Serve Like Sampras

Hitchcock cameos

2010-03-08T10:28:00.000-08:00

A collection of Hitchcock's cameos.

Sartre/Monroe Freud Biopic by John Huston

2010-02-26T07:50:00.000-08:00

A little known piece of movie trivia:

Another way of looking at it would be to say that Huston, following the great American biopic tradition, wanted to make a movie about how Freud became Freud. But in either case Sartre, the pre-eminent and ultra-European philosopher of becoming, was an ideal choice. He completed a 95-page screen treatment in 1958. The protagonist of Sartre’s script was Freud the young neurologist, who had reached a ‘desperate impasse’ in his treatment of Anna O. and in his theory of the sexual etiology of hysterical neurosis. For the part of Anna O., incidentally, Sartre had his eye on Marilyn Monroe, who was discouraged from taking the role by Anna Freud and by Monroe’s own psychoanalyst, Marianne Kris, whose father had been Freud’s tarot partner.

The Huston-Sartre collaboration fell apart in 1959, when Sartre travelled to Huston’s home in Ireland to work on the script. The two didn’t work well together. ‘There was no such thing as a conversation with him,’ Huston later recalled. ‘He talked incessantly, and there was no interrupting him. You’d wait for him to catch his breath, but he wouldn’t.’ Meanwhile Sartre, in his letters to Simone de Beauvoir, described Huston as ‘perfectly vacant, literally incapable of speaking to those whom he has invited’. Evidently he didn’t realise that Huston was waiting for him to catch his breath. The philosopher went on to compare Huston’s ‘inner landscape’ to ‘heaps of ruins, abandoned houses, plots of wasteland, swamps’: ‘He is empty,’ Sartre concluded, ‘except in his moments of infantile vanity, when he dons a red tuxedo, or goes horseback riding (not very well).’ (Huston, of the infantile red tuxedo, was equally bemused by Sartre’s wardrobe, its stark invariance: ‘I never knew if he owned one grey suit or several identical grey suits.’)

From Elif Batuman's essay "On Complaining."

(Hat Tip: Book Slut)

Sofia

2010-02-19T17:46:00.001-08:00

Grilled Pork Banh Mi

2010-02-19T17:36:00.000-08:00

Recipe at Wandering Chopstick.

Momofuku Ramen with Pork Belly

2010-02-19T17:27:00.000-08:00

Recipe in the Momofuku cookbook.

Spicy Fried Chicken

2010-02-19T17:18:00.000-08:00

For fried chicken:

Deep fry chicken wings.

For sauce:

Melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter

Tabasco

Diced shallots

Diced garlic

Diced habanero

Coat fried wings in sauce. Top with green onions.

Pollo A La Brasa

2010-02-19T17:12:00.000-08:00

The wood-fired rotisserie chicken at Pollo A La Brasa.

764 S. Western Ave.,

Los Angeles, CA 90005

'Le Petit Nicolas'

2010-02-19T16:58:00.000-08:00

The upcoming film adaption of the classic French children's book.

Vampire Weekend 'Giving Up the Gun'

2010-02-19T10:01:00.000-08:00

(Hat Tip: Spinner)

'Death Bed Subtext'

2010-02-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

Death Bed Subtext w/ Topher Grace & Kate Bosworth from Topher Grace

Wes Anderson's 'Spider Man'

2010-02-04T20:34:00.001-08:00

Hitler Weighs In on Leno

2010-01-21T15:26:00.001-08:00

Spoon - Morning Becomes Eclectic

2010-01-21T14:44:00.001-08:00

'I'm Here' Trailer

2010-01-21T12:40:00.000-08:00

PS22 performs 'Empire State of Mind'

2010-01-17T08:27:00.001-08:00

Behind the Scenes: 'Inglorious Basterds'

2010-01-17T08:13:00.000-08:00

(Courtesy of: Making Of)

Mumbai

2010-01-16T15:47:00.000-08:00

Wes Anderson Acceptance Speech at NBR

2010-01-13T18:07:00.001-08:00

'Playtime' - Tati

2010-01-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

'Glory' - Nabokov

2010-01-13T10:44:00.001-08:00

Vintagebooks

Vampire Weekend - Morning Becomes Eclectic

2010-01-13T10:38:00.001-08:00

'I'm Here'

2010-01-13T10:28:00.000-08:00

A still from Spike Jonze's soon to be released robot love story short film.

R. Crumb's 'The Book of Genesis'

2010-01-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

Now showing at the Hammer Museum.

