SMASH HIS CAMERA

ron galella

The 2010 documentary titled Smash His Camera is about Ron Galella, a “pioneer paparazzo” who is hated by some and praised by others. His work is debatable: is it art or newsworthy? Is it slanderous uninvited intrusion caught on film? You decide.

Ron Galella got his start in the early 60s as a curious art-driven photographer who then became fascinated with chasing celebrities — screen actors, political figures and musicians. His pursuit of Jackie Kennedy Onassis quickly developed into his life’s mission; in fact his fascination went so far it landed him in several court battles with the recovering widow of JFK.

From the eyes of an outsider looking in, the fascination seems unhealthy. His photographs were used without her permission and on a number of occasions she either told him to stop, or tried to avoid the snap of his lens—most times even running or quickly walking away from him. To Galella’s credit, he did help build Jackie O’s legacy, her pictures were sold to dozens of magazines, keeping her in the spotlight. After all–THAT IS what helps keep publicity alive, the constant mentioning and sharing of (most of the time pirated) images or works of art. Whether it was ultimately a positive or a negative thing for the widow is a mystery; however, this should be weighed in terms of right and wrong. I wouldn’t be happy about being in the spotlight without first giving my consent. She did not give her written consent, so it’s wrong as far as I’m concerned and she wasn’t doing anything newsworthy.

At some point you have to wonder: Is the paparazzi morally right or wrong for chasing screen workers who some say are “celebs by choice and love the cameras” and is it OK that the paps (in Galella’s case) make millions for invading personal space? I still think that there is a time and a place for photo snapping and most importantly, safety. Even those that choose a life in the public eye should at all times have the freedom to choose the images that are broadcast.

I picked an attorney-friend’s brain about it because I was uneasy about the film and the idea as a whole, as many others are. I asked “why can’t celebs sue the paps for profits of their photos?” Seems more than fair right? This would substantially reduce the occurrence of paparazzos chasing down their subjects, right? Why would they if their profits were eliminated as the dangling carrot? His stance was this:

“They’re public figures and paps photos are considered newsworthy, same reason why news shows like Catch a Predator don’t need signed release forms.” In this case, I completely understand newsworthiness, exposing predators serves the good of public safety, but what makes a pretty face or a bike ride through a park or city street newsworthy? Who decides what is newsworthy? The people that are paying the big bucks for these images are ultimately magazine editorial teams, but WHY? Sure to each his own, but sometimes I just cannot understand the decision making process that chooses to publish a photo that was taken without the subject’s: 1. participation 2. consent and 3. desire to have the image broadcast to potentially millions of readers.

I question their interest-range and really their judgment of what they think is news worthy. Has this person cured cancer, is a famous person walking down the street really worth sharing and publicizing. Are they thinking: “Is this the kind of image I want to project onto sponge-like minds?” Do they realize they are in fact influencing the thought processes of their readers?

It made me think about what drives people to buy gossip mags. It surely keeps me from throwing any dough their way, but what about you–what are your thoughts? Would you like to see a shift in publishing? Would readers as a whole benefit from more thought-out publishing practices and standards?

The Sasquatch Gang

the sasquatch gang

Tim Skousen: the Assistant Director of Napoleon Dynamite has written and directed another glorious nerd drama, The Sasquatch Gang, a comedy about somewhat-normal teens in the semi-peaceful suburbs. They share the same nerd glory as Napoleon Dynamite and the film is just as funny, minus the classic “Vote for Pedro” storyline which will remain my favorite film memory for eternity.

During its tour through the film festival circuit, The Sasquatch Gang screened at Slamdance, HBO US Comedy Arts, Waterefront New Zealand, Sidewalk, and Vail Film Festivals winning a number of awards for Best Director and Best Actor to Justin Long.

The nerd pack consists of a few groups of kids that discover what they believe to be Sasquatch footprints and scheme ways to make money off of their discovery throughout the film. My favorite character was Sophie, a teen video store clerk who has her mouth wired shut to lose weight and all the nerd boys love her. Say what you will, there’s comedy in that. I thought it was hilarious.

Are you wondering why you haven’t heard of it? It didn’t get wide theater distribution, probably why I haven’t seen it until recently—it is now airing on Showtime. The trailer (below) doesn’t do it justice, but I highly recommend watching it.

Best of 2011 in Beauty

covergirl beauty bar

Now that I can sit down and think about the year as a whole, I have to admit–it was pretty fantastic. Filled with so many opportunities, I’m almost skeptical 2012 will be as good. Regardless I leaned from it all and have key takeaways and some in the beauty arena, here they are.

