the 2013 academy awards: zab's picks

The day of the Oscars is, to me, more exciting than any other holiday (including the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which is saying a lot). I look forward to this 364 days out of the year, so I cannot explain how excited I am that TODAY is the 85th Academy Awards! This event is monumental every year because it isn't just about film, which on its own is very enjoyable. And it doesn't just define fashion (which is also extremely important!). The selection of the awards each years tells so much about the character of the people and what fascinates and impresses millions. The films that are chosen as the Best Picture, along with the actors and actresses and directors who are awarded: these films are history!! Titanic. The Sound of Music. My Fair Lady. Dozens of others! These films tell us so much about our world and ourselves. They are timeless. That is why I am so excited today. Which of the fantastic films that were created this year (and which of the people who created them) will join the ranks of these invaluable others?

Anyway. Let's get on with it. For years now I've tried my best to watch every film that has been nominated for Best Picture (along with notable others), and this year I finally succeeded. I never felt like I could make a valid judgment on which film was truly the best when I hadn't seen them all, and I was always disappointed (in myself!) when one of the films I hadn't seen received an award. But not this year! I am finally able to pick my favourites with full information. As my boyfriend and I were making our way through these (I think it was during Django Unchained), he turned to me and said, 'These are all such good movies!' And it's true. They are all SO GOOD. It's hard to put any of them down.

One more note: there is certainly a difference between the films and people that I personally think deserve their respective Oscars, and those who the Academy will most likely pick. Oh well.

Best Picture: I truly want Beasts of the Southern Wild to win this award. It would make me so happy. All of the other films nominated are unsurprising picks, churned out of the Hollywood machine with the help of millions upon millions of dollars (Amour is the exception). Though I think there are some others that are comprehensively just as good as Beasts of the Southern Wild (in acting, emotion, message, style, scope) - Argo, Lincoln, and Les Miserables are on the same level - BOTSW is phenomenal when its unique circumstances are considered. First time director. First time actors. Independently produced. Extremely low budget. This little film with a huge, huge heart has made it this far and deserves to be rewarded. The big Hollywood films are very good, but this one is just as good, if not better, and has accomplished more to get to here. A film like this deserves the Oscar.

That being said, I unfortunately have the feeling that Argo is going to win. Argo really is fantastic. It's fantastic as a thriller and as a drama, the acting is fantastic, it's vital to politics and society today... Importantly, it portrays Hollywood and actors in a very good light. So I have a good feeling that Argo will get the award. But I'm still rooting for Beasts.

About the others: Les Miserables is a tremendous epic but lacks something that the Academy looks for... I can't name it. Littleness? Individuality? A personal connection? Les Mis is so grand and well-known that I think that will hurt it in the end. Lincoln was also very good (though I won't lie, kinda boring at times) but I feel like it's not different enough for the Academy. It's a well-done but typical historical drama. Sweeping, light-and-dark, emotional stories like Sound of Music and Titanic are more the Academy's style. Zero Dark Thirty may have a chance because the Hurt Locker won (or maybe that will hurt its chances?) and it is very relevant and well done, but I feel like it still can't compare to some of the others in intimacy and emotion. And then Life of Pi, Django Unchained, Silver Linings Playbook, and Amour aren't even on the same level as those (in my opinion). All truly good films, but not on the same level.

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Hugh Jackman. If Hugh Jackman wins this award, he will be the first man to win Best Actor for a role in a musical in almost fifty years - since My Fair Lady. This needs to happen.

But Daniel Day-Lewis will probably actually win because he wins any category he's put in. It's not fair. But he's stupidly good.

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Quvenzhane Wallis all the way. Are you kidding? This six-year old (as she was when BOTSW was filmed) is better than almost all other Hollywood actors. She's the youngest female to EVER be nominated. Ever! How amazing would it be if she won too? I certainly think she deserves it. It would set a new standard.