Self Portrait - Damien Hirst

2010-01-13T10:19:00.000-08:00

I'm With Coco

2010-01-13T10:16:00.000-08:00

Woody Allen + Tux + Converse

2010-01-11T22:13:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T17:39:00.000-08:00

Michael Jackson Beatboxing

2009-12-31T13:07:00.001-08:00

F. Scott Fitzgerald's briefcase

2009-12-28T10:55:00.000-08:00

Dwyane Wade x Air Jordan I

2009-12-27T09:14:00.000-08:00

Madison Square Garden - December 25, 2009

Original Plans for the Eiffel Tower

2009-12-26T13:08:00.000-08:00

More scans at the Eiffel tower site.

Precocious 4th grader or one-time VP candidate?

2009-12-26T12:53:00.000-08:00

Fab Hot Dogs

2009-12-26T11:25:00.000-08:00

Fab Hot Dogs - Reseda

Coney Island (Left) and Polish Firecracker (Right)

'Inception' Trailer

2009-12-23T08:06:00.001-08:00

Here's a look at the French trailer for Christopher Nolan's latest. I'm not quite sure what to make of the film but it does look intriguing.

Barry From DC

2009-12-22T10:10:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama makes a surprise call to outgoing Governor Tim Caine's weekly show.

'I Wish It Was Christmas Today'

2009-12-22T10:05:00.000-08:00

Diagram of Geek Culture

2009-12-16T18:10:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of 3AM Magazine.

Orwell's Christmas Pudding and Plum Cake

2009-12-16T08:48:00.000-08:00

No, it's not a long lost Orwell novel. The Guardian visits Orwell's recipe for the Christmas desserts.

Behind the Scenes with Martin Greenfield

2009-12-16T08:33:00.000-08:00

The Selby pays a visit to the Brooklyn factory of Martin Greenfield. Greenfield has served a wide array of clients including: U.S. Presidents (Eisenhower to Clinton), Michael Jackson, and few once upstart companies (Band of Outsiders, Rag and Bone, Freeman's Sporting Club).

Colbert's 'Empire State of Mind'

2009-12-16T07:53:00.001-08:00

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

U.S. Speedskating

Clint Eastwood in 'Up'

2009-12-15T15:47:00.001-08:00

Tarantino's Top Films of 2009

2009-12-14T15:48:00.000-08:00

1. "Star Trek"

2. "Drag Me To Hell"

3. "Funny People"

4. "Up in the Air"

5. "Chocolate"

6. "Observe and Report"

7. "Precious"

8. "An Education"

Disclaimer - "Inglourious Basterds" is not up for consideration and Tarantino mentions he hasn't seen a few films ("Avatar", "Invictus").

(Video courtesy of HR's Heat Vision blog)

How an Eames fiberglass chair is made

2009-12-14T13:19:00.000-08:00

Ansel Adams' Los Angeles

2009-12-14T09:09:00.001-08:00

Dandy Homes
Originally uploaded by Gerard Van der Leun

A few Ansel Adams photos of 1940's Los Angeles photos. They were discovered during a visit at the Los Angeles Public Library. See more at Gerard Van der Leun's flickr.

Jacques Derrida's Study

2009-12-06T14:51:00.001-08:00

(Hat Tip: Apartment Therapy)

Phoenix and the Eiffel Tower

2009-12-06T09:05:00.000-08:00

Phoenix - 1901 - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Phoenix gets the Takeaway Show treatment from La Blogotheque.

Nabokov on Lolita's Cover Art

2009-12-02T21:01:00.000-08:00

Attaque de Panico

2009-11-30T19:16:00.001-08:00

Fallon does Neil Young

2009-11-24T11:38:00.000-08:00

Who knew Jimmy Fallon could actually be funny. Here he is covering the Fresh Prince theme song as Neil Young.

Greenberg

2009-11-24T08:25:00.000-08:00

The trailer for Noah Baumbach's latest.

2009-11-18T19:42:00.000-08:00

2009-11-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

A Reggae Kind of Blue

2009-11-09T07:58:00.000-08:00

Available at Secret Stash.

Scorsese's 11 Scariest Horror Films

2009-10-30T12:53:00.000-07:00

Over at the Daily Beast, Scorsese lists what he considers the 11 most scary films of all time.

