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18 19 March 2013 HAUTE CULTURE FIT W27 Photos courtesy of Disney Photography by Fernanda DeSouza What you will find down the Yellow Brick Road in Sam Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful are fantastical beasts, a star-stud- ded cast and that cherry on top, lesson- learned-feel-good moral that lies behind every Disney film. We follow Oscar Diggs, a fraud circus man who aspires to be the next Harry Houdini and Thomas Edison all wrapped into one. Unsatisfied with his dismal Kansas life, it takes one all-too- expected natural disaster to take Oscar OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL FILM REVIEW: by Fernanda DeSouza by Fernanda DeSouza over the rainbow and into the enchanted Land of Oz. Sam Raimi, director of cheap 1970s horror films and the Spider-Man trilogy, transports us to his interpretation of Oz. He overdoes it, as we’ve seen the same set designs before—think King Kong and Avatar : sprawling mountains, roaring waterfalls and a Cinderella castle smack in the middle of rolling, green hills. Raimi, unlike many directors, masters the art of 3D effects. Worried that this technique would fail, it was a pleasant surprise to have flying hats, baboons, fireballs, and a haggard, shrieking witch thrown at our faces—effectively—leaving even me a little frightened at times (per- haps Raimi tapping into his horror movie past?). He manipulates his camera angles tactfully so as we get an entire scope of the magical land, shooting at angles we would not have seen 74 years ago. Needless to say, James Cameron should consider calling Raimi and get the 101 on creating a proper 3D movie. What Oz lacks in the geographical cat- egory so to speak, Raimi makes up for by resurrecting elements from the 1939 clas- sic into his piece. The opening minutes of the film find us in the old-time sepia toned screen proportion of Dust Bowl Kansas we find in its predecessor. We are introduced to the companions Oscar will later meet in Oz: Zach Braff as his neglected stage assistant/humorous talk- ing monkey in a bellboy suit, Joey King, a handicapped girl in a wheelchair/a viva- cious yet delicate china doll and Michelle Williams as Annie, a past love interest of Oscar’s and the alter ego of Glinda the Good Witch of the South (didn’t see that one coming!). It is safe to say that Oz does not linger on singsongs such as the 1939 version or its Broadway cousin, Wicked. The score, composed by Danny Elfman, echoes the booming, majestic tunes that we expect from a fantastical land some- where far beyond the rainbow. The big slip-up of this film lies in the cast- ing. Whereas the lead in the first tale of L. Frank Baum is Judy Garland with her sugarcoated vibrato, the 2013 version fea- tures a cheeky James Franco, swept away in a twister from his Freaks and Geeks days and morphed into a turn-of-the-century- conman. Franco is a handsome wom- anizer (or should I say “witchanizer”), wooing the three witches with his little boy smile, crow’s feet, and sweet talk. But let’s be real—did it cross your mind that Franco would be playing the balding man behind the curtain? At this point, Franco will inhabit any role thrown his way and we will accept him for whomever he portrays. But no matter how versatile Franco’s resume may look on paper, he does not embody that charlatan sneak as hoped and instead comes off as phony and over the top. Michelle Williams’s character is innocent and charming, enough to fill Glinda’s shoes but does not leave an impression behind. It seems that Mila Kunis’s charac- ter (and acting) only sparks our interest as she sheds that naïve façade and trans- forms into a heart-broken, vengeful diabo- list. Rachel Weisz on the other hand, drips with glamour and power as she portrays the sneaky and conniving Emerald City advisor, seeming to be the only perfect fit in the entire cast. James Franco is dreamy and we may learn a lesson or two that leaves us going “Aww!” and nodding in agreement. But perhaps going into Oz the Great and Powerful with a child’s mindset will prove best in distracting audiences from swal- lowing the cold hard truth that remakes of classics are flops. This is not Oz the Great and Powerful but Oz the Good Enough. It’s safe to assume that Brooklyn has dug itself deep into my heart. It started with Williamsburg, then Bushwick for its superb rooftop parties. But away from all the hipsters and rave warehouses, these residential and laid-back neighborhoods of Brooklyn found themselves on my radar, so I put my Rosie the Riveter ban- dana (reserved for Williamsburg night- life) back in its drawer and kicked back in the quiet crevices of Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill. First stop, Smith Canteen. To get away from the snow that was pelting us, we ran over to this