PC:University of Awesomeness

The Mane Event-Robert Pattinson's Hair for Best Supporting Actor

I usually leave all the Oscar Recommendations to Blog Next Door but I saw Twilight (read:and survived) and my duty to the sanctity of Pop Culture won't let me to abide without comment.

Much like Tom Hanks' BFF Wilson the Volleyball Rob's hair transcends that which is inanimate (his character Vamp Edward Cullens) into something that is full of soul (and by appearences B&B's Sumotech). Whenever the movie got a little too Fangsty for me (due in large part to copius overacting) I knew I could just count on the hair to whisk my mind away to the editorials of V-Man or Vogue Homme. But seriously, Rob's hair out-acted (long seen-or-heard from) Peter Facinelli in the movie. To be as accurate as possible his hair out-acted everyone in this movie except perhaps TV guest star-staple Billy Burke who thankfully checked all his sentimentality at the door to play dad to Vampstinent Lover, Bella. This people, is why we go to the movies.

The Seven Wonders of Pop Colony

I was tagged by Michael from mystuffandcrp oh so long ago to do the 7 things you don't know about me meme (I'm guessing that's grammatically redundant but whatevs. Damn newfangled internet lingo!) So better late than never...

1. The # of Ida Corr songs on my iPod.

And yes it's the Fedde le Grande remix. I am somewhat self-respecting. Oh who am I kidding? It does go great with China Whites and platform dancing.

2. The # of times a day I pray to the Movie gods to be a Guest Programmer on TCM. Seriously I'm crazy learned about classic movies. I'd probably put in my program:
a Joel McCrea & Preston Sturges Duo: Sullivan's Travels & The Palm Beach Story

David Lean's Brief Encounter-Celia Johnson & Trevor Howard make middle-age repression look so hot!

The only Political movies worth watching: Lubitsch's Ninotchka & Capra's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Oh and All 14 movies pairing the best couple in movie history: William Powell & Myrna Loy

So yeah it would probably take a couple of days to watch but it would be well worth it.

3. The # of pairs of Tory Burch Reva flats that I own and wear even when it's raining and freezing. I really love this style because they're flats and they come in all sorts of colors which totally appeals to both my Latin & Preppy sides of my tastes. I actually purchased each pair at Nordstroms although in different states but coincidently in the same emotional state (pure joy).

4. The # of my favorite kick ass comic-book women (all written by Greg Rucka)

1. Queen & Country: I'm dumbfounded to why this isn't a franchise yet (or at the least a BBC series. Yes I'm talking to you producers of MI5/Spooks!) . And it has all the makings of a female Bourne but without the pesky memory loss. Seriously check out this book if you have any love for the spy genre. Did I mention it's like Alias but with an extra helping of angst and none of the absurdity?

2. Whiteout: The protagonist Carrie Stetko is a brunette with freckles who lives in a cold place. So I can quite easily relate. But the book is also a great mystery story set in the fascinating (and according to Leo & Al-Disappearing) Antarctica. And really no one does non-grating self-destructive characters like Greg Rucka.

3. Checkmate: Sasha Bordeaux may have a Bond Girl name but she's 150% kick-ass and sports one of the most enviable hairstyles in comics ever. Take that Sally Hershberger!

4. Wonder Woman: Everyone has their take on Diana but I've got to say Rucka's has been one of the most satisfying as of late. Pitting Diana against dirty politicians is rife with drahmah. I guess I'm a sucker for what seems to be a Rucka trademark: the female led political thriller.

Rucka's run was also highlighted by gorgeous covers by JG Jones.

5. The # of framed pieces of James Jean (of Prada Fairies fame) art hanging in my apartment-including a sketch he did for me at New York comic-con. Unsurprisingly the guys at the framing store refer to me as "That Comic-Book Girl".

6. The # of movies (off the top of my head) that apparently only I can love:

A Good Year-Ridley! Marion! Tom Hollander!

Domino- Edgar Ramirez! Tony Scott!

The Lake House-Keanu!
What a Girl Wants-Amazonian Bynes!
Live Free or Die Hard-A car takes down a plane for goodness sake!
Imposter-Seriously you have to see it for Gary Sinise. Hot!!

