MUSIC 'Fuck You' by Cee-Lo

This song is infectious and will be huge, I promise you that.

OLD HOLLYWOOD 'Raintree County' (1957)

Last night, as part of their Summer Under the Stars festival, Turner Classic Movies aired the 1957 MGM epic, Raintree County, starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, and Eva Marie Saint. The film was planned as sort of a successor to Gone with the Wind, which brought about its downfall.

In trying to mimic Gone with the Wind's sweep and grandeur, especially in regards to its running time, Raintree County collapses under its own self-importance; the first hour of the film, mainly devoted to John Shawnessey, drags by languidly. Even Clift, who is almost always excellent, couldn't save this portion of the film after nearly dying in a car accident while descending the hairpin turns after a dinner party at Taylor's home. (Like many films, the backstage story of Raintree County is as, if not more, interesting than anything appearing on the screen. Taylor was on the phone almost every night during filming talking with Mike Todd, the man who would become her third husband.) There is a subplot surrounding Clift's professor whose plans to run away with a married woman which I imagine attempts to serve as a moral compass for Clift's character--when he marries Susanna after believing he has impregnated her--fails. This subplot and the entire character of the professor should have been excised from the script completely.

The film picks up during the second third of the film when Taylor's character is given more focus. Elizabeth Taylor's portrayal of the tormented Susanna Drake won the actress her first of five Academy Award nominations. (She would win two competitively: First for BUtterfield 8 in 1960, and then Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in 1966. She was also awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her pioneering AIDS work in 1993.) Many have derided Taylor's performance as too over the top, but I find her quite good and at sometimes even haunting as a Southern belle who is tormented at the thought of having "Negro blood" running through her.

Eva Marie Saint gives what is largely a flat performance as Clift's former love, although this could be just in comparison to Elizabeth-Susanna's histrionics. Agnes Moorehead was cast in the minor role of Clift's mother, and the talents of this great actress are completely wasted; her part adds almost nothing to the film.

Its attempt to outdo Gone with the Wind ruined what could have been quite a good film. Had the focus of the story been more on the relationship between John and Susanna, it could have been something other than a pale comparison of that great American classic.

MUSIC New 'Dog Days Are Over' by Florence + The Machine video

Perhaps to capitalize on its inclusion in the advertising and soundtrack of the new hit film Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts (review forthcoming), Florence + The Machine have shot a new music video for their song, 'Dog Days Are Over.' Its starkness lends to a more austere feeling (well, in terms of the plain white background) compared to the original. As expected, the fashions are every bit as outlandish and unique as its predecessor. Thankfully they didn't touch the song itself, which is one of my very favourite discoveries of this past year.

New 2010 version


Original version

SOCIAL My Sunday with Queen Elizabeth II

Earlier this summer I was fortunate enough to spend the afternoon with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the prestigious Queen’s Plate Race in Toronto.

The Queen, and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, arrived after the seventh race and the singing of ‘O Canada’ (by the Canadian Tenors) in a motorcade on the track, with the excitement in the crowd palpable as they transferred into a horse drawn carriage escorted by Mounties and made their way along the track, stopping at the foot of the red carpet. The Queen stepped out of her carriage and was met by thunderous applause. She accepted a bouquet of flowers from a beautiful little girl and made her way to the royal box before the singing of ‘God Save the Queen.’

From where I was seated I had a bird’s eye view of Her Majesty’s head (or hat, I should say!) and it was great fun watching her watch the races. She presented Eurico Da Silva, who rode the horse Big Red Mike to glory, with his prize. But for him it seemed the prize was seeing the Queen. “I’m going to see the Queen!” Da Silva announced jubilantly.

Although the Her Majesty has long returned to Buckingham Palace, the memories of her trip linger. It was truly an afternoon I won’t soon forget, nor will I have to. The CBC will be airing a new documentary, Queen Elizabeth in 3-D this fall and highlights from her visit will be included. Yes, you read that correctly, 3-D! And who says the Queen isn't relevant?