small coffee shop located on the corner of Smith and 1st Streets. Large windows allow for great amounts of natural light in this modern café. There’s nothing cozy about Smith Canteen, unless you count the wooden benches that hug the windows around the shop. Tile floors, mahogany accented walls, large mirrors and to juxtapose them, miniscule marble tables sum up the interior of this café. Typical hipster barista guys who are willing to flirt with you in between transactions float nearby and there’s music found on a Fleetwood Mac Pandora station—not too shabby. We plopped down and warmed up with their OUTSIDE YOUR BOROUGH: CARROLL GARDENS/COBBLE HILL/BOERUM HILL signature turkey, bacon, lettuce and sage mayo sandwich served on a poppy/sesame seed covered croissant ($9). Number of napkins necessary to eat this? Six. It’s flaky but delicious. Make sure to use those mirrors to check your teeth post eat- ing. Two things to be cautious of: there’s no WiFi. If you’re willing to be unplugged for an hour or so, Smith Canteen is your go-to. And, because it sits across the street from an elementary school, expect rowdy children tricking their parents into buy- ing them chocolate cookies. Up the street is the gem of a store By Brooklyn—“fine goods” made in Brooklyn for those of you who support American- made products. Although the store seemed a little empty for the amount of space, you will find yourself touching every knicknack on the shelves. Denim bound journals and wine tote bags with BROOKLYN spelled out on the front were some of the few things to consider. Come here to find some unique gift ideas. But beware—the merchandise found here isn’t the cheapest. Don’t forget you are paying for good quality American prod- ucts and that costs a pretty penny. If you can’t afford any of these artisan pieces, stand outside and appreciate the window, with its glass bottles filled with feathers hanging from the ceiling. Looking for affordable nouveau-vintage clothing? Lucia is a chic, modern-day Brooklyn boutique clad in Barbie-pink curtains and wallpaper. Delicate pieces with generous price tags—or at least more generous than your local vintage store. Think Zara but a little less business and a pinch of sweetness. Looking for not so affordable quality clothing? Smith & Butler is Lana-Del Rey’s-“Ride”-meets- Steve-McQueen, all in one. I couldn’t figure out what to appreciate more: the clothing or the décor, which is motorcy- cle-woodsy-Americana to say the least. A small women’s selection sits in the front but the store is mostly for men looking for a great pair of patterned socks and that lumberjack-greaser look. In desperate search of a warm place to dry my boots, I came upon Bien Cuit. Entering this bakery was like entering a steaming nightclub. The heavy heat of the baked goods and frothing coffees per- vades the air. You will find more than just whole wheat loaves of bread. The menu ranges from sourdough and challah to the Portuguese broa de milho. If you’re not interested in the breads, indulge in the sweets! The pistachio roulade (Saigon cin- namon and toasted pistachio) and apple cardamom Danish (puréed apple and car- damom streusel) were our picks. And the good news: WiFi! Get off of Amazon.com and support your local bookstore. Go around the corner from Bien Cuit to browse through a wide selection of literature in one of my new favorite bookstores, Book Court. For an independent bookstore, the space is exten- sive. With a basement and the back area used for readings and book discussions, Book Court is filled with the classics, the new bestsellers, great customer service, and a vibe that says, “Hey, we’re cooler than Barnes & Noble and Amazon!” Check out their calendar online, as Book Court is host to multiple events through- out the week—for free. Book Court: 1, Barnes & Noble/Amazon: 0. If you find yourself wanting to relive your Wes Anderson Moonrise Kingdom fetish, or just want to feel like a Boy Scout for the night, wind down in the wooden shack at Camp. Expect this bar to be exactly what the name suggests. Low-lit candles, a kayak and moosehead hanging on the wall and cozy couches spread throughout. Oh, and everything’s made out of wood. Camp is an ideal place to go on a first date—or second, or fifth. Order a whiskey sour and pretend to be Sam Shakusky and Suzy Bishop. All you’re missing is a vinyl copy of Françoise Hardy’s “Les Temps de L’amour” playing in the background. It’s safe to say that gentrification swept through and wiped away any stereotypes we’ve had of the old Brooklyn. What’s left are breathtaking brownstones, families (lots of ‘em!), and an array of daytime activities and quaint nightlife. It’s far enough away that as so you’re not stifled by the hipster kingdom of Williamsburg and close enough to that homey feeling we sometimes lack in Manhattan.
