I’ve written about photographer Scott Schuman and his influential blog “The Satorialist” before. Now a book by the same name has been published, gathering a selection of the photographies featured on his blog.
Scott’s photos reflect the mood and movement of his random models on the streets of the world’s metropoles. Regardless of your interest in photography or fashion this is a rich and priceworthy collection, to own or to give away as gift!
I had been anticipating Pedro Almodóvar and Penélope Cruz’s new venture “Broken Embraces”, especially since I happened to love their previous work “Volver”! Which in my opinion delivered a more mature and balanced Almodóvar. But after having seen his latest opus I’m truly disappointed as Almodóvar has gradually gone from overwhelming to underwhelming!
“Broken Embraces” does start off rather interesting, however a dull and unengaging back-story takes it all away. This is really pale for any director, let alone Almodóvar! All the twists are such clichés and not even of the best kind! You never start to feel for the characters in the movie despite it being called “Broken Embraces” and just screams for empathy! This is in my opinion Almodóvar’s weakest yet and perhaps also an end to a professional love affair!
The lovely Sarah Shahi (1, 2) recently gave birth to a cute little son and we couldn’t be happier for her. However in the process of pregnancy her …frame seems to have gone bigger! Much, much bigger as a matter of fact! And having a thing for …frames, especially big and bold …frames, I can only bow before the wonders and splendor of mother nature!
Its the television season and the shows and series kick off one after the other! Another one that has just premiered its second season is Fringe, which proved itself solid all the way through season one. If you haven’t watched it get yourself the DVD or the Blu-ray with a cool lenticular cover.
Spoiler alert for the trailer!
“It wouldn’t be SHOWTIME without a yearly dose of CALIFORNICATION” says the show’s producer Greenblatt. “This unapologetic show, about a group of characters led by the inimitable David Duchovny, has quickly established itself as one of our signature comedy series. Beneath its veneer of debauchery, however, is a complex take on love and adult relationships that surprisingly turns poetic and romantic just when you least expect it.” And I couldn’t agree more! My annual reunions with the like-minded Hank Moody is one I really look forward to each year. And I’m loving the poster and direction for the new season, hehe!
The entire Beatles back-catalogue has been remastered and is now available both in mono (like the originals) and stereo! This is something the fans have dreamt about for a long time. I’m not a Beatles fan, however this is an essential source of reference for any music collector out there. Since this band and their music have been and still are pivotal for much of the musical creations and productions. Getting this collection is like getting an encyclopedia, you never know when you’re gonna use it but you must have it just in case! The beautifully designed white box-set displayed above comes in mono and features 13 CDs (all miniature LP replicas with original cover art), while the big black beauty beneath comes in stereo and includes 16 CDs and even one DVD. Unlike what you might think its the set above that costs more and not the bigger one! It’s a shame that they didn’t go all the way and transfered the clips to Blu-ray for the maximum experience, even though arguably those old footages wouldn’t have been served better with a HD treatment.
I’m always picking up working space and decoration ideas here and there and recently this black wall caught my attention. Just lay a few panels of black paint on your wall and use the area as a black board for ideas! It’s just paint so you can always paint over when bored with it! Cool and clever!
If you are a fan of art-history or period pieces/costume dramas then I recommend you the latest BBC series “Desperate Romantics”. Its a fictive and romanticized account of the lives of the artists of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
A romanticist movement that aimed to break academic ideals in order to go back to the original ideals of nature. Another influential school in my life and art. The six-episode mini-series is just as much comedy as it is drama, for better and worse!
Natalie Imbruglia is back, this time with a controversial little video! I am not sure that someone like me would agree with its controversiality but it involves some nudity or better said naked “skin” (since nudity is by definition exposed nipples and private parts)! But I like it. Its Metropolitan chic with a twist of Arthouse sensualism, the artsy-sexy kind that I personally love to see in movies as well as music videos. And most important of all, it fits and enhances the song and its theme!
The sound has gone through a bit of a change with an euro-electro overtone, unlike her previous singer/songwriter songs. It sounds very 90’s Kylie I must say, but still fresh! Since these things go in trend loops and right now this one is renewing its expiration date. She walks a fine risky line with this blend of image and style, but she pulls it (and takes it) off elegantly. I mean who can resist a girl in a black bodyhugging turtleneck?! Or out of it, for that matter!