Jessica Chastain did a really fantastic job too. There's a good chance she'll win. Jennifer Lawrence was stunning but her role really didn't stretch her as an actress that much. There were certain scenes where her acting really impressed me but not the whole time. And I'm sorry, but Emmanuelle Riva was semi-conscious for the majority of Amour.

Actor in a Supporting Role: I'm going to go with Christoph Waltz in Django Unchained. His character was amazing. He had more of a central role than Django and was so unique, intriguing, and inspiring. Jamie Foxx just acted like a badass and shot stuff.

Actress in a Supporting Role: Anne Hathaway. If you've seen Les Mis and know what I'm talking about, there is absolutely no question whatsoever. No question.

Animated Feature Film: This one's hard but I think Wreck-It Ralph. Brave was great too so I'm not sure. But I truly enjoyed Wreck-It Ralph: it surprised me in a lot of ways.

Cinematography: I'm going to say Anna Karenina just because it was so unique and has never been done before (at least as far as I've seen). But this is kind of a toss up because all of these films are so beautifully and skillfully - but differently - filmed.

Costume Design: Anna Karenina. Keira's costumes were fantastic. All the gorgeous period Russian costumes - love love love. And so well fitted to the film. Les Mis was very unique and kind of fun. The costume design for Lincoln was pretty much just black dress coats.

Directing: I really want to say Beasts of the Southern Wild again. It is beautifully directed. It has that clarity, focus, and freshness of a first-time independent director. Lincoln gets an honourable mention because it's Steven Damn Spielberg.

Documentary Feature: The Invisible War because it's the only one I saw but also incredibly moving and important to see. It makes you rethink the goodness of an institution as prestigious and esteemed as the US military. And people need to start doing that.

Documentary Short: I didn't have the chance to see any of these, so I can't judge.

Film Editing: Argo. This tremendous story, with overwhelming amounts of information from all sides, was put together so well. It kept me on the edge of my seat - literally shaking - for hours. It covers a lot of ground, a lot of people, very skillfully.

Foreign Language Film: Amour because it's the only one I saw and because it really was good. Disturbing, but good.

Makeup and Hairstyling: I'll say the Hobbit because the work that Peter Jackson has done in creating Middle Earth and its peoples is unparalleled. This is far more true for the Lord of the Rings series but the Hobbit wasn't bad.

Music (Original Score): Anna Karenina. Dario Marianelli has created a number of gorgeous scores (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice) that fit these films so well. He did a good job here too. And honestly, none of the other scores stood out to me. HOWEVER, I can't put into words how disappointed I am that Benh Zeitlin and Dan Romer's score for Beasts of the Southern Wild wasn't even nominated. It's maybe my favourite soundtrack of all time. I've lost some of my faith in the Academy forever.

Music (Original Song): 'Suddenly' was the worst song in Les Mis. I can't remember any of the others standing out except 'Skyfall', so we'll go with that. It also won in the Golden Globes, which may be a good indicator.

Production Design: This is difficult! Les Miserables or Lincoln... Les Mis was grand and beautiful but Lincoln was strikingly realistic in every way. I was amazed by the sets.

Short Film (Animated): Again, can't pass judgement. Didn't see any of these either.

Short Film (Live Action): Same here.

Sound Editing: I'm not an expert at this by any means so I'll just pick one. Skyfall.

Soung Mixing: Oh damn. What's the difference between this and sound editing? [Insert quick Google search here] I'll say Argo because I never really paid attention to this during the film...

Visual Effects: Ooh. I didn't see Prometheus but even from the trailers it looked really impressive. Life of Pi might be the winner but, though it was heralded as the next Avatar, I really didn't get that feeling. Oh wait. The tiger wasn't real. Yeah, Life of Pi might get this one.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Probably Argo because it incorporates so much.

Writing (Original Screenplay): I want to say Zero Dark Thirty (for the same reason as Argo) but there were a bunch of lines that seemed very cheesy or out of place, as if they were trying to make the characters more realistic with light-hearted or quickly-spoken lines. We're going to go with Amour instead. This story was truly very realistic and heart-wrenching.