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Film review of Oz
Transcript of self
18 19 March 2013HAUTE CULTURE FIT W27
Photos courtesy of Disney
Photography by Fernanda DeSouza
What you will find down the Yellow Brick Road in Sam Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful are fantastical beasts, a star-stud-ded cast and that cherry on top, lesson-learned-feel-good moral that lies behind every Disney film. We follow Oscar Diggs, a fraud circus man who aspires to be the next Harry Houdini and Thomas Edison all wrapped into one. Unsatisfied with his dismal Kansas life, it takes one all-too-expected natural disaster to take Oscar
OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL
FILM REVIEW:
by Fernanda DeSouza
by Fernanda DeSouza
over the rainbow and into the enchanted Land of Oz.
Sam Raimi, director of cheap 1970s horror films and the Spider-Man trilogy, transports us to his interpretation of Oz. He overdoes it, as we’ve seen the same set designs before—think King Kong and Avatar: sprawling mountains, roaring waterfalls and a Cinderella castle smack in the middle of rolling, green hills. Raimi, unlike many directors, masters the art of 3D effects. Worried that this technique would fail, it was a pleasant surprise to have flying hats, baboons, fireballs, and a haggard, shrieking witch thrown at our faces—effectively—leaving even me a little frightened at times (per-haps Raimi tapping into his horror movie past?). He manipulates his camera angles tactfully so as we get an entire scope of the magical land, shooting at angles we would not have seen 74 years ago. Needless to say, James Cameron should consider calling Raimi and get the 101 on creating a proper 3D movie.
What Oz lacks in the geographical cat-egory so to speak, Raimi makes up for by resurrecting elements from the 1939 clas-sic into his piece. The opening minutes of the film find us in the old-time sepia toned screen proportion of Dust Bowl Kansas we find in its predecessor. We are introduced to the companions Oscar will later meet in Oz: Zach Braff as his neglected stage assistant/humorous talk-ing monkey in a bellboy suit, Joey King, a handicapped girl in a wheelchair/a viva-cious yet delicate china doll and Michelle Williams as Annie, a past love interest of Oscar’s and the alter ego of Glinda the Good Witch of the South (didn’t see that one coming!). It is safe to say that Oz does not linger on singsongs such as the 1939 version or its Broadway cousin, Wicked. The score, composed by Danny Elfman, echoes the booming, majestic tunes that
we expect from a fantastical land some-where far beyond the rainbow.
The big slip-up of this film lies in the cast-ing. Whereas the lead in the first tale of L. Frank Baum is Judy Garland with her sugarcoated vibrato, the 2013 version fea-tures a cheeky James Franco, swept away in a twister from his Freaks and Geeks days and morphed into a turn-of-the-century-conman. Franco is a handsome wom-anizer (or should I say “witchanizer”), wooing the three witches with his little boy smile, crow’s feet, and sweet talk. But let’s be real—did it cross your mind that Franco would be playing the balding man behind the curtain? At this point, Franco will inhabit any role thrown his way and we will accept him for whomever he portrays. But no matter how versatile Franco’s resume may look on paper, he does not embody that charlatan sneak as hoped and instead comes off as phony and over the top.
Michelle Williams’s character is innocent and charming, enough to fill Glinda’s shoes but does not leave an impression behind. It seems that Mila Kunis’s charac-ter (and acting) only sparks our interest as she sheds that naïve façade and trans-forms into a heart-broken, vengeful diabo-list. Rachel Weisz on the other hand, drips with glamour and power as she portrays the sneaky and conniving Emerald City advisor, seeming to be the only perfect fit in the entire cast.
James Franco is dreamy and we may learn a lesson or two that leaves us going “Aww!” and nodding in agreement. But perhaps going into Oz the Great and Powerful with a child’s mindset will prove best in distracting audiences from swal-lowing the cold hard truth that remakes of classics are flops. This is not Oz the Great and Powerful but Oz the Good Enough.
It’s safe to assume that Brooklyn has dug itself deep into my heart. It started with Williamsburg, then Bushwick for its superb rooftop parties. But away from all the hipsters and rave warehouses, these residential and laid-back neighborhoods of Brooklyn found themselves on my radar, so I put my Rosie the Riveter ban-dana (reserved for Williamsburg night-life) back in its drawer and kicked back in the quiet crevices of Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill.
