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Minor spoilers ahead! I have been wanting to see Spring Breakers since it premiered at TIFF last September. Honestly, I can’t believe it took me six months to finally watch it. Well, the long wait was well worth it. Holy fuck, I loved this movie. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this movie, and if you’re going to judge me for enjoying it, feel free to skip the rest of this post. Even before I knew what this movie was about, I knew the make-up of its cast would set the precedent that some would absolutely love the film, and others…would absolutely hate it. It didn’t matter to me, though. Ashley, Selena, Baby V… I loved those girls from the start. To know that they had taken the plunge into such a risky film? Well, it made me love them even more. They nailed it. Ashley said in an interview that even though they were from Disney backgrounds, they didn’t want to be tied to that forever. I think they made the right decision.  There were so many things about this movie that made me love it. I really fell in love with Harmony Korine’s style. The smash of clips that weren’t always telling a perfect linear story kept me guessing how much time had actually elapsed, and totally reflected the hazy, druggy party life the girls took part in, even before their trip. Could they even keep track of what was going on? I also loved how rough and gritty and dirty everything was, from screaming obscenities in the parking lot scene, to Alien’s cornrows and grills, to beer and cocaine and weed smeared against the tables and bodies and floors. This extends to Cotty’s shower scene when she’s sobbing against the walls, naked and broken, and even when Alien tells Faith how much he likes her and how she should stay. The close-up was so powerful, like you could feel his hot breath coasting across your own cheeks, and the tremble of your own lips as you tried not to cry, not to be scared, to be hard like the girls promised to be. We also can’t forget the gratuitous naked scenes. Yes, they were gratuitous, but they perpetuated the bare-all, liberal foundation of the movie. The film succeeded in being daring, whether or not there was a true intent of underlying satire, and I think they welcomed with opened arms the realization that a lot of people would hate it all, unable to ever see themselves in that situation, condemning the behaviour, never understanding.  Aside from the glorious shots of the girls blowing smoke into each others mouths, drowning themselves in funnel beer, and firing guns into the night sky, there were the other beautiful shots of the four girls, having the time of their lives, being friends who understood that there was more out there in the world for them to discover. Sure, the trip was more than any of them had bargained for, and, no, the robbery and the murderous ending weren’t really realistic, but underneath all of that I want to believe people can see that at least part of this movie was about four girls who knew they were just waiting for life to start. We all know how that feels, don’t we? I sure do. Also, truly, how fucking hilarious were some of the scenes? Amanda and I were absolutely dying when Alien began playing the first few notes of “Everytime” by Britney Spears. James Franco had some of the most ridiculous, hilarious quotes I’ve ever heard in a movie. I was blessed to be in a theatre full of people who laughed along with everyone else. It made the movie even more enjoyable.  I know a few people who can’t believe that I could love the movie as much as I do. Several of my closest friends hated this movie. And yet… every part of me wanted to be in the movie, dancing and drinking and losing myself with the other girls. Amanda said that if she was like any girl in the movie, it would have been Faith. I can see myself in Faith, too, but I can also see a little of myself in the other girls, the other girls who stayed and wanted to see what could unfold, even when things got scary. Maybe this is my secret. Most people don’t know that, deep down, I am capable of being the girl that sits in Starbucks and reads for hours, quiet and distant from the rest of the world, while also being the girl that wants to party and go wild in a way that I’ve never had the guts to, reckless and stupid. I know what it’s like to see an opportunity before me, no matter how bad a decision I know it to be, and still want to take it - fuck all the consequences. I’ve consciously made terrible choices before. I think that’s why this movie spoke to me, and why it might not have for a lot of people. I have all these sides to me, good and bad sides, and sometimes I really want to indulge in the bad, even though I’ve never really let myself go very far. I want to make mistakes, I want to feel invincible, and I want to have a mindless kind of fun. I know not everyone shares these sentiments.  Who would I be if I let it take over? Do I even have the courage to? Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), I don’t think I ever could, not really. Instead, I’ll have to settle for living vicariously through movies like Spring Breakers instead, because escape is easier when it’s done in the movies, and sometimes I just need to run.  

Minor spoilers ahead!

I have been wanting to see Spring Breakers since it premiered at TIFF last September. Honestly, I can’t believe it took me six months to finally watch it. Well, the long wait was well worth it. Holy fuck, I loved this movie. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this movie, and if you’re going to judge me for enjoying it, feel free to skip the rest of this post.

