarks are ignored and instead we are shown the backstreets, markets, house parties and run-down apartments of Paris, all with an indisputable charm. The ending is then superb, reaching a level of insightfulness and feeling that is unfortunately only apparent in patches throughout the rest of the film. [watch the trailer for the movie]
Tagged: Paris
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If you’d like to expand your social network, not in front of your computer but over a delicious meal, then try Colunching. After huge success in New York and Paris, the trend is now expanding to Australia. It’s totally free to join and you can become an organiser, choosing your favourite restaurant or just participate at the lunches, dinners, or brunches already planned. Bon appetit.
Highlining: combining climbing, slackline and tightrope walking
The write-up below this breathtaking (and we mean breathtaking) video says it all: ‘I have been filming the Skyliners on an incredible exploration into the world of free flight. Tancrède, Julien, Seb and Antoine are pioneers in highlining: a vertiginous combination of climbing, slackline and tightrope walking. We rigged highlines on the skyscrapers of Paris, and finally came to the spectacular cliffs and fjords of Norway’. Strap yourself in for the ride of your life.
The HEY! art show in Paris has these creepy superhero embryos by Alexandre Nicolas on display. Some of them are amusing with their iconic costumes, while others, like the Invisible Man, are haunting and beautiful. Read more
Also by XAVIER TOBY
Australian movie A Few Best Men
With all the gross out jokes and silliness of the common comedy romp, you’d think making them would be easy. Well, it’s not. It’s actually really difficult. Writing a joke is one of the hardest tasks anyone can undertake. Read more
Melancholia: a film by Lars von Trier
I wish there were a lot more of the types of films made by Lars von Trier. Each is very different but still distinctly von Trier, and each is superb. Melancholia is the follow up to the wonderfully confronting Antichrist. This is all about the end of the world, and told with an honesty and pacing that is probably much closer to the actual end of the world than all the Hollywood crap would have you believe. Read more
We Need To Talk About Kevin: based on Lionel Shriver’s novel
A delightful uncomfortable film, told from the point of view of a broken woman. Kevin’s just not right, and that’s obvious from the outset as mother Eva battles to bring him up in a world where the onus is put squarely back on the mother. The intensity is poured on throughout, as tragedy seems imminent. Read more
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A gingerbread house sitting on the lip of a hot cup of tea is a comforting and aesthetic treat for any kind of winter blues. Megan, or Not Martha, came up with this very cute idea and on her site she shows people how to create their very own edible cup architecture.
The genre of heavy metal, particularly its extremes, is not known for good taste. For me, this has always been part of its appeal. Still, there are album covers that make even me cringe. Here are a few of the worst metal album covers I’ve seen lately. Read more
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a reminder of why the medium of film is so special. It features first rate visuals, performances, direction and acting, all of which fits together into one of the most insightful, powerful and touching pieces of cinema ever. Read more
Holy cow! This renovation of an existing loft apartment and sprinkler tank house in downtown New York, gets full marks for ingenuity: ‘The tank house was conceived as the quintessential retreat, a place for reading, relaxing and listening to music’, explains architect, Brian Messana. Read more
Heavy on motorcycles, Steve McQueen and the 70s, this blog covers topics I’m already fairly familiar with and adds amazing photography. Read more
We featured White Williams on Lost At E Minor recently, so we thought it was time to pin him down for a chat. Metaphorically speaking of course. Read more
Alkemie Jewelry, the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Ashley Lowengrub and Dara Gerson, is a Los-Angeles based company who make socially responsible pieces of jewelry. Their entire collection is made from 100 percent recast metal in the USA. When leather is used, Alkemie obtains the leather from cattle ranches that uses all of the animal, and are dyed with eco-friendly dyes. The current collection for Alkemie is named The Maiden Voyage, inspired by the Art Noveau Movement.
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Honest Food Preparation Instructions
Yes, we’ve all been there: the chinese food from last week that still looks edible amongst the bare surrounds of an empty fridge. But really, we shouldn’t. Just let it be. Or College Humor will expose you! Read more
Here are a couple awesome pieces by Matt Leines that were recently on display in the Doubting Thomases exhibit at Nudashank gallery in Baltimore. Gives me ideas for Halloween. Read more
The return of the Brionvega rr226
Italian brand Brionvega has resurrected the classy Radiofonografio piece first created in 1965. The updated version is just like the original turntable/radio unit, but also has a CD/DVD player.
Matthew Dear’s Black City album totem
Our friends at Ghostly International are releasing Matthew Dear’s Black City album as a limited edition ‘totem’. A what? A totem – a limited edition metal bar used to access a private music chamber. Cool! Read more
Never ever, ever, ever, ever park here
Some friendly advice for the neighbours, who simply don’t get it, or street art? You decide which one it is.
Using Kyoko Hashimoto’s popular design, these acrylic earrings are made with unique hand formed sterling silver sleepers that make them light enough for everyday wear. Part of Kyoko’s collection, I Blame the Uni, (pronounced ‘oo-nee’, the Japanese name for sea urchin) and inspired by her experiences in the underground club scene of Tokyo. Read more
If you have a Twitter feed that focuses on cool pop cultural things and you’d like to swap Tweets with Lost At E Minor and other like-minded Twitterers, drop us a note (with Tweet Swap in the title). We have a system in place and we’d like to have you in on it! [illustration by Brad Fitzpatrick]
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michelle said | 29 February, 2008
I would love to watch it. sounds refreshing.