Hula and happiness

WE'RE GETTING MAUIED: It's a week of fun in the sun for me, so I'm taking a much-needed break. But catch us back in two weeks for more from your favorite blog!

So was it Dylan or Brandon?

I know there are some things better left unsaid, like my deep knowledge of "Beverly Hills 90210" and all that happened during the course of the show. But I have to admit it, and along with that admission is the one that there's no way I'm going to miss the first episode of the CW's reboot of the series, called simply "90210." The series premieres Sept. 2, and will feature the return of Kelly Taylor as the school guidance counselor. I promise I will stop watching it as soon as I get the answer to the following question: Who did Kelly end up with in the end, Dylan or Brandon?

Who will watch the watchmen?

My boyfriend is a comic book nerd. It's true. And he loves to talk about them. A lot. Constantly. But instead of fighting what is an inevitable reality, I decided to indulge him and asked him to recommend some for me to read. That is how I found myself, a few months ago, poring over "The Watchmen," considered one of the greatest graphic novels ever, as well as an important piece of fiction. Filming of the movie is underway, with Zack Snyder of "300" at the helm, so even if you've never heard of the book or the movie, you will soon. Rest assured the hype will be strong. But don't roll your eyes and walk away. Pick up a copy of the book and prepare to nerd out just like your boyfriend.

I've got some gossip

Earlier this summer I was at Miami's International Airport when I found myself standing in line behind Blake Lively and Penn Badgley at Starbucks. This was just before they came out as a couple, and if you'd been there there would've been no doubt about their romantic status. So what did they look like, what was she wearing, what did she order? I know those are the burning questions you're wanting me to answer. She was wearing sweats and a T-shirt, and she was taller and prettier in real life than you'd think. She ordered tea. He was very cute, and they talked about Ewan MacGregor being a pitch person for watches. She disapproved.

Bikinis or bust

TLC's new Friday night staple is yet another reality show about a C-list celebrity trying to make it big through the small screen. Ashley Paige is a mildly famous bikini designer who is struggling financially, trying to find a backer and, of course, a boyfriend. She's annoying, bitchy, opinionated and therefore, perfect for the medium. If you have nothing better to do it's worth a watch, but if not, definitely tune this one out.

She's more than Johnny Depp's girlfriend

GIRL, INTERRUPTED: I've been trying to watch the movie "Cache," starring Daniel Auteuil for a couple of weeks, but keep falling asleep. That was definitely not the case with his film "Girl on the Bridge," which is also one of my all-time favorite movies. Also starring Vanessa Paradis, the film is about two down-on-their-luck souls whose chance meeting turns their lives around. Auteuil plays a knife-thrower, and Paradis his target. The two meet when she's about to throw herself off the Pont Neuf in Paris, at which point Auteuil offers her a job as his target, as he hasn't been an accurate shot lately. With killer songs by Marianne Faithfull, Auteiul is the only thing that misses in this French flick.

No Mexicali Blues here

ENDLESS SUMMER: I know, another trip! After only a few blogs. It's just that time of year I suppose, though it'll be a summer chock full of blog entries, so stay tuned. Isla Mujeres is the destination, and surf, sun and snorkeling are the attractions. Quintana Roo is famous for hammocks, so wish us good hammock hunting!

Hair-dos and don'ts

Not to judge other people's personal preferences, but with the reappearance of our favorite Mormons in the news, it's worth it to take a moment to pause and consider their hair. I've been told that the higher the hair, the closer to God, so perhaps that explains the Flock of Seagulls-esque stylings. Clearly there's not a lot of modern influences in their world, but one hopes they caught a glimpse of a future with flatter hair.

What a joke

I have a major bone to pick with Maxim magazine and its readers. Heidi Montag, of "The Hills" infamy, was named to their Hot 100. Meaning, they think the plastic pariah is hot. I understand the appeal of big boobs as well as the next girl, but the girl's personality is about as appealing as a peanut butter and plastic sandwich. At least I can console myself with the fact that she'll never make my Hot 100 anything. Except celebrities to be forgotten.

Short and sweet

Gwyneth is one of the most stylish stars around, but in the last few years she was stagnating. She wore her famous blonde locks long and, for the most part, stick straight, parted down the middle. It was cool at first, but we thought a new look would do her good. And voila! With the release of "Iron Man," which was undeniably awesome, the fashion plate has returned with newly shorn locks. Her hair hits just above her shoulders, and looks great worn wavy. She may not be the nicest girl on set, but she's once again the most stylish.

On the road again

OUT TO LUNCH: It's not summer yet, but I'm off on a road trip up north. Ain't no time like the present to get a new perspective on life, and of course to do some shopping in someone else's neighborhood.