That's it! As I already said, these films are all fantastic and it's so difficult to choose for many of these awards. We'll see what happens tomorrow night!

momma's homemade fig, coconut, and honey granola recipe

This year, my mother made this simple and delicious granola recipe as a gift for family and friends for Christmas. It can be eaten plain by the handful as a snack, with milk for cereal, or on top of yogurt or ice cream! The honey and coconut gives it perfectly balanced sweetness, but it is nicely crunchy and very nutritious. The recipe my mom uses calls for figs, cherries, apricots, and cranberries, but you can use whatever dried fruit (or nuts!) you prefer.

Ingredients:

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (you can substitute gluten-free oats as well for gluten-free granola)
2 cups sweetened (or unsweetened, if you prefer) shredded coconut
3 cups slivered almonds
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup vegetable oil (you can use 3/4 cup vegetable oil total instead of 1/2 cup coconut oil and 1/4 cup vegetable oil if you prefer, or don't have coconut oil available)
1/2 cup honey
1.5 cups small diced dried figs
1 cup diced dried cherries
1 cup small diced dried apricots
1 cup dried cranberries

Method:

Preheat oven to 425. Toss the oats, shredded coconut, and almonds together in a large bowl. Whisk together the vegetable and coconut oil and honey in a small bowl, and pour over the oat/coconut/almond mixture. Stir until all the oats, coconut, and almonds are coated, then pour onto a 1-inch sheet pan (regular old cookie tray will do). Bake for about 45 minutes, stirring or flipping the granola occasionally. It should be a nice golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool, then add figs, apricots, cherries, and cranberries. The granola doesn't need to be refrigerated but should be stored in an airtight container. Enjoy!

Note: my mother's recipe is a variation on the homemade granola from Sarah Chase's Open House Cookbook, the link to which can be found here.

afternoon tea: delicious chocolate-almond scone recipe

I frequently mourn the fact that Eli and I live in the US, where afternoon tea is not a widespread tradition. We both drink quarts of tea a day (morning, afternoon, and evening!) and have extensive collections of tea from all over the world. Scones are an essential companion to tea, but they are also delicious for breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert. This is my classic recipe for delicious, fluffy chocolate-almond scones. Eli and I (and our families and friends!) have enjoyed this treat for years.

Note: Though this recipe calls for chocolate chips and almonds, you can switch these ingredients out with all kinds of fruits, nuts, or other flavours. Fresh blueberries or dried cherries are classic alternatives, but a unique variation that I really love is chopped bartlett pears, shredded asiago cheese, and dried rosemary for savoury scones.

Ingredients (makes eight scones):

• 2 cups all-purpose flour) you can also substitute whole-wheat or gluten-free flour for a healthier alternative, though the stick of butter later on kind of defeats any attempts at healthiness...)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened (one stick)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons almond extract
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup diced almonds (optional)

Method:

Preheat oven to 400F.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut butter in with two knives (or a pastry cutter, which is much easier; just knead it in if neither of these seem to work) until only small lumps remain. Mix in chocolate chips and buttermilk. The recipe includes almond extract, which adds a lot of almond flavour and fragrance on its own, but you can also add in the optional diced almond pieces for additional almondy-ness!

Turn onto a lightly floured surface to knead. Knead as little as possible, just until everything stays together, then form into a one-inch thick circle. Cut most of the way through the circle to form eight pieces, but leave them adjoined. Cooking the scones all together like this will ensure that they retain more moisture and don't dry out, which they might if they are cooked individually.

Lightly dust the top of the circle with granulated sugar (makes a slightly crunchy and sweet crust on the scones after they've baked!) and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until they are soft golden, and you can insert a knife into the center and it comes away clean. Let them cool for a little while, but try to taste them while they're still fresh from the oven. They do store well for about a week in the refrigerator.

