Kelly Doust introduces readers to her wonderful world of reviving and customising vintage pieces, while bringing a modern and unique twist to wearing vintage clothes – Dita Von Teese
Film giveaway to The Kids Are All Right
The lovely people at Hopscotch Films are offering Crafty Minx readers 10 x free double passes to the new film, The Kids Are All Right, a sexy comedy of errors starring a superb cast; Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, Mark Ruffalo and Mia Wasikowska.
A warm and fun film about a very modern family, it’s being compared to Little Miss Sunshine and was a huge hit at Sundance. Opening on 2 September nationally, here’s the blurb below.
To win a free double pass, leave a comment here by Sunday 22 August telling me what your favourite, most inspiring film is and why you love it so much – winners will be chosen randomly from the best responses.
The Allgoods are a close family experiencing life’s typical ups and downs: 18-year old daughter Joni (Wasikowska) is heading off to Stanford University and starting to distance herself from her parents; 14-year-old Laser is hanging out with a deadbeat friend who constantly leads him into trouble. The only difference is that this family has two mums. Jules (Julianne Moore) and Nic (Bening) have been together for years, deeply in love, and had both children through artificial insemination.
This loving but strained home life is thrown into comic disarray when the kids track down their biological donor-Dad, Paul (Ruffalo), and invite him home for dinner. Paul is a bachelor whose sudden longing for a family introduces an interesting sexual dynamic to the not-quite-ordinary equation of the Allgoods. At first Joni is so happy to have a cool, handsome dad like Paul. But soon enough she comes to realise that Paul is fun loving but lacks self-control and when he starts sleeping with one of her mums chaos reigns.
I actually really liked “8 Mile” with Eminem. I don’t listen to rap music and I’m not in the target market at all, but it’s one of the few stories in movies that has stayed with me, and the lesson for me was to ‘not judge a book by its cover’. I bought the DVD. Very inspiring.
Hmmm that’s a toughie. I have two answers (I hope that’s allowed)
1. Animal Kingdom – the writing is brilliant, the acting is brilliant. At uni my lecturers always spoke about raising the stake when you’re writing and this is exactly what this film does. As soon as the stakes got as high as I thought they would get, something else raised it and upped the ante.
2. 500 Days of summer – I love this film for its quirk and characters. The lovelorn Joseph Gordon-Levit vs the anti-love Zoe Deschanel (who wears the most incredibly cute outfits all the way through) combining illustration and non-linear narrative of the couples 500 days together it questions modern romance and flips the clichéd boy-loves-girl scenario. Loved every minute of it.
Two answers is certainly allowed – especially when I heart both. thanks Kate x
A really tough question to answer. Little Miss Sunshine immediately springs to mind for so many reason- it makes you laugh and cry, appreciate your family despite the times where you hate them so much, and the theme that beauty is on the inside, even if you dance to a different beat Is a great theme. It’s one of my favourite and inspiring films, along with Amelie and Stranger Then Fiction, for similar reasons and also because of their ” Life is short” theme, live it well. The quirky and creative executions of these films seals the deal for me. They are the best. And you can always turn to them after a rough day, or even a good day. And they will be there to make you laugh and cry and inspire you over and over again.
X
Whenever I feel I need a little inspiration or pick me up I love Under The Tuscan Sun for a few reasons:
1. Gorgeous Italian scenery
Oops sorry first one posted too soon!
Whenever I feel I need a little inspiration or a pick me up I love Under The Tuscan Sun for a many reasons:
1. Gorgeous Italian scenery
2. Rustic home renovation
3. Diane Lane – whom I think is divine
4. A handful of handsome men thrown in
5. Hope that even if you don’t travel when you are young (I didn’t and always wanted to) it can happen later in life
6. I love the realisation she has at the end that she did get all the things she wanted, just that the universe delivered them in a way that she didn’t expect
7. And last of all I love the way she builds her friends into a family
It’s such an oldie, but I cannot go past Rainman, with Dustin Hoffman. Brilliant acting (mostly by Dustin) and such a moving story about family (or brothers) and the journey that these two take. I’ll probably be screamed down but I find Tom to be very bland, but the movie had a brilliant script and is remains one of my favourites!
Gotta go with The Princess Bride. Soooo many great lines that often ring true. “Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something!”
Clich`e Breakfast @ Tiffanys
The secret romantic in me can’t help but adore this film, for its timeless portrayel of superficial ideals terminated by untamed, confronting and genuine love.
A film I appreciate for effortlessly transporting me into a moment of bohemia embelished with true hollywood glamour!
I’m not sure about ‘favourite’ because that is always a hard call but I recently saw Romulus My Father and loved it. It is a beautiful story of the relationship between a son and his father (though also exploring migration, love, friendship, madness, etc). It sensitively portrays mental illness and the destruction it brings for those suffering from it and for those around them. And it chronicles – in a simple, yet powerful way – our resilience in the face of tragedy.
