Indies & Documentaries Playing in Southern California

New York, I Love You
If you've ever seen Paris, J'Taime, then you understand the concept of taking many different love stories and combining them into one, big independent film, but this time in the heart of New York City. There's many different situations, some being of a bellboy falling for a guest at a hotel, another of a man who picks pockets and then follows an intriguing woman. There's also an elderly couple in love and a boy with his prom date. This film can be compared to Love Actually because of it's drama, humor, and soundtrack. Don't expect happily-ever-afters, but instead a film that's invigorating and encounters the different ethnic groups and personalities in The Big Apple.

Why you want to see this: Where else can you see a film packed with so many talented actors? This film is loaded with a whole lot of Shia LaBeouf, Ethan Hawke, Orlando Bloom, Christina Ricci, Natalie Portman, Rachel Bilson, Hayden Christensen, Andy Garcia, and Robin Wright Penn.

Capitalism: A Love Story
Michael Moore is knocking on the door of D.C., once again, with this documentary about Wall Street and government bails. Of course, he adds sarcasm to the mixture with the political figures he encounters and is on a hunt to find where the country's money is. He analyzes why the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer in America, yet keeps the documentary lighthearted at times, like having M.I.A. play in the trailer with the sound of shotguns firing. He continues to hold people accountable and isn't afraid of embarrassing himself or his crew for the sake of saving America.

Why you want to see this: Moore continues to hold the government accountable in this film and ignores anyone trying to stop him. The film is highly informative, influential, and raw with it's real accounts of average Americans and how they've suffered from the state of the economy. At times Moore seems to know he's annoying, but he doesn't care for the sake of getting answers.

Coco Before Chanel
With Amelie and The Da Vinci Code under her belt, Audrey Tautou is perfect for the role of Coco Chanel. The film highlights the significant parts of Chanel's childhood, lovers, and rise to fame as an extroverted, fashion icon. The film is realistic and doesn't just show glitz and glamour for the designer, but instead takes you through the difficult parts of Chanel's life, like living at an orphanage and being deserted by her father. Coco Before Chanel shows Chanel's passion for fashion, which began with designing hats, and the story of her rise to fame.

Why you want to see this: Coco Before Chanel isn't just about fashion or design, it's interesting and dynamic. It's already won three awards and has an interesting take on the history of fashion. It's a movie that doesn't need to be classified as a "chick-flick", but something most people will be able to enjoy.


Bronson
This film is based on the story of Charles Bronson, a British criminal convicted of robbing a post office, who ends up spending 30 years in solitary confinement over a sentence that was only for seven years. It's lighthearted with cinematography that isn't typical for a dramatic/comedic film like this. Known as "Britain's most violent criminal," this film is based on a true story of a man who seemed to think that everything he did was completely rational, although he admitted to being crazy. Besides being a criminal, his character is an analytical artist who seems to think he controls everyone and everything around him.

Why you want to see this: Besides being humorous and quirky, this film is also a deep thinker that has more of an underlying story than just a man who was violent and insane. The character of Charles Bronson toys with the other individuals in this film, and at times it's hard to figure out if he's toying with you, as well.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Your Legs Need a New Home

If your jeans are so worn (and not in the $300 kind of way) that you have a baggy butt and rips that look more trashy than trendy, then it's time to get a new pair of jeans. There are plenty of styles available that are great for whatever kind of shoes you feel like wearing.

Nothing is better than skinny jeans.

4 When you put on your skinny jeans there's some sassiness that comes out that you wouldn't have with other types of jeans. They look great with boots, sandals, heels (especially heels) and they dress up any type of outfit you're going for. Try wearing them with chunky belts to balance it out with your top and go to H&M or Express for the best quality.

The 70's aren't back, but wide legged jeans are.
4 Sometime last year wide legged jeans came in style, and they're here to stay. They look great for the office, for a day out shopping, or for a night out on the town. Make sure they fit well and wear them with high heels if you have a shorter figure to make your legs look longer.

Now you can say you didn't steal your boyfriend's jeans.

4 Boyfriend jeans are the latest style to hit Hollywood. Halle Berry and Jennifer Garner have been spotted wearing them with casual T's and old shoes. Leave the high heels at home and allow yourself to be comfortable. Look for ones that are more worn or are rolled up. Try not to look too homely in these by adding jewelry and wearing your hair down to add some femininity. (And say no when your boyfriend asks to borrow them.)

They're better than mom jeans--they're high-waisted jeans.

4 Although Jessica Simpson didn't rock these jeans the best, they've worked well on other celebrities. If you've been disciplined on doing your crunches and have the confidence to wear this style, then go with the high-waisted jeans. They're great with pumps and dress up any type of shirt.

Khaki is back, just not how you're used to seeing them.

4 Although jeans come in different colors, and even patterns at times, jeans in a khaki color are all the rave with men. They're great for going out on a date and wanting to look casual, but are still dressy. This color goes great with almost anything and works great with sandals or boots.

Only your jeans should be washed out.

4 Worn, torn, and adorned. Washed out jeans still look great and give off the feel that you don't care that much about what you wear. Although they're not ideal when going out at night or anything fancy, they still add texture and personality to the jeans you're wearing. They're not too over-the-top like Ed Hardy jeans, yet not boring like a pair of boot cut blue jean.

