Off the Beaten and Bloodied Path

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you are enjoying it. If you are in Philly, I know you are. Soo many riots. Makes me nostaligic for the good ol' race riots of the sixties, eh?

Anyways, here are seven good movies to watch on Halloween night that stray a bit from the usual and more obvious films such as "Halloween" or "Nightmare on Elm Street" which are still classics none the less.

In no particular order, my suggestions for Halloween hedonism pregamery:

1. What ever Happened to Baby Jane?

While much of the horror lies in Bette Davis' face in this movie, the storyline is full of tension and just general creepiness. The plot tells the story of a former child star who quickly faded out of the public eye "taking care" of invalid sister who's brilliant career was cut short by an automobile accident that happened under curious circumstances. Quotable dialogue is croaked out by Davis while she tortures ( and basically acts out her real life hate towards ) Joan Crawford. Memorable highlights include rats, birds, gin, Bette Davis upskirt, etc. This "psycho-biddie" film teeters on camp but still remains more of a unnerving style of creepiness.

2. Rocky Horror Picture Show

Speaking of camp, RHPS is the King-dressed-as-a-queen of camp and cult cinema. Created as a spoof of science fiction films of the fifties, Rocky Horror has amassed a following of fans who act out the movie while it is being projected, usually at midnight shows. This is a good silly movie to get you in the mood for a fun evening but probably not good if you prefer movies that conform to what is comfortable for you to understand.

3. Freaks

Even if you do not watch this for Halloween tonight, GO see this at sometime in your life. Filmed in 1932, Freaks tells the story of love, friendship, and deception in the world of the circus. The film is highly notable for its use of real "circus" freaks that were popular and touring the country during the time of filming. This film quickly turns into a horror film at the end in the vein of German expressionism that was going on in (surprise) Germany at the time. If physical deformities make you a bit queasy, I suggest not eating candy before or after watching this film.

4. Sunset Boulevard

This film-noir gemstone is all sorts of crazy. The Gothic setting and general atmosphere of the film sets the unsettling tone for this tale of an aging silent film star. Sunset Boulevard can be seen as a precursor ( and far superior ) to "What ever Happened to Baby Jane?" and other films that explored the underbelly and effects of Hollywood. Enjoy Norma Desmond's decaying mind in a decaying mansion!

5. A Clockwork Orange

Science-fiction, futuristic Russian slang, ultra-violence, murders via phallic sculpture, iconic costumery, Kubrick etc. etc. I'm sure most of you have seen "A Clockwork Orange" but I'm putting it on this list as I am going as Alex for Halloween tonight ( again, for my 300th time ).

6. Oni-Baba

I saw this movie freshman year at a Temple sponsored event. This black and white Japanese film is a bit slow but the cinematography is beautiful. The story is interesting to boot and this is a good example of how awesome Japan is at creating horror through mood and story rather than sudden noises and "jumpy" moments. Also, I felt compelled to put at least one Japanese film on this list.

7. Blue Velvet

In accordance with my love of Twin Peaks ( and since there's not enough time to watch every episode on Halloween night ) I opted to put his famous "Blue Velvet" on this list. Again, this film is filled with disturbing scenes, dismembered body parts, and the dark underbelly of America suburbia ( no, I'm not talking about you suicide-inducer Lori Drew! ). This movie also features a pre-Green Porno Isabella Rossellini, pre-Jurassic Park Laura Dern, and a pre-pubescent pre-Twin Peaks Kyle Maclachlan.

Happy Halloween! Hope you have a good one. Also, be thankful you are not at Temple University Japan campus as all the anime-nerds, manga-weirdoes, and general otakus have opted to dress up in Kimonos ( so awkward when they are white ) and of course, as their favorite anime / manga / pokemon characters. Ugh!

Damn Fine Cup of Coffee

While I was only two years old when the show debuted, I've had no excuse for not watching "Twin Peaks" via DVD or online years ago.

I only watched the pilot two days ago and I'm already hooked! I mean, I like David Lynch's films "Mulholland Driver" and "Blue Velvet" but I've never been one of his dedicated fans. "Twin Peaks" however, may be turning me into one.

