Style Inspiration: Gilda

With Mad Men being over until next year, I have been spending a lot more time watching classic films trying to get my vintage clothing fix.  And with it being so rainy and cloudy outside, Gilda was the perfect film for my case of the Mondays.  Starring the impeccable Rita Hayworth as our title character, Gilda is all about the manipulation, and glamor that epitomizes film noir.   

Her costumes are full of glamorous pieces from the 1940s.  Sequined boleros, floor length slinky gowns, heavy fur coats, and layers of costume jewelry.  And nothing would be complete without Hayworth's signature red locks, and flawless makeup.  After all, they don't call them sex symbols for nothing!

ecolemanpr.wordpress.co

teresamerica.blogspot.com

vintagevenus.blogspot.com

Hipster Must-See: Monsters

I love horror movies, but lately, I've been really feeling Sci-Fi movies.  I've always had a thing for ridiculous monsters, and with recent releases such as Cloverfield, and The Mist, I'm glad to see a resurgence for big bugs and monsters.  So when I saw a previous for the low-budget, independent film, Monsters, I couldn't wait to check it out in theaters.

Written and directed by Gareth Edwards, this sci-fi vehicle was supposedly shot on an ultra-low budget.  Gareth also did the cinematography and visual effects, which was one of the many ways he saved money, I'm sure.  The most surprising thing about this movie is that although it was made for next to nothing, it looks like it cost millions to make.

The premise is that a probe carrying alien life forms has crashed in New Mexico and six years afterwards, we have adapted to having an infected zone that takes up most of Mexico.  After an attack in Costa Rica, a journalist must get his publisher's daughter through the infected zone and home safely.

It is a film that sounds as though it is bound to be crazy and action packed, but in truth, it was more about the relationship of these two people.  Not at all what I expected, but to be honest, I kind of loved it.  The visual effects weren't great, but the world that Gareth Edwards created was completely believable, which could be due to the fact that he used real people as his extras and often shot on location to save money.

As a supporter of independent film, and anything remotely weird, scary, etc., Monsters is a definite must-see.

Check out more info here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1470827/

And here's the trailer:

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1938032921/

Style Inspiration: Heathers

Everyone knows that Heathers in an iconic movie- for many reasons.  It is the original mean girls movie- full of manipulation, mockery, and murder.  The one-liners are great- "did you eat a brain tumor for breakfast?" and the actresses are perfect.  But for me, it's all about the clothes, when I recently watched it, that was the only thing I could focus on.*  The fashion is completely and utterly over-the-top and I absolutely love it.  The Heathers all have their selected colour that they wear in monochrome, all the way down to their croquet mallets.  The 80s shoulder pads, the matchy-matchy color combinations, and the coloured tights underneath everything.  As it's becoming colder, I'm definitely feeling monochromatic looks with tights to match- I've already invested in purple, teal, gray, and navy pairs to get me through the winter.  I'm longing for lots of ruffly skirts, cozy sweater and blazer combos, lapel broaches, and perfect fall flats!  Just gimmie some pate and croquet and I'm sold!

* Besides Christian Slater that is, but if he's on the screen, he's pretty much all I can focus on!

Hipster Must-See: A Must-Watch List of Ridiculous Movies

I once dated this lovely boy.  He was nice, fun, had a great job, and then, one night, we were at the bar and Tommy was on.  And he had no idea what it was, not just that he had never seen it, he didn't know that it existed.  Well, I let that one slide, but when I later found out that he had never seen The Labyrinth, I decided that it was unacceptable, and we broke up.*

So in honour of that, I've decided to list my "Top 10 Must-Watch" list of movies.  Most of these are absolutely ridiculous, but they are fun, memorable, and I quote them all the time.



10..Tommy- I love this rock-opera.  I've blogged about it before.  I'm obsessed with Ann-Margaret, Roger Daltrey's hair, and, of course, the soundtrack.

9.  Purple Rain.  Prince has his own movie, I love Prince, therefore, his movie must make the list.

8.  The Legend of Billie Jean.  My parents kept trying to convince me to watch this movie, but being their child, I kept resisting.  When I finally watched it I understood the awesomeness, and bonus points, it also stars a young Christian Slater.

7.  The Labyrinth.  This is another one of my favourite movies held over from childhood.  Jim Henson is so over the top and ridiculous, and besides, Bowie is just so sexy in it.