You're so vain

Well, no, actually, she isn't vain, that's why we like her. On second thought, Brooke is probably incredibly vain, but she just hides it better than most of the other contestants on "American Idol." We're not sure yet who's going home this week, but Brooke is ripe for the plucking, given her false start on last night's show and given her limited vocal range. But we can't help it, we still love that she's not some diva-in-training, Celine Dion-worshipping, power-ballad belting Miss America. She plays her own instruments, she likes singer-songwriters and she plays the piano without shoes. What's not to like?

Food fever

Forget "Top Chef," if you want real drama check out "Hell's Kitchen," which has started it's third season on Fox. Chef Gordon Ramsay's kitchenside manner isn't for the faint of heart, as he regularly belittles and berates the chefs in his kitchen vying for the top prize. There's no playing with weird ingredients or conversations about the subtleties of the dishes. It's all straight-forward cooking classic dishes during a dinner rush. It's definitely a pressure cooker, complete with crying, cursing and week after week of brutal cuts. Rating: two knives up!

What dreams may come

One of my favorite movies ever is the early '90s flick "Until the End of the World." Directed by Wim Wenders and starring William Hurt and Sam Neill, the movie is a worldwide trek that ends in the Australian Outback with an invention that allows people to watch their own dreams, which is dangerously intoxicating for all involved. It's such a beautiful film words don't do it justice. Also brilliant is the soundtrack, which is one of the Top 10 film soundtracks ever. Check it out for great R.E.M and Talking Heads, and for the standout title track by U2. The best track though is Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' "I Love You Until the End of the World." Who else can write a lyric about a blind pencil seller shouting for his dog that lay dead on the side of the road?

Idol chatter

"American Idol" has rounded the corner and we're headed into the Top 10 countdown this week. Overall it's been a pretty middling season overall, there's no one who really stands out as a marketable talent who's the full package, though there are quite a few who have a bunch of things working for them. Jason is one of my favorites, he's so unlike the other contestants it's refreshing, and reminds me of someone I would actually be friends with. Michael from Australia is another favorite, he has good taste in music, which has been revealed in his song choices, and he's pretty darn cute. David Cook is the one to watch I think. He's a little pretentious, but anyone who can make me like Lionel Richie's "Hello" has got it going on. As for the girls, well, there's not much to say, unfortunately. Carly has a really good voice, and everyone else is totally forgettable except for Brooke, who is probably the only contestant who I'd consider buying their album.

For the birds

HITCHCOCK REVISITED: The recent Hollywood edition of Vanity Fair featured one of their best photo portfolios ever, stars in famous Hitchcock scenes. Jodie Foster playing Tippi Hedron in "The Birds" is my favorite, but also great are Scarlett Johansson and Javier Bardem as Grace Kelly and Jimmy Stewart in "Rear Window."

The Hills are alive with the sound of backstabbing

IT'S BACK! Twenty-seven hours and counting! "The Hills" makes it's much-anticipated return tomorrow night. Will Kristen really make an appearance in the coming episodes? Is it really kaput between Spencer and Heidi, Lauren and Brody? Whitney and Teen Vogue? We can't wait to see how it all unfolds!

Welcome to the jungle

With only one episode remaining in Candice Bushnell's new series "Lipstick Jungle," I can safely say that it's really not that good. It's improved from being stupid enough to offend to being utterly non-offensive in every way, which is a good thing, I guess, but which has rendered the show totally unremarkable. It's not as wildly unbelievable or smugly self-satisfied as "Cashmere Mafia," but it's just as far-fetched. Lindsay Price plays a likable young designer who's swept off her feet by - no kidding here - Andrew McCarthy, who has enough money to drop $50 million on a painting. I meet those kinds of guys everyday, don't you? Brooke Shields plays a film producer who is trying to balance her family and career - yawn. And Kim Raver plays a magazine editor having an affair that began as sexual harassment. It's all very "Unfaithful," but not nearly as well-acted. So, all in all, if you haven't caught an episode yet, don't worry, you haven't missed much. You're safe sticking to "Sex and the City" reruns.

Get on the bus

THE TIME OF THE SEASON: I've always loved these old VW buses. If only my parents had one so I could've inherited it and drove it until it died, I would've been thrilled! But I have another chance, as Volkswagen is releasing a new bus later this year. At just $20,000, it's not exactly cheap, but totally reasonable for an amazing slice of the past.

