film crush - the help

I adore a period film, especially when it's done a little over-the-top in the costume department (in a good way). Everybody has heard of this film by now, and if you haven't, then go and watch it now. Go on! It's got a little of everything, drama, love, death, it's funny and the clothes and sets are so, so gorgeous. 

Although it's not typical of the time, I freakin' LOVE Emma Stone's curls. And those cat eye glasses. yum. 

Celia Foote is definitely my favourite character, and it may be influenced by her amazing wardrobe... Which is made better by the fact that everything is in size tight. All the better to show curves off, my dear!

I really want the yellow playsuit with white piping, so cute. But look at that umbrella! Floral! And fringing! On a sun umbrella! How fashionably unnecessary can you get. 

film crush - barbarella

Barbarella is not much more then an excuse for Jane Fonda to prance about in very shiny outfits, that the writers still manage to incorporate her losing in some strange plot turn (torture by sexual pleasure? 'Making love' to an unbelievably hairy furrier? ) And then include yet another fantastically skimpy costume change. The sets are an acid trip, and the music is what no-one wants to remember about the 60's, but really that is what is so fabulous about it. Her pink spaceship's walls are gloriously covered in orange-brown shag pile carpet and a mural of 'A sunday afternoon on the island of La Grande Jette'. And the erotica! The opening scene of Barbarella teasingly stripping her astronaut costume is still just as sexy now. 

The dialogue and witty one-liners are a riot. While standing naked talking to the President of Earth on videophone, she casually asks for a minute to slip something on. To which the reply is "Don't trouble yourself. This is an affair of state!" Barbarella also has one of the best death by freaky zombie nutcracker doll scenes ever. Well possibly the only one, ever. 

The story line is simple, with the help of the blind angel Pygar (and many other ahem, characters she meets on the way) Barbarella has to defeat the evil Durand-Durand and save the galaxy. While exploring her sexual awakening as much as possible. And don't forget the obligatory lying down shot of Barbarella writhing her legs and batting her lashes in almost every scene. 

The entire film is total candy and Fonda is a stone fox. 

It's the ultimate camp classic. And very pretty pretty. 

film crush - slums of beverly hills

Natasha Lyonne plays Vivian, a blossoming teenager in a weirdo family that moves spontaneously, due to her fathers schemes and lack of income. Her rehab-escaped cousin - played by Marisa Tomei - joins the family and guides her through the beginning of womanhood, dildo dancing, secret languages, and sex with the neighbourhood pot dealer, Kevin Corrigan. This film oozes 1970's california summer and the film is saturated in kitsch. Floor to ceiling canary yellow and shag carpet anyone?

Even if you don't watch it for the dark comedy, watch it for the awfully brilliant colour scheme.