Archive for category TV
Lifetime TV movie review: A Sister’s Nightmare
Posted by Amy Steele in Film, TV on September 7, 2013
Cassidy (Natasha Henstridge) spent 15 years hospitalized for being criminally insane and on release shows up at her younger sister Jane’s house. Jane’s a police officer living with her teenage daughter (Peyton List) and fiancé (Matthew Settle). From the look on Jane’s face she seems doubtful she can trust Cassidy or that she’s been fully rehabilitated even after more than a decade. I’m always wary when films portray the mentally ill as too dangerous. Yes, there are those mentally ill who cannot interact with society and need to be under constant care and supervision a hospital wouldn’t release a woman after 15 years if it didn’t believe she’d be okay as long as she took her medication and continued therapy. There are double-checks. Of course then there wouldn’t be these Lifetime films. I’m dubious about this film.
“It’s so private here. You could do whatever you wanted and nobody would know,” Cassidy says when she sees the beautifully open living room in her younger sister Jane’s home.
Jane keeps having flashbacks to whatever it is that occurred so many years ago that landed Cassidy in the psychiatric facility. They’re very tense with each other. Cassidy also flirts with Jane’s fiancé and cozies up to her daughter which she doesn’t appreciate at all. Jane tells her fiancé that she’s had regular calls with Cassidy’s doctor and he’s never once indicated that she’d be released any time soon. He told her about mood swings and memory loss. Jane travels to the hospital to investigate. Cassidy’s psychiatrist retired. A letter indicated that she should be released and continue her treatment as an outpatient. Jane remains suspicious.
“I cut my sister out of my life for good reason. Cassidy is mentally unstable,” Jane tells her daughter.
“Like me?” [her daughter has water phobia]
“No. You’ll grow out of that.”
Natasha Henstridge plays the mysterious, potentially still volatile Cassidy really well. Sometimes blank faced, confused, sad, distraught. Often jealous, confused and trying to fit in. Occasionally hopefully. She shows so much in her eyes and her delivery truly effective for this wounded character. While Kelly Rutherford (who I’ve only seen on Gossip Girl) acts the perfect foil to her older sister who scares her so much.
She says that her sister’s bipolar with a borderline personality who murdered her husband. Jane explains everything that happened early on to her fiancé. Although mental illness doesn’t truly manifest until mid-to-late 20s. There’s another twist that I don’t want to reveal.
I DO want to stress, if you have a mental illness don’t go off your meds without medical supervision.
There’s an intense twist at the end of A Sister’s Nightmare.
–review by Amy Steele
A Sister’s Nightmare debuts September 7, 2013 at 8pm on Lifetime.
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Project Runway S12.Ep7: RECAP
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on August 31, 2013
Marie Claire Challenge: Create a look inspired by a pair of shoes
Kate reminds us and the other designers that she was previously eliminated during the seventh challenge in her prior season. The designers gather at Marie Claire office in the wardrobe closet surrounded by shoes. The designers then choose shoes after answering fashion history questions. I actually knew the answer to the question: What designer created the essential little black dress? Coco Chanel of course!
Suggested budget: $250
Alexander and Miranda both choose plaid material. And they’re both making pants.
Alexandria—Gladiator shoes that had straps wrapped all the way up to mid-thigh. playful. “Making a statement piece without the bondage.”
Justin—multi-colored pump. Wants to make three piece outfit.
Miranda–Red patent leather flats. High-waisted pant and blouse, jacket. Tim: “fabric looks inexpensive.”
Alexander– off white platforms. was concerned about plaid pants due to Miranda but Tim said as long as he distinguishes his design.
Ken—black heel with open ties in front. Making a coat dress and it’s ballooning out in the bottom. Tim: “it’s looking dated. Don’t over design it.”
Bradon– sparkly flat and designed a champagne silky dress with a special French ruffling technique but Tim’s not all that impressed because he wonders where she’s going. “Don’t you think she’s going in it?”
Kate– interesting red patent platform. “I want to play up the surrealism of the shoe.” She’s making pants.
Jeremy– boots. Designing a chiffon sweater.
Dom– skater girl quilter dress with multi-colored creeper shoes.
Karen– beige and yellow pump. She’s designed a yellow and black dress. Tim: “Are you concerned about the matchy-matchy?”
Helen: Shoe with a studded toe. loads of applique. “Heavy and deluding into nothing.” Tim says that he sees Kate Middleton but with everything added he sees her mother.
