Speaking Of Gorgeous Movie Posters

I originally wrote about this movie poster last Winter just after I'd seen The Innkeepers as part of a horror movie double feature (the other half of the double feature being The Woman in Black). Isn't it fantastically gorgeous!!! I love every bit of it. Gorgeous. Clever. Perfect.

Oh My Sweet Goodness, It's October!

I'm so happy that it's October. This might be my favorite month. Or December. Or maybe April? Hmmm. It's a tough one. Anyway, I love October for all sorts of reasons. I love Autumn! Halloween. My crazy craft fair season begins this month. And I like to see it a sort of fresh start. Seasons are the best that way.

Just a reminder/update: Weekly Song Lists are going to be up every Wednesday. I may do a few on a Halloween theme, but we'll see how it goes. I've heard a lot of great new music these past couple of weeks, so I'm particularly excited about this week's list.

Supernatural is starting back up this Wednesday, October 3rd. Oh my sweet goodness!!!(That's my new favorite exclamation.) And American Horror Story will be starting up on the 17th. Aaaahhh!!! So much awesome, dramatic, spooky TV.

I've seen lots of great live music this past week, so stay tuned for my standard-overly-detailed-accounts, and photos, very soon.

And that's that for now! I leave you with this beautiful black and white film still from The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, one of my all time favorite movies, and one of the great haunted-house-love-stories ever put to the silver screen.

Photo: Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison

Until Next Week...

Fussy Gussy will be on a brief hiatus this week (and weekend, due to an unforeseen under-the-weather-ness), but I'll be back next week with a truly unforgettable Weekly Song List and lots of movie/book/TV show reviews.

And so, I leave you with this beautiful movie posted for the Judy Garland technicolor classic Meet Me In St. Louis. Great movie. Great songs. And Judy Garland is priceless.

Until Monday. Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Weekly Song List: Wednesday, August 22nd

Since I'm clearly preoccupied with my childhood  experiences of the gothic and the romantic (see my posts for the past week or so), I thought I'd dedicate this week's song list to just that. Songs that are gothic and romantic, and filled with some sort of darkness or magic. Songs that would have fit perfectly with my somewhat macabre childhood sensibilities.

1. Glass. Bat For Lashes: My favorite favorite Bat For Lashes song. From her album Two Suns. This songs makes me think of The Neverending Story. Which reminds me, I should watch that too as part of my mini movie marathon. Totally exhilarating song. It has such momentum and atmosphere.

2. 1816, The Year Without a Summer. Rasputina: This song is about the "Little Ice Age" which is apparently when Mary Shelley wrote or started to write Frankenstein. This event is also documented in the movie Rowing With the Wind (which is part of my mini movie marathon). Great song. Rasputina are one of my all time favorites. Love them.

3. The Wolf. Fever Ray: From the soundtrack for the movie Red Riding Hood. Awesome song. There's something very tribal about it. In the movie, it plays during a sort of celebration that involves darkness, dancing, and lots of fire.

4. Heavy In Your Arms. Florence + The Machine: From the Twilight Saga: Eclipse movie soundtrack. When did these soundtracks get to be so awesome!?! This is actually my favorite Florence song. Gorgeous. Love the heavy sound, and the dramatic build.

5. Love Is Blindness. Jack White: Cover of the U2 song. Featured on the 20th anniversary full album cover of Achtung Baby. I've already written about song on this very blog. I love it in so many ways. I love the loudness of it at times and the space within it. I love Jack's voice. It's also one of my favorite U2 songs.

6. When Doves Cry. Prince & The Revolution: I thought I'd include a song that I was actually listening to in the 80s. I was really into Prince when I was 8 or 9. And this song held so much mystery for me. It seemed very intense and about things that I could not relate to, but were intrigued by. I remember being in my bedroom, dancing to this song in pink leather pumps that were two sizes too big for me.

7. Jackie. Sinéad O'Connor: From her album The Lion and The Cobra. Gorgeous song about a lady waiting (for eternity) for her Jackie to return from the sea. Haunting. Beautiful. Eerie. Perfectly ghostly. Perfectly romantic.

Photo: Rasputina

The Bride, Once Bitten, Labyrinth, And More!!!

My copy of The Bride arrived today. I'm so excited to watch it. I think I may have a sort of mini movie marathon this week and watch The Bride, Rowing With the Wind, Labyrinth, and Once Bitten.

These particular movies all came out between 1985 and 1988, and they all have a certain supernatural or fantasy element. All have a definite gothic atmosphere. And with the exception of Rowing With the Wind (which I don't believe I've seen all the way through), all of these movies had a huge impact on me as a kid. These stories seemed terribly romantic, very "grown-up", and very, very dark.

It seems crazy to me to think that I may have seen The Bride when I was only 7 years old. What!?! I remember my sister (as clear as day) talking about this movie, and how it was a big deal since Sting was in it. The poster totally intrigued me and I was completely fascinated by the story. It wasn't until years later, in high school, that I read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I think it may be time to read that one again. After I finish Rebecca, that is.