If you borrow the DVD it is worth watching the interview with the original book’s author – Raymond Gaita – where he talks about the movie adaptation of his book, but also offers a thoughtful contemplation of what inspired him (what so inspired him about his father) to write the book which is in so many ways a homage.
I am not a huge film buff, I seem to spend way too much time crafting to watch television or films. There is however one film that I saw at the cinema some years ago and has been on the television numerous times that I do make the effort to watch again and again. And thats Love Actually. I love the opening and closing scenes with all those ordinary people greeting each other at the airport, those pictures along with the music bring a tear to my eye. Most of the couples could be any of us (except probably the PM and Natalie). It looks at all types of love and unrequited love. New love and middle aged loved. Love that doesn’t work out for some reason. Romantic love and love between friends.
I love it!
I found Dead Poets Society truly inspiring in so far as a dedicated teacher is a blessing in any child’s life.
I saw the preview for The Kids Are All Right and absolutely wanted to see it!
I find the whimsical film Amelie to be really inspiring, with the beautiful shots of Paris. The movie makes you recognise the simple pleasures in our daily existence. Although the storyline is far fetched, Amelie’s imagination and devotion to bring happiness to others is truly moving. The soundtrack is also fantastic.
I’ve been dying to see The Kids Are All Right so I really hope I win!
One of my favourite movies is Amélie. I love everything about it from the stunning cinematography to the quirky characters. (ha, I just realized that the post before this is talking about Amélie as well, oh well). I find it artistically inspiring thanks to the amazing colours, scenery, set design, beautiful soundtrack etc. I also find the story of quirky people finding their way in life and being true to themselves inspiring. Oh, and I love the focus on the simple pleasures in life.
Hello, This is always easy for me. La Belle et la Bete by Jean Cocteau. It’s a magical fairytale for those who are pure and innocent at heart. Black and white and shot on a shoestring budget it still puts most modern filmmakers to shame with Cocteau’s vision,purity and his creativity. It was also my first date ever with my husband and I knew from his choice of film – he had to be the one. xx
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. I absolutely love this movie, as much as I love the book. Atticus, Scout & Jem tell such an amazing story, through the innocent eyes of a child. I love the way the kids have been raised and the respect that they have for everyone, especially in that generation where there was so much racism. I love all the life teachings that they learn from Atticus, such a wise respectful man. And I love how Atticus is such a charmer and how much his children love him. I now want to go and watch it!!
‘Father of the Bride’ and part 2 are my favourite warm and fuzzy movies. Very light and entertaining and with Steve Martin and in particular Martin Short as the wedding planner, makes me laugh. The transition of parenthood to father-in-law to grandfather is quite comical here and I think when I get to that stage, I will need a sense of humour as well.
Another one is ‘In my sister’s shoes’, can totally relate to the Toni Collette character, how she feels about herself and the only good things that look good on her is shoes and being envious of my gorgeous tiny, petite friend who all the guys were drawn to. Complex and gripping. Great relationship movie. Seen it 5 times!
So many to choose from however I would have to say ‘American Beauty’. Kevin Spacey, Annette Benning and the supporting cast are simply superb however the underlying theme of ‘beauty is everywhere and in everything’ continues to resonate. Two scenes always spring to mind – the plastic bag swirling in the wind (as if it were designed for no other purpose) and the final scene where Kevin realises (the second before he is murdered) that his true happiness resides in the love he has for his family. Breath-taking stuff.
“Hunting & Gathering” is a stand-out for me as it reinforces the idea that despite the challenges life throws at us, as long as we persevere, weather the storms, treat others with respect and tread kindly on this earth wonderful rewards can be just around the corner waiting for each and every one of us. I loved the book and hoped desperately that the movie would live up to it. It exceeded my expectations and still inspires me years later:)
my fav/film – “roman holiday” – because you have audrey!!!, gregory peck, rome, classic fashion & beauty & romance x x x x x x x x x ………………………
There are quite a few great films out there that aren’t mainstream yet hold film to a higher standard in storytelling, thanks to the Indie filmakers! I too have several favorites but if I had to choose a top film it would be Like Water For Chocolate. As a romantic at heart I loved this film because it is quite poetic. If you’ve not seen it you must give it a go as it will take you into another time & place but leave you feeling like you’ve not really strayed too far from home and touched base with humanity.
And if I may, gotta add that Chocolat is my next fave film…& Mr Gorgeous Johnny Depp is in it too…so thought I’d add this one for you to add to list of unseen films to watch.
PS. There’s no connection to the fact that these films contain “the divine cocoa bean” in their titles:)
Thanks for entering the competition! The winners are Kate, Niki, Sonia, Alicia, Josephine, Karen, Gaby, Robyn, Gaye & Renee. Congratulations, and hope you enjoy the film x Kelly