Before the runway, Ken says: “I don’t care for Miranda’s look at all. It looked like Amy Winehouse after she OD’ed.” Alexander had to sew his pants onto the model. Bradon’s really rushing with the look. Kate thinks Bradon designed way too mature a look.
SAFE:
Kate
design by kate
Alexander
design by Alexander
Karen
design by Karen
Dom
design by Dom
HIGH:
Alexandria
design by Alexandria
Gladiator ‘bondage’ shoe
“I think you did the perfect think for those shoes. I like that it’s whimsical and feminine.” –Heidi Klum
“These needed something very soft and relaxed.” –Zac Posen
“it’s so bold and shows such confidence in yourself. I like the lace at the top. It’s so feminine and sweet.” –Kaley Cuoco
Helen
design by Helen
Ankle boot with studded toe
“There’s something minimal and classic about your look. She looks refined, she looks sophisticated.” – Nina Garcia
I want now. This is so fantastic. It’s so well fit, sexy, chic. –Kaley Cuoco
It’s chic. It’s sophisticated. It’s fits immaculately. –Zac Posen
“I love this look. It’s sleek and chic.” –Heidi Klum
Ken
design by Ken
Open front tied heel
“She looks very sophisticated, hard. You took it to another level. I like the fabric. It has a beaut texture.” –Heidi Klum
“Maneater I love. She’s showing a lot of leg but she’s very covered up. She struck a great balance.” – Nina Garcia
“I love this. I think it’s so cool. It’s actually cute and cool at the same time.” –Kaley Cuoco
guest judge Kaley Cuoco
LOW SCORES:
Jeremy
design by Jeremy
Black high boot
“I don’t think it looks current or modern to me.” –Heidi Klum
“I think it’s a little much. There’s a lot going on.” –Kaley Cuoco
“You have this edgy boots. This should’ve been something cool. Something rocker. Simple.” – Nina Garcia
“I’m starting to question who you are as a designer. Your techniques and your skills and I really need to skills.” –Zac Posen
Bradon
design by Bradon
Sparkly flat
“I thought of swing dancing and Happy Days. I would have preferred a sleek suit. It’s so old school. I didn’t love it.” –Heidi Klum
“Those flat shoes are fabulous. I wish I had seen it with a little A-line dress. You went so tortured.” – Nina Garcia
“The silhouette and the fabric just feel frumpy dumpy. You have to start thinking of the amazing techniques you do and how to bring them into something that feels fresh for today. –Zac Posen
Miranda
design by Miranda
Red patent loafer
“I didn’t particularly like this look. She doesn’t look like a cool girl at all. I don’t even know what era she’s from.” –Heidi Klum
“I sort of like that it’s not a cool girl. It’s nerd alert. I just think maybe it’s not kooky enough.” ––Zac Posen
“The whole look feels very retro but not in a new way.” – Nina Garcia
HELEN is the WINNER.
MIRANDA is OUT.
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Project Runway: S12.Ep6: RECAP
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on August 24, 2013
Resource Water Challenge: Create a high end fashion look inspired by nature
The designers go glamping. Beds set up in the tents. Big hammocks. Bonding by talking and relaxing. It’s really a lovely way to get a bit of rest and relaxation away from the workroom. They zip glide and go rafting. Justin teaches some sign language. Dinner catered by candlelight.
Katelyn gets ready to zip line.
The next day they head off to Mood with a recommended budget of $300 and back to the workroom.
Karen
Inspired by tent and way it was draped. “vintage safari camp.” Her dress looks like an off-white toga with leather trim. Tim says it needs something more. “Compared to your peers you didn’t take it far enough,” he says. She says she will ombre dye it.
Justin
Creating lace with a glue gun. Tim thinks it’s “smashing.” Justin thinks he’s been playing it safe.
Alexander
He’s doing a silhouette of trees against a dark sky and has a dark blue sheath dress to which he’ll attach black and dark blue leather. Tim thinks it’ll be too bottom heavy.
Bradon
Using a threading technique to recreate moss. Tim thinks it looks like a children’s drawing.
Alexandria
Glamping is the modern camping so she’s making a modern denim jacket and creating a drop-crotch pant. Tim doesn’t like the pant.
Ken
Inspired by water and waves for the structure of the dress. Red and green color dress.
Jeremy
Wrote a “semi-philosophical love letter” to be put on a bias-cut sheath dress. He’s going to overlay shapes in primary colors: red; yellow and blue. Tim says “whenever my students chose primary colors I would say it was a cheap shot. The challenge will be in the execution.”