Things I like about it:

-- Black coffee mentioned several times per episode
-- Kyle Maclachlan's acting
-- The pretty Asian woman
-- Noiseless shades
-- Mary Janes
-- Fresh-faced Lara Flynn Boyle

Also, when I used to work at Dorney Park during Halloweekends, they always played this one song I could never recognize, then a few years later I was sitting at my favorite Philadelphia coffee house and the song came on. I asked the mustachioed barista what it was and he said it was...

Laura Palmer's Theme

Truly a great song that I love even more after hearing it several times per episode.

Anyways, go and watch this show if you have yet to see it! I wish I could find the SNL parody clip of it from 1991 that was ALWAYS on TV when Comedy Central repeated SNL into oblivion.

La Mere du Style

So Yves Saint-Laurent died a few months ago (making this post a little late) but his mother is still kickin'! I like how most old ladies from Europe still get fancy and take care of themselves.

Of course, she is super-wealthy, but ya know...

Mackin' on my Macarons

If you know me personally, then you know that when I watch a movie that I like, I usually become fairly obsessed with it.

Anyways, I watched "Marie Antoinette" the other day and pretty much loved Sophia Coppola's signature cinematography and story-telling.

The costumes, food, lighting, etc. etc. were all brilliant!

Naturally, the pastries were a highlight for me and as a result, when I come home from Japan (and if I still like the idea) I plan on making batches and batches of these:


There's one slight problem since these macarons (note the one less O to make sure you're not confused with a coconut macaroon) are basically like meringues which translates to "virtually impossible to make vegan".

But do not fret.

At my Christmas dinner party there will be plenty of vegan sweets like these to be passed around.

Bizarre Note: I live in Tokyo as of right now and I love the films "Marie Antoinette" and "The Virgin Suicides" yet Sophia Coppola's existentalists in Tokyo film "Lost in Translation" bores me to tears! I attempted to watch it again last night and I finished the first half and had no desire to wait 20 minutes to load the second half of the film. What's wrong with me?!

My Webcam Has the Weirdest Features

Paintings of Cakes ( 2.0 )

This one even features a Betsey Johnson dress.

By Kiersten Essenpreis.

Going Away Cake and Haircut

I keep wanting to call this a birthday cake, but it was for my going away party. Anyways, it was a delicious vegan coconut lime cake with a sweet lime buttercream icing. My mom iced the cake beautifully and we tinted the piped icing green by adding a tiny bit of matcha powder. Organic food coloring!

Then also I got my hair cut and that pastel plaid button-up and that blazer. Hurrah.

Dolce & Gabbana is so Clueless

Not to make another post about plaid (we'll say this is more tartan than plaid) BUT I watched Clueless four times within in the span of two days. As always, I was impressed by everyone's crazy plaid outfits and I guess D&G was as well since their AW 08 line is chock full of it.

I plan on wearing head to toe tartan while in Japan because I feel like I can truly dress outta control there.

Ya dig?

Accidentally Vegan Obsessions

Two things that normally are never vegan: Skittles and (most commercial) chocolate.

And bam. When combined, they somehow transformed into a vegan delight.

Anyways, I had my first taste a half hour ago. So delicious. Gave me an instant headache though... but regular Skittles always did that too. I hope they have them in Japan. Actually, I guess it doesn't matter because I'm sure they'll have more delicious candy over there.

Hurrah!

Pack it Up

I am not getting very far with my packing. Tomorrow is my going away party with the family followed by my final visit to Philly for a bit. Should be fun / sad.

Don't Get Me Started About the History of Plaid

Every single item in this photo is spot on.

Photo from Jezebel.

New Japanese Friends

I leave in a week.

Cupcake News

I did not use food dye in these! The organic matcha powder turns them into a brutiful Nickelodeon green.

Tiramisú cupcakes for Yasmin!

L'Orange Mechanique

Oh oh oh I love these.

Photos by Max Vadukul.

Go On Then, Ask Alice

Trip out on THAT beautiful piece of music "composed 90% of sound clips from Alice in Wonderland".

Favorite Salvador Dali Painting

So simple!
So controversial!

Just like meeee.

Making a Racquet

Oh freshmen year!

It was a Queer, Sultry Summer...

...the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs and I didn't know what I was doing in New York.

Actually, I did know exactly what I was doing in NY:

Having a grand old time!

I just got back today around 8 p.m.

Also, those commie bastards were fried years ago.