Movie Review Monday: L.A. Confidential

Today's Movie Review Monday is the fantastic neo-noir film L.A. Confidential. A gripping crime drama about three cops in 1950's L.A. who couldn't be more different from one another, but who end up unknowingly working the same case. Starring Kevin Spacey, Russel Crowe, and Guy Pierce this action thriller has a 99% positive rating on Rotton Tomatoes! Now that is saying something!

Danny DeVito as the head of a news rag called Hush-Hush.

I honestly had never seen this film before, but it seemed right up my alley. The glamour of L.A. in the 1950s has a strong pull for me. I won't spoil any of the plot right now but I recommend seeing it. Let's get onto some visuals!

The gorgeous Kim Basinger as a Lana Turner look alike for hire.

Spacey plays a cop who among other things, is a high profile contributor for a TV show called Badge of Honor

The good cop-bad cop routines are constantly rotated between these three depending on their situations. If you have never seen L.A. Confidential I highly recommend it. You can read more about the plot and the making of the film here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119488/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt

Check out a young Simon Baker making a cameo as a young up and coming actor.

Any ideas for movies I should watch next? Let me know in the comments section below! Thanks!

xoxoxo Vicki

Sneak Preview! Spring Photoshoot aka the Michael's Challenge

Hi there all! Recently I had a new photoshoot with my good friend Lisa Margolis! We decided to give the #michaelschallenge the old college try! If you are unfamiliar with the challenge it sprang up on social media with people posting glamourous shots of themselves and the reality of their shoot was they were in the floral isle of the craft store. Here are a few quick previews from the shoot, can't wait to see the edits!

Check out more from Lisa at Lisa Margolis Photography!

The art of World War II Planes!

World War II saw the rise of the air plane as a war machine. To help combat the seriousness of the war and the overall tone airmen would paint designs, sexy pin up girls, and sometimes racy slogans on the noses of their planes. I find the whole idea reminiscent of Native Americans painting their horses, or the Vikings carving dragon heads on the ends of their boats. Here are some great images of World War II planes:

I wonder if she is based off some girl he knew!

I think this name is probably my favorite.

She might be my favorite, but I'm a bit biased.

Got to see her in person, and I even have a "Diamond Lil" pin!

Want to read more about nose art on World War II planes? You can check out the book 

Vintage Aircraft Nose Art (Motorbooks Classic) by Gary Valant.

North Carolina Theatre's Gypsy

North Carolina Theatre is getting ready for their run of "Gypsy", a drama revolving around a mother and daughter competing for the lime light on the burlesque stage in the 1920's. Based loosely on the life of the famous burly girl Gypsy Rose Lee, the original musical started in 1959. The show has inspired books, movies, and multiple international revivals.

Gypsy Rose Lee was born on Jan. 8th, 1911, as Rose Louise Hovick in Seattle. An actor, singer, and later burlesque performer Gypsy made a name for herself in Minsky's Burlesque show. She added wit and humor into her tease performances and eventually moved to film in Hollywood.

Little known about this triple threat, Gypsy was a supporter of the Popular Front, a movement that supported those innocent victims of the Spanish Civil War. Because of her deep involved she was investigated by the House Committee of Un-American Activities, though was never charged with anything.

If you are looking for a night out the show runs November 14th through the 19th. You can read more about the show, the cast, and the theatre itself here: https://www.broadwayworld.com/raleigh/article/North-Carolina-Theatre-Announces-Cast-for-November-Production-of-GYPSY-20171006

Thank you for 1,000 Views!

Style Inspiration: Janis Joplin

Born in the conservative Texas town of Port Arthur, Janis Joplin's talent landed her in the halls of the rock and roll greats of the 1960s.

Check out the dress leggings combo. Patterned tights and leggings really became a fashion trend in the late 60's.

This is one of the only picture I can find of her where she is this "bare".

More fabulous patterned tights.

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Look at this picture. Look at the people in the background. She is a riot of color in this drab setting....

A vastly complex woman who reeled between music styles and clothing style Janis was a whirlwind of color. A true tour de force she carved out her own niche in the rock industry with her heart felt blues style vocals....Janis became a member of the famous 27 club when she overdosed and unfortunately died from heroin usage.

I look to Janis whenever I feel like an outfit that I have put together is too "loud" or "odd" or "off the wall". I think to myself that maybe I have gone over board when Janis' gravely voice pops into my head telling me "hey fuck em girl if they can't love you". Janis had a flare for the colorful and dramatic, she embodied the late 60's counter culture style while keeping something that was purely her. Here's to you Janis....you and Bobby McGee.

Vintage Inspiration: Amy Winehouse

Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011) was a British singer and song writer whose career and life was frought with drama and soul. Her look helped relaunch a love for vintage looks mixed with modern style. Winehouse favored looks from girl groups like The Ronettes. Her beehive hairdo and wild winger liner may look like a parody of the fashions of the 1960's but Winehouse was spot on. 

Personally, she was always an inspiration style wise. She wore what she liked and didn't care about what other people thought....Rolling Stone's editor Joe Levy tried to sum up her eclectic style:

"Just as her best music drew on sampling — assembling sonic licks and stylistic fragments borrowed from Motown, Stax, punk and early hip-hop – her personal style was also a knowing collage. There was a certain moment in the '90s when, if you were headed downtown and turned left, every girl looked like Bettie Page. But they did not do what Winehouse did, mixing Bettie Page with Brigitte Bardot and adding that little bit of Ronnie Spector."

Want to learn more about Amy's iconic look? Take a peek at this make up tutorial done by Valli O'Reilly who knew Amy personally and worked as her makeup artist. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9Lq2RNABTc

Want to learn more about Amy Winehouse check out her website here: http://www.amywinehouse.com/