Monday, April 29, 2013

Las Vegas......Hollywood's "booty call?"


Oh I know I'm not her.....with her Hollywood hills and Walk of Fame....but when you want something different you show up on my doorstep.....baby, that's okay.

If you spent more time with me though you'd see I'm so much more than glittering lights and a good time, but real life, nature, grit and most of all, soul.

I am larger than life and a moving backdrop
Rock and roll, romance, excitement and mystery
History and the future....

I am your Las Vegas film location.

Come on back when you need another take!


Jesse Eisenberg...."Now You See Me"


Coming soon from the joint efforts of Hollywood and Vegas...

Behind the Candelabra, Matt Damon and Michael Douglas, May 6, HBO

Now You See Me, Woody Harrelson, Morgan Freeman, Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher,
May 31.

The Hangover Part III, Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ken Jeong, Ed Helms, May 24.

Last Vegas Michael Douglas, Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline, November 1.


Las Vegas location films in development or production.....

Think Like a Man 2

Heat

The Glass Circle

Titletown (Documentary)

The Great Pretenders (Documentary)

Luck be a Lady (Documentary)




Industry note:

"Think Like a Man 2", filming May through July needs union and non union Las Vegas based actors. Centralcastinglv@gmail.com.  Email photo, contact information, availability and any other relevant data such as special skills and most recent projects.


My blog archives on the above productions....

1977 Las Vegas

Steps Away but World's apart

Fitting at Four

The Open Call
 
Behind the Candelabra...in the Mojave



All photos courtesy of Bingimages.com




Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Summertime Tips to look great at the Pool or Beach

If we all looked like my friend Renata at the pool or beach,
we'd be there every day of the summer!.....

Renata Moise, Model.....Barry Gallegos, Photographer.....Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas, NV

However, back to reality, most of us don't.....The good news is, being a resident of the West Coast for over 15 years, I have learned some things. Here are a few tips that work for me....

Sunglasses - Always wear sunglasses! It's good to have a special pair set aside that you don't use every day that always look good, unscratched and flattering. Plus, they're great for on top of your head after coming out of the water.

Audrey and Anna at Aria Pool, Las Vegas

Make-up - Waterproof mascara and some lipstick or colored gloss make a world of difference. Best to  put sunscreen on your face before leaving the house. It will soften your skin which can give it a bit of a glow.

Hair- If your hair is clean and looks great, good for you! It probably won't last in the heat, sun and water, so have a back up plan. Either wear a beach hat, (not a baseball cap, which causes guaranteed hat hair), or slick back your mane into a sleek ponytail with some light hold gel. Just because it's a ponytail doesn't mean it has to look like you just came from the gym. Or a "messy" bun, tip your head upside down, then back up, secure with ponytail holder, wrap hair around ponytail holder in a circle, stick in two bobby pins "wherever". Also, If you have shoulder length or longer hair it's easy to do your own side braid or side pony tail and leave a little bangs out to soften it up.

This hat is rollable for easy packing.

Shoes - sandals are best, flip flops, wedgies, sling backs....if you can't remember the last time you had a pedicure,  a little lotion and light toenail polish make a big difference in a pinch.

Jewelry - Minimal, but here is a trinket that looks great on all ladies....an ankle bracelet! You can get them at stores like Claire's Boutique in the mall, or the gold and silver by the inch kiosks. (The beach and pool are not the place for expensive jewelry). Most department stores also sells a nice selection.

Cover up- The beach and pool are a "no khaki zone". Swimsuit cover ups that are most flattering are summer dresses or skirts/wraps. A long wrap is best, more versatile. A simple summer dress long or short, light and breezy moves with you when you walk and feels light and airy. Shorts work too, but not as well, unless you are going to do something really athletic.

Tote bag- Have a bag with sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, always at the ready to grab easily so you look pulled together. Best if it's a light color bag, cloth, some kind of weave texture, or canvas.

Sunscreen- Yeah I know blah blah blah wear sunscreen. I am actually a firm believer in this because sunburn happens SO fast and by the time you notice it is too FAR too late! Hawaiian Tropic has some great products and if you want a little "glow" you can use their spray oil, (if you want more coverage spray it over suntan lotion). Don't go crazy though nobody likes the oily look...especially in your cleavage area....slimy cleavage....not attractive. There are also a few new sunscreen products with a little self tanner combined in them, which I have not tried, but might.

To tan or not to spray tan- Trust me, nobody cares if you are tan or not. I have seen plenty of great looking people with no tan whatsoever "rock" a swimsuit. Also, the opposite is true. There is such thing as "too" tan....if you live at the beach we understand, you're forgiven. But if it's an overdone artificial tan then you just seem insecure. If you must spray tan to get yourself to the pool for the first time of the season, then get a light spray tan and after that you won't care. After all it's about relaxing and having FUN!

Swimsuit -No matter what your shape, size or AGE, nobody has to wear a "mom suit" this summer. Plenty of swimwear designers offer options that hold, cover and flatter. Whenever I see a woman in a mom suit it makes me think she is self conscious instead of celebrating the fact that she's out there in the sun and swim. (Unless it's a modesty issue but anyone ultra modest wouldn't be in a swimsuit in public). Oh, and nobody cares about your cellulite, look close enough and you'll see, every woman has it.


These suits have shirring (every woman's best friend), that hides extra tummy and side weight without being obvious.

Main View
SwimsuitsforAll.com

Main View
SwimsuitsforAll.com



Zappos.com Suit by Calvin Klein

















Aside from the fact that this model has an almost perfect body, let's focus on the suit. This style suit is perfect for most shapes in the same way the bikini at the beginning of this story is. There's enough support on top, shirring in the middle, and medium to high cut bottoms that flatter any leg. 