Even before I knew what this movie was about, I knew the make-up of its cast would set the precedent that some would absolutely love the film, and others…would absolutely hate it. It didn’t matter to me, though. Ashley, Selena, Baby V… I loved those girls from the start. To know that they had taken the plunge into such a risky film? Well, it made me love them even more. They nailed it. Ashley said in an interview that even though they were from Disney backgrounds, they didn’t want to be tied to that forever. I think they made the right decision. 

There were so many things about this movie that made me love it. I really fell in love with Harmony Korine’s style. The smash of clips that weren’t always telling a perfect linear story kept me guessing how much time had actually elapsed, and totally reflected the hazy, druggy party life the girls took part in, even before their trip. Could they even keep track of what was going on? I also loved how rough and gritty and dirty everything was, from screaming obscenities in the parking lot scene, to Alien’s cornrows and grills, to beer and cocaine and weed smeared against the tables and bodies and floors. This extends to Cotty’s shower scene when she’s sobbing against the walls, naked and broken, and even when Alien tells Faith how much he likes her and how she should stay. The close-up was so powerful, like you could feel his hot breath coasting across your own cheeks, and the tremble of your own lips as you tried not to cry, not to be scared, to be hard like the girls promised to be. We also can’t forget the gratuitous naked scenes. Yes, they were gratuitous, but they perpetuated the bare-all, liberal foundation of the movie. The film succeeded in being daring, whether or not there was a true intent of underlying satire, and I think they welcomed with opened arms the realization that a lot of people would hate it all, unable to ever see themselves in that situation, condemning the behaviour, never understanding. 

Aside from the glorious shots of the girls blowing smoke into each others mouths, drowning themselves in funnel beer, and firing guns into the night sky, there were the other beautiful shots of the four girls, having the time of their lives, being friends who understood that there was more out there in the world for them to discover. Sure, the trip was more than any of them had bargained for, and, no, the robbery and the murderous ending weren’t really realistic, but underneath all of that I want to believe people can see that at least part of this movie was about four girls who knew they were just waiting for life to start. We all know how that feels, don’t we? I sure do. Also, truly, how fucking hilarious were some of the scenes? Amanda and I were absolutely dying when Alien began playing the first few notes of “Everytime” by Britney Spears. James Franco had some of the most ridiculous, hilarious quotes I’ve ever heard in a movie. I was blessed to be in a theatre full of people who laughed along with everyone else. It made the movie even more enjoyable. 

I know a few people who can’t believe that I could love the movie as much as I do. Several of my closest friends hated this movie. And yet… every part of me wanted to be in the movie, dancing and drinking and losing myself with the other girls. Amanda said that if she was like any girl in the movie, it would have been Faith. I can see myself in Faith, too, but I can also see a little of myself in the other girls, the other girls who stayed and wanted to see what could unfold, even when things got scary. Maybe this is my secret. Most people don’t know that, deep down, I am capable of being the girl that sits in Starbucks and reads for hours, quiet and distant from the rest of the world, while also being the girl that wants to party and go wild in a way that I’ve never had the guts to, reckless and stupid. I know what it’s like to see an opportunity before me, no matter how bad a decision I know it to be, and still want to take it - fuck all the consequences. I’ve consciously made terrible choices before. I think that’s why this movie spoke to me, and why it might not have for a lot of people. I have all these sides to me, good and bad sides, and sometimes I really want to indulge in the bad, even though I’ve never really let myself go very far. I want to make mistakes, I want to feel invincible, and I want to have a mindless kind of fun. I know not everyone shares these sentiments. 

Who would I be if I let it take over? Do I even have the courage to? Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), I don’t think I ever could, not really. Instead, I’ll have to settle for living vicariously through movies like Spring Breakers instead, because escape is easier when it’s done in the movies, and sometimes I just need to run.  

Mandy and I went out to lunch today with her mom at Canoe in downtown Toronto! It was a beautiful restaurant which was once an observation deck of the city. Since it’s Winterlicious season, there was a delightful prix fixe menu with an array of delicious options. Yum. Can’t wait to try it again!

I’m a little late on uploading photos, but what can I say?

Halloween was a pretty wild one this year. 

Amanda and I went for tea and coffee at La Merceria today. I tried a tea called mango ambrosia. Needless to say, it was delicious. 

horribly-limited:

Being best friends with someone doesn’t mean that you Skype twice a week at a specific time every time.  It doesn’t mean that you text each other all the time, or call every Sunday night before you go to sleep. You don’t have to litter their Timelines or their Ask Boxes with inside jokes or half-hearted “I love you”s in an attempt to keep the relationship as strong as it used to be. 