6..Rocky Horror Picture Show. I went through a period of time in high-school where me and my girl friends watched this movie on repeat.  I've seen it in theaters, danced on stage to the time warp, and will only ever see Tim Curry as Dr. Frankenfurter (aside from his role in Fern Gully, but that's another story).

5. Willow.  Another one of my favourite topics.  It's fantasy, horrible CGI, and Val Kilmer.  How could it not make the list?

4. Pump Up the Volume.  You can put a young Christian Slater in any movie and I'll probably watch it.  Put him in a movie as a sexy-rebellious high schooler and I'm sold.  Also, the soundtrack to this movie is amazing.

3. The Goonies.  I grew up watching this movie on USA/TBS/ABC/etc. every weekend when I was a kid.  When I went to school in Canada, I met a slew of people that had never even seen it.  That simply won't do, if you haven't seen The Goonies, I'll probably pretend you don't exist.

2. The Warriors.  Walter Hill's gang epic is being remade in 2011.  I'm excited enough to see it, but it won't compare to the original.

1. Streets of Fire.  This movie rounds out the list of must-see ridiculous movies.  It stars Diane Lane and Willem Defoe when they were sprightly young things.  And it's sort of a musical. Bonus!


*We didn't break up because he hadn't seen those movies, I'm just being dramatic.

Style Inspiration: The Exorcist

I think that when someone mentions The Exorcist, fashion is probably the last thing that comes to mind.  But last night I had the opportunity to watch The Exorcist on the big screen for the first time and my entire view of it changed.  Usually I cover my eyes throughout most of the movie, it is the only film that has ever been able to absolutely terrify me.  But this time, as I sat in a dark theater clutching JB's hand, there were certain times I had to keep my eyes uncovered...for the clothes.  At least Ellen Burstyn's clothes.

The 70s were kind of a mess.  I don't always find the wild prints and polyester to be flattering or attractive in the least bit, and home decor? Forget it, but something about the way Burstyn managed to pull together the iconic 70s style really got me.  Playing the mother of a possessed girl would leave anyone a total wreck, but Burstyn manages to look effortlessly chic the entire time, even when she looks as though she is about to come apart at the seams.  Heavy wool peacoats, chic button up dresses, scarves, oversized sunglasses, wide leg trousers, and heavy platforms are pure perfection for the fall months in DC.

I know that this fall I'll be on the lookout to steal some of the chic style from The Exorcist.*

*Ya know, minus the whole demonic possession thing.

Style Inspiration: What a Way to Go

I know that this is a hot topic for blog posts these days, so maybe I'm slow to catch on, but I recently watched What a Way to Go, and now I fully understand the gravity of Shirley Maclaine, Edith Head, and 1960s glamour.

The story is great, the acting is fantastic, and the costumes speak for themselves.  Shirley Maclaine's style transforms with every man she marries (not an easy task), and every costume is better than the last.  It makes me want to wear nothing but glitter, feathers, bright colors, hats and fur, just what I need for winter!  And it makes me want to dye my hair pink too!

*I've left captions off the pictures intentionally, I sincerely urge you to go watch this movie ASAP!

Hipster Must-See: Machete

I rarely get an opportunity to post about big budget, mainstream movies.  To be frank, most of the time, I don't go watch these movies, let alone like them enough to devote my time to posting about them.

So am I surprised that I would feel so strongly about Machete, that I would want to write about it?  Absolutely not.  Since seeing the Machete trailer during the Grindhouse double-feature (which I saw three times in theaters), I have been counting down the days until this movie was released.  Robert Rodriguez Mexploitation starring the severely underrated Danny Trejo is full of mass, pointless violence, campy dialogue, and hot chicks.  Everything a grindhouse inspired throwback should be.   Robert Rodriguez knows a few things about casting, action, and violence, and this movie has all three.

It's about time that Trejo, who has a million imdb credits, finally got the recognition and lead role he deserves.  I loved Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, and even Lindsay Lohan in this film, which is no easy feat considering I don't care for any of those actresses.  And an appearance by the magnificent Tom Savini, and De Niro*?  How can the movie not be epic?

In light of the recent racial issues and controversy surrounding Arizona, the timing for this film could not have been more perfect.  I left the theater wanting to see it again and again.  It will definitely be a must-own for my collection, and should be a must-see for you!

http://www.vivamachete.com/

*Can I just mention how brilliant it is when De Niro starts to go all crazy and gets into a taxi?  Amazing for all the right reasons.