With that said, please don't hide away because you don't feel "perfect".....go to the pool or beach and look around. Nobody there is flawless and if they are, you can rest assured, they probably won't be forever...;)
















Thursday, April 11, 2013

Bringing change to Mind


In the film, Silver Linings Playbook, the main character Pat, struggles with the effects of mental illness along with his new friend, Tiffany, who also has mental health issues. For Pat, as is common with this disease he does not realize how his behavior is affecting other people. The things he does make sense to him....at the time.

At what point do you tell someone they are not making sense? And why is it so hard to tell that person?....to cross that boundary and say, "you're not okay, my friend".

A real friend tells you the truth. Too often though we fear hurting someone's feelings so we let them get sicker emotionally or mentally because we are afraid or don't know what to do.

This happened to me a few years ago with a long time friend of mine. She is someone who always made sense, was logical, responsible. Then she wasn't, in a big way. It scared me. I wanted to call her husband and see what he thought but worried that was a betrayal to her. So I am ashamed to say I didn't do anything. About a year later she was taken in for psychiatric help. It should have happened sooner. At that time I promised myself I would never be silent again when it came to this issue. Especially because most conditions just get worse over time and not better, like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's Disease, for example.

When a similar situation arose with a family member not long ago I did speak up and try to help. I know that's what he would have wanted. Two family members stood by me. Unfortunately nobody else was comfortable doing so. I understand that, but I don't agree. For me, my previous mistake gave me courage. Of course things came to a head when his behavior landed him in the hospital. This is an issue in probably every family at some point or another and in society in general.

If a friend or family member had a physical problem like a wound or growing tumor we'd say something, so why is this any different? I sincerely hope if it were ever to happen to me someone would love me enough to say something to me so I could get help sooner rather than later.

The actress Glenn Close is a founder of and Chairperson of the organization, BringChange2Mind, which is working to end the stigma of mental illness, and offer resources for those who suffer, and their families.

BringChange2Mind....Website

Glenn was motivated to do this because her sister, Jessie,  suffers from bipolar disorder.

http://challengeoppression.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/glenn-and-jessie-close-mental-illness-psa.jpg
Glenn and Jessie....Bingimages.com


Most mental health professionals agree there is a shortage of resources available, but they ARE out there. The more aware and educated we all are, the better chance our friends and family who suffer have of living a quality life.

Here are several films that shed some light on the issue of mental illness and disorders:

A Beautiful Mind, (schizophrenia)

Away From Her, (Alzheimer's disease)

Rain Man, (autism)

What's Eating Gilbert Grape, (autism spectrum disorder and food addiction)

Snowcake, (autism spectrum disorder)

Grey Gardens, (agoraphobia)

As Good as it Gets, (obsessive compulsive disorder)

The Aviator, (obsessive compulsive disorder)

Silver Linings Playbook, (obsessive compulsive and bipolar disorder)

The Prince of Tides, (post traumatic stress disorder)

Born on the Fourth of July, (post traumatic stress disorder)

The Perks of being a Wallflower, (post traumatic stress disorder)

Sylvia, (bipolar disorder)

The Hours, (bipolar disorder)

A Single Man, (clinical depression)




 Change A Mind about Mental Illness....song donated by John Mayer...1:10 length




NPR.org/Glenn Close's Family on Coping with Mental Illness...2012 interview






Monday, April 1, 2013

Ten Timeless Comedies

Can't think of a movie watch? 

Thought I'd share some comedies that I'm happy to see again and again!

Some Like it Hot, 1959
Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon

 https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx35DrUgnN8UQS9cDOn-PNKkCdDvyVPG_B7qBNjZNTNKmkz7CSoHZnxCXJjoyhVJn6dKGkF90JNteBaBv60XmXxYRJS36eTrLHCpr2g5KrgSJyNb07vCGX7jnDxaouFUGPV77tVpTWpok5/s1600/some+like+it+hot+1959+4.jpg
 
Two guys, one girl, and tons of laughs. True comedic genius.


Four Weddings and a Funeral, 1994
Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell

Yes, the English do actually have a pretty good sense of humor, and the chemistry between Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell is delicious.


Annie Hall, 1977
Woody Allen, Diane Keaton

 http://filmmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/annie-hall.jpg

Neurotic and insecure "pre yuppy" New Yorkers with too much time on their hands to analyze their lives.....(a prelude to Seinfield)?
 
Young Frankenstein, 1974
Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, Teri Garr

Who knew a classic horror film could be re-made with such hilarious results?... and remember, it's "Frankensteen".


Groundhog Day, 1993
Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell

Funny and poignant, a real reminder of what we can do with a day, AND an attitude adjustment.


Dodgeball, (A True Underdog Story), 2004
Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughan

Just the mention of this brutish childhood game makes me wince. So how perfect that this movie matches the underdogs against the bullies! 


To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, 1995
Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, John Leguizamo

Three macho actors as drag queens. You have to give them credit, they play it real, giving the film depth as well as humor, (as it is a comedy). Love Stockard Channing as the small town woman who learns a valuable lesson from the girls.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Deuce Bigelow, Male Gigolo, 1999
Rob Schneider

Rob Schneider is adorable as a pathetic, but sweet excuse for a "replacement" gigolo to pay off money owed to an acquaintance he's afraid of.


Happy Gilmore, 1996
Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen

Adam Sandler's real breakout film as a comedic writer and actor. The Bob Barker bit was odd but good, and who can forget Carl Weathers as "Chubbs".

Finally, saving the best for last.......

Trading Places, 1983
Dan Akroyd, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis











"Timeless" says it all! Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyd are at their absolute best in this film, as is Jamie Lee Curtis.

 
All photos courtesy of Bingimages.com