The Last Emperor

While putting up the last of my Christmas decorations last night (down to the wire, I know!) I slipped in The Last Emperor DVD for a re-watch.  If anyone hasn't seen Matt Tyrnauer's documentary about the fashion designer Valentino Garavani, I'd recommend you do.

Photo from the nytimes.com

I enjoyed the backstage look at how the great designer prepares a collection, but I thought the parts about his relationship with business partner Giancarlo Giammetti were even better.  I think its beautiful - the understanding, the emotion, the love that comes with being by someone's side for the better part of 50 years.  I don't think it can be easy, either, always being the man in the shadows, but Giammetti pulls it off with charm, aplomb and grace.

And let's not forget Signor Valentino's pugs - they're adorableness alone would have made the doc worth watching!



Watching The Last Emperor has made me think of all the movies I want to get around to watching once all the holiday madness has subsided - Coco Avant Chanel, The Single Man, Up In The Air, and It's Complicated.  Hopefully I'll get a chance to see them soon.  I've also seen previews for The Bounty Hunter and Valentine's Day, which I'd like to see.  Are there any movies you're looking forward to?


Alla Prossima

Aussie Documentary Worth Watching

Australia's pretty far away from us over here in The States! However, we got wind of this really interesting Australian documentary called The Bra Boys.

The film is about the cultural evolution of the inner-Sydney beachside suburb of Maroubra and the social struggle of its youth – the tattooed and much criticized surf community known as the Bra Boys. It was huge in Australia and has gotten mixed reviews. It's finally just come over The U.S.

Central to the story is the true-life struggle of the Abberton brothers – Sunny, Koby, Jai and Dakota. They're quite famous over in OZ for their surfing abilities! The documentary of The Abberton brothers and The Bra Boys is narrarated by Russell Crowe. Even pro surfer Kelly Slater makes an appearance. We think you should check it out. It's worth it - just be careful - the film has been labeled as a one sided view of this Aussie surf tribe.