Photo: promotional still from The Bride

Love This Movie Poster For The Bride

So awesome.

Bride of Frankenstein + Sting

Upon completing Monday's post about the beautiful Bride of Franksenstein Doll inspired by the 1935 movie (of the same name), I was reminded of a movie that I saw in the theater when it came out in 1985. That movie is The Bride and it stars Sting and Jennifer Beals (of Flashdance fame). 

I immediately went onto Netflix to see if it was available for streaming. Alas, no. I then went to my library's online catalog. Not there either. So I bought it! And I can't wait for it's arrival in 3-5 business days so that I watch it, along with a few of my other favorite 1980s supernatural and/or fantasy themed movies. Like Once Bitten and Labyrinth. I'm so excited!

I'd also like to note that Sting looks a bit like Michael Fassbender in this photo. His eyes are a bit further apart than Fassbender's, but there's an intensity to both men's handsomeness. And that's my two cents.

American Horror Story Begins Shooting This Week

I've just read that season two of American Horror Story begins shooting this week! I think it's safe-ish to assume a similar schedule to season one, with an October premier. 

I've also read that while the location of the story is still vaguely "East Coast", the head of the mental institution is a Bostonian. Could mean a quaint 1960s New England setting? We have our fair share of creepy old abandon mental hospitals in New England.

Have you seen Session 9? Fantastic movie. Terrifying, atmospheric. Great performances by everyone involved. The movie takes place at  the Danvers State Hospital in Danvers, MA, which was built in 1879.

Lastly, it turns out that Jessica Lange is not playing the lady in charge of the hospital, but she's also a "Bride of Christ". Yes, a nun.

Gorgeously Atmospheric Tintype On Etsy

I am in love with this gorgeously atmospheric tintype that I found on Etsy not too long ago.

I love the coloring (very similar to Jack White's new color scheme, in fact...grey-ish blues, white, more grey, black). I love the girl. She seems so stoic. And I love that you can find antique photographs on Etsy! Thank you Clancy's Classics for sharing this haunting, beautiful antique gem with us.

Perfectly Awesome Movie Poster

I love everything about this movie poster! It's so up my alley I can't even tell you. Love, love, love it.

Oh, the Horror! And the Horror Again!

I had quite an eventful Sunday, though it had absolutely nothing to do with football or the New England Patriots, and had a lot to do with horror movies.

A friend and I went to not one but two horror movies yesterday. We ventured to one neck of the woods to the extravagant, overly huge cineplex to see The Woman in Black, then ventured to a whole other neck of the woods to what I refer to as a "golden age" cinema, which was a great deal smaller than the cineplex (and with about a gazillion times the charm) to see The Innkeepers.

Both movies had strengths and things that I loved. The Woman in Black was basically perfect to me except that the story, though terribly sad and creepy, never really hooked me. I had this same feeling when I read the book years ago. In fact, the one plot point that really struck me from the book was changed in the movie.

But, as I said, other than this, the movie was really great. The grey, misty, wet atmosphere of the book was brought to the screen brilliantly. There's even a scene in the bog which is pretty sticky. I loved the way in which Eel Marsh House was envisioned. Lots of dark, richly painted walls (think deep, royal purples and blues and crimson reds). Tons of candles. The cast was fantastic. And to be honest, I kind of expected to be thinking about a certain boy wizard the whole time, and only once did he enter my mind. Daniel Radcliffe is without glasses in this role, and his bright blue eyes are very hard to miss. I thought to myself "did Harry Potter, the character from the books, have blue eyes?" And that was that. No more thoughts on the subject. I would definitely recommend The Woman in Black to anyone who loves a good ghost story set in the English countryside at or around the turn of the century. The 19th century, that is.

Ti West's The Innkeepers was entirely different than what I'd expected, though I should have had some idea having seen House of the Devil, also written and directed by West. The story is pretty straight forward. Supposedly haunted inn called the Yankee Pedlar is closing for good, and the staff has been scaled down to two: Claire and Luke. I'd say the movie is far more about these two than any ghosts, and not just because one of them in is every scene. Claire is really adorable and kind of a spazz (to use my friend's very apt description). She screams a lot, but in a comedic, Muppet-ish kind of way. Luke seems bored out his gourd and kind of grumpy, but clearly crushing on Claire. I really liked these two.

As for the horror element, it's there, though subtly. I was definitely startled a few times, seriously spooked once. On the whole, I found the movie funny and relatable, and more sad and tragic than scary.

All in all, it was a pretty intense (and fun!) Sunday. Next on the movie front: Kill List.

The Woman In Black

I went to see the movie Don't Be Afraid of the Dark yesterday, and was so, so happy to see the trailer for the upcoming movie adaptation of Susan Hill's ghost-story-thriller-novel The Woman in Black which comes out in February of next year.

