Rachelle Nones

Shooting Women

admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:37:00 +0000

Award-winning Director of Photography Joan Hutton says that when she was starting out in the film industry she received absolutely no help from anyone. Even after she’d built up a substantial résumé of work experience and won prestigious awards she continued to experience discrimination. A directing position that she’d interviewed for was once given to a lesser-experienced young male who’d only been out of film school for three years. But her theory on why she’d been passed over is not tinged with one ounce of bitterness: “You know, sometimes guys are happier working with guys.”

In-your-face hostility and physical harassment are other pitfalls that an earlier generation of female directors had to endure while carving out a path for future generations of women. American cinematographer Stanley Cortez once blocked the entrance of the prestigious American Society of Cinematographers building when a female cinematographer tried to enter. Angrily, he warned: “You don’t belong here!”

Kirsten Glover, who started out as a camera assistant on the Arnold Schwarzenegger documentary Pumping Iron recalls all of the “not funny” sexual harassment she tolerated on the set. She says that sexual harassment was not a major issue at that time even though the continual harassment greatly upset her and interfered with her work.

For women of color in the film industry there was always the dual gender/racial bias to deal with. Yet Black women filmmaking veterans such as Jessie Maple Patton never allowed gender or racial bias to stop them. They simply worked harder. Patton said that both the television stations and the union offered up plenty of excuses to avoid hiring her and when she was hired she knew: “They were gonna test me.”

For many of the women featured in the documentary Shooting Women, opportunities for career advancement was offered by enlightened male producers or pioneering organizations, such as Behind the Lens. The film business is a personal one, and securing important contacts through networking and organizational affiliation can open doors that had previously been closed. It’s interesting to note that many of the women film directors featured in this documentary are married to very emotionally supportive men. It leaves one wondering what may have happened to the women who had not received spousal support while pursuing film careers.

If I were raising a daughter, I’d want her to be as fearless and passionate about her career choice as are the women in this documentary.

Written by: Rachelle Nones, July 23rd 2009

Haley’s Hints Green Edition

admin — Sun, 17 May 2009 10:44:00 +0000

By Graham Haley, Rosemary Haley

New American Library

Green is the new black. Today, it’s fashionable to be environmentally conscious, yet many of the eco-conscious tips and remedies in Haley’s Hints Green Edition are household remedies and grocery solutions that a hardworking and wise grandmother would have meted out 'back in the day'. The collection of 1,000 tips in this well-organized collection likely contains a few classic tips that you’re now using, or have used in the past, and will jolt your memory about tips that you’ve long since forgotten.

Remember how that kid in your elementary school chemistry class added vinegar to baking soda to make his clay volcano erupt? In addition to making volcanoes erupt, white vinegar reigns as a top natural household disinfectant and cleaning agent. According to Graham and Rosemary, white vinegar can remove stubborn tub rings, brighten your white wash, clean fruits and vegetables, and remove newly dried paint from glass.

What’s best about this book is that the tips utilize household staples that most consumers are likely to have in their cupboard or refrigerator. A great number involve the following items: lemons, baking soda, white vinegar, cooking oil, cornstarch, olive oil, and salt. It’s comforting to know that the ingredients that I’ve just cited are a lot safer than the expensive and dangerous chemical cleaners that are being sold on store shelves. As Graham points out: “I don’t believe in cleaning a toilet with bleach. If you forget and use a cleaner that has ammonia in it, as soon as the ammonia mixes with any bleach residue, you could get very toxic fumes.”

Best of all, it’s nice to know that the natural products work just as effectively as commercial cleaning products. There’s no sense in spending money on a bottle of a commercial brand chemical-laden furniture polish when the book’s olive oil and lemon recipe works just as well. Plus, spraying fewer chemicals in the air is so much better for the health of our planet.

Haley’s Hints Green Edition is a great reference book to keep on hand. Use these tips to save money and save the planet at the same time.

Written by: Rachelle Nones, May 17th 2009

Better Off Alone

admin — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:07:00 +0000

By Daydream on Autopilot

Fans like to write goofy stuff like “I love your music!! It’s EPIC. It makes me smiley!!!” on Daydream on Autopilot’s MySpace page, and it’s not hard to understand why. Often compared to No Doubt and The Cranberries, Daydream on Autopilot is a likeable band with a lively rock alt vibe. Their statuesque red-haired lead singer Emii has nicely honed vocal skills and a flashy hippie chick rock star appearance that likely draws a lot of attention from alt rock fans.

The title track “Better Off Alone” is catchy, energetic, and accessible and it’s the most memorable track on what is essentially a commercially-promising album. If you’re looking for weird, cryptic, edgy, drug-induced, visionary, or unusually poetic lyrics you won’t find them here. Emii wrote most of the lyrics on this album, which probably explains why they fit her personal style and voice so well.

With only five short sweet tracks, Better Off Alone is well worth a listen if you aren’t seeking to wade into lyrically deep waters and are looking for pure entertainment. Entertain is what this band does best and their lyrics and music are well suited to memorable live performances.

