The Look: Marion Cotillard in Valentino Spring 2015

#celebritystyle #fashion

Actress Marion Cotillard at the screening of TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT during AFI FEST 2014 at the Egyptian Theatre on Friday, November 7, 2014 in Hollywood, California.

Marion, a brand ambassador for Christian Dior, went "offside" in a yellow gown with embroidered detailing  from the Valentino Spring 2015 Collection.  I love the twenties vibe this dress is giving me.

The detailing on the collar is exquisite and Marion is as beautiful as ever.

The look from the Valentino Spring 2015 Collection, presented in Milan. Marion takes it, this dress needed a lining.

#TIFF2014 Scorecard: SCARLET INNOCENCE and TOKYO TRIBE

The 2014 Toronto International Film Festival kicked off yesterday and I had two films on my schedule for opening day.

I'll be honest, I wasn't too excited about my film selection for September 4th. The films I picked, SCARLET INNOCENCE (South Korea) and TOKYO TRIBE (JAPAN) weren't on my "must see" list, and I ended up choosing them for completely different reasons.

The first film, SCARLET INNOCENCE directed by Pil-sung Yim, only made my list because of actor Woo-sung Jung. I saw his film COLD EYES last year at the festival, and really enjoyed watching him on film. He reminds me of Laurence Fishburne in that Woo-sung has a cool suave persona on film.

SCARLET INNOCENCE was great. Based on the Korean folktale Shim Chung (a daughter sacrificing everything so that her father can regain his sight), SCARLET INNOCENCE is the story of a professor who has an affair with a student and ends up destroying her life. Years later, she worms her way back into his life after he loses his sight. Her revenge was epic . . . and evil. Actress Som Lee, who plays the naive school girl turned vengeful seductress, steals the film with an incredible perform.

This brings me to TOKYO TRIBE.

When I first saw the write-up for TOKYO TRIBE - a Japanese hip hop opera set in a futuristic world where Tokyo is divided up into ghetto slums - I thought, hell no. And then I stopped myself.

TOKYO TRIBE was selected as the opening film for the Midnight Madness series. Midnight Madness films tend to be violent and dark and loads of fun. Last year, TOKYO TRIBE director Sion Sono took home the Midnight Madness audience award for his film WHY DON'T YOU PLAY IN HELL? I decided to leave my preconceived notions of what Japanese hip hop opera would be like, and go and enjoy the film.

So, what's a Japanese hip hop opera movie set in futuristic ghetto slums like?

#TIFF14: The 10 Films I Will See at This Year's Toronto International Film Festival

I'm “tiffing” again this year!

In just four short days, the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will take over my hometown. This year, TIFF showcases 300 films from 60 countries over 10 very long days.

Once again, I've committed to ten films.

For the record, I don't have frou frou tastes in film. I don't go to movies to learn something (that's what books are for). Nor do I go for “great performances.” I go to movies to be entertained. I consider myself a purist in that sense. And this is what makes the Toronto International Film Festival so great, you’re watching great movies with other movie lovers.

Sadly, choosing ten films out of a possible 300 is not an easy task. Nor is it particularly fun to be honest. Every year I try to come up with a new way of selecting my films, and every year I finish the task feeling like I’ve failed. I did not review all 300 films. I wish I could tell you what drew me to the movies I selected. But I can't. Which is why my 2014 Toronto International Film Festival choices are all over the place.

To see my 2014 TIFF choices, click "READ MORE" below.

The Look: Emma Stone in Valentino Fall 2014 Couture

#celebritystyle #fashion

Emma Stone attending the Opening Ceremony and BIRDMAN film premiere during the 71st Venice Film Festival on August 27, 2014 in Venice, Italy. The talented actress chose a Valentino Fall 2014 Couture green draped tulle gown for her red carpet arrival.

I love Valentino under the creative direction of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli.  Emma's gown is indicative of their "old school" romanticism that I adore in their collections.

The look on model Vanessa Axente at the Valentino Fall 2014 Couture presentation. While Vanessa's version is a tad too sheer for the red carpet, I would have preferred if Emma's gown had a few less layers.