"how time can move both fast and slow amazes me."

So to start off, I figured I would use one of my favorite quotes to set the mood. I was thinking earlier about time and such, and that quote just kind of popped into my head.  Lately I've felt as though time is moving so so fast - every day I feel compelled to note how many days it has been since Christmas (too many) and how many days I have left before my 21st birthday (63!).  However, I've also felt some days dragging, and I don't know why that is.

What I was also thinking about - a little bit more relevant to a blog post - is film.  Lately I've kind of realized how much I love it and have felt a little more compelled to push myself in the direction of film study-wise, which has been quite a change of pace for me.  Last semester I took a class called "Contemporary Cinema" and this semester I signed up for "Gender and Film" - both of the classes have been so interesting so far, and have revealed to me how much more I need to learn about film.  If you don't know already, I am also involved with a project this semester that is creating a documentary film; we are still in the beginning stages but have begun filming our subject and figuring out our story.

I think part of what interests me most about film is the way that it acts as an escape from every day life like nothing else.  When you sit down in a movie theater you expect that escape.  It is easy to forget about time passing around you and to be somewhere else for a few hours.  Although escapism is one aspect of film that I find intriguing, I am also really interested in the artistic aspect of film.  And in this documentary class I'm learning a lot more about the technical side of actually making a film, which is something I never really thought I could do.

My favorite director is Wes Anderson (The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore, The Darjeeling Limited, Bottle Rocket...).  His films are always a little off, which I love. They are stylized in a very interesting way, and each one is unique in subject, although maybe not in actors. I enjoy seeing his friends play new parts in each movie, and Anderson proves that every little part of a movie is integral to the entire experience.  My personal favorite is The Life Aquatic. Every part is carefully thought out and all come together to create such a special film: the bright red caps, the tour of the boat, the final scene with the swell of Sigur Ros in the background, the Zissou adidas, and especially the soundtrack.

Another film I've been into recently is Funny Ha Ha (directed by Andrew Bujalski). Funny Ha Ha is interesting because it's essentially the first film in this new genre I've been reading up on lately called "mumblecore."  If you haven't heard of it, mumblecore is essentially a low-budget, independent film movement that focuses on the relationships of 20-something year olds and features non-professional actors.  The movement has been getting more attention recently, especially in festivals.  Some other films you may have heard of but not realized were "mumblecore" include: The Puffy Chair, Humpday, and the newly released Beeswax.  It's been interesting to follow, and although the films can be jarring at first (the sound quality is so-so, and the plot sometimes seems to be going nowhere...) I feel as though taking the film as a piece of experimental art rather than what we would expect of "the industry" can prove worthwhile.

(500) Days of Summer (directed by Marc Webb, starring Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is another somewhat recent favorite, as it is of everyone really though.  The funny thing about this movie though, is that the plot kind of irked me.  I didn't really enjoy it the first time I watched it.  The second time, however, I did a lot more - so I'm willing to bet that I was disappointed after all the hype it received the first time around.  What I really love about this film though, is once again the style.  The sketching and the way that the plot whizzes from day 385 to day 17 in a few seconds was so refreshing, and I felt like watching it was actually taking an artsy, indie look and making it more mainstream.  I can appreciate that, and I enjoy it when the things I love (art, indie music, love, fashion) all collide in one.  So all in all, if you are one of the few who still hasn't seen it, do!

So I hope this has inspired you to watch some new films this Sunday.  As for me, I am planning on watching Stage Beauty, a film by Richard Eyre and starring Billy Crudup and Claire Danes - an assignment for my next film class. What are your favorite films? I love recommendations and have an overflowing netflix queue to which I am always adding.

xo Molly

automatic nostalgia.

Hello everyone! I'm sorry that it's been so long since I've had a chance to write.  I'm sure you were all on the edge of your seats anxiously awaiting an entry about scarves or boots or some other accessory in detail with collages, however I write today with another topic in mind.