It’s also worth noting that Daydream on Autopilot is committed to promoting a strong anti-drug message and they have all been involved at events promoting positive lifestyle habits for teens. One of the organizations that they are involved with is Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). They encourage your to email them for more information about their anti-substance abuse involvement.

Healthy, wholesome, good looking, and possessing a serious commercial sensibility and an energetic aura, Daydream on Autopilot could give the Jonas Brothers a run for the money.

Written by: Rachelle Nones, March 14th 2009

From the Heart

admin — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:21:00 +0000

By Miles Davis

Legacy Recordings

If you are a hardcore Miles Davis fan, you won’t get much satisfaction from this 12-track nostalgic tribute to Davis classics like “Round Midnight” and “Blue In Green.” Groundbreaking Kind of Blue is Davis’s milestone killer album and From the Heart pales in comparison.

It’s likely that each song in this album was chosen as part of a slick marketing scheme to create a compilation of Davis’ most accessible and romantic jazz classics. While it is clearly Miles Davis 101, From the Heart is also a reminder that Davis is the master of elegant understated post-bop smooth improvisation. Davis’ jazz is large because of his disciplined restraint and attention to small details, such as the gentle silences between blasts of pure crystal-clear trumpet notes tiptoeing gently into the air, exemplifying the credo that less is definitely more.

The bulk of the songs on From the Heart hail from Davis’ early collection of '50s and '60s classics, such as Gershwin’s “I Loves You Porgy” and “Bess, You Is my Woman Now.” As the album draws to a close, the listener is treated to Miles' super-smooth version of funky Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” followed by the inevitable standard “My Funny Valentine”.

Davis’ interpretation of Lauper’s contemporary hit is a delightful jazz gift from Miles and my personal favorite of the selections featured here. _ From the Heart_ is a tribute to Davis’ pre-acoustic jazz mastery and is a smooth, cool, terrific, and reasonably priced introduction to the work of Miles Davis.

Written by: Rachelle Nones, March 8th 2009

Pearl Earrings with Mother of Pearl Accent

admin — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:22:00 +0000

By Designs by K

One of the best fashion tips that I’ve ever received is: "Don’t waste money on real pearls. They are easily destroyed by perfume and makeup and the average person can’t tell the difference between fakes and the real thing." That’s one of the reasons that I selected a pair of inexpensive, handmade pearl drop earrings crafted by Designs by K. I was yearning for a classic pearl look, and the price was right.

When you think of handmade, you may think, "Expensive!" Although the handmade pearl earrings looked great on the website, I cynically figured that I’d probably receive some cheesy looking pearl earrings that would make a Target special look like Saks Fifth Avenue. After all, what could I realistically expect from a pair of earrings that cost less than an average visit to the neighborhood Starbucks? Well, I was wrong! It really is possible to purchase adorable handmade jewelry without breaking the bank.

When I received my order, I was delighted to find a handsigned (!) thank you note from the designer along with the lovely (not cheap looking) pearls. Of course, the oversized white pearls aren’t real—but who is going to know? The $6.99 earrings are not too large or too small; they add a dash of stylish elegance to casual blouses and are an ideal accent for a basic black dress. They work as well with a funky blouse as they do with more mature fashions, and their classic design will never go out of style.

K—also known as Kristin—offers a gorgeous two-strand matching pearl bracelet for $19.99 as well, which means that if you buy the earrings and bracelet together you’ll get lots of stylish mileage for less than $30. Designs by K convinced me that it really is possible to buy affordable handmade and stylish jewelry that won’t fall apart after one wearing.

Written by: Rachelle Nones, January 1st 2009

Kasia Perfume Oil

admin — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:12:00 +0000

By VMagique

Vanilla-infused Kasia is musky, warm, sweet, and sensual. What’s not to like? It’s the perfect understated scent to wear with jeans or to dab on a drop or two before leaving for work. You’ll smell spiffy for a few hours, and it won’t send people fleeing from the elevator like the heavier, “old lady” perfumes.

Vanilla scents are highly popular and when you take a whiff of Kasia it’s likely that you’ll think, “I’ve smelled this scent somewhere before.” Wearing it won’t make you smell unique and special, but it’s a nice and elegant scent for daily use. It’s also a bit pricy. $54 for a .50 oz bottle is steep when you consider that there are less expensive versions of musky vanilla fragrances at brick and mortar stores and online venues like Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. But if you’re flush with a few extra dollars, and you adore vanilla-based musky scents, go for it! Wear it to Starbucks and you’ll smell great while you’re sipping your latte.