Because if you really are best friends, you shouldn’t have to do any of that stuff to still be best friends.  And you shouldn’t be upset if your counterpart in this relationship doesn’t do those things - people have lives beyond one friendship, and real best friends realize and respect that.  Being best friends shouldn’t be work. It shouldn’t be hard. You shouldn’t feel threatened that the relationship is going to break just because your contact is somewhat lacking. 

Being best friends with someone means that even when you’re apart for months, or sometimes even years, and you don’t keep up constant contact, and you both get other friends, and interests, and your personalities change, you still come back together at some point and you act like nothing has changed. Because nothing has. You’re still best friends. And if you feel like you need to prove that to each other, then you obviously never were. 

have you ever had a friend who is literally like your soul mate but like in a friendship way like you are so compatible and perfect for each other 

Amanda and I saw Imagine Dragons at The Opera House last night and it was incredible! There was so much energy, and the Toronto fans are such a loyal crowd. Bravestation opened for them and it was great to see them play for the first time! Definitely excited for their show with Nightbox on the 28th.

Poolside
Slow Down
Pacific Standard Time

Song of the Day #7
A music-focused series presented by leakypensieve.

Stop
Don’t move so fast
Slow down
Let this feeling last
Relax

Poolside - Slow Down

Amanda and I had the pleasure of seeing Twin Shadow and this particularly incredible band perform last night at Lee’s Palace in Toronto. Poolside won our hearts over instantly. With the use of psychedelic vibes, synth mastery, and the rhythmic medley of a variety of instruments (like the cowbell in some of their other songs) this band has easily made its way up onto my list of favourites. Plus, Poolside’s music is meant for some groovy dancing…which is basically what Mandy and I did all of last evening! I  am going to have Pacific Standard Time on repeat for the next little long while, that is guaranteed.

Twin Shadow
Golden Light
Confess

Song of the Day #6
A music-focused series presented by leakypensieve.

And when you came out of the dark
I was waiting there
You said, “I can take it now if you can take me anywhere”
Don’t be scared

Twin Shadow - Golden Light

Tonight, Amanda and I will be seeing Twin Shadow live at Lee’s Palace in Toronto and I am incredibly excited. She introduced me to his songs not too long ago, but they have easily won me over and I cannot stop playing this particular one. There is a comment on Youtube saying that this song should have been on the Drive soundtrack. If only! It would have been the perfect addition.

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recommend me a movie, please? (:
Anonymous

Of course! I actually have quite a few movies in mind this morning that I intend to re-watch over the weekend. I am not sure what kind of movies you like, Anon, but I will give you a few to choose from!

Midnight In Paris is an incredibly beautiful film. I would never pretend to know all there is to know about Woody Allen and his films (that would be Michael’s domain—you should ask him for a recommendation! He is a film studies graduate and an aspiring editor), but I would dare to say that this must be one of his best films of all time. The scenic shots of Paris—oh!—they were breathtaking. As a reader and a lover of the arts, it was also fun and entertaining to see all of my literary idols and favourite artists mingling about in the same movie. The actors brought their stories to life. If you are looking for a film that will make you feel as if all the wrongs in your world are right, Midnight In Paris should be your pick.

If you are in the mood for an older classic, Charade with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant should be your top choice. I always consider this film as being one of Hepburn’s most over-looked, even though it is ultimately my favourite of her collection (and I have seen several, many of which were watched with Amanda in her basement during the summer before we were off to university. Our get-togethers now consist of taking pictures of The Hungry Mandy creations and eating!). The movie is a ‘spy thriller’ with a few unexpected plot twists and some incredibly humorous moments—the perfect combination. Henry Mancini is also one of my favourite composers, and his talent was the icing on this delicious Charade cake.

And of course, who would I be if I did not recommend that everyone should go see The Dark Knight Rises if they have not already? I have yet to write a proper review, so this will be brief, but this may be the right time to tell everyone just how much I love Christian Bale’s Batman. I have never been more in love with a character, an actor, a story… My love for it all has honestly changed my life. The Dark Knight Rises is an epic conclusion to Bale’s saga and I am so happy to have been a part of it (as always, thank you to my best friend, Vanessa, for introducing this incredible world to me). I cannot wait to see this movie again and dive deep into all the little details this time. It is a must-see! (Over and over and over…)