BOOKS Audrey Hepburn, Not Tawdry Hepburn

When Paramount was gearing up to release Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a film that would go on to usher in an entirely new and more authentic depiction of women on screen (even if it had still had a long way to go), they had to be careful. Audrey Hepburn, the darling of such films as Roman Holiday (which won her an Oscar) and Sabrina, was very conscious of her public image. Unlike other stars who carefully constructed their images, Audrey was essentially the kind woman she was perceived by the public to be. Hepburn, who could sometimes be found knitting on set, didn’t want that reputation tarnished. So, unsurprisingly, Hepburn nearly turned the role of the free spirited good time girl Holly Golightly, the film she is most remembered for today.

And therein lies the crux of Sam Wasson’s masterful book called Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman, on the making Breakfast at Tiffany’s and its cultural significance. At this time in film history it wasn’t okay to play this type of character. On screen good girls were good and bad girls were bad. There was no gray area. But Tiffany’s would change all that, and show the world that not only did this gray area indeed exist, but it was a hell of a lot of fun to be single and sexually liberated woman—even if you were just playing one.

Golightly, as it turns out, was an amalgam of so many of the society ladies that Truman Capote (the author of the original novella on which the film is based on) knew and socialized with, but it was Babe Paley and Capote’s own mother, Nina, who most pervaded the character of Holly.

This slim volume (coming in at just over 200 pages) is also a history of Hollywood during the mid 1950s and through the filming of Tiffany’s. Not having read Capote’s original novel, I was unaware that the Paul Varjak character in the film was actually Holly’s gay friend in the novel. The social mores of the day dictated that the character be turned into a love interest.

I think Sam Wasson’s book is clever and unique and witty in its telling of the story behind the story of how Breakfast at Tiffany’s paved the way for a new brand of filmmaking and depiction of women on screen. Often irreverent, always engaging, Wasson’s book does not disappoint.

[Sam Wasson, author of Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. kindly sent me a note of thanks regarding my review: "Andrew, this is the sort of review an author dreams about! I was just surfing the internet (okay, I admit it, I googled my name), scanning through some old (embarrassing stuff) when I found this. Thanks for getting the book – and for being so generous." Thank YOU for your wonderful book, Mr. Wasson!]

WEARING Men's Fall Must Haves

While many lament the changing of summer into autumn, I've always loved it. I could go on and on depleting my admittedly small reserve of autumnal clichés, but I'll cut right to the chase: I love the clothes. I love dressing in layers, and autumn offers the perfect opportunity to do that. Here are my top picks for fall. If you can't afford these designer items, head to less expensive stores and buy similar pieces to get the style for much less. Good style is attainable on any budget, whether its moderate or the sky's the limit (although I think most of us fall into the former category rather than the latter). You'll notice that my picks are rife with sweaters. I love them, and look forward to adding a few to my collection every time fall roles around. You'll also notice that my list is absent of jeans. Wear what you've got. I think it's more important to buy a great new sweater or jacket than a $150+ pair of jeans that no one will notice. Instead a jacket or a sweater will make a statement, especially paired with great chunky boots.

CELEBS Kim Kardashian Channels Elizabeth Taylor

Media darling Kim Kardashian was made-up to look like Elizabeth Taylor from one of her most iconic film roles--and one of my favourite films--Giant (1956) for the September cover story of Allure magazine.

"I'm honored to be transformed into Elizabeth Taylor, she is one of my idols," Kardashian told the magazine. "Clearly, Elizabeth Taylor is the perfect definition of what a bombshell is."

Kardashian inspires much derision (what incredibly beautiful woman doesn't?), but I admire her. Who knows how long her shelf-life will be, but you've got to give her credit for taking what she has and milking it for all it's worth. She's not the first celebrity to do this and certainly won't be the last, but she's done it better than most.

MUSIC '11th Dimension' by Julian Casablancas

This song I heard on an episode of The City (or was it The Hills?) last season. Anyway, it's a great track from Julian Casablancas, who many of you may know as a member of the band The Strokes.