First stop, Smith Canteen. To get away from the snow that was pelting us, we ran over to this small coffee shop located on the corner of Smith and 1st Streets. Large windows allow for great amounts of natural light in this modern café. There’s nothing cozy about Smith Canteen, unless you count the wooden benches that hug the windows around the shop. Tile floors, mahogany accented walls, large mirrors and to juxtapose them, miniscule marble tables sum up the interior of this café. Typical hipster barista guys who are willing to flirt with you in between transactions float nearby and there’s music found on a Fleetwood Mac Pandora station—not too shabby. We plopped down and warmed up with their
OUTSIDE YOUR BOROUGH:CARROLL GARDENS/COBBLE HILL/BOERUM HILL
signature turkey, bacon, lettuce and sage mayo sandwich served on a poppy/sesame seed covered croissant ($9). Number of napkins necessary to eat this? Six. It’s flaky but delicious. Make sure to use those mirrors to check your teeth post eat-ing. Two things to be cautious of: there’s no WiFi. If you’re willing to be unplugged for an hour or so, Smith Canteen is your go-to. And, because it sits across the street from an elementary school, expect rowdy children tricking their parents into buy-ing them chocolate cookies.
Up the street is the gem of a store By Brooklyn—“fine goods” made in Brooklyn for those of you who support American-made products. Although the store seemed a little empty for the amount of space, you will find yourself touching every knicknack on the shelves. Denim bound journals and wine tote bags with BROOKLYN spelled out on the front were some of the few things to consider. Come here to find some unique gift ideas. But beware—the merchandise found here isn’t the cheapest. Don’t forget you are paying for good quality American prod-ucts and that costs a pretty penny. If you can’t afford any of these artisan pieces, stand outside and appreciate the window,
with its glass bottles filled with feathers hanging from the ceiling.
Looking for affordable nouveau-vintage clothing? Lucia is a chic, modern-day Brooklyn boutique clad in Barbie-pink curtains and wallpaper. Delicate pieces with generous price tags—or at least more generous than your local vintage store. Think Zara but a little less business and a pinch of sweetness. Looking for not so affordable quality clothing? Smith & Butler is Lana-Del Rey’s-“Ride”-meets-Steve-McQueen, all in one. I couldn’t figure out what to appreciate more: the clothing or the décor, which is motorcy-cle-woodsy-Americana to say the least. A small women’s selection sits in the front but the store is mostly for men looking for a great pair of patterned socks and that lumberjack-greaser look.
In desperate search of a warm place to dry my boots, I came upon Bien Cuit. Entering this bakery was like entering a steaming nightclub. The heavy heat of the baked goods and frothing coffees per-vades the air. You will find more than just whole wheat loaves of bread. The menu ranges from sourdough and challah to the Portuguese broa de milho. If you’re not interested in the breads, indulge in the sweets! The pistachio roulade (Saigon cin-namon and toasted pistachio) and apple cardamom Danish (puréed apple and car-damom streusel) were our picks. And the good news: WiFi!
Get off of Amazon.com and support your local bookstore. Go around the corner from Bien Cuit to browse through a wide selection of literature in one of my new favorite bookstores, Book Court. For an independent bookstore, the space is exten-sive. With a basement and the back area used for readings and book discussions, Book Court is filled with the classics, the new bestsellers, great customer service, and a vibe that says, “Hey, we’re cooler than Barnes & Noble and Amazon!” Check out their calendar online, as Book Court is host to multiple events through-out the week—for free. Book Court: 1, Barnes & Noble/Amazon: 0.
If you find yourself wanting to relive your Wes Anderson Moonrise Kingdom fetish, or just want to feel like a Boy Scout for the night, wind down in the wooden shack at Camp. Expect this bar to be exactly what the name suggests. Low-lit candles, a kayak and moosehead hanging on the wall and cozy couches spread throughout. Oh, and everything’s made out of wood. Camp is an ideal place to go on a first date—or second, or fifth. Order a whiskey sour and pretend to be Sam Shakusky and Suzy Bishop. All you’re missing is a vinyl copy of Françoise Hardy’s “Les Temps de L’amour” playing in the background.
It’s safe to say that gentrification swept through and wiped away any stereotypes we’ve had of the old Brooklyn. What’s left are breathtaking brownstones, families (lots of ‘em!), and an array of daytime activities and quaint nightlife. It’s far enough away that as so you’re not stifled by the hipster kingdom of Williamsburg and close enough to that homey feeling we sometimes lack in Manhattan.