I've read The Woman in Black and if memory serves, it has great atmosphere, interesting characters, and a bit of a twist in the end. The novel was written in the early 1980s, and has been adapted for both the stage, and for the small screen as a made-for-tv movie.

The trailer opens with still type shots of creepy antique dolls (excellent start). There's a wonderful (and also very creepy) child's rhyme that's recited throughout the entire trailer. I love this stuff! And Daniel Radcliffe looks quite dashing in his late-1800s-early-1900s three piece wool ensembles, and longer hair and sideburns. Very effective.

And now, some plot background: the movie stars Mr. Radcliffe as Arthur Kipps, a young solitcitor who is summoned to a small coastal English town to settle the affairs of woman who has recently passed away. He stays at her home, Eel Marsh House, which is situation on Nine Lives Causeway, an atmospheric spot that is completely cut off from the town at high tide. He experiences some strange-goings-on at the house, and spots a woman dressed in black lingering around the property. Just my cup of tea.

Speaking Of Jared Harris

As a result of my feverish Mad Men-athon this past week, I did a little research on Jared Harris, the lovely British actor who portrays my favorite Mad Men character, Lane Pryce. As it turns out, he's Richard Harris' son! This is totally blowing my mind, while simultaneously making me very, very happy.

I've always really liked Jared Harris, though I've never had a specific reason why. I just enjoy watching him in movies and TV shows, I suppose. He's a great actor, he's got that perfect strawberry-reddish hair, and he looks fantastic with a beard.

And so, when I read that he's Richard Harris' son, it somehow all made more sense, or came together in some odd way. I adore Richard Harris, and he made quite an impact on my childhood. Camelot was a staple in my house, and A Tramp Shining was my father's favorite album.

As an adult, I also quite enjoy Harris in Orca, The Killer Whale. And A Tramp Shining is now one of my favorite albums. I especially love the songs "Paper Chase" and "Dancing Girl"...and "MacArthur Park", of course.

The other interesting tidbit is about Jared Harris' mother, Elizabeth Rees-Williams. She was married to Harris through the late 60s, and then married Rex Harrison. He's another one of my childhood favorites. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is one of my all time faves, and who can forget My Fair Lady.

It's interesting, I think. And to get back to subject at hand, Jared Harris will be killing it (in a good way!) in the role of Professor Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, to be released in Decemeber of this year for the holiday season.

Vincent Price Never Looked So Good

I''ve just finished watching the movie Dragonwyck, and I simply cannot get over how handsome, charismatic, and darkly charming Vincent Price was in the starring role of Nicholas Van Ryn. He is also very tall, 6 foot 4 inches. And slender. Dressed in the gentleman's attire of the mid-1800s, Price was striking and exceedingly well cast. I've now added House of Wax and House of Usher to my library list, and can't wait to watch both!

I read the gothic novel (of the same name, by Anya Seton) a few years ago, and quite enjoyed it. I recommend both the movie and novel to anyone who loves a good gothic romance. And I further recommend the movie to anyone who is intrigued by the idea of a dapper, strangely seductive Vincent Price.

Old Firehouse Craft Fair

Come one, come all...to Rockport!!! Fussy Gussy will be selling her usual goodies at the Old Firehouse Craft Fair this Saturday, September 4th (11am-4pm). The fair is held in the center of Downtown Rockport, MA, and you can't beat Labor Day weekend by the ocean. Right!?!

I'll be selling pot-holders, hand towels, tote bags, & pocket mirrors. And my sister and niece will be selling handmade goodies as well.

We hope to see you there!!!

P.S. The photo above is of the Sweet Remembrances, one of my favorite places in Rockport. It's an old fashioned photo parlour. You dress up in old fashioned garb and have your photo taken in those gorgeous sepia tones of old fashioned photos. Let's see how many times I can use the words "old fashioned" in one very short paragraph!?! ;)

Anyway...definitely worth the trip.

Timothy Olyphant As Seth Bullock

Timothy Olyphant as Seth Bullock of Deadwood. His attire is particularly appealing to me. Love the short vests and wool pants.

Deadwood

I'm knee deep in the HBO series Deadwood, and I am loving every last minute of it. It's brash, foul, and down right filthy. I LOVE it! The series takes place in the late 1870s (one my favorite eras for fashion, style, and all around aesthetics) in the dusty camp of Deadwood. I started watching the series because of my re-occuring crush on Timothy Olyphant, but now he's just the icing on the cake. I'd say that every actor is excellent and completely assumes their role. I can't believe it's taken me this long to give it a watch I'll be sad when it's over. But I can always watch it again!

Little Dorrit

As part of my recent (and continued) hibernation, I've watched (and very much enjoyed) the new-ish BBC production of Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit. My favorite characters are pictured above: the always good, morally upstanding Arthur Clennam (love interest to Little Dorrit), and the adorable and vibrant Maggy (best friend to Little Dorrit). I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves Dickens, lush period dramas, or simply a great story full of humor, romance, and fantastic characters.