Lolita (1962)

Nobody Spoil My Fun by rachelsherman 

          Lolita, a film based on the novel by Vladimir Nabokov of the same name. Stanley Kubrick made this film in 1962 as a comedy-drama of Humbert Humbert, a middle-aged man (played by James Mason) who lusts for a teenage girl, Dolores Haze, or otherwise known as the sexually seductive "Lolita" (played by the fourteen year-old Sue Lyon). This is one of the first films that got me into a frenzy of watching as many movies as I possibly could, and really revealed my love for the cinema. I have yet to read the novel by Nabokov, but I certainly have intended to for some time now, even though Kubrick's version of Lolita  doesn't as closely follow the storyline of the novel as the more recent verison. ( I find myself constantly busy with school, work, and sleeping whenever I find the time). I'm a huge fan of Stanley Kubrick, and I immensly enjoy all of his films.

          The film had to be wildly censored because of it's highly sexual content, and limited Kubrick's ability to make the film as he wished. However, the film was very successful, and is indeed fantastic. I really like this story, and all of the characters within it. Highly recommend this version of the film to anyone who has yet to see it.

Spellbound

Nervous Breakdown by rachelsherman

(more modern fashion take on the wardrobe)

          Spellbound, the inspiration for the title of this blog, and an incredibly well-done film. Alfred Hitchcock presents us with his usual psychological mystery thriller that never seems to get old. I can't even remember how many times I have seen this film, but every time I see it, it's just as exciting and captivating as when I watched it for the fist time. The 1945 film stars the beautiful Ingrid Bergman as Dr. Constance Petersen, and Gregory Peck (who my dad actually met once, back in the day) as Dr. Anthony Edwardes / John Ballantyne (Ooo, mysterious). Anyway, I don't even want to describe the film because it's so much better when you don't know anything going into it. So, I'll spare spoiling the thrill of the film for you, and trust that you'll get your hands on this little gem and enjoy.

          The film is set in a mental hospital, so psychology concepts (highly drawn from freudian psychology) are prevalent throughout the film and very much a part of the storyline. I think this adds some appeal for me, since I'm working on my minor in psychology at the moment. The psychological thriller aspects of Hitchock's films really seem to take them to a whole new level. They are so much more effective at generating a thrill factor than our modern gory thrillers (although I do enjoy those as well, just in a different way). 

          In addition, Salvador Dalí worked on the dream sequence in one of the scenes which is just absolutely perfect. When I went to London a couple summers ago, my friend and I had the pleasure of going to a surrealist museum exhibit featuring Dalí, which was so unbelievable.

 “Our story deals with psychoanalysis, the method by which modern science treats the emotional problems of the sane. The analyst seeks only to induce the patient to talk about his hidden problems, to open the locked doors of his mind. Once the complexes that have been disturbing the patient are uncovered and interpreted, the illness and confusion disappear... and the devils of unreason are driven from the human soul.”

                                                  - Spellbound, 1945

The Royal Tenenbaums: Featuring Margot Tenenbaum

Tenenbaum by rachelsherman featuring a chain necklace

          This collage was inspired by the Wes Anderson film, The Royal Tenenbaums. More specifically, the character Margot Tenenbaum, portrayed by the lovely Gwyneth Paltrow. If you have not seen the film it is a fantastic story about this eccentric family of geniuses, and their abusrdist father (or in Margot's case, step-father). The film also stars Luke Wilson and Ben Stiller as the two other gifted siblings, along with Owen Wilson, Gene Hackman, Bill Murray, and Angelica Huston. Wes Anderson truly has the most interesting and captivating way of putting films together and portraying his stories (not to mention the always pleasant associated soundtrack and the enjoyable cast). I highly suggest viewing this film as soon as you possibly can, and of course any other Wes Anderson films you can get your desirous little hands on (i.e., Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Life Aquatic, The Darjeeling Limited).

          Back to Margot... she dons a honey-colored fur coat, black eyeliner, and a red barrette throughout the film  as she secretly sneaks cigarettes any chance she gets. The entire atmosphere that this film produces makes me so envious; I so much want to live in that insanely decorated house with an eccentric family like the Tenenbaums.