COVERGIRL’s Rebecca Restrepo, a celebrity makeup artist recommends applying moisturizer when skin is still wet and pores still open to get the best results from moisturizer, then applying foundation onto dewy skin to get the most natural look. This way moisture absorbs into pores and doesn’t just cover them while foundation blends evenly with that dewy moisture. I’ve been using this technique since and it makes a huge difference.

Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution by Olay is an exceptional  go-to summer moisturizer. It softens the skin around wrinkles which reduces their appearance–two wrinkles between my eyebrows are now almost invisible. It feels light, non-greasy, absorbs quickly and is just the right amount of moisture for summer skin which tends to be oilier during warmer weather, for all skin types.

We experienced a few very cool weeks here in L.A. believe it or not; the Santa Ana winds blew in very chilly (and treacherous) gusts, leaving my skin dry and irritated. I switched to a heavy cream, as everyone should during cooler weather. Dryness hardens skin which causes it to crack and wrinkle. It also irritates skin, causing breakouts so use a heavy facial cream like Risarium’s Black Rice. This label hydrated my skin from one day to the next, clearing up irritation within one week.

LipFusion Infatuation Lip Plumper might just be the best plumping gloss ever. It goes on like paint and tingles, so you can actually feel it working. Its ingredients include peptides that enhance collagen synthesis to naturally plump lips and menthyl lactate which creates a mild cooling sensation. I have Screen Siren Red and love smearing it on. This new staple will be in my beauty tool box for as long as it is on store shelves: My lips officially have a new best friend.

Best overall beauty advice was from the great Maria Antonetta Collins who I had the honor of interviewing. The veteran Univision anchor had some classic last words of advice any woman can take a queue from: “No pones todos tus guebos en una canasta,” is her philosophy –in English– don’t put all of your eggs in one basket and, “nunca, nunca tienes demasiado trabajo. Hay que seguir luchando.” Translated it means, you can never have too much work. You must continue the fight… Words to live by señora.

Best of 2011 in iPod Downloads

Looking back at 2011 and listening to my musical influences, some of which got me through a lot of work, workouts and traffic standstills, I thought ‘hey I should write this down as documentation of what kind of soundtrack entertains me.’ So here are my top six favorite iTunes downloads of 2011.

1. Rihanna has a golden track record of hits. I see her having as long of a career run as Donna Summer, so many of her songs were rated five stars on my iPod this year, but I could not get enough of Only Girl.  The ultimate list of boyfriend demands, how could I not love this?

2. We No Speak Americano kept me jamming away whether it was during a cycling session or typing away at some code, a blog or on Twitter. This song was released in 2010 by Yolanda Be Cool who sampled  Tu Vuò Fà L’Americano by Renato Carosone an Italian vocalist in the 50’s.

Inspiration hits a little harder when I repeat my favorite tunes. There must be something to this right? There is–experts say that activity levels in certain regions of the brain spike while listening to music, so turn it up.

3. Muse’s Uprising hits me with the perfect workout motivation and who doesn’t need a little motivational soundtrack while working out? Music is to working out like a clear sky is to tanning, it’s almost impossible to achieve one without having the other.

4. Lo Comandas by Banda de Turistas, a Spanish song I downloaded from a Nacional Records compilation. This little nugget came along with a number of other favorites like La Momia Negra and Tonino Carotone’s Amar y Vivir.

5. Sexy Dancer, a funky dance beat by Bob Sinclair, the girliest on the list and I love it for revving up to in front of the mirror, combing my long hair, Travolta style.

6. Epoca is by Gotan Project, a band based in Paris that mixes Latin jazz (aka bossa nova), tango and electronica. Their sounds are nothing less than bewitching…listen here.

So there you go, I like to mix it up. From dance to classical to jazz and monster balads, a little musical exploring has only opened my eyes to finding more melodies that make me feel good.  Happy New Year!

Holiday Movie Picks

national lampoon's christmas vacation

With the holidays upon us, I thought it would be nice to list a series of movies you can watch with different types of audiences in mind.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

This 1989 classic is definitely one that is safe for all ages and when I say safe, I mean anyone can watch and get a good laugh from it without having to resort to kiddie movies. Sure it has mildly inappropriate humor, but how is that different from what’s on TV these days? The picture here is probably the raciest scene in the film. See, not that bad right? That aside, Chevy Chase’s humor is something every generation should experience; he’s an onscreen legend whose likability will withstand the test of time. Add it to the queue.

Hall Pass

hall pass

Ok, this definitely isn’t a movie to watch with kids BUT it is beyond hilarious. I busted out l.o.l.ing so many times during this movie. I would compare it to the laugh level of The Hangover, in fact it’s like a 40-something’s version of The Hangover. It’s a must see, do add it to your rotation if you need a good laugh, and everyone needs a good laugh–right? It stars Owen Wilson, Christina Applegate and Jason Sudeikis; look for it this month on HBO.  And hey, sit around for the credits, there are a few golden nuggets that you won’t want to miss.

