Andrew Garfield + Lily Cole + Lady Gaga

I LOVE this photo to pieces! It's just perfect. I found it this evening while searching for photos of Karen Elson, and instead I came across one of the UK's other redheaded beauties, Lily Cole. And yes that's Lady Gaga on the table, along with Andrew Garfield. He's one of my faves. The photo belongs to a series of photos based on the fairytale Hansel and Gretel, for Vogue magazine.

This photo was styled by Grace Coddington (the creative director of Vogue) and photographed by Annie Leibovitz.

The Social Network

Let me start by saying that I am not on Facebook. I know that this puts me in the minority, and I'm okay with that.

For months now, I've been awaiting the opening of the movie The Social Network. Despite my not actually being on Facebook, I found the subject matter very interesting. Entrepreneurs. Harvard. Hackers. A story of our time, and so on. I also heard a couple of interviews on NPR before the movie was released, and these sealed the deal.

The movie stars Jesse Eisenberg as the co-founder and now CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, Andrew Garfield as his business partner and best friend, Eduardo Saverin, and Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker, the charismatic founder of Napster and all around influential guy. I also have to mention Armie Hammer, who plays the very tall, sparkly eyed Winklevoss twins.

How can I accurately express my love for this movie? Not only was it completely entertaining, smart, very funny, and well written, but it also looked fantastic, the music was awesome, and every actor did an incredible job. What more can I say? Best movie of 2010 (thus far)? For me, a definite yes.

Check out the equally compelling trailer for The Social Network that features a beautiful choral version of the Radiohead song "Creep".

Never Let Me Go

I saw the movie Never Let Me Go yesterday afternoon, and I loved it. BUT, it disturbed me, and had me in tears for a good while both during the movie and afterward. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Kazuo Ishiguro. I've not read the novel, and so I went into this movie with very few expectations. I suspect that this might be the ideal way to see it.

The story follows three students at an isolated boarding school in the UK, from middle school through their late 20s. The story is broken up into three parts: 1978, 1984, and 1994 (if I remember correctly?) Without revealing too much, I'll say that the story is very dark. Perhaps even sinister. Sad. Tugs at your heart strings. It is also sweet, romantic, and oddly cozy.

Carey Mulligan (who until now I honestly didn't care for), was fantastic as the female lead and narrator of the story. Andrew Garfield (the reason I wanted to see the movie in the first place), was also great. I just love him. Keira Knightly plays the (sort of) villain of the story and she's well cast. I have to make special note, though, of the child actors who are on the screen for the first 40 or so minutes. They were unreal. So, so good. And the casting director really looked for kids who resembled their adult counterparts. It was remarkable. Especially in the case of Kathy, Carey Mulligan's character.

I would definitely recommend this movie, but it's not for everyone. What movie ever is??? This one, though, in particular could either move you or leave you cold. For me, it will stay with me for a long while. I'm over the initial upset, but it gives me chills as I write.