Tim Roth as Doctor Lightman, scrutinizing YOUR face for signs of lying. In the series Lie To Me, which I’ve been obsessively watching through Netflix, the Lightman Group works on solving murders, mysteries, and crimes through study and detection of lying through body language and facial ticks, expressions, and involuntary movement while asking personal questions, videotaping reactions and studying everyone VERY closely. I like the premise of this show a lot.

The funny thing about watching this show is that it makes you over-aware of others’ expressions, paranoid about what they actually mean, and self-conscious of your own movements and expressions. If you can forget about that, the show is wonderful and enjoyable.

This summer I have been revisiting Siouxie Sioux A LOT. Far from a new artist, Siouxie exploded onto the scene in the late 70’s and took over! Her interesting, comprehensive and passionate songwriting combined with fantastic personal style and stage presence led to her becoming one of the most iconic singers of the last few decades.

Pictured above with Robert Smith, from The Cure, Siouxie of Siouxie and the Banshees (and later, of The Creatures) translates seamlessly into modern culture.

A million little gothic gals were inspired by Siouxie’s personal style, myself being one of them, when I was in high school. I had her single for “Kiss Them For Me”, with a little-known B-side “Return”, as a second track. I played it until it started skipping. For more popular Siouxie tracks, turn to Twice Upon a Time: The Singles. Fantastic.

Above, with fellow Banshees.

Peter and Vandy, starring Jason Ritter and Jess Weixler takes a look at some of the darker elements and more realistic scenarios of certain relationships. Shot out of chronological order, the good and not-so-good times are portrayed in a real way. Fights develop over mundane tasks, things most films leave out, like deciding on dinner and taking professional limitations out on a loved one.

I found this film to be really moving and hopeful, without being cheesy. Super rare for a romance anymore, it was rated as one of Portland’s favorites on Netflix!

Adorable, hand picked vintage refrigerators, umbrella stands, locally designed cards and jewelry, glasses, dishes, trays, wall hangings and other fabulous finds fill the place. But, the most exciting of all is the cupcake bar in the back! Filled with an array of daily delectable cupcakes, you may choose your size and flavor!! YAY!! Adorable and delicious in every way. For more of a virtual experience, take the tour.

While I’ll admit I was dazzled by the proportion play and visual techniques employed by Tim Burton for the new Alice In Wonderland, the script was flimsy and the liberties taken with the storyline were baffling. When I first saw the stills and stars selected, [above, Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, below, Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, and further down, Anne Hathaway as the White Queen] I was excited but cautious, after the slaughter of  the Willy Wonka remake. I was right to be skeptical.

Tim Burton used to have the magic! When Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands came out, they were wondrous and beautiful, creative and pulled emotion from the viewer. Now it seems like Tim is resting on his CGI laurels, overwhelmed with the visual budget he’s set and terrible at plotlines and interesting character development. The dance at the end embarrassed me thoroughly. I think it was a sad attempt to translate to ‘kids today’, which fell flat and messed with my respect for Johnny Depp a smidge.

As if that weren’t enough, they constantly demean one another’s fledgling careers and future dreams. It’s wonderful!

Saving the prom queen!

This movie is beautiful. Starring Michelle Williams as a dedicated wife, mother and surgeon, and Gael García Bernal as a businessman who goes on a business trip to Thailand that changes his perspective. Mammoth explores the ideas of ideas, love, capabilities and needs of others versus the idea of what others need. Gloria, the couple’s beloved nanny for their daughter Isabel,  is struggling with missing her family in the Philippines. Gloria’s sons miss her so much they go to desperate measures to try to get her home.

Gloria teaching Isabel Talagog.

I have also heard that the live performance is incredible.  I hope to see them someday.

Much to my boyfriend’s chagrin, I took the afternoon off, bought a new bra, went out for an espresso martini and went out with some ladies and my best gays to see Sex and the City 2.

Either I’m losing my mind or it’s actually amazing (my man would claim the former, I’m sticking to the latter!) At a whopping 2.5 hours, it’s longer than one would expect, and definitely cheesy with the buzzwords as-per-usual, but overall pretty entertaining and opulently beautiful environmentally.

The movie did a style-rewind of the ladies in the 80’s, and the funny thing is that this is exactly how Sarah Jessica Parker looked!

A show-stopping moment starring Liza Minelli at a gay wedding! Fantastic and terrifying all at once.

Step into the Bye and Bye off NE Alberta and 11th, and you’ll find an eclectic mix of people, delicious drinks and a fantastic vegan menu. The ‘meat’ dishes are so delicious you don’t know they aren’t meat! I have insane cravings for the meatless spaghetti and meatballs that are so satisfying!

The aforementioned spaghetti of my dreams!