PX This.

I almost don’t know what to say about this film— one of the most touching, heartwarming, poignant, and inspirational movies I have ever seen in my life— without sounding hackneyed and/or like the Hollywood trailer for Seabiscuit or something. But somehow, this week in New York City in particular, in which we reminisced about our nation’s greatest tragedy while we simultaneously celebrated the most superficial, self-serving, narcissistic, artificial, cloying and annoying annual event ever fabricated by a pernicious, officious, ostentatious, egomaniacal goblin of a woman, this film to me was like a much-needed shining beacon of virtue.

Do yourself a favor and watch Waste Land. And then do the whole world a favor and make your friends, co-workers, neighbors, family, siblings, loved ones, children and grandchildren, and their friends, co-workers, neighbors, family, siblings, children and grandchildren watch it too.

And hopefully we’ll all learn something pretty great.

Hello there! Aww, thanks so much for the lovely messages asking about the movie recommendations! And here I thought you just didn’t love me {sniffle}.

Speaking of love, have you ever had your heart broken? Don’t be afraid to admit it, of course you have. Well! Have you ever imagined it might have been intentional? Like, a conspiracy even? That would explain everything, right? After all, who would be stupid enough to dump you?!

There’s even a film about it! This fascinating documentary gut-wrenching real-life drama hilarious comedy will have you contemplating all your past relationships; you’ll be amazed at the blatant similarities between this movie and that time you really fell hard for that totally smoking guy that you really didn’t know that well but knew instantly he was your soulmate and you’d been destined to be together forever and you moved all your stuff into his apartment within weeks of meeting and started planning your gorgeous wedding and had all your future kids’ names picked out and then not long after couldn’t figure out why suddenly out of the blue he said he needed space and he packed all your stuff in a box and shipped it to your old roommate and defriended you on Facebook and claimed to never have received any of your voicemails or text messages or the fresh-baked cookies you left on his doorstep…

Oh! Ahem sorry, got carried away for a second there. Y’know— hypothetically speaking, I mean.

Anyhoo, watch Heartbreaker! Even if, like me, you’re some kind of anomolous freak and you simply can’t relate at all to ever having you heart broken, you will so love this movie. Fer shur. I did!

Ha ha ha, OK— you know by now I like my films "highbrow." (And you love it.) But this one I just couldn’t resist.

Maybe you don’t agree (although what you could possibly have against Steve Carrell and Tina Fey, I’ll never know), but even you have to admit we all need a little laugh every once in awhile. Lighten up, Scorsese.

Even if you’re a stalwart pedantic curmudgeon, watch this film simply for the most accurate portrayal of NYC’s FOH fabulous fine-dining scene ever captured on celluloid to date.
"We’re verrry busy… mhmmm I’ve forgotten you already." It’ll give you chills, I tell you. Who were the consultants/inspiration for that scene, Emil Varda and Kamil Parchomienko?

See if you don’t start playing "What’s the Story…" in the side station. You know you will.

Enjoy!

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers

Wow, the obstacles a person has to go overcome— just to tell the truth.

OK, comparatively, I know it’s not remotely the same level/degree of importance/urgency, but the main things I liked about PX This so much were its honesty and courage. (And, of course, that I could relate to it so well, personally.)

If you don’t yet know all the details of the world’s "preemninent whistleblower" and/or the subsequent landmark Supreme Court case that firmly solidified the rights of Free Speech over even the most powerful government on the planet, watch The Most Dangerous Man in America.

And then seriously ask yourself: why is it anyone should suffer disparagement just for being veracious and principled?

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring

Hey, feel that chill in the air? No, huh? Well, you felt it last week, didn’t you? So— you know what all that falling and rising and falling in the temperature means (aside from the impending destruction of the world due to global warming and the perpetual evil of mankind):

Autumn is here!

And to celebrate, my latest film recommendation is Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring. In this spiritually and visually breathtaking film, each season represents the stages of… oh, you get the picture.

Or maybe you don’t. But hopefully this movie will help you find out.

I’m right here, thanks for asking!

So! You really liked Old Boy, did you? Yeh, that was a good one, wasn’t it? And therefore, unfortunately, kind of hard to top. But don’t worry, I got a little something for you. It may not be as big a "mind-fuck," but it’s got mess loads of action and testosterone and whatnot. Just the way you like it!

Watch Banlieue 13 and its sequel, Banlieue 13: Ultimatum. Then feel free to send me more messages telling me how much you love my taste in movies and want to marry me.

:)

Yeah yeah, it’s Fashion Week, we know. (Believe us, we know.) Hooray for Fashion.