Last night I went to this party and took absolutely no digital photos. It was strange, because that's very unlike me.  I am the one who is attached to my camera, the one making everyone take forced group shots before we leave for an event, the one uploading pictures the next day to my computer and shortly after that to facebook.  That's just always been me, and people come to expect it.

A problem: my camera is dying.  After dropping it over a year ago (almost fatally) it has steadily been decreasing in reliability.  Although it usually still works, the pictures are not as good quality as they used to be, and the battery life is long gone - even with two, fully charged batteries, my camera decides to take several pictures then courteously remind me to "change battery pack" if I would like to continue to use it.  So yesterday when I was getting ready to go out, I requested that my friend Lauren bring her camera since I wasn't bringing mine.  She responded to me via text "WHY NOT" and I was suddenly unnecessarily angry that my camera decided to quit on me.  I do have other cameras, that's not the issue.  The issue is, none of them are so tiny and trusty, and ready to party.  And none of them offer to take instant frames of ironic nostalgia that the subjects of these photos cluster around and "ooh" and "ahh" at together, fondly remembering what it was like 30 seconds ago.

some instant nostalgia on new years eve.

I've taken to using these other cameras quite often since my original digital camera has deteriorated.  I have upgraded to a 35mm digital camera (not ideal for full on dance parties) and I also have a polaroid camera, two lomographic cameras (the action sampler takes 4 shots in one second and puts them all on one frame when developed, while the fisheye just provides an effect I enjoy) and a disposable camera lying around somewhere.  Out of the non-digital cameras, I use my polaroid most often.  In fact, I pulled out my polaroid camera before we left for the party and snapped the one and only picture of the evening.   And the events of last night made me consider something.  Digital photography provides that automatic nostalgia I mentioned, but so do polaroids.  Part of the reason I love them is for the aesthetic value that they bring - that moment captured onto one, neat little picture framed in white with room for a caption if necessary - but they also provide instant nostalgia.  We watch them develop before our eyes and still "ooh" and "ahh" at the memory we just made.

summer '09 in tolo, greece

It's an odd feeling, nostalgia at something that has just happened.  I've thought about it before, and it makes me a bit uncomfortable.  It makes me wonder why we feel that it's so necessary to be nostalgic.  I often look back at pictures and revisit those memories, but there is something to say about the fact that we can do that immediately.  Frustratingly enough, it makes me live in the moment even less and doesn't really provide a lasting memory when the memory is the act of taking the picture itself.

My new year's resolution, or one of them anyway, is to live more in the moment.  I am trying to move past the urge to partake in the automatic nostalgia of photographing everything and every event I attend.  sitting back and looking with our eyes instead of through a lens allows for a refreshing perspective and a little dose of reality my life has been missing.  I still love the aesthetic value of a photograph - whether that be the crisp clarity my 35mm provides, the distorted edges of the fisheye image, or the one and only slice of polaroid magic - but I have also realized that it can be much more fulfilling to put down the camera, back away from the lens, and return to the experience.

ocean city, nj

What have you done recently that has been an experience?  I have some suggestions.  And there are no cameras allowed:

• Try a new restaurant! In Philadelphia right now, restaurant week is happening.  All next week there are discounts and deals, and if you go with the right people you are guaranteed good conversation, a great meal, and a new memory.  Two restaurants I've been eyeing up are Estia and The Melting Pot.
• Walk around magic garden! If you're unfamiliar, this outdoor work of art on South Street is amazing and unforgettable.  I admit, I've taken lots of pictures while exploring this mosaic masterpiece, but try to just explore and take it all in.  (Although it's a bit cold, the weather forecast looks promising for Monday!)
• Do a little wardrobe update.  I know I'm guilty of indulging my shopaholic tendencies by buying needlessly at times, but last weekend I decided that instead of getting a new coat I would pick out some buttons to spice up my old one instead.  I bought metal buttons with lions heads carved onto them, and I can't wait to replace all of the buttons on my coat!  Perhaps a weekend project.

So try something new.  And tell me about it!  I hope you make a memory.
Molly