Written by: Rachelle Nones, April 26th 2008

The Last King of Scotland (DVD Special Features)

admin — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 23:56:00 +0000

Directed by Kevin Macdonald

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Viewing The Last King of Scotland's Special Features section is a lot like stopping off for dessert at a fast-food restaurant after dining on a sumptuous five-course meal. In striking comparison to the feature film’s nail-biting tension and riveting drama is “Seven Deleted Scenes,” a special feature that is about as exciting as a bowl of boiled rice, and a nonessential theatrical trailer that should be fast forwarded. On the positive side, "Casting Session--The Last King of Scotland" is worth viewing if a behind-the-scenes peek at pre-production casting dilemmas is of interest. Fans of Forest Whitaker (and who isn’t?) will appreciate the "Forest Whitaker: Idi Amin Featurette," which highlights the artistic challenges presented by Whitaker’s demanding leading role. In it, the actor discusses the methodology behind his brilliant, Oscar-winning performance.

"Capturing Idi Amin" is a first-rate source of information for viewers desiring a crash course on Amin’s life and Ugandan politics. The mini-documentary features insightful interviews with key people in Amin’s life, interspersed with authentic film footage of Amin. Viewers can compare and contrast this nonfiction depiction of events and supporting characters with Director Kevin MacDonald’s cinematic interpretation of Giles Foden’s fictional thriller, on which The Last King of Scotland’s screenplay is based. Foden’s altered reality is mesmerizing, but reality is darned interesting too.

Written by: Rachelle Nones, June 29th 2007

Roar Softly and Carry a Great Lipstick: 28 Women Writers on Life, Sex and Survival

admin — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 14:30:00 +0000

By Autumn Stephens

Inner Ocean Press

Roar Softly and Carry a Great Lipstick is what you get when you ask twenty-eight opinionated women to share their personal stories; there’s not a wishy-washy essay in the bunch. Overcoming life’s hurdles is a major theme in this collection of personal essays, and two particular standouts are: Peggy Hong’s sensitive portrayal of the final days of her mother’s life, and Meredith Maran’s “the road not taken” reflection on choosing a walking-over-fire Bohemian life, instead of settling for a less politically-active and more financially prosperous existence.

Hong’s spiritually-vibrant “Walking the Labyrinth with Mother in Memoriam” is a heartfelt meditation on family rituals, and must-read lesson on how to depart from this life with grace and dignity, while Maran’s “To Be (Too) Real: The Unexpected Consequences of Living an Authentic Life” intelligently examines the long-term consequences of her economic and political choices. With a touch of humor, and a grown-up and age-ripened perspective, Maran drives home the point that it is one’s attitude and not the color of the proverbial grass itself that determines if one covets the grass on the other side of the fence or gives thanks for the grass beneath one’s feet.

As much as I loved most of the stories, there were a few that provoked my ire. My inner flower child cringed when Anne Bart destroyed a patch of rhododendrons for the sake of commerce, and I was irked when Ayun Halliday snidely referred to the “gorgeous and privileged” celebrities featured on women’s magazine covers as “cover-creatures.” Creatures? Don’t hate them because they are beautiful, Ayun. In spite of Halliday’s grumpy dismissal of magazines featuring people, places, and things that are fashionable and frivolous, I hold fast to the notion that Time magazine and Marie Claire both hold a legitimate place in the magazine universe.

The twenty-eight writers in Roar Softly roar loud and clear. Their stories will provoke, amuse, and inspire reflection on similar issues in your own life.

Written by: Rachelle Nones, February 4th 2007

Real Punks Don’t Wear Black

admin — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:29:00 +0000

By Frank Kogan

University of Georgia Press

In Real Punks Don’t Wear Black, Frank Kogan, noted rock critic and publisher of popular fanzine Why Music Sucks, dishes up heaping platefuls of malcontent, angst, sniping critical analysis, and anti-intellectual rants in a dizzying mishmash of essays, lists, reviews, and salvos focusing on an eclectic menu of singers and bands. Kogan loves to ask "Why?" while pondering the intricate mysteries of the music universe: "Why is music what it is? Why did it suck at times, particularly in the 80s, and succeed at other times? Why do punks destroy themselves?" Throughout the book, Kogan, whose favorite music is "basically Stones through Stooges and Dolls, or Sex Pistols too" dedicates pages of painstaking critical analysis to the societal role of the critic. He places music critics on the same elevated pedestal as rock stars, claiming: "Rock critics do the same thing that an Elvis or Jagger or Eminem does: They put themselves at issue, their personalities, their social stances, and in so doing force the reader into an attitude towards them." Kogan’s essays never fail to shock, amaze, or question, and his critical reviews are probing and often surprising. Teenybopper icon, Mariah Carey, appears to have either messed with Kogan’s mind or tickled his libido. In a bring-on-the-insulin critical review, a smitten Kogan sweetly describes Carey as: "A sexy waif, sitting in the corner." In another Carey critique, written for the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Kogan wrote: "Most people I know hate her. Her show-biz garishness irritates them. Too bad. They’re missing the excitement." Diehard music fans will either love or loathe Kogan’s spin on artists ranging from the Rolling Stones to DMX, and culture vultures will feast on his in-the-trenches pop culture reminiscences. Why don’t real punks wear black? It’s all inside. Read the book.

Written by: Rachelle Nones, December 29th 2006