7. The average # of times a week I go to Starbucks.
And no I don't order a Bitch drink. I keep it simple- Grande Vanilla Latte usually iced though sometimes reg.

Quantum of *Steve* [Updated w/ more Craig!]

I literally just got back from seeing Quantum. I'm in no position to do a review of it since my Daniel Craig love is so strong it sent me to a sneak preview (& not the free kind!) of Golden Compass. And when I visited London this past spring I had no problem doling out £13 at VUE Leicester Square to see Flashbacks of a Fool. Who am I, a lowly colonial, to pass up a Daniel Craig film in his motherland? Not to mention Eve and Claire Forlani are in it!

Though I will share that while I was watching the movie I couldn't help but notice all the Steve McQueen shout-outs. If it's not intentional it's got to be some serious subconscious stuff on the part of Paul Haggis & Co.

The Thomas Crown Affair-Though Daniel technically dons the three piece at the end of Casino Royale I'm still going to conclude that McQueen was Tom Ford's muse for Blond Bond. Tom even put Daniel in some aviators à la Thomas Crown for the majority of Quantum. OCD Cred-Persol was the brand of choice of Mr.Crown and coincidently for Mr.Craig in Casino Royale.


The Great Escape- Can you really think of a motorcycle jump independently from McQueen? Didn't think so.

Bullitt-A car chase that ends with the perps dead and an angry superior fuming over lost tesimony. Sounds pretty familiar. Oh and there's that whole matter (albeit a sexy one) about the classic style of a cardigan and shirt.


The Towering Inferno-If you saw Quantum you'll get the connection. But even if you haven't seen it I think the symbolism is pretty clear. Fire=Hot=Hottie

No Shirt. No Problem.

Gwyneth is Patrick Bateman (but without the ridunculous bod)

Gwyneth once again shares a morsel of her cultured soul with us poor masses via GOOP:
“The only one that is not free is Zagat, which I have an obsession with. I literally do not go out to eat until I reference it.
G somehow manages to sound more like Patrick Bateman than Patrick Bateman! And Lest we forget her affiliation with Huey Lewis which spawned a Chart Topping Single to boot (Bad Aussies!).
It will not come as a complete surprise to me if Gwyneth dishes next on her favorite NYC Dry Cleaners who coincidentally have no problems with verbal abuse for not adequately laundering her white linens.

[BTW: I know that you totally saw through my rant for what it really is-an excuse to post Christian Bale channeling his New Wave-Riche via a at-home tanning bed.

Turf War: Gwyneth vs. Oprah & Martha!

Gwyneth's in the process of launching her Lifestyle website (which is just a pretentious way of saying BLOG)-GOOP whose nauseating (or hence forth to be known as Bounce-ing) motto is "Nourish the Inner Aspect" 

Is this Gwyneth trying to be the White Oprah or is she trying to out-WASP Martha Stewart?

I don't know but I'm pretty sure this is only going to get ugly. G-You just don't start moving in on 3-comma Divas with battalions of découpaging loyalists! This is actually wise advice to anyone who wanders accidently (or otherwise) into the scrapbooking section of a store. 

The layout looks like the love child of O and Real Simple (or like a J.Crew Catalogue) 

I haven't seen this much unrepentant WASPosity since I found myself in a Lily Pulitzer store in Dallas trying (and failing) not to laugh at a man trying to rationalize (and failing) purchasing a seersucker shirt. 

Gwyneth's already done enough harm to my inner aspect by making something called View From the Top. Which I would have nightmares about if it wasn't for Mark Ruffalo's presence. 

But if Gwyneth is going to nourish my inner aspect I'm pretty sure that it'll be by watching the Didotastic Sliding Doors (with perhaps a Sliding Fraiser chaser). 

Now I'm not going to totally write-off GOOP (though Gwyneth probably will as a Charitable Contribution to the proper life-styling of Plebs) but I won't mind giving it a look-see if she promises to include her truly awesome mom/underrated comedic genius Blythe. 