Enjoy!!

life tip #1 | why you need to travel

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

― Saint Augustine of Hippo

“Every dreamer knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you've never been to, perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground.”

― Judith Thurman

Travelling is an art. Since Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo, travelogues have been a window into other worlds. Tales and imagery too exotic to be true, places so unfamiliar that they seem more dreamlike than real... this is the stuff of adventure. Doesn't mean you have to buy a one-way ticket to Timbuktu to experience the same thing! Just venture a little bit out of your comfort zone to start reaping the rewards of travel. Simply uprooting yourself and testing the waters of an unfamiliar place is something very personal: every individual adapts (or doesn't adapt) differently, we all approach new places and people with our unique predispositions and expectations. To travel is to explore yourself.

The world is not as big as it seems, but it's big enough that you'll never see all of it, no matter how hard you try. This certainly doesn't mean you shouldn't bother to explore it at all! So much ignorance is the result of lack of exposure to different people, places, and ideas.

Make 2013 your year to be bold, to attempt a bit of travel, no matter how small. Go explore a new town, visit friends who live in another state (or better yet, country!). Take a road trip; get a passport. Go find yourself!

the invisible war: rape prevalent in U.S. military

More than 20 percent of active-duty servicewomen are sexually assaulted.

Since 2006, more than 95,000 service members have been sexually assaulted in the U.S. military.

More than 86% of service members do not report their assault.

Less than five percent of all sexual assaults are put forward for prosecution, and less than a third of those cases result in imprisonment.

We highly recommend watching this documentary, The Invisible War, which was released in October of this year. Directed by Kirby Dick, it shines light on the epidemic of rape within the U.S. military, letting actual victims tell their stories. The lack of concern that these women were shown after they were raped is shocking. When each and every one came forward to report the crimes, they faced "a second assault": commanding officers who either don't believe them or who refuse to do anything about the crime.

ABC News says: as terrible as the rape was, the repercussions were almost as horrendous -- women were accused of adultery (if the perpetrator happened to be married) or "conduct unbecoming an officer." They lost rank, they were accused of having "set up the men." When one of the women reported a rape -- the third that week in one particular unit -- she was asked, "You girls think this is a game; are you all in cahoots?"

Many of our closet NATO allies no longer allow commanders to determine the prosecution of sexual assault crimes, yet within the U.S. military, where rape has become so prevalent that a female soldier is now more likely to be raped by one of her fellow soldiers than killed in combat, many women are finding themselves trapped because the person in the chain of command to whom they should report the crime is either a friend of the rapist (in 33% of case) or the rapist himself (in 25% of cases).

The most horrifying account which comes to light in this film is the story of Kori Cioca, who is still dealing with a major jaw injury inflicted when her rapist hit her in the face.

In February 2011, seventeen United States veterans filed suit against the Pentagon and defense secretary Robert Gates and former secretary Donald Rumsfeld, alleging that they allowed a culture in the military where rape was unevenly reported and punished. In several of the plaintiffs' cases, the victim was forced to work with the accused rapist after reporting them for sexual assault. Unit commanders often have heavy influence over military rape cases, and less than one in five cases are prosecuted (from Wikipedia). In December 2011, the Court dismissed the survivors' lawsuit ruling that rape is an occupational hazard of military service. An appeal has been filed.

Invisible No More is a non-partisan coalition working to end sexual assault within the U.S. military and to help survivors of Military Sexual Assault heal.. You can visit their website to learn more and get involved.

Also check out some of these related news articles: "Sexual assaults in military bring shame, not action" in USA Today and "Sexual Violence and the Military" in the NY Times.

raven + lily: empowering women worldwide

I just discovered a jewelry and accessories company called Raven + Lily, which sells some very beautiful, interesting pieces. The more interesting part of this company is how they operate: they employ marginalized women, providing them with sustainable economic opportunities, and their proceeds also fund healthcare and literacy programs for women and children in this community.