Hipster Must-See: The Fall

I rarely have time to watch movies right now.  Between my internship, working full time, and the copious amounts of reading I've been doing, my usual love of movies has taken the backseat.  However, I had an opportunity to watch Tarsem Singh's The Fall a few days ago and I can't stop thinking about it.

The Fall is a period piece about a stuntman in 1920's Los Angeles that, while in a hospital, starts telling stories to another patient (a 5 year old immigrant named Alexandria).  Without going into too much detail, the real world they are living in begins to bleed into the fantasy world he is creating.

But who really cares about the plot?  What really matters is that this is one of the most visually stunning films I have watched in a very long time.  Having been shot in over 26 locations in 18 different countries, the beauty of this film is unparalleled.  It takes on a surrealist feel that is reminiscent of Dali and Buñuel, with the color palette of Burton.

The visuals in this movie were worth the two hours of my life.

Hipster Must-See: Brick

I am currently spending my days working for a small, independent film production company.  One of the perks to this job is that I get to spend hour watching independent films as part of my "research."  One of the films I kept hearing about over and over again was Brick.

Rian Johnson's 2005 crime mystery has an all-star cast of up-and-coming actors including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas (both hardly up-and-coming), Emilie de Ravin, Matt O'Leary, and Nora Zehetner.  Taking inspirations from old spaghetti westerns and "Cowboy Bebop," the visuals of this film are amazing.  The plot takes cues from old crime dramas and almost has a film noir feel to it, but all set in high school.  

Brick really is a film unlike very many I've seen in recent years.  I definitely suggest you take a couple hours and watch it.  And hey, it's streaming instant on Netflix, so no excuses!

Lukas Haas plays "The Pin," and his costume was modeled after Barnaby from Dark Shadows

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays our fierce hero and Nora Zehetner the not quite "damsel in distress"

My High Fidelity Inspired Life

What came first?  The music or the misery?

Sometimes, you can watch a movie a thousand times, and only during a certain point in your life will it ever really start to mean anything to you.  Yesterday, this happened to me with High Fidelity.  For those unfamiliar with the John Cusack work, it is based on Nick Hornby's book about an audiophile who rehashes past relationships through his relationship with music (this is a very simplified version of the plot, obviously).

I think I didn't really realize why I loved this movie so much until I realized that every relationship and friendship I have ever had can be defined by certain musical works.  There are friends of mine from high school that I have lost touch with, but every time I hear "The Next Episode," or "Fever for the Flava," my memories are instantly transported to being in my '93 Suburu Impreza on the way to a keg party in the woods.

Or how about those relationships where you share bands whose lyrics break your heart and beats get stuck in your head.  At the time it makes so much sense to share that love of music with that person, but you know the minute you break-up with someone you'll never be able to listen to those songs without that painful memory, feeling of loss, and sense of nostalgia.

So in honor of Cusack's character, Rob Gordon, here are my Top 5 Ex-Nostalgia Songs (some are stranger than others):

• "Africa" by Toto-  Yes, this one is a strange song to include on the list, but my high-school sweetheart went through a period of being obsessed with this song, and to this day I cannot hear it without sending him a text to see how he's doing.  In fact, I sent him one on Monday when I was out dancing and heard it.  
• "Only One" by Yellowcard- This song came out at a pivotal point in my young relationships.  Enough said. 
• "1901" by Phoenix- Prior to it being in a commercial, it was a favourite song of someone I was once close to.  Every time the commercial comes on I roll my eyes and heavily sigh (which is a step up from when I used to turn the channel)
• "Fireflies" by Owl City- The last time I saw this person I heard this song for the first time.  I thought it was the worst song I had heard in ages and couldn't believe he liked it.  It made me want to punch babies, but now it's one of my favorite memories.
• "Dragon's Lair" by Sunset Rubdown- Off my favourite album by my favourite band.  Sometimes there are things better kept to yourself.  

It's a good thing I'm so young.  This list is sad, there will be time for it to grow.

Style Inspiration: Jawbreaker

When I was 13, the video store I went to gave away free posters, and one day, the poster for Jawbreaker was in there.  Immediately drawn to the pop art colours, and enviable females (remember, this was during my easily impressionable stages of my looks), I picked up the poster, and Jawbreaker continues to be one of my favourite movies to this day.