Director's Cut: I was originally going to title this post "The Hateration of Gwyneth"  which would have been both a Mary J. Blige (or MJB to ye clubmix kids) and a Julie Andrew reference but I thought it would be lost on most people except the exceptionally (read: neurotically) popcultured. Oh or that people would think that the post was about defending G. I'll leave that to Vogue. 

The Du(t)chesses Face-Off!

I actually thought it was going to be worse. A lot worse.

So as far as expectations go (however low they were) I'd say that they were generally exceeded.
To get to the point- It was a good BBC Corset-Melodrama but with a fantastically lavish costume and makeup budget (mind you not Sofia Coppola fantasic but then again she's a Coppola so money's no object). Though it REALLY needed some more scrumptious Dominic Cooper (Mamma Mia suffered from this exact same problem). I didn't really think producers needed it spelled out but here's a freebie for you guys: Hot Guys - Shirt = Happy Movie-Goer *says the girl who saw Into the Blue in theaters*
And I'll give Keira & Crew extra points for keeping it under 2 hours. Well Barely. But hey it's a corset piece.

If you ever wondered what a Spelling Bee set to pop music would sound like...

London Bridge-Not that I don't love the track but the video is all sorts of awesomeness.
Fergalicious & Glamourous- Spelling Bee Pop in the vain of R.E.S.P.E.C.T. & C.R.U.S.H. And Fergie carves out her niche in pop---Adjectives!
Clumsy-Like all good pop this song is just plain catchy as a cold. And oh wait is that another adjective?!

Note: Being the forgiving soul that I am I will offer Fergie a reprieve for the Big Girls Don't Cry lyric "Like a child misses its blanket" even though it does make me vomit everytime I hear. Though the numerous shots of China Whites that I usually consume when the song plays could also be a factor. Maybe.

WINNER: FERGIE-With a solid win!

While Keira's Duchess is definitely watchable (and perhaps enjoyable to some) Fergie's Dutchess is really the Gift that Keeps on Giving. Just try listening to Fergalicious only once. See it's impossible!

Happy Halloween!

Fear, Itself

Dear Mary McDonnell,

Please Please Please Please Please don't fall into the  pile of sh*t that is Grey's Anatomy. This especially hurts when you've been apart of one of the best (most importantly best WRITTEN) shows of all-time BSG. Next time follow in the steps of Tahmoh Penikett and do a Joss project or something similarly awesome.  

Dear Grey's,

LET MY PEOPLE GO!

 (And by my people I mean Kevin McKidd and Mary)

Pie à la Mulan

OMG You cannot miss this week's episode of PUSHING DAISIES entitled "Dim Sum Lose Sum"!!! It was absolutely brilliant! And not only because a certain someone dons a full on Midnight Cowboy ensemble. But seriously watch out for Lee who managed to display every emotion under the sun. It was like watching one of those method acting warm-ups. Theatre kids you know what I'm talking about!

From Boys to Mad Men

Amen!

This explains everything!

=

Angela knows how to deal with any crisis 

(without getting ANY wrinkles)! 

Damn Dirty Tote Bags!

Apparently Tote Bags are immune to drops in demand for consumer goods.  I've come to that conclusion because the movie gods at TCM just released a Limited Edition TCM Organic Tote Bag for 50 bucks PLUS shipping. 

I guess instead of paying for rent you can just live out of your tote bag. 

Damn that DVF Wonder Woman tote is starting to look like a downright steal. 

Recession Rhymes with Possession for a Reason-Diane von Furstenberg is WONDER WOMAN

Mmm is 165$ a lot for a DVF Tote Bag??? 

I mean it is big enough to carry my Wednesday Goodies but it is in the end just a tote bag. No Invisible Jet included. Why oh why couldn't Diane have plastered Diana all over one of her iconic wrap dresses? See that would have been a wicked combo of Heroine Chic. Why don't these people consult me first? Oh yeah probably b/c I would keep it real about...well everything.  

Though it does make me hope that one day Tory Burch will do a Buffy-inspired collection. It would be a match made in heroine heaven! They're both perky blondes with plenty of spunk and enviable wardrobes. Plus-You can't beat that Ms.Burch's emblem is a cross. Poetic Justice. (If you don't get that reference then you need to catch up on your season 4 Buffy. Or at least with Janet)

Fashion Fray:The Blokes want to be like Bullitt (Nice Try!)