Where the Dirty Hipsters Are

2009-10-30T12:33:00.001-07:00

Stream the 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' Soundtrack

2009-10-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

The soundtrack to Wes Anderson's upcoming 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' is available to stream now on imeem. As others have noted, although Anderson did not work with his usual music supervisor, Mark Mothersbaugh, the soundtrack is very Mothersbaugh-y. Featuring an excellent score by Alexander Desplat (most recently of 'Benjamin Button' fame), the soundtrack has a few appeareances by the usual suspects: the Rolling Stones, George Delerue (recently used in Anderson's Amex 'La Nuit Americaine' tribute/commercial). A new Jarvis Cocker song also pop up (recorded at APC's Paris headquarters). Enjoy!

Fantastic Mr. Fox (Original Soundtrack)

Amsterdam's Flower Market

2009-10-29T16:16:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Harriett Beacher Stowe?

Philip Roth Interview with Tina Brown

2009-10-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

Tina Brown Talks with Philip Roth: The Full Interview from The Daily Beast Video on Vimeo.

Watch Roth weigh in on the state of the novel, his reputation as a "crazed penis," and politely correct Brown's misreading of his novel.

Fitzgerald's Tax Records

2009-10-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

William J. Quirk reviews F. Scott Fitzgerald's tax records. It's surprisingly interesting. One revelation: Fitzgerald was actually big on saving his money.

Castellers de Barcelona

2009-10-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Catalonia's Castels (human castles for the gringos among us) first came to my attention in the Spanish coastal city of Tarragona. Walking down the city's rambla, I stumbled across a sculpture replicating a castel. I was immediately in awe. Six layers of human beings held up by a large mass of men and women pushing and packed like sardines. Could this really exist?
The answer is decidely 'yes.' As luck would have it, a visit to the Barcelona's Sagrade Familia allowed me to stumble across a flyer advertising a Sunday competition of Barcelona's Castellers. For those lucky enough to visit, it seems that this competition is held every Sunday and is completely free.Watching these men and boys, women and girls, climbing one on top of the other to reach staggering heights was exhilarating. Keep in mind these people are not on grass or padded mats; they are standing on top of not so forgiving concrete. My palms were sweaty (although I have to admit that my palms sometimes get sweaty after a touching AT&T commercial).No one knows for sure when this tradition first came into existence. Some say that castellers evolved from 16th-century folk dances, others claim that the towers represented religious paintings or human simulacra of the crucifixion of Christ. Regardless, this is sight to see with your very own eyes.

Staff Meals

2009-10-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

Squid Ink recently introduced a weekly feature detailing staff meals at several different Los Angeles restaurants. The now defunct Gourmet Magazine also spent some time with this subject; an '08 article chronicled the detail and thought put into El Bulli's staff meals.

Buy Lady Gaga's Hair

2009-10-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

Buy the new Lady Gaga CD monster pack and get a lock of her hair. Somewhere Thom Yorke is kicking himself.

New Philip Roth Interview

2009-10-25T09:45:00.001-07:00

Tina Brown Talks with Philip Roth: The Full Interview from The Daily Beast Video on Vimeo.

Roth sits down with Tina Brown to discuss his latest novel, The Humbling. Best parts? Roth politely corrects Brown's misreading of his novel and engages in a discussion revolving around a "green dildo." More serious topics like mortality and the state of the novel are also discussed.

Adam Goldberg's least favorite parts of LA

2009-10-24T11:21:00.001-07:00

In Bruges

2009-09-29T08:31:00.001-07:00

Sarah Silverman circa 1992

2009-09-07T12:48:00.001-07:00

Beck and Friends cover "Suzanne"

2009-09-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

Record Club: Songs Of Leonard Cohen "Suzanne" from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

Beck recently enlisted Devandra Banhart, Ben and Andrew from MGMT, Andrew from Wolfmother, Binki from Little Joy, Brian Lebarton, and Bram Inscore to cover Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" as part of Beck's Record Club project.

Carla Bruni set to appear in Woody Allen's next film

2009-09-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

Carla Bruni has reportedly agreed to star in Woody Allen's upcoming Paris 2010 film project. Maybe we will be lucky enough to see more of this:

Trailer for Polanski's The Ghost

2009-08-16T11:50:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods is not Asian

2009-08-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

In his introduction to today's PGA Championship telecast, Jim Nantz claimed that a win for South Korean Y.E. Yang would be the first by "an Asian golfer." Has Nantz never seen Tiger's mom? Perhaps Nantz is making a subtle comment on Tiger's lack of identification with his Asian side.