Rose McGowan, Julie Benz, Rebecca Gayheart, and Judy Greer are all gorgeous.  The visuals are stunning, and the storyline about killing your popular best friend is purely Heathers.  But the part that continues to get me is the clothes.

Part 1960s sorority, part 1990s matchy-matchy, the clothes in Jawbreaker make me want to fill my closet with flower patterns, kitten heels, matching clutches, and cardigan sets.  And Rose McGowans technicolor lipstick/pale skin/liquid liner combo is already something I've become quite familiar with.

So here's my essential fashion ala Jawbreaker check-list:

1. Invest in a printed floral dress.
2. Buy some bright coloured scarves to tie around my neck ala Courtney Shane.
3. Invest in a matching clutch purse where I can keep all my make-up for my essential "pre-lunch touch-up."
4. Start building a collection of super-high heels and too tight cardigans.
5. Expose the manipulative popular girl for the evil murderess she is...

Oh, wait, that last one is from my "things to do before graduating high school" list.  My bad.  Though in all fairness I think that the style from Jawbreaker is something I could pull off for a super warm summer in New York.

Style Inspiration: Teen Witch

Ahhh....the 80s.  A time when Madonna and Billy Idol ruled the airwaves, Dynasty and Cheers made television complete, and a time when John Hughes managed to explore the teenage psyche in a timeless way.  A time that has lent us so many great pop culture fixtures, including ridiculous fashions.

Being stuck inside due to rain, this weekend I forced my roommate to watch Teen Witch.  The cheesy movie, that is part musical, part ridiculousness, was modeled after Teen Wolf making an attempt to capitalize on the films popularity.

It's the story of Louise, the uncomfortable, awkward 15 year old who finds out that she is a descendent of a great witch and will gain these powers upon turning 16.  And what does she do with her powers?  Why, make herself the most popular and pretty girl in school of course.

And with that popularity comes a wardrobe of 80s excitement that I envy:

BEHOLD- Shoulder Pads!!!  Although they are making a comeback on the runways the past few seasons, nothing compares to the way they made formal dresses with shoulder pads in the 80s.

Perfectly matchy-matchy outfits.  The 80s was like Granimals, but for adults.  

And last, but not least, Tutu's.  There was an overabundance in tutu's and tiered skirts in this film that make me want to stock up and wear with ankle boots (my mom would be proud).

Style Inspiration: Willow

Ok, this one may seem a bit outlandish, but here me out.

Ron Howard's 1988 epic has always had a very special place in my heart.  I grew up watching this movie on repeat, developed a crush on Val Kilmer before I knew what crushes were, and always wanted to be a red head because of Joanne Whalley.  And in my older years, I'm taking it one step further and using it as a current wardrobe inspiration.

Now, I'm not suggesting wearing armor to the Lower East Side, or wielding a sword through Midtown, but I think that inspiration can be found everywhere, even fantasy movies starring Warwick Davis.

Fashion highlights of this film include: the bits of fur that the brownies sport, the layers of chains that are part of Sorsha's battle gear, the amazing boots that all the warriors ride the countryside in, the dashiki style tops of the male Elwin's, and (obviously) the kick-ass all black, structured outfits that allow Sorsha to kick Madmartigan's ass and steal his heart.

And I don't think I'm the only one inspired, check out some of these pictures from the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 runway shows and see if it takes you back to Tir Asleen...

Chanel Iman during the Phi Fall 2009 show is oddly reminiscent of a modern day Sorsha.  Metal chest plate and helmet optional.

Dolce and Gabbana Fall 2009.  

Alexander Wang Spring 2010

Style Inspiration: The Runaways

Yesterday, I decided to take in a solo movie, so I hiked to the Lower East Side to see The Runaways.  And while I wish I would've saved the money (Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning are just not convincing), the one thing I took away from the film was a revamped love of 70s style.  

Sequins, jumpsuits, platforms, and a little bit of Bowie, everything glam and rocker that I cannot get enough of.  However, since I can't show up at my corporate financial firm wearing sequin platform boots (I wish), I'm going to need to find ways to sample their style without going over the top.  


First stop- Invest in some patterned neutral colored shirts.  Paired with black pants or a black pencil skirt I think I could almost get away with it.  


Second stop- As I've mentioned in a few previous posts, it's time for me to bring back the silk scarf trend.  Back to eBay hunting it is for me.  