Joe lies when he cries

I GAVE HER MY HEART AND SHE GAVE ME A PEN: When I was in high school there was no movie couple cooler than Ione Skye and John Cusack in "Say Anything." Every girl I knew had a major crush on Lloyd Dobler, and I still always look for that bit of Lloyd in the men I know. And Ione Skye, in real life, was the girl you wanted to be. She's Donovan's daughter, went out with Ad Rock, started a clothing label and was in "River's Edge," a great '80s movie. It didn't get much better than that. But "Say Anything" is still the pinnacle of both their careers. Watch for the best Red Hot Chili Peppers song ever, "Taste the Pain," Eric Stoltz dressed as a chicken, a lovelorn Lili Taylor and a very young Jeremy Piven.

Survivor lives on

It's something I don't admit often, but I'm a huge fan of "Survivor." I've never missed a season, and I've never missed an episode in a season. So the new season's premise, fans versus fan favorites, is like honey to a bee for me, I couldn't be more excited. Unfortunately the season started with a downer with the departure of Johnny "Fairplay." He begged the castaways to vote him off, and that they did. For someone who's made his name by seeking any and all kinds of attention, it's not a bad ploy, but by the time the series is over he'll be long forgotten, so color me confused. But the remaining fan favorites have enough drama going to (mostly) make up for his departure.

Nothing compares to her

Like many others, the first time I saw Sinead O'Connor was when her "Nothing Compares 2 U" video came on MTV. I was in seventh grade, and my friends and I couldn't believe how beautiful she was, even with a shaved head. Although the video was from O'Connor's second album, everything about her look and her voice was totally new. It proved that great style is created, not copied.

Swinging '60s

Michael Antonioni, who died this week, directed a remarkable piece of fashion history, "Blow Up." The film is a snapshot, no pun intended, of London in the 1960s, and stars a young Vanessa Redgrave. Jane Birkin also makes a brief appearance, which is noteworthy for what she isn't wearing, which is anything. Other films from the era that are fun to watch are "Darling," starring Julie Christie," and "Alfie," which was very daring for its time. For those who love film as much as fashion though, "Blow Up" is a cut above, and definitely worth checking out.

Truly Julie

Julie Christie has dazzled on the silver screen for more than four decades, and she's as stunning today in her 60s as she was in the 1960s. In her most recent film, "Away From Her," she stars as a woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease. She's been a fashion icon as well as an example of Hollywood glamour, her relationship with Warren Beatty was comparable to today's Brangelina in terms of a blinding marriage of style and substance. Check out these essential flicks starring the British beauty: Darling In this 1965 film, Christie plays an ingenue who'll do anything to make it big. Don't Look Now Christie and Donald Sutherland are a couple in mourning who've lost their daughter in this 1973 thriller. They take a memorable trip to Venice in search of redemption.
Shampoo In 1975 Christie and Beatty were at the height of their celebrity. Her blonde bob and black glitter gown in the party scene are pure '70s style. Heaven Can Wait Christie and Beatty team up again in 1978 to make this incredibly charming comedy. Movie magic.

Gwyneth gets the gold

PRAISING PALTROW: Gwyneth Paltrow appears on the new W magazine bronzed and boldly declaring her desire to get back into making Hollywood hits. Paltrow has always made good movies and given good style, similar to our Aussie favorite Cate Blanchett.
Our favorite flicks to check out with Paltrow? Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle This small flick from the mid-'90s is a peek into the life of Dorothy Parker, and has an incredible 1920s look and feel. Sliding Doors This is the film for which Paltrow cut her hair, leaving her and then-fiance Brad Pitt looking eerily similar. Shakespeare in Love It's every bit as good as the hype, and Paltrow has never been more radiant, or likable. The Talented Mr. Ripley Paltrow was channeling Grace Kelly in her role as the tragic Marge in this Anthony Minghella thriller. Shot in Italy, the scenery is as engrossing as the plot, and, um, Jude Law.

Not just teen TV

CALLING CATALANO: The best show to only last one season on TV? "My So-Called Life," followed closely by "Freaks and Geeks." Jordan Catalano was gorgeous, sullen, brooding and clearly trouble, which made him the most irresistible character ever to appear on TV. And Claire Danes' Angela Chase was as complicated and misguided as a real teenage girl. And her clothes were perfectly accurate for that mid-90s period, Danes wore thermals, flannel shirts and Converse. Also very cool, Juliana Hatfield makes an appearance as an angel in a later episode.

Gone but not forgotten

There are some things that can never be explained: the origins of the universe, Britney Spears' recent behavior and the cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks." The show lasted just one year, a tragedy matched only by the cancellation of "My So-Called Life" just four years prior. At least the alumni of "Freaks and Geeks" are still going strong, with Seth Rogen, James Franco and executive producer Judd Apatow going on to bigger, if not better, things. The look of the show was pure high school nostalgia, epitomized by Lindsay's dad's army jacket that became her standby. Definitely not freaky or geeky.