Trailer for Michael Hanecke's The White Ribbon

2009-08-15T20:02:00.000-07:00

Ong Bak 2 Trailer

2009-08-15T09:31:00.001-07:00

Zooey and Joseph rob a bank

2009-08-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

Flux Super 8

2009-08-14T09:12:00.001-07:00

Gratuitous Zooey video

2009-08-05T00:35:00.000-07:00

And for those who are curious as to what Zooey wore on the shoot...

Yim Yames' (aka Jim James) Harrison tribute

2009-08-05T00:19:00.000-07:00

Yim Yames' George Harrison covers recorded in 2001 are now available online for streaming. To purchase the limited edition vinyl go to www.yimyames.com.

(Hat Tip: Stereogum)

Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek discuss new Reflection Eternal album

2009-08-04T23:06:00.000-07:00

Jansport delves into its archives

2009-08-04T21:44:00.000-07:00

Jansport recently put out this reproduction of one of its 1960's backpacks. What would Don Draper think?

Our Legacy corduroy suit

2009-08-04T21:41:00.001-07:00

Our Legacy introduces a corduroy suit for Fall 2009. Extensive detailing include elbow patches and oxford lining. Available at Odin. Hopefully, you don't need to take down a Nixon administration or have Redford play you in a film to pull the look off.

Jamba Juice Secret Menu

2009-08-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

Ever get tired of ordering that old Strawberries Wild. Well, Jamba Juice might have what you're looking for. Sources inform me that the smoothie dispenser actually has a secret menu. The secret menu includes:

- Fruity Pebbles
- Sour Patch Kid
- White Gummi Bear
- Red Gummi Bear
- Green Gummi Bear
- Starburst
- Now and Later
- Peanut Butter and Jelly
- Apple Pie
- Skittles

Ace Hotel New York

2009-08-02T17:57:00.001-07:00

The Ace Hotel
20 W 29th Street
New York, NY 10001

Fantastic Mr. Fox trailer

2009-08-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

Mr. Anderson's latest.

Bianchi Pista by Acne

2009-07-30T11:40:00.001-07:00

The new collaboration between Bianchi and Acne is now available for viewing at the New York ACNE store. Acne has taken the classic Bianchi track bike, the Pista, and given it some old fashioned finishing touches (vintage Bianchi type set, 70's suede saddle, front caliper brake).

(Hat Tip: Opening Ceremony New News)

Band of Outsiders Fall/Winter 2009 shoes

2009-07-22T16:00:00.001-07:00

The first picture of Band of Outsiders fall Sperry collaboration has made its way online. From the looks of it, the shoes look to be made out of a boiled wool upper.

(Hat Tip: Source Magazine by way of Hypebeast)

Chung King

2009-07-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

Fried Chicken Cubes

Chung King

1000 S. San Gabriel Blvd

San Gabriel, CA 91776

Editing Palin

2009-07-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

Vanity Fair lets its executive literary editor and research and copy departments clean up Palin's resignation "speech." For more go to Vanity Fair.

500 Days of Summer's Downtown

2009-07-21T21:42:00.000-07:00

Like many of those who have spent their formative years in Los Angeles, I've always longed to see our fair city immortalized our screen. It was in this vain pursuit that I even willingly sat through the dreadful Shopgirl. While I can't say we've found Los Angeles' answer to Annie Hall or the next Wes Anderson (come on Owen Gleiberman), I am happy to report that 500 Days has many enjoyable moments and manages to show a seldom scene side of Downtown Los Angeles. To think the original script was set in San Francisco. It wasn't until Joseph Gordon-Levitt and director Marc Webb went on a visit of historial downtown tour that the script was changed to LA. Here's a rundown of the more memorable spots seen in the film.
In this pivotal scene, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel take in the downtown Los Angeles skyline from Angels Knoll. Perhaps an iconic image to rival Woody, Diana, and the Brooklyn Bridge? Probably not.

Here, Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel attend a rooftop party at Deschanel's apartment. The complex appears to be the Barclay on 7th and Normandie in Koreatown.
Karaoke at Redwood Bar & Grill.
Even the Bradbury Building makes a cameo appearance.

Here the cast and crew discuss Downtown LA.

The teaser trailer:

As for those who may be curious about how the real life Summer chooses to live, take a peek a Domino Magazine (now defunct) feature about Deschanel's home. You Love Me & It's Heavenly has a nice write up about the spread.

When bad things happen to good songs

2009-07-19T23:41:00.000-07:00

Confide decide to give "Such Great Heights" the full metal treatment. I think the following Youtube comment sums it best: "I have never seen such angry virgins."