A lot of their jewelry is made in Ethiopia from melted bullet casings and recycled metals such as copper and brass. The women who handmake these pieces are HIV-positive women, a very marginalized group in Ethiopia. Due to its unique nature, much of the jewelry will antique over time.

Definitely check out their blog, which details their travels to the localities in which they've established all of these fantastic cooperatives.

They have clothing items as well - scarves and t-shirts. They also have accessories likes bags and journals. Their Uzma Travel Journals are handmade 100% recycled cotton paper and textiles by marginalized women in Northern India. Proceeds from this collection go to fund literacy programs for the women artisans and children in the community. They're absolutely beautiful, I've already nabbed a couple for Christmas gifts. I love fair trade shopping, and I love knowing that there's a story behind an item. Empowering women in poorer nations is a cause that remains particularly close to my heart. I truly believe that greater equality for women will mean a more peaceful planet; in fact, I recently wrote a paper for a class I'm taking (Cross-Cultural Psychology) in which I found a number of studies that illustrate how societies with strictly-enforced gender roles and sexism tend to have higher levels of male aggression and are more likely to dissolve into war.

Currently, the three regions in which R+L operates are northern India, Ethiopia, and Cambodia. They're a member of another organization I've never heard of, the Ethical Fashion Forum’s 500 Fellows around the globe, which is apparently "an exclusive group of 500 of the world’s foremost innovators and leaders in the fashion sector."

“by nord” designs: gorgeous scandinavian aesthetic

I am in love with By Nord.  The Copenhagen-based company was founded in 2008, and has truly mastered the beautiful, natural simplicity of the Scandinavian aesthetic.  Embracing light and nature elements like wood, water, cotton, pottery, and plants, By Nord’s products encompass the idea of creating a home which embraces the outside world, even invites the elements of the surrounding environment in.  Everything is made organically, with no dangerous added chemicals or artificial materials.

Probably their most popular product at the moment, By Nord’s gorgeous duvet covers each showcase a striking greyscale photograph of a northern-dwelling animal, and each is paired with a pillowcase (sold separately) that reads like an Arctic wildlife guide.

Wouldn’t you know it, the company also makes tea!  I was unable to find descriptions of what’s actually in each blend, but the titles are thrilling: Deep Forest, White Energy, Morning Breeze…  I’m also in love with their throws, all of which are chunky and think-knit.  The colors are soft browns and blues, and the fabrics are wool or cotton.

By Nord incorporates nature photography into nearly all its bedding designs.  They have a huge assortment of pillowcases which evoke a rainy-day scene of the rugged Scandinavian terrain or of the equally rugged animals which dwell there, from reindeer to Icelandic ponies.

You have to check out their catalog to see some of the gorgeous photos, as well as their full collection of household items.  If you fall in love with the Scandinavian aesthetic as I have, I also recommend checking out the French store Boutique Scandinave, as well as the Stockholm Design Lab.

“doom and gloom” by the rolling stones

I love the Rolling Stones, and true love lasts a lifetime… so I am so happy that they’ve finally released a song since the 70s that I like. Though it certainly can’t compare to their original material, it’s pretty damn catchy.

The music video (which, unfortunately, you need to be 18 to see because there’s about a half second of bare breasts… yay America…) has also renewed my trust in the Stones as troublemakers. It’s dirty and disgusting and sexy and I keep coming back for more. Noomi Rapace, the original ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,’ stars as some kind of alter-ego for Mick Jagger, and you get to see her in all kinds of disarray. Bloodied and flicking off the camera, lingerie-clad and dousing herself (and a room full of hundred-dollar bills) with gasoline, dancing in stilettos in the rain… her unusual and haunting beauty is perfect for this video. Must-see for lovers and non-lovers (though I’m not sure that they exist) of the Stones.

beasts of the southern wild: why you MUST buy this film tomorrow

Or rent. Or buy the soundtrack. Or watch illegally online. Whatever your preferred method, get your hands on this film in some way!

'Beasