Need for Speed - Hot Cars, Mind-Blowing Racing & Aaron Paul

Official Need for Speed Poster

I went into Need for Speed with some trepidation.  I never was a huge Fast and Furious super-fan, and the trailer didn’t give me a lot to go on.  I am, however, a BIG fan of Aaron Paul, having watched his masterful portrayal of Jesse Pinkman in the series Breaking Bad on AMC from 2008-2013. 

Aaron Paul as Tobey Marshall

In 2010 and 2012, Paul won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and in 2014 won the SAG Award (with the entire cast) for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.  There were many nominations from

Shelby Mustang from the film

2008-2013, including Golden Globe nominations and Saturn Awards.  The talented Paul has acting chops, and good ones.  He is a true character actor. This is what really had me interested in Need for Speed; seeing him in a very different role.

Well, I can honestly tell you Aaron Paul does not disappoint in the role of Tobey Marshall in Need for Speed.  He does an incredible job as a man out to avenge the death of one of his best friends and his own false imprisonment, deciding to do so through racing.  Unfortunately for movie goers, some of the story is more than a bit flimsy, there are a few holes in the plot and the actors supporting Paul are mostly mediocre - all leaving me with some muddled feelings on this film.   

With just a few changes, Need for Speed could've been a much better movie. Regrettably, the theatrical release left me feeling as though something was missing, even though Paul did a remarkable job as Marshall.  You may find it interesting that IMDB movie-goers have given this film a 7.3/10 stars so far (at the time of this blog publication), which is much higher than many top critics. 
 

One of many crash scenes in the film

The cars and street racing came across as very realistic, and many times it felt as though I was actually in a car going over 200 mph.  The fact that Director Scott Waugh is a former Hollywood stunt coordinator and filmed the races, both cross-country and the

Some of the hot cars you will see

street racing scenes, using the actors, stunt drivers and live racing, is awesome!  I felt like my hair should have been blowing back with the wind in my face at times.  No fakey-racey going on in this film (aka CGI).  While many have found this to be a negative, I can assure you it’s not. The racing’s the very best part of this film, and there’s a ton of it.

Where the movie loses some speed (pun intended) is with the co-starring cast of characters and a thin plot line.  It is, after all, based on a series of video games that has been around since the early 1990’s and historically these types of movies generally don’t do so well at the box office.  Take, for instance, Max Payne, BloodRayne, Mortal Kombat, and Silent Hill, just to name just a handful.  If you are a gamer and have an interest, I found a great Need for Speed Gaming Retrospective that you might like. 

I'd like to note that both Imogene Poots and Scott Mescudi did a really great job.  Both were funny when they needed to be and they helped carry the movie when the racing was and wasn't going on.  I have nothing bad to say about Dakota Johnson's small role, either.  The

Imogene Poots as Julia Maddon

rest of the cast, however, in one way or another, lacked feeling and the acting felt forced. 

I do recommend seeing this film, but not because it has an excellent storyline. See it for a great couple of hours of entertainment, some mind-blowing racing and a lot of really hot cars, and just for Aaron Paul.  It’s a fantastic ride for those things alone. 

Aaron Paul & the main cast of Need for Speed

I give Need for Speed ★★★☆☆

MPAA Rating:  PG-13 

(for sequences of reckless street racing, disturbing crash scenes, nudity and crude language)

Running Time: 132 Mins.

Sex           ★☆☆☆☆

Nudity      ★★☆☆☆
Language      ★★☆☆☆
Violence     ★★★☆☆
Alcohol/Drugs     ★☆☆☆☆

Follow me if you love fashion, film and like to keep up-to-date on what is going on in both! 

Pictures courtesy of screenrant.com, kingroomentertainment.com and IMDB.com.  Movie ratings information and Awards information courtesy of IMDB.com.

 

 

 

 

Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Premier Red Carpet

Scarlett Johansson in Giorgio Armani Privé

The beautiful Scarlett Johansson's wearing an embroidered lace Giorgio Armani Privé ensemble at the Captain America: The Winter Soldier premier.  No one even even noticed her tiny baby bump (she's about 4 months pregnant), as she walked the carpet looking like fashion perfection from her hair and makeup to her Christian Louboutin's.  Her lavender-colored manicure showed off the gorgeous engagement ring she received from French journalist Romain Dauriac.  They're to be married soon, but no date's been set.

Johansson will once again play the role of the Black Widow in Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier, 

Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow

which opens in U.S. theaters April 4th.  She'll play the same role for Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron, set to be released in the Summer of 2015.  Could it be that she'll have her own Marvel movie very soon - The Black Widow, perhaps?  She's certainly proven her worth overall as an actress and to the Marvel films franchise.  It probably won't be long before we see her starring in her own Marvel feature film.

Ms. Johansson's been nominated for many awards, and has won a few, as well.  She's been nominated three separate times for a Golden Globe Award: Lost in Translation (2003), Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003), Love Song for Bobby Long (2004), and Match Point (2005).  In 2004 she was nominated for a BAFTA for Girl with a Pearl Earring, and that same year was nominated and won the BAFTA for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Lost in Translation.  She even won an MTV Movie Award for The Avengers in 2013 that she shared with other members of the cast for Best Fight.  Versatile definitely describes Johansson, as does classy.

 

Chris Evans in Gucci

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  I love superhero flicks, and Chris Evans is great as Captain America. With the great cast, the action and what we're going to see in the costumes, we could be in for a real treat.

Emily VanCamp in Monique Lhuillier

Co-starring in the film is Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter!  I am thrilled to see everyone's favorite television Revenge actress in this role.  She showed up to the premier in a shimmering Monique Lhuillier mini-dress, looking as beautiful as ever.

Watch for more on the costumes and costume designer Judianna Makovsky coming soon.  

For up-to-date information on fashion in film, movie reviews, red carpet updates, designer news and more, please follow me.  

(pictures courtesy of eonline.com and yahoomovies.com.  Movie release and awards data courtesy of IMDB.com)

Giorgio Armani Privé Couture Spring/Summer 2014 Collection Excites in Paris

Look 34, Armani Runway

The Giorgio Armani Privé Couture Spring/Summer 2014 Collection was seen on the runway during Paris Fashion Week and it was absolutely spectacular.  There was no doubt what the inspiration behind the collection was:  a modern twist on 1920's super- glam.  Gorgeous!

Look 35, Armani Runway

Beautiful, beaded headdresses and art deco accessories made for incredible runway looks.  The runway included separates, suits, cocktail dresses and gowns.  Chiffon, lace, silk and detailed beading brought the looks to life.  The color palette in the collection includes very subtle tones like grays, blues, purples and beautiful silvers.   The blues were my favorite, with the silvers a close second.

Vogue.co.uk wrote about the runway show and Giorgio Armani this way:  

He entitled the show Nomade and gave it the same sophisticated exoticism that his ready-to-wear is often infused with . . . The dresses – every one fit for the award-winning actress they’re intended for – were red-carpet perfection: subtle in shape but elaborate in construction.

Look 30, Armani Runway

Look 37, Armani Runway 

Even with the muted tones, this runway show was completely classy and every look that came out was stunning. One of my favorites was look #30, a strapless blue look that I am sure we will see on a Hollywood starlet very soon as she walks a red carpet.


I give runway look #15 the "Most Interesting" award.

Most Interesting

 

You can view the entire collection here: Giorgio Armani Prive Spring/Summer Collection

What do you think of the collection?  Ready for a Roaring 20's look yourself?  Follow me if you love fashion and film, and comment if you have something to say ab0ut this retro-style collection.

photos courtesy of Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

vogue.co.uk quote courtesy of Dolly Jones' article, located here:  

Giorgio Armani Prive Spring/Summer 2014

Non-Stop: Thrills & Adventure on a Transatlantic Flight

Liam Neeson as a Federal Air Marshal

Non-Stop, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Michelle Dockery and Scoot McNairy, is playing in theaters now.  While this won’t be an award-winning role for Neeson, this action/drama/thriller does keep you involved and paying attention from beginning to end, and certainly doesn’t lack surprises.   

Neeson always does a great job playing the action hero in a thriller, and collaborating with Collet-Serra again, as he did in 2011 in the mystery/thriller Unknown, it's no different in this film.  Collet-Serra also directed Orphan (2009) and House of Wax (2005).  Watch the Official Trailer to get a glimpse of how much action is packed into the 106 minute film:

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Neeson is a gifted actor and he does an excellent job of carrying this movie with intensity, even during the scenes that seem very unrealistic.  Here are just a few of the unrealistic points from the film: 1.) Some of the technology that's used at very high altitudes very easily seems unlikely to work in a real-world situation,  2.) There are crazy plot twists that occur and then seem to smooth out just a bit too quickly and easily and 3.) Neeson is a Federal Air Marshal that recruits fellow passengers to help him in his quest to find the bad guy(s), not knowing ANYTHING about who he is getting this help from.  Hmmmm……

Julianne Moore plays a passenger

Lupita Nyong'o as a Flight Attendant

 Moore does her  
 usual superb acting
 job in this one, but 
 the best I can really say about Michelle Dockery's performance (of Downton Abbey fame) was she was merely good in her role as a flight attendant.  I found it interesting that Lupita Nyong’o, recent Oscar winner, also has a small role as a flight attendant in Non-Stop.  Nyong'o glammed up that plane just walking down the aisle in what I would call a very "futuristic" flight attendant outfit; she truly is dazzling.  I loved her flight attendant uniform, and Michelle Dockery looked amazing in hers, too.

Michelle Dockery as a flight attendant

In fact, the most glamorous outfits in this film were the flight attendant's uniforms.  They were navy blue and a deep red, as well as sleeveless with leather trim.  Did I mention I loved them? ♥

Somehow, Neeson makes this movie work.  Unknown is still better, but Neeson is just so talented, that viewing this film I found myself not caring that the movie I was sitting there watching was hoping for me to be naïve.  Instead, I just wanted to sit back and enjoy Non-Stop for what it was; pure entertainment, action, who-done-it, adventure, and thrills.  After all, someone is killing people on a plane on a transatlantic flight, there is a $150 million in money being wire transferred (who is behind this? I must figure this out!), there are so many suspects, and will the plane even be able to land?  You will have to see Non-Stop to find out.

I give Non-Stop ★★★☆☆

MPAA Rating:  PG-13 

(intense sequences of action and violence, some language, sensuality and drug references)

Running Time: 106 Mins.

Sex           ★☆☆☆☆

Nudity      ☆☆☆☆☆
Language      ★★☆☆☆
Violence     ★★★☆☆
Alcohol/Drugs     ★★☆☆☆

Please take the poll at the top right of my blog: Which movie are you most excited ab0ut seeing that is being release in March or April?  

Feel free to leave comments and follow me if you love film and fashion.

(Pictures courtesy of nydailynews.com and flickr.com)

Divergent - The Film, the Costumes & the Fashion Inspiration

Are you ready for Divergent, set to be released on March 21st in the U.S.?  Based on the best-selling series of books by Veronica Roth, Divergent is billed as an action, adventure and sci-fi film.  It takes place in a futuristic world where all people are classified into very defined groups based on their human virtues, and Divergent appears to be a thrilling movie.  The newly released final trailer can be seen here:

Fans of the books will be keeping their fingers crossed that the movie will live up to the hype and come close to the thrills of the storyline in Roth's first book of the same name.

Shailene Woodley as Tris

Kate Winslet at Jeanine

The title character in the film, Tris Prior, is played by Shailene Woodley.  When Tris is told she is a Divergent and is unable to find a identifiable role in any one particular group, she then finds out that the cold, calculating and malicious Jeanine, played by the super-talented Kate Winslet, is heading a major scheme to kill her and all Divergents.  

Theo James as Four

Tris will have to learn to trust the enigmatic and handsome Four, played by Theo James, and the two of them will have to find out why being a Divergent is so perilous before time runs out for them.  One thing is sure, this movie will have a lot of action.

Costume Design for Divergent 

Carlo Poggioli is the costume designer for Divergent.  He was costumer designer on Cold Mountain (BAFTA Nominee for Best Costume Design) and on the TV Mini-Series The Mists of Avalon (Emmy Nominated for Best Costume Design).  Poggioli won the Capri Umberto Tirelli Award in 2007, as well as the Genie award and the Jutra Award in 2008 for the beautiful film, Silk, starring Michael Pitt and Keira Knightley.

Divergent Movie Poster

More recently, he has worked as costume designer on Season of the Witch, The Raven, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, and still in production: Romeo and Juliet and The Zero Theorem.  His work on Divergent has simple tones, gray, black and white as the main color scheme, and a very futuristic feel.  