What could have been

2009-07-19T14:28:00.001-07:00

James Franco's Rejected UCLA Commencement Speech from James Franco

Today was a Good Day

2009-07-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

Nike SB recently put out this video in conjunction with the release of Paul Rodriguez' latest shoe. The video set to Ice Cube's "It was a Good Day" even features a cameo by the rapper/XXX star himself.

Caetono Veloso - "Billie Jean"

2009-07-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

Caetono Veloso covers the MJ hit.

(Hat Tip: Hustler of Culture)

$6 Flaming Lips Show at Del Mar Tace Track

2009-07-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

On August 15, Del Mar Race Track will be hosting the Flaming Lips for an infield concert. Admission is $6. Along with the concert, the racetrack will also be holding a beer fest that day.

Free Girl Talk Show - 7/24

2009-07-19T11:21:00.001-07:00

The newly renovated Fox Theater in Pomona will welcome Girl Talk on July 24. Admission is free if you bring any Squirt product. Doors open 7PM. Show starts at 8PM.

Opening Ceremony M1 Desert Boot Fall 2009

2009-07-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

For Fall 2009, Opening Ceremony has released its M1 Desert Boot in a black and a grey suede colorway. The shoes are available now at OC's online store.

A Remake?

2009-07-19T09:41:00.000-07:00

Screenhead reports that a remake of Sam Peckinpah's Straw Dog is underway.

Kate Bosworth and Alexander Skarsgard are set to star along with James Marsden in Straw Dogs, a reimagining of Sam Peckinpah's 1971 film.

Rod Lurie wrote the script and will direct. Filming starts in August.

The story follows Marsden who plays a Hollywood screenwriter, relocates with his wife (Bosworth) to her hometown in Mississippi. The wife left the South for LA in hopes of becoming an actress. She agrees to return home, so her husband can finish his script in quiet. Skarsgard plays her high school boyfriend, an ex-football hero who sees the return of his former girlfriend as a way to reclaim glory.

Top 10 Los Angeles novels

2009-07-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

The good folks running the delightful Where the Wild Things Are blog recently put together a list of the top 10 Los Angeles novels(not to be confused with the top 10 novels about Los Angeles). Here is the list they settled on:

1. Day of the Locust (Nathanael West)
2. What Makes Sammy Run? (Budd Schulberg)
3. Play It As It Lays (Joan Didion)
4. Mildred Pierce (James Cain)
5. Ask the Dust (John Fante)
6. Oil (Upton Sinclair)
7. Walking the Dog (Walter Mosley)
8. The Tortilla Curtain (T. Coraghessan Boyle)
9. The High Window (Raymond Chandler)
10. Less Than Zero (Bret Easton Ellis)

While no one can dispute the Didion, Cain, and Fante inclusions, a few missing titles do jump to mind. What about After Many Summers Dies a Swan, Aldous Huxley's exceptional Hollywood satire? How about Fitzgerald's unfinished The Last Tycoon? At least, James Frey's second attempt at fiction didn't make an appearance.

The Big Shave

2009-07-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

The Big Shave is Martin Scorsese's 1967 short film protesting the Vietnam War.

Bicycle Flask

2009-07-18T14:06:00.001-07:00

Ever felt the need for a lil swig of whiskey on that morning ride? Well, the folks over at Ateliers d'Embellie have you covered with this classy handmade creation.

(Hat Tip: Hollister Hovey)

McNairy's Bass Weejuns

2009-07-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

Mark McNairy recently collaborated with Bass on this Weejun collection. For more information on this collaboration check out A Continuous Lean.

Tarantino's Top 10

2009-07-18T09:15:00.001-07:00

In honor of Mr. Tarantino's forthcoming Inglorious Basterds, here is a list of Tarantino's favorites as revealed in Sight and Sound's 2002 Top 10 Films poll. Always the rebel, Tarantino limits his list to 12.

12) Hi Diddle Diddle (1943) - Andrew L. Stone

11) Five Fingers of Death (1972) - Chang-hwa Jeong

10) Dazed and Confused (1993) - Richard Linklater

9) Coffy (1973) - Jack Hill

8) The Great Escape (1963) - John Sturges

7) Carrie (1976) - Brian De Palma

6) They All Laughed (1981) - Peter Bogdanovich

5) Rolling Thunder (1977) - John Flynn

4) His Girl Friday (1940) - Howard Hawks

3) Rio Bravo (1959) - Howard Hawks

2) Taxi Driver (1976) - Martin Scorsese

1) The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) - Sergio Leone