The Royal Tenenbaums

the royal tenenbaums

Out of my many many many years watching movies professionally, I can say this classic will always occupy a place on my movie top shelf. It’s just a good film that pokes fun at family oddities and drama, the good old fashioned way–by dealing with it! Gene Hackman, who plays the head of the family, narrates and stars alongside Angelica Houston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, Luke & Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Danny Glover and so many others. What better time to watch a familycentric comedy than the holidays?

The Dilemma

the dilemma

This comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Kevin James (of The King of Queens) is centered on Vaughn’s character scheming ways to tell his best friend (James) about his cheating wife. During his undercover spying, he runs into a series of fights and makes everyone suspect his strange behavior, all while trying to maintain a flowering business deal with Queen Latifah’s character–who steals the show. The CoverGirl model could not be funnier. Her performance alone makes this film worth watching, referencing her “girl wood, hanging down to here” upon being sold on a new car idea by the bromantic duo. It’s currently airing on HBO and makes for great movie night funnies.

Happy holidays!

Friday Night Movie Pick: La Vie En Rose

the real edith piaf

Because the weather is less than perfect, why not cozy up and watch some movies? This one in particular will make an excellent setting for you to wind-down to with a glass of wine, yes? It’s a deep and moving story about the horror and glory of fame. A biopic about the late Edith Piaf, a legendary French singer whose life was riddled with extreme highs and lows, mirrors what some celebrities even today struggle with: too much life in the spotlight, obligations to maintain too many social/work engagements and everything that accompanies those excesses. It takes you behind the scenes and into the heart of the star, really an entertaining and emotional case study. Keep the tissue handy for this one — it’s a category five tear jerker — not having what is called an “American ending.”

Marion Cotillard‘s portrayal of Piaf won her the 2007 Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, an accolade rarely handed out to foreign language film stars. Javier Bardem, the Spanish actor who played the air-gun-totting-psycho in No Country for Old Men, came very close with a nomination last year for his leading role in Biutiful – another forgein masterpiece I highly recommend. It’s raw life on film with all of its ups and downs, meaningful, and makes you think about your life. It’s something some foreign filmmakers are exceptional at doing. These are films that will change you.

A Look Back at J.C. Chávez

With the Margarito/Cotto fight on the horizon, I have my attention turned to fight news. I’m tuning in of course, but have another fighter on my mind: JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR., son to who is considered the epitome of Mexican boxing excellence — Julio César Chávez, Senior.

Some years ago Diego Luna, the young actor turned filmmaker, taped them for the documentary J.C. Chávez.  The film showcases footage from Chávez’s rise from street fighter to world class contender and one of the most respected fighters in boxing history. Commentaries from boxing majors like Mike Tyson, Bob Aram, Don King and former Mexican President Vicente Fox along with a slew of other mainstream notables openly talk about his early mismanagement, political entanglements and iron left hook.

Highlights from his most memorable beat-downs fused with key news footage and Junior’s first bouts are complimented with a perfectly choreographed score. I wouldn’t have guessed this was Diego Luna’s directorial debut; it appears to be put together with the eyes of a veteran filmmaker.  It’s in both English and Spanish (subtitled on DVD) and worth watching if you’re a fight fan. Chavez’s legacy lives on through Chavez Jr., an up and comer with his golden boy face and stronger than steel Chávez blood. He’s not his father of course — no one will ever be — but Junior is definitely one to watch.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I know it’s a bit early, but the sooner I tell you – the more you can enjoy it right? So, Meeeeeeeeeerry Christmas…

Justice for Mike

Today Conrad Murray was sentenced to four years in jail for involuntary manslaughter. Judge Michael E. Pastor explained that Dr. Murray “is so reckless, based on the evidence, that he is a danger to the community. It should be made very clear that experimental medicine is not going to be tolerated…and Michael Jackson was an experiment” even-though he participated. “Dr. Murray engaged in money for medicine,” a message that should weigh heavy on the minds of those that abuse the practice. Murray will serve two years in county jail and the remainder under house arrest according to reports.

There is finally justice for the late King of Pop.

Exclusive first look at Sofia Vergara’s Hotlist for COVERGIRL

sofia vergara makeup line

Looks like Sofia Vergara has penned a deal with COVERGIRL to share her holiday makeup picks. The Jessica Rabbit of Hollywood recommends we try COVERGIRL’s new line which includes:

o Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation

o Blast FlipStick LipColor

o LashBlast 24 Hour Mascara

o LineBlast 24 Hour Eyeliner

Like COVERGIRL on Facebook for their exclusive Cyber Monday deals.