The Look: Jena Malone in Emanuel Ungaro

#celebritystyle #fashion

Jena Malone seems like a quirky bird and I kind of love her for that.

Jena looked all kinds of wonderful at the premiere of movie premiere of THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 17, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Jena channelled forties glamour in a gorgeous Emanuel Ungaro Spring 2015 orange-red gown.

Aside: I neglected to do a post on the Emanuel Ungaro Spring 2015 collection when it debuted in September, and I'm regretting that now.

The look on model Irina Kravchenko at the Emanuel Ungaro Spring 2015 presentation. I love the minor modifications and fit on Jena.

The Look: Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior Couture

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Jennifer Lawrence at the movie premiere of THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 17, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.

Jennifer, a brand ambassador for the House of Dior, is wearing a gown from the Christian Dior Fall 2014 Couture Collection. Looking back on Jennifer's Christian Dior red carpet wardrobe, I think she fares better in Christian Dior Couture than Ready-to-Wear.

Here's the look from the Christian Dior Fall 2014 Couture Collection Paris presentation. I prefer the full gown.

The Look: Elizabeth Banks in Elie Saab

#celebritystyle #fashion

I L♥VE.

Elizabeth Banks at the at the London, UK movie premiere of THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 on Monday, November 10th.

Elizabeth slayed the red carpet in this jaw-droppingly gorgeous Elie Saab Fall 2014 Couture Collection gown.

I feel like the photos can't possibly do this dress justice, and we need to see it move.

Elizabeth was gorgeous from top to bottom last night!

The look at the Elie Saab Fall 2014 Couture Collection presentation in Paris. I much prefer Elizabeth's dark grey belt over the pink one presented.

The Look: Jennifer Lawrence in Dior

#celebritystyle #fashion

Jennifer Lawrence looked divine in a custom Christian Dior gown at the UK movie premiere of THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 on Monday, November 10, 2014.

The dress looks like a mishmash of dresses from the Christian Dior Fall 2014 and Christian Dior Fall 2014 Couture collections - only better. I love the quilted texture of the gown, coupled with the tank bodice and embroidered floral details.

This is probably one of her better Dior outings. . . those shoes though. What's the point of wearing shoes if your toes are touching the ground?

The Look: Kirsten Dunst in Chanel Fall 2014 Couture

#fashion #Fall2014 #moviepremiere

Actress Kirsten Dunst arriving at the New York movie premiere of THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY last night, September 17, 2014. Dunst stars in the well received thriller opposite Viggo Mortensen and Oscar Issacs.

Kirsten wore a rather demure white gown with ornate silver-embroidered detailing from the Chanel Fall 2014 Couture Collection. The dress is lovely, but I think the length is too long for her.

The look on model Ondria Hardin at the Chanel Fall 2014 Couture Collection presentation. Even though it's too long, the dress looks much better on a woman with curves.

#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.