Helen gets a bit of sketching in.
Helen
Challenged by a moth dying in a bathroom sink. Tim: “this is going to be a work of art.”
Miranda
“I’m making a bunch of little origami petals that remind me of a tree trunk with leaves coming off the bottom.”
Alexander: “Karen, Helen and Dom, when they’re together it’s like the Witches of Eastwick. They cackle and they’re loud and it’s kinda annoying.”
guest judge Allison Williams with Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and Heidi Klum
SAFE:
design 6 by kate
design 6 by bradon
design 6 by miranda
design 6 by helen
design 6 by dom
HIGH SCORES:
Jeremy:
design 6 by jeremy
Sonnet chic. I’m a sucker for bias. You did it very well in the time frame. It’s beautiful. –Zac Posen
It feels very personal. It feels very authentic. When you see this dress it gives this emotion. I’m crazy with this little row of buttons on the side. –Nina Garcia
It is fluid and stunning. –Heidi Klum
Alexander:
design 6 by alexander
The fit on this dress is ridiculous in a good way. I could go either way with the leather piece on it. –Heidi Klum
I’m crazy about this dress. I like the little pieces on it. –Allison Williams
I’m not that wowed by the hand painting. –Zac Posen
There’s something dramatic about this dress. –Nina Garcia
Alexandria:
design 6 by alexandria
The back looks fantastic. Modern, cool, draped. You made it into a very luxurious jacket. –Nina Garcia
I couldn’t tell it was denim and that’s a testament to your work with this material. –Allison Williams
This felt sophisticated. It felt cool. I was totally impressed. –Zac Posen
LOW SCORES:
Karen:
design 6 by karen
“She looks trashy to me. It looks like a duvet.” –Heidi Klum
“It looks like a beach dress but she has a leather harness and cowboy boots. You have two conflicting stories.” –Nina Garcia
A little of her femininity was lost in the piece –Allison Williams
Ken:
design 6 by ken
I am not thrilled with this look. So heavy it is overpowering. Her hair and makeup is very 80s. –Nina Garcia
I had written on my card frog queen. –Zac Posen
It’s a lot of fabric to have right on her chest. –Heidi Klum
Justin:
design 6 by justin
I’m not a huge fan of this dress. It’s borderline Halloween costume from an inexpensive place. –Heidi Klum
It almost looks like she has a foaming vagina. The location. –Allison Williams
I do like the color of the chiffon on the bottom. It’s a nice modern color. –Zac Posen
Alexandria is the WINNER. “you took a risk and it totally paid off.” –Heidi
Jeremy and Alexander are IN.
Ken is IN.
Karen is IN.
Justin is OUT.
Everyone’s crying in the back and Tim Gunn comes back to say that he disagrees with the judges and thinks that Justin’s very talented. He uses his “Tim Gunn SAVE.”
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Choice Quotes: Orange is the New Black
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on August 1, 2013
“Promise me that you’re not watching Mad Men without me. That when I get out of here we’re going to binge watch it.”
“I always miss you until you’re here. Then I realize the mom I miss must’ve been someone I invented when I was a kid.”
“When you have a connection with someone it never really goes away.”
“I get it. She’s a natural blonde. She’s exotic to you.”
“She’s hot. She’s read everything. We both know what she’s like in bed.”
“It’s so depressing dealing with a man who makes less than 40K. I was really hoping to get you above that this year.”
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Project Runway S12, Ep. 2: quickie Recap
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on July 29, 2013
Challenge: Design a red carpet look that matches diamond necklace.
Seemed a big to-do that Project Runway borrowed 30 million dollars worth of diamonds for the designers to utilize as inspiration.
Sandro flipped out at one point because no one would show him how to use the steamer. He even grabbed a crew member and dragged him into the studio to ask about it and the crew member quickly retreated stating: “I’ve got to get out of here.” Timothy still ended up in the bottom but he actually did a little bit better. I still think he’s on for ratings== “Let’s see what that weird guy’s going to do this week.” It really bothers me that Sue Waller doesn’t know how to use a sewing machine.
Winning design by Kate, who said she’d been inspired by Marie Antoinette:
Losing design by Kahindo, the judges found it too simple:
it seemed “off the rack” to the judges.