Corn nuts, croquet and Christian Slater

Before she was convicted of felony theft, Winona Ryder used to be the coolest girl in movies. She was (quite literally in this case) the Veronica to Julia Roberts' Betty. At the height of this period she starred in "Heathers," an alternative to popular John Hughes movies like "Pretty in Pink." Christian Slater was her Jack Nicholson-wannabe boyfriend who hates her popular friends almost as much as she does. They go on a murder spree, complete with vocab test words and mineral water. And along the way Winona Ryder looks fabulous in looks straight out of the 80s. Bonus point: Watch for a pre-90210 Shannon Doherty.

Mirror, Mirror on the wall

WHO'S THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL? I'm not sure about that, but take this little quiz to find out which of the four lovely "Sex and the City" ladies you're most like. We've seen dozens of these before, but we couldn't resist doing our own as a tribute to the forthcomnig movie.

North by Northwest

"Northern Exposure" was such a good show for so many reasons. First, the cast included Rob Morrow as Doctor Joel, Janine Turner as Maggie, Darren E. Burrows as Ed and John Corbett as DJ Chris. Corbett played a pre-Aidan Aidan, Morrow the unhappy doctor from New York, Burrows the sometimes dim good guy and Turner the knockout girl next door. Check out her super-short hair, reminiscent of a '60s Mia Farrow. Other stuff to watch for: Anthony Edwards as Maggie's boyfriend who lives in a germ-free house and Adam Arkin as the bizarre Adam. But if you can't get your hands on "Northern Exposure," it's all good, check out "Men in Trees" for a similar New-Yorker-in-the-wilds-of-Alaska fix. It's so similar to "Northern Exposure" and so endearing that you might not mind missing the original.

Favorite flicks

I LOVE THIS MOVIE: It's just so good it's almost beyond explanation. It nestles in, attaches itself and sticks with you well after it's over. Wes Anderson has such a distinctive aesthetic, his movies are always visually amazing. But this one also has a beautifully-acted story. The soundtrack is a mix of Bollywood classics and the Kinks, and, of course, who couldn't love a film with custom-made Louis Vuitton luggage?

Cry me a river

I was a junior in high school when River Phoenix died, and it felt like the coolest guy in school, the one you're afraid of and really into at the same time, was gone forever. Like there would never be anyone that out-of-this-world amazing again. Christian Slater came close, but he was like the commercial River Phoenix, and Johnny Depp came even closer, but he was way too gorgeous. And when River Phoenix was dating Martha Plimpton, they seemed like the perfect match, way too cool and different for everyone else. His movies were so good too, "Mosquito Coast," "Stand by Me" and "My Own Private Idaho" are unforgettable, and "Running on Empty" is a classic. But then he was gone, and it was all over. And it was so sad.

Geek Chic

This New Zealand duo, who had a show on HBO last summer, is rumored to be releasing their first U.S. album any day now, and we can't wait. They're like listening to your boyfriend and his friends singing ridiculous stream-of-conscious thoughts, but they're really talented and can actually sing. Their best song? "You're so beautiful." The best line from that song? "You're so beautiful you could be an air hostess from the '60s." The next best line? "You're so beautiful you could be a part-time model."

Seems like old times

OF MINISKIRTS AND MASCARA: Goldie Hawn is one of my favorite actresses ever, and it's not just because of her comedic timing. She is the poster girl for late sixties style, which was all about psychelic colors, minidresses and mascara. She was a free spirit with cropped hair, and was totally different than actresses who starred on screen just 10 years earlier. For classic Goldie Hawn check out "Cactus Flower," for which she won her Oscar, and "Shampoo," the seventies classic starring style icons Warren Beatty and Julie Christie.

Indie Magic

In 1994 independent movies were given a huge boost by Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction," but the success of independent movies really began years earlier with "Sex, Lies and Videotapes," Steven Soderbergh's masterpiece. Alison Anders was one of the successful female film directors during this stretch, and "Gas, Food and Lodging" was her most successful, and best, film. Ione Skye and Fairuza Balk play sisters in New Mexico; Skye is the adventurous wild child in search of a way out, and Balk is the shy misfit fascinated by her surroundings. The film is so true to life it's a definite must-see, and you'll hardly recognize Balk if you've seen "The Craft." Also great in the film are Balk's clothes, which look like incredible thrift-store finds. Watch for J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. in a cameo, and the gorgeous Donovan Leitch in a small supporting role.