It doesn't have to be a rainy day for your jeans to be rolled up.

4 Although you can buy jeans that are pre-rolled, this is obviously simple and easy for any pair of jeans you already have. It won't work so well on baggier jeans, more like boot cut, but it adds a lot to any pair you're wearing. Try doing this on a pair that has a darker dye so the roll stands out on the jeans.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Review- Black Eyed Peas, “Meet Me Halfway” Music VideoWhen I first heard the song, “Meet Me Halfway” on KIIS FM I thought it sounded like a 90’s song that would come on in a club on a Thursday night. Don’t get me wrong, it’s catchy, but most songs already are and I don’t want to like a song just because it has a good beat—anyone can do that. I thought maybe the band was someone unknown and only semi-popular; maybe someone at KIIS FM had found it in an old folder on their computer and put it on air.

After I continued to hear the song on the radio and it began to play in my head I finally looked it up online and realized that the Black Eyed Peas sang it. I was kind of surprised considering their latest song, “I Gotta Feeling,” sounds so different and every time I hear I feel in a better mood. I like a lot of The Black Eyed Peas songs, I don’t own any of them, but I’ll sit through the popular ones and enjoy it.

I think my problem with “Meet Me Halfway” is that it has mediocre lyrics and when Will.i.am raps he sounds like he’s tired or too lazy to get all of his words out. The music video isn’t much better—Fergie lies in a garden the whole time just looking sexy as Will.i.am is on Jupiter riding an elephant. This goes on for three minutes until both Fergie and the other guy in the group, Apl.de.ap, jump into a floating cube and pyramid (don’t ask me what that’s all about) and are finally reconnected. The futuristic Romeo and Juliet story ends with the two of them becoming shooting stars across the night’s sky. Somewhere in this music video is one of the other guys in the Black Eyed Peas group and the only thing he does is act like an astronaut who tries to get close to the sun--maybe they felt bad if they left him out of the video.

It takes a lot of money to make a song, so it makes me wonder if so much money is being spent, then why are the lyrics so bland and boring? After all, Will.i.am raps, 'Cuz girl, I want you right now. I travel uptown, I travel downtown. Wanna have you around, like every single day. If even more money was spent on the music video then how did the director, Ben Mor, convince everyone that this outer space idea was so amazing? Maybe it’s because that’s what the public wants. Maybe we’re not setting our standards high enough. Maybe the Black Eyed Peas know what makes us happy and so they’re lowering their artistic abilities to make us content and to sell more records. After hearing this song and watching the video, I sure hope that’s the reason.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Five Ways to Tan in the Fall

1. Spray Tan

Although going to a tanning salon every week can get expensive, spray tanning is a great way to maintain your tan and keep yourself looking hydrated and healthy. In the summer, it's ideal to spray tan once a week, but in the fall and winter you only need to visit the salon every 10 to 12 days. It's OK, and actually preferable, to have a lighter tan after summer, so that your light tint is believable and still keeps you looking like you live in California.


Cost: $30 per visit

Apply: Every 10-12 days

Where to go: Any tanning salon.


2. Bronzers

Let's face it: make-up works. Although it's only temporary for a day, make-up is great as a great way to fake a tan and is an immediate solution. Buy a bronzer from any convenience store and apply it over your make-up. Lightly sweep it over your face, neck, chest, and arms--depending on how much skin you're bearing. Men should use this sparingly and find a bronzer that doesn't come with shimmer in it.

St. Tropez bronzing mousse is great for your face and your body--it should work perfectly if it's a warmer day and you're bearing your legs and arms. This brand is highly recommended by many make-up artists.

Milani Bronzer XL is a great powder to use mainly on your face, but will also work on your body.

Cost: St. Tropez Bronzing Mouse $30, Milani Bronzer XL $10

Apply: Once or twice a day.

Where to buy: StTropezTan.com, Target for Milani Bronzer XL

3. Tanning Lotions

Although tanning lotions aren't ideal for summer, they're a great fit for colder seasons. They come in different shades and usually build your tan up with each use. Be picky with the type you use and don't just go off of the price. The best products are L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze and Bobbi Brown's Sunless Tanning Gel--they don't leave you walking out of the house streaky and orange.

Cost: L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze $10, Bobby Brown $30

Apply: Once a week.

Where to buy: Any local drugstore.

4. Go Outside

It seems like a no-brainer, but most of us forget that if we just exercise outside or get some sun during the fall and winter, we'll get tan. It doesn't get too cold in California and for a place that is sunny on Christmas day you can avoid getting pale by going on runs outside or just laying in your backyard. Always apply SPF-15 and try getting some sun once or twice a week to see a difference in your skin color and to get your Vitamin D.

5. Tanning Beds

Although we really hate suggesting this, it will work as a last resort. If lotions, spray tans, and going outside all aren't working for you then go to a tanning bed, but try to limit how much you go. Besides tanning beds being unhealthy and terrible for your skin, they are a good way to maintain your tan. Try to not do this during the summer since you do live in "the sunshine capital of the world," but if you really must, then the tanning beds are always there for fall.

Cost: $40-$60/month

Use: Once or twice a week.

Where: Look online for local tanning salons.

Katie Cervantes 

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com