And then maybe, just maybe I can invest in some super tall platform boots/sandals and sneak them in on a casual Friday.  Hey, I work in the back of the office, am already known for the sheer amount of color I wear, why not mix it up and throw in some height too?  Maybe they'll never notice :)

Hipster Must-See: The Cove

This will probably be the hardest post to write while attempting to not be an angry, irrational mess while doing so.  Tonight, after having it on Netflix for weeks and building myself up emotionally, I finally had the guts to watch The Cove.  I've been interested in oceanic conservation and preservation since my late university years, and as I grow older and more knowledgeable, I have only become more interested and active.

First of all, I think that everyone, everywhere, should watch this movie.  I know that it's difficult to see these images, and I know that many people are far too busy taking care of their families to spend the time watching it, but if millions of people can watch American Idol every night, then I would like to see the millions spend one of those nights watching The Cove.  The plethora of information on health, ocean economics, culture, and animals is astounding, as is the lengths that not only will conservations go through to prevent such an atrocity, but also the lengths that the Japanese will go through to continue the hunt.

To be honest, a lot of the movie was a review for me.  I had seen previews for The Cove months ago, but never managed to catch it in theaters.  I have read books on whaling, have spoken with a fisheries expert from the UN about the Japanese fishing policies, and even know a founder of Greenpeace, needless to say, this is something I'm passionate about.  But what I find terribly shocking is the fact that other people are not knowledgeable about this practice, including larger Japanese populations.

The Cove won the Best Documentary Oscar on Sunday night.  Since their win, I have seen three separate articles on oceans and fisheries.  Could this be the push we need to finally make a change?  Being such a skeptic, I often feel so resolutely hopeless and helpless that it devastates me entirely.  Having watched this film, I am left inspired and slightly more hopeful.  Knowing that there are people out there who care, who make change happen, and who speak as advocates for those who can't, leaves me wanting to do more, be involved, and as the ever so popular Gandhi quote goes "Be the change I want to see in the world."

Maybe you will too.

Currently Idolizing: Ann-Margret

When I was a kid, my favorite movie was Newsies.  To this day I can still sing all the songs, recite all the words, and even do some of the dance moves.  It's a bit ridiculous, but hey, I was six.  Newsies was coincidently my first introduction to the amazing Ann-Margret, and I never thought much of it.  It wasn't until my recent years, more importantly, my first viewing of Tommy, that I realized that Ann-Margret might actually be important.

Maybe it's the red hair, or the fact that Elvis sent her flowers to every single stage show she ever performed in until he died, either way Ann-Margret has something.  From the 60s-now, she still gets cast as a sexpot.  To me, it's like she's the Swedish Sophia Loren.  Completely classy, sexy, talented, and timeless.

Ann-Margret, it may have taken me a while to catch up, but I salute you.

Style Inspiration: Rebecca

I have been spending a lot of time catching up on my classics everything: movies, books, plays, music, etc. And while catching up on classic films, I have been watching a lot of Alfred Hitchcock.

Sometimes, I fall asleep during these films.  Not intentionally, but usually it's me and the dog on the couch, which is a recipe for napping.  But tonight when I watched Rebecca I couldn't stop watching.  Hitchcock's first Hollywood film and only Oscar winner is a psychological thriller about a newlywed (Joan Fontaine) who cannot quite cope with the memory of her husband's (played by Laurence Olivier) ex-wife.  Excellent acting, a few plot twists, and beautiful cinematography make this film great, but what I really love are Joan Fontaine's outfits.

Pencil skirts, thin silk blouses, cardigan twinsets, and fabulous accessories spell 30's glamour in a subtle, easy way.  Prior to the 1950s era of excess with fabric to spare, hemlines went up, silhouettes went down, and the clothing stayed plain.  Although it is more difficult for me to find pieces of clothing from this era that work for me, I can certainly dig it.

Joan Fontaine kills it with her boxy shouldered jacket and matching hat.  First stop, invest in some awesome vintage hats (my mom and I have been collecting since I was a kid), second stop, a 30s style bob to show off those hats.  I need to start working on my pincurls again.

Fontaine's silhouette is perfect.  Knee length pencil skirt, puff sleeved blouse, short heels, the costume of choice for Hitchcock heroines.  