While I was doing my daily gander of Just Jared I couldn't help but notice all the guys (read:two) who were sporting cardigans. And not any of that fine-knit Mr.Rogers shit but full-on chunky Grandpa cardigans! Which leads me conclude that Sir Daniel and Sir Ed must be trying to channel their inner Steve McQueen via knitwear. Mr Craig even manages to pair his cardigan with a blue shirt just like McQueen. I guess those blue-eyed boys can never pass up a chance to bring out their eyes. For those who want to be supremely learned (which really is anyone who has stumbled upon my little piece of the blogsphere) please note that this is not the first time Sir Daniel has looked to McQueen for Style Inspiration.

Did you really think Daniel was the first to sport blue short shorts?!
*Thomas Crown vs. Blonde Bond*

BTW:We have Thomas Crown Affair ('68-Jason!) & Bullitt Costume Designer Theadora Van Runkle to eternally thank for putting together some eternally hot ensembles. Oh and she did the Beret, Trench, & Knit smorgasbord that is Bonnie & Clyde. The woman is the Darkchild of 60's costume design-a criminally underrated genius!

On a related Men-in-Knitwear note: I know that I'm not the only one that got lightheaded when Eric Mabius was wearing a cardigan on this week's Ugly Betty. If I didn't love the magnificently brilliant dialogue I would totally just mute it and enjoy Mr.Mabius's valuable contribution to our world silently.

"I Got Your Crazy"

Sorry for the lack of posts but I seriously can't get over WOMANIZER. I forsee in the future Britney replacing the Little Engine in The Little Train Wreck the Could.
Seriously the girl is releasing the best material of her career after her PopChernobyl. On the otherhand Beyonce hasn't gone through 1/99th of the crazy Brit's been through and she still hasn't released anything Pop worthy since "Me Myself and I". And that first? single Like A Boy is more Like A Bore (Oh and it's a poor jab at Pop Colony fave Ciara).

I have joined the world of the Living!!! [Hi-Def Edition]

I gave into a moment of temptation and bought a Blu-Ray player. And by temptation I mean that Future Shop had a Free IRON MAN Blu-Ray w/Purchase promo going on. Damn Clinique has made me a slave to the Gift with Purchase! Well getting to see Robert Downey Jr. in 1080P glory is definitely a Gift in it of itself. 

BONUS: I also picked up BULLITT. What can I say? I can't pass up a fantastic classic remastered. Plus you never pass up eternal hottie Steve McQueen. Ms.Sheryl wouldn't stand for it!

Missing "Next Big Thing" found in 1973

Life on Mars is about a modern day cop who finds himself suddenly in 1973. And guess what he finds in 1973 (well other than a ton of synthetic fabric)? GRETCHEN MOL! This has to be the biggest discovery since they reanimated Teri Hatcher's corpse for Desperate Housewives. 

And because you value my opinion so much-

I thought the premiere was pretty good. I am actually going to go as far as saying that it was by far the best new premiere this season. Unfortunately that's not really saying much. Though I am going to give kudos to the writers/producers for having a scene where you actually believe a cop is going to bust a cap in a kid for the sake of future humanity. I also will give a high five to Jason O'Mara for being hot in a Less-Ginger-than-Kevin McKidd way. Plus who doesn't love Pre-Gentrification New York? 

Though I really wish they would have changed the name of the show because most Americans do not have a working knowledge of David Bowie's discography. Brits do. It's part of their birthright along with an affinity for manpris. 

Cool Forever-Paul Newman

Thank you for the movies.
Love, Pop Colony

POP COLONY PSA: Stephen Harper is not related to Ben Harper (or Harper Lee)

I'm not 100% sure why I think Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is hot but I think it has something to do with being able to buy his likeness at Build-A-Bear. I'm just saying. Thank goodness his party is with me on this since they've lovingly released Stephen Harbear wallpapers.
Oh and while I have your attention: Mr.Laura Dern aka Ben Harper is shockingly not related to Stephen Harper. You are now free to pick up your jaw from the floor.