The Most Gigantic Honest Mouth of All Time

I must say I liked Thom's dancing on Lotus Flower but Hitler may, to some extent, be right this time. Besides, who doesn't like a little sensationalism every now and again?

Staples (not in paper)

Here is what can be found in my make-up bag. I am truly useless when it comes to cosmetics, but these are the basics that I use when I wear make-up (from left to right).


1. Bath & Body Works Brown Sugar & Fig body splash (any product in this scent is scrumptious)
2. Revlon Pinking of You blush
3. Physicians Formula Healthy Glow Bronzer
4. Multiple brushes
5. Maybelline Ebony Black eye pencil
6. O.P.I. Red Hot Ayers Rock nail polish
7. MAC Carbon eye shadow
8. MAC Amber Lights eye shadow
9. MAC Shroom eye shadow (this shade is my long time favourite)
10. Nivea Pearl and Shine lip balm
11. Maybelline Great Lash Blackest Black mascara with curved brush
12. Tweezers and nail clippers



In a league of its own is my facial moisturizer. Skyn Iceland's The Antidote is by far the best day moisturizer I have ever come across. It is some serious joy in a bottle. I haven't used many of their other products since the only place I have access to this line in Canada is at Holt's, but I am sure they are just as fabulous.

My beloved Eddie Bauer fragrance Balance, which has recently been discontinued, was and still is the best smelling ladies perfume (as a result, I have loyally used it for the past 9 years). I know what you're thinking, "Eddie Bauer perfume? You probably smell like an old lady or a forest lumberjack." Seriously, it is a very magical scent, and I smell like neither the former or later.

Thanks for reading about a few of my favourite things...what are a few of your favourite things?

"Decent & Successful"

Even as Woody Allen edges into his 70’s, his cynicism is as evident as ever. His thoughts on the reality of love and passion are hauntingly accurate, especially in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The voiced narration throughout the film is straightforward, unwavering and void of any emotional attachment. We rarely see optimism in Woody Allen’s stories, but the closing line of this film may explain why: he is certain only of what he doesn’t want.

Vicky (Hall) is a detail-oriented, responsible Masters student about to be married; Cristina (Johannson), her best friend, is a free-spirited art type searching for her own interpretation of perfection in love. They go to Barcelona for the summer and meet Juan Antonio (Bardem), a smooth, passionate artist who convincingly assures the girls that there is no such thing as dull or meaningless sex (at least with him). We are then introduced to Maria Elena (Cruz) who is a gorgeous but unstable, fervent but intriguing, Latin artist who is also Juan Antonio’s ex-wife. The plot is simple and revolves around the lives of these characters for the summer while they find love, question their previous misconceptions of love and experience new forms of passion.

First off, I loved the Spanish architecture in the film, which Allen really paid homage to well. I also particularly enjoyed the portrayal of Vicky and her fiance, Doug. The narrator quotes something along the lines of, “Doug was decent, and successful, and Vicky was going to marry him.” Realistically, I think an overwhelming number of people marry partners who are similar and who they get along well with, but the passion is simply missing. Maybe couples think this is the best strategy, since it is inevitable that, over time, the psychological stages of love start off with passion and then slowly turn into companionship. People unconsciously believe that if you’re going to reach the companionship stage eventually, why not skip the passion altogether?

Another related point made in the film, was that “Only unfulfilled love can be romantic.” Again, if love has been fulfilled (whether it be through marriage or long term cohabitation), it seems as though romance and passion disappears, as is evident with Maria Elena (Cruz) and Juan Antonio (Bardem). Cristina (Johannson), who acted as the salt, or “missing ingredient” in their relationship kept the love unfulfilled and thus made the gears of love work together smoothly.

It is clear from films like Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Volver that Cruz’s best acting is done when she is able to speak her native tongue. At least half her dialogue is in Spanish and she does a fabulous job in the role of the crazy but sensual ex-wife of Bardem, who also pulled off the womanizing Latin artist character almost seamlessly. I like Johannson’s character, but she always seems to play the same type of roles in Allen’s films and I must say it is getting a bit old.

Overall, the film was entertaining and realistic although rather short. The clear-cut dialogue was typical Woody Allen, which of course I loved, and the acting by Bardem and Cruz was beyond impressive. The movie may not have had an edge of your seat storyline, but it was passionate pessimism at its best. Well done, Mr. Allen.