So instead, I will scour eBay for hours, fighting off the wards of other women who love the look of Hitchcock heroines, film noir, and The Great Gatsby.  I will continue to collect vintage dresses, pin-up style heels, heavy wool coats, and costume jewelry.  In fact, I should probably go check my site now, I think I have some bids about to end :)

Style Inspiration: Network

I love Turner Classic Movies 31 Days of Oscar.  It has given me the opportunity to fill my DVR with all those pesky movies that fill my "Must-See Film" Excel spreadsheet (yes, it exists).  Currently, I'm watching Network, and while i can appreciate the message, the acting, the directing, etc., what I can't stop admiring is Faye Dunaway's super 70s wardrobe.  

Seeing as tomorrow is my first day in a business-casual environment, I am stressing over how I will turn my primarerly vintage wardrobe into any semblance of corporate cool.  Enter: Faye Dunaway.  As Diana Christensen, Dunaway spends the entire movie rocking mid-70s pantsuits, silk blouses, and amazing skirt and turtleneck combos that make me seethe with envy.

Dunaway, who is usually seen as a fashion icon for Bonnie and Clyde, or Chinatown, rocks the 70s penis-envying male styles that I have come to admire and seek.  Sticking mainly in the same neutrals I have always sought-out when outfitting myself for a day in the city, she manages to bridge the gap between being totally badass, and completely sexy, another ideal I can only hope to one day achieve.

Granted, my body may not be the slim, tall 70s ideal, but that doesn't mean I can't try.  So after my rent and utilities come out of my first paycheck, I think the rest of it will be spent on some wide-leg trousers, a button up silk blouse, and maybe a patterned scarf for good measure.  Super corporate bad-ass chic, here I come.  

Style Inspiration: The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

My recent sobriety has caused me to look all over for ways to kill time, and one of my favorite tried and true methods is a trip to the movies.  This weekend, that movie of choice was The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus.  Dragging along my roommate, who was easily bought with the following: Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Jude Law, and Heath Ledger, we took in a matinee showing at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema.

I wasn't sure what to expect.  Being Heath Ledger's last film, I imagined clever rewrites, great performances, and difficulty watching the screen.  Combine that with Terry Gilliam's sense of surrealism and an appearance by Tom Waits and this movie became a hipster's dream.

Turns out, what I was most captivated by was Lily Cole as Valentina.  Cole, a model turned actress who scored the role of Alice, in Marilyn Manson's upcoming Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll, has doll like features and legs to die for.  Going from runway to silver screen isn't always so successful for some models, but Cole seems to have a promising future as an actress.  Perhaps it was the cinematography, or the art direction, but Cole seemed to blend perfectly among the bizarre and strange of Parnassus.

Lily Cole's porcelain doll like features and striking looks made her an obvious choice for Gilliam's film

My personal favorite?  The gypsy like clothes Cole was seen in for most of the film.  Layers of skirts, scarves, knits, necklaces, topped off with a jangling anklet.  I could not get enough.  It was like an Olsen Twin meets Stevie Nicks meets Gypsy.

Heath Ledger and Lily Cole in The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

My plan this winter is to take a page from the impoverished world of Dr. Parnassus, one part vintage dress + two parts knit = enough warmth to help me survive New York City...or London.

Style Inspiration: Near Dark

I know that vampires are all the rage these days, but after taking a Vampires in Literature and Film class in university (oh yeah, that was offered), I feel like I might be a bit more qualified to talk about vampire films then some people out there.

I am a sucker for 80s vampire films. The Hunger, Lost Boys, and last, but very not least, Near Dark. Kathryn Bigelow's western vampire film is ridiculously violent, has a killer soundtrack (scored by Tangerine Dream), and is full of sociopathic crazy southern vampires.

Near Dark also does one thing for me that some of these other films have not. It gives me this ridiculous style inspiration. Call it growing up in the country, or maybe it's my fond nostalgia for the American Southwest, but it makes me want to be a sexy cowboy vamp.

Jenny Wright's tight jeans and tied shirts, Jenette Goldstein's blond hair and dark roots, and most importantly, Bill Paxton's spurs. I feel like I could get away with most of these looks in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, but the spurs are something I'm not so sure of. But man, I would feel like such a badass...



I wish I was cool enough to pull of Jenette Goldstein's wicked dark roots and tough as nails exterior



Bill Paxton and Adrian Pasdar in the memorable bar scene. This scene singlehandedly made me want to own spurs, if you have yet to see it, it's on IFC all month, and easy enough to find on Netflix.