I also really liked Dom’s dress:
Alexander designed a pretty and funky dress too:
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Project Runway S12, Ep 1: mini recap
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on July 28, 2013
For episode one, designers needed to create something using parachute material as their fabric. There aren’t a ton of stand outs right off although this looks to be a promising season. Timothy, the sustainable designer from Madison, WI, definitely possesses unusual ideas and approaches to his design in keeping with sustainability. But sustainability doesn’t have to be trashy or unattractive. He’s pretty young though (24). Also pretty sure the judges want to keep him around for the weirdness factor/ ratings and to “see what he’ll do.”
Winning Design by Braydon:
Losing Design by Angela:
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Project Runway S12: Meet the Designers
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on July 13, 2013
Alexander Pope
Age: 38
Hometown: Los Angeles
Resides in: New York, NY
School: FIDM, Los Angeles
Favorite Designers: Viktor & Rolf, Mcqueen, Mugler (original house), Rick Owens, Galliano,
Style Icon: Tilda Swinton
Misc: currently works on costume construction for Broadway
Fun fact: loves amusement parks
Alexandria von Bromssen
Age: 38
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden
Resides in: San Mateo, CA
School: Academy of Art University
Favorite Designers: Free people, Alexander McQueen, Comme des Garçon
Style Icon: Karl Lagerfeld, Kate Moss, Daphne Guinness, Nicole Ritchie
Fun fact: made a vest for her Barbie and a skirt with a knit hem as a child
Angela Bacskocky
Age: 33
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Resides in: Richmond, VA
School: studied fashion in London
Favorite Designers: Alexander McQueen, Viktor & Rolfe, Chloe, Celine, Burberry and Rag &Bone
Style Icon: Audrey Hepburn and Johnny Rotten
Misc: loves finding new vegan recipes [yet inexplicably she loves working with leather]
Fun fact; she was a part of a rock band for 7 years!
Bradon McDonald
Age: 38
Hometown: Lowville, NY
Resides in Los Angeles, CA
School: Fashion Institute of Art & Merchandising in Los Angeles
Favorite Designers: Charles James, Madame Grès, Valentino Mugler
Style Icon: Lulu Guinness
Fun fact: toured as a modern dancer for 14 years
Dom Streater
Age: 24
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Resides in Philadelphia, PA
School: Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia
Favorite Designers: Helmut Lang, Calvin Klein, Alexander Wang, Lanvin
Style Icon: Kate Lanphear
Fun fact: likes to paint and do yoga
Helen Castillo
Age: 25
Hometown: Weehawken, NJ
Resides in: Union City, NJ
School: Fashion Institute of Technology
Favorite Designers: Valentino, Ricardo Tisci, Vivienne Westwood
Style Icon: Alice Dellal
Misc: bachelor’s degree in Special Occasion Design
Jeremy Brandrick
Age: 41
Hometown: Birmingham, England
Resides in: New York, NY
School: Central St. Martins in London
Favorite Designers: Raf Simmons, Dries Van Noten, Riccardo Tisci, Alber Elbaz, Karl Lagerfeld, YSL, Dior
Style Icon: Debbie Harry “back in the day”
Misc: has worked for Dolce and Gabbana, Mulberry and Marks and Spencer
Fun fact: he and his partner of 15 years have a son and a daughter
Justin LeBlanc
Age: 27
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Resides in: Raleigh, NC
School: none listed
Favorite Designers: Iris Van Herpen, Alexander McQueen and Rick Owens
Style Icon: Daphne Guinness
Misc: he’s deaf
Fun fact: his ideal materials to work with are felts and wools and he prefers greys and solids
Kahindo Mateene
Age: 34
Hometown: Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Resides in Chicago, IL
School: Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago
Favorite Designers: Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Peter Pilotto and Mary Katrantzou
Style Icon: Michelle Obama and Sarah Jessica Parker
Misc: holds a BA in International Business & Economics
Karen Batts
Age: 29
Hometown: Boca Raton, FL
Resides in Queens, NY
School: Savannah College of Art and Design
Favorite Designers : Kate Spade, Tory Burch, J.Crew, John Patrick Organic, Michael Kors, Proenza Schouler, Dries Van Noten and Miu Miu
Style Icon: Katharine Hepburn
Fun fact: designed her own wedding dress
Ken Laurence
Age: 24
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Resides in Birmingham, AL
School: self-taught
Favorite Designers: Alexander McQueen and Marchesa
Style Icon: Daphne Guinness
Misc: favorite materials to work with are neoprene, spandex and wools
Miranda Kay Levy
Age: 29
Hometown: Wilton, WI
Resides in: Milwaukee, WI
School: UWM
Favorite Designers: William Morris (a wallpaper designer); Franck Sorbier and Christian Dior
Style Icon: Bettie Page, Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Twiggy, Mick Jagger, Jackie O, Richard Hell, Patti Smith
Misc: gallery curator of Milwaukee’s Tenth Street Gallery
Fun fact: finished contract position as color specialist for Kohl’s Corporate
Sandro Masmanidi
Age: 28
Hometown: Krasnodar, Russia
Resides in: New York, NY
School: University of Culture and Art in Moscow
Favorite Designers: Gianni Versace, Gianfranco Ferre, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Giorgio Armani and Francesco Smalto
Style Icon: Marlene Dietrich
Misc: likes to swim, read and collect architectural drawings
Fun fact: knew he had the designer potential from the age of 8 after designing dresses for a Barbie doll
Sue Waller
Age: 45
Hometown: Boston, MA
Resides in: Brooklyn, NY
School: self-taught
Favorite Designers: none [no favorites?]
Style Icon: none
Timothy Westbrook
Age: 24
Hometown: Wanakena, NY
Resides in: Milwaukee, WI
School: Syracuse University
Favorite Designers: Alexander McQueen
Style Icon: Grace Jones
Misc: his grandmother taught him to sew
Fun fact: inspired by Victorian Era, design aesthetic is influenced by classical styles and political activism and sustainability.
Several designers list Daphne Guinness as a style icon. I had to Google her and I’m sharing with you a few pictures:
no teams this time but more Tim Gunn! He’ll sit with the judges and provide them with information about how a designer works in the workroom. He will also be able to save designers from elimination if he thinks s/he deserves another chance.
Project Runway Premieres Thursday, July 18, at 9pm ET/PT on LIFETIME.
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2013 Summer TV Picks
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on July 3, 2013
Easy Abby [web series]
Heard the joke that a lesbian brings a U-Haul on her second date? Get ready to flip those stereotypes with this smart, sexy, confident series written and directed by Wendy Jo Carlton [Jamie and Jessie are Not Together]. As described on the Easy Abby site: “Abby [Lisa Cordileone] is a 30–something woman who is trying to manage her anxiety attacks while working odd jobs and seducing as many women as possible.”
Available now on Easy Abby website and on YouTube.
Orange is the New Black on Netflix
Based on the memoir by Piper Kerman. Read my review and my interview with Piper Kerman.
I’ll likely binge-watch this one. Jenji Kohan [Weeds] created the series and it’s already been renewed for a second season.
Full season available for streaming July 11.
Project Runway S12 on Lifetime
Another season and this time around Tim Gunn will sit with the judges to provide inside scoop on designers in the workroom. Fans will be able to interact.
Premieres Thursday, July 18.
Top of the Lake on Netflix
Elisabeth Moss [Mad Men] plays an Australian detective. Beautiful scenery abounds despite the shady characters and dark, creepy story– a 12-year-old girl from a dangerous family tried to drown herself and when she’s interviewed the detective discovers she’s pregnant. Written and directed by Jane Campion.
Streaming now on Netflix.
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Choice Quote: Tina Fey
Posted by Amy Steele in Film, Interview, TV, Women/ feminism on June 20, 2013
“I know older men in comedy who can barely feed and clean themselves, and they still work. The women, though, they’re all ‘crazy.’ I have a suspicion — and hear me out, because this is a rough one — that the definition of “crazy” in show business is a woman who keeps talking even after no one wants to fuck her anymore.”
[from The New Yorker]
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Entertainment news
Posted by Amy Steele in Film, Music, TV on June 16, 2013
Music:
Beady Eye and former Oasis singer Liam Gallagher reports that like his brother Noel, he has tinnitus. Seems to be no big deal for him as he tells the Sun:
“Without a doubt I have tinnitus. You’re not a proper rock’n’roll star if you don’t.”
TV:
IFC renewed Portlandia for two more seasons.
Film:
Sam Riley [Control, On the Road] is the latest addition to the Weinstein Company’s adaptation of Irene Nemirovsky’s book, “Suite Francaise.” Set in WWII, the project recently acquired leading lady Michelle Williams, on top of a cast that already includes Kristin Scott Thomas as Williams’ mother.
the story: a French woman (Williams) falls in love with a German officer (played by Matthias Schoenaerts). Production is set to start later this summer for a release next year.
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About Me
covering mostly music and books. focus on alternative/indie and women in music, literature and the arts. feminist. vegan. mostly alternative, a bit bohemian. Masters in journalism from Boston University. BA from Simmons College.
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