Note: thanks to Pedram
One of the television series I caught this summer was the controversial Australian “Satisfaction”. A show based on the lives of a handful escorts in a luxurious Melbourne brothel. Interestingly the show has managed to entwine nudity and adult theme with everyday drama and serious dramaturgy, without coming across forced or provocative! Satisfaction tries to dedramatized sex and bring it to the public forum, something I personally believe in and like about it. In a way “Satisfaction” is the Aussie cousin to the British “Secret Diary of a Call Girl” from the very same network, namely SHOWTIME. However it is both edgier and heavier! So far two season have been aired and season three will kick off in December.
Pixie Lott is just like the half-Iranian Zarif one of the recent artists in the whole wave of British pop’s flirtation with the 60’s. This is definitely neither my favorite decade nor genre, but something about this trend really appeals to me. Its a blues that picks you up!
In more than three months I have tried to appreciate “The E.N.D.”, the latest album from The Black Eyed Peas but I fail to do so! The reason is that the album, despite being very trendy and tapping on the recent ELECTRO-fication of the Hip Hop and RnB genres, is a pure underachievement for this particular collective. They have previously been about groundbreaking, eclectic blending of genres and experimentation with vocal styles. In this album, however, they’ve got stuck in one single track which narrows down their register and while I can understand Will.i.am being severely influenced by the latest auto-tune frenzy (T-Pain, Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne), to hear the versatile voice of an able and seasoned vocalist like Fergie being filtered throughout the entire album just to “fit in” is just unjustifiable!
I know its early, too early, barley autumn! But its the early bird that gets the worm! Or in my case the coat! As I am 185cm (6′ 1″) and broad-shouldered and the mainstream fashion is designed and manufactured with thin and tiny people in mind, its sometimes a hassle to find the clothes that I want in my size which is XL. Thats why you have to figure out a system to outsmart the others and get the sometimes only XL in store. Last year you met my retro cap and this year I present you my designated coat for the upcoming winter! I immediately fell in love with this coat as it has the classic cut (clean and sleek), the 70’s fit (body hugging) and a touch of street (urban inspired details). By the way, since I have been posting more and more fashion related stuff in the blog a new category has been opened to feature them, called fittingly “The Fitting Room“!
I have always had a fascination for angels and an admiration for the fallen ones! And if there is anything that amuses me more than superheroes kicking each other’s asses its archangels kicking each other’s asses! Therefor “Legion” is going to rock my wings off (if I had any that is)! Even though it looks like Terminator gone angels!
Emtiaaz wrote in a recent issue that of all the 457 registered music companies in the country only 20 remain in business. While others have either gone belly up or changed nature of business, like Hamavaaz Ahang which ten years ago was one of the leading companies has recently turned into a lamp shop!
There was a time when bootylicious was THE word, when big booties were considered mainstream and ruled the world (not just mine)! A time wherein J.Lo., Shakira and Beyonce and their alikes dared to flaunt their superior posteriors, showing pride in their healthy figures. Today however many of these ladies have starved off their naturally-endowed curves, to yours-truly’s great disappointment. There are those though who fight the power and peerpressure! The British Girls Aloud’s Kimberley is one of those few celebs who still brings that sexy back-rack of hers back. I support her cause and salute her courage!
I was once a huge admirer of the late poet/painter Sohrab Sepehri. Well I still am, but 15 years ago I did basically breathe his poetry! Sohrab’s gentle character and peaceful poetry have made him a mystic legend, someone who many young Iranians happen to discover while searching for an inner self and meaning to being! Needless to say a huge influence on me and my life. This drawing of mine made on the back of my notebook, while I was waiting for the next lecture in 1995 says it all!
In case you’ve followed my Mad Men recommendation I must now notify you that the third season of the well-made series has already kicked off! Don’t miss it!!
This is something I cook and eat a lot, “adasi” as we Iranians call it or lentil soup with onion and potatoes. Along with some crunchy 100% fiber Swedish knäckebröd! Cheap, healthy and easy to make. Delicious especially on chilly days. Served here in my legendary giant cup!lol