When Poggioli completed the sketches for the film, he told eonline.com "The colors they wear are shades of grey, the fabrics are all natural fibers and very plain, like wool and cottons. And the cut of the clothes is very simple and rough..." However, the trailer and the official released pictures do show a powerful aesthetic that could make him a contender for some nominations once again. 

 Divergent Fashion & Beauty Inspiration

  

Courtesy of instyle.com, these are just a few examples of Divergent-inspired workout gear

Click the link above to see a whole range of Divergent-inspired workout clothing by various designers. Below are just a couple of examples of how the movie is inspiring jewelry design:                                              

Left:  $10 on Etsy.com

Right:  

TomTom Earrings

as seen on   Instyle.com's  22 Edgy

Accessories to Look Divergent Tough

On the beauty front, Sephora has released a Sephora Divergent Cosmetics line, with three products.  Most popular is the Divergent Multi-Piece Collectors Kit (below), which is an exclusive limited edition and sells for $59.50. 

According to Sephora's website, to own it will allow you to "Embody the traits of each Divergent faction with 4 palettes for eyes and cheek, 4 lip glosses, and a brush."  To see the entire line, go to Sephora's site here: Sephora Divergent Cosmetics Line

Divergent is one of those films that will be trend-setting, from clothing to makeup to jewelry.  How far will it infiltrate the fashion industry and how long will it last?  That remains to be seen.  Nonetheless, I'm eager to see this one.  Watch for a review as soon as I get to the theater to see it.

Please leave your feedback and comments, and vote in the latest poll about which movie(s) you are most excited about seeing with release dates in March and April.  Divergent is in that list with four other films.

Divergent Trailer courtesy of YouTube.

Divergent  character pics and movie poster courtesy of divergentthemovie.com.
Carlo Poggioli bio information courtesy of IMDB and eonline.
Fashion inspirations courtesy of instyle.com, Etsy.com & Sephora.com
 

Designer Joseph Ribkoff - Designing for Beauty Queens & Beautiful Women Everywhere

In 1957, Joseph Ribkoff unveiled his first collection, during a time when women's fashion was experiencing a total transformation.  Today, his designs are award-winning, and he produces for more than 55 markets worldwide.  All clothing bearing Ribkoff's name is designed, sewn and produced in Quebec, Canada.  This is an amazing accomplishment in today's fashion market, where many designers are sending their designs overseas to cut costs and are sacrificing quality.

Joseph Ribkoff designs sportswear, separates, everyday dresses and formal evening gowns, all of extreme high quality.  You will find timeless outfits, as well as the latest trends, in a Ribkoff collection.  Each collection is meant to meet the desires of today's modern woman.  Joseph Ribkoff is known for unmatched superiority in customer service, and the company stakes their reputation on the adaptability, affordability and excellence of the collection after collection, coupled with unmatched superiority in customer service.  

Miss America 2014, Nina Davuluri, is a well-known icon in the U.S., and she truly embodies a non-profit organization that is one of the world's largest contributors of scholarships for young women. Joseph Ribkoff provides her with both ready-to-wear outfits for appearances, as well as formal evening wear for special events. 

Miss American at appearances in Joseph Rikoff

Miss America, Nina Davuluri, is crowned

                                                      

Miss America, Nina Davuluri

When she was crowned, Nina, like other Miss Americas before her, became a spokeswoman for Joseph Ribkoff.  She has the peace of mind to know she will always look stunning, wearing the high quality clothing for all her events.

You, too, can own the high-quality and beautiful looks of Joseph Ribkoff.  I just purchased the blue lace dress (above on page) myself, and I simply can't wait to wear it.  I got mine at a local boutique in downtown Radford, VA.  They carry Ribkoff designs and it's a beautiful shop. Are you from SW Virginia or nearby?  Check out their Facebook page here: Meg's

Here are a few more designs from the Joseph Ribkoff Spring 2014 Collection, just to give you an idea of the diversity:

 Beautiful Black and White Dress -

 Color Blocked & Slimming

 










Beautiful Black and White - Asymmetrical & Modern

Flattering Dress - Colorful & Gorgeous

Ask yourself - shouldn't all women feel like beauty queens?