But, while you’re preparing to go out running around to all the parties tonight like Anna Winotur’s lemming pawn, please try to bear in mind: September is also the month of the year when the dolphin slayings begin again in Taiji, Japan. Aside from watching The Cove (a must-see!), you can also take part in the campaign to end the massive senseless slaughter of these innocent and highly intelligent creatures once and for all.

Thank you!

:)

(Sorry, didn’t mean to rain on your Burberry. Thanks again.)

Oh sure, you wanna complain about the heat. (Or your job that you hate. Or that dickhead customer last night. Or your stupid, cracked-out General Manager. Or…)

Well, have I got a better idea for you! Maybe you need a little pick-me-up. A little ray of hope. A story (or two) that will make you thankful for your blessed life again and restore your faith in the strength, resilience, and beauty of humankind. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

Do yourself a favor and watch both Rabbit-Proof Fence and The Great Match. And remind yourself how wonderful life is. (Then go out and celebrate— in a place with a really great air conditioner.)

:)

There seems to be a bit of controversy lately over our recent recommendation of La Esquina as the place at "the top of [the] list" to dine as a "hip and savvy local," should one happen to have a single night’s visit to NYC. It seems that the latest "changes" at La Esquina may not exactly be for the best (despite The NY Post’s rumination / elaboration-of-our-story over the speculative liability of "former" partner Serge Becker‘s “incorrectly reported” involvement).

Whew! That was a mouthful!

In any case, while we ponder the significance of the ongoing developments at La Esquina and the prospect of updating our suggestions, might I suggest you watch Antoine Fuqua‘s Brooklyn’s Finest. Sure, the plot may be a little tedious and slightly convoluted, but who wouldn’t want to behold La Esquina in all its fictional fabulosity? (Also, Wass Stevens is in it.)

Yeah, that’s the ticket.

On recommendation from a friend, I finally took a stab at Korean "revenge classic," Old Boy. And—

Oh boy.
What can I even possibly say? Was this the most riveting, eye-popping, "bugged out" movie I have ever seen in my life? Yes. Yes, it was.

Watch it. That is all. Thank you.

I don’t know about you, but with all the crap going on in the world today, I could really use a return to blessed innocence. To that end, my newest movie recommendation is Valentin, a boy who "believes his family has problems only he can solve."
Oh Valentin, if only you could so deftly solve the Gulf Coast oil spill, or the strife in Korea, or the violence in Jamaica, or the Israeli/Palestinian conflict…

Go ahead, do like I did— grab your favorite teddy bear and a bottle of vodka, turn off your brain cells and snuggle up to watch Valentin. It just may make you feel warm and hopeful again. At least for a minute…

Is it still Kiss Me, I’m Asian Month? Because that would be a great lead-in for my latest film recommendation. Not that I need an excuse, however, as The King of Masks is undoubtedly one of the best, most poignant movies I’ve ever seen in my life.

So, what more can I possibly say? You’ll be amazed.

Rarely has a restaurant-themed movie been as hilarious, moving and sagacious as Spain’s Fuera de Carta aka Chef’s Special. Watch it for the uproarious laughs— and to behold one of the most gorgeous commercial kitchens you’ve ever seen in your life! But, keep watching it to appreciate what happens to Xantarella, the movie’s Michelin-star-obsessed chic and sophisticated eatery, as protagonist "Maxi" strives to live happily ever after.

Brava, Fuera de Carta! As quoted from PX This – The Revised Edition: "You know your shit…" (Oh, wouldn’t it be nice if everyone did?)

So, I know it’s been a while since I recommended any movies with F&B related themes. Well, I just found one! OK, so it’s not exactly F&B "related," but the scenery contains some of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever seen. Some of the exterior scenes are stunning as well. On top of that, the story is warm, engaging, endearing and beautiful. And it’s funny, too!

What more could you possibly ask for?

Watch If You Are the One. This month, it’s this film that’s undoubtedly The One for me.

:)

You’re sagacious, contemplative and yet humorous, right? Of course you are; that’s why you appreciate PX This so much, right?!

Well, my latest Netflix recommendation will have you rolling in the aisles on your living room carpet. What better way to celebrate tolerate the farcical proficiency of our federal goverment than to roll on the floor streaming tears of frustration laughter?

Watch In the Loop. You’ll be aghast glad you did.

:)

Art vs Commerce is undoubtedly a prevalent and consistent underlying theme in PX This, the upcoming PX This Too and pxthis.com. But you already knew that, right? That’s one of the reasons you appreciate them so!

With that in mind, my next Netflix recommendation is My Kid Could Paint That. It will delight, amaze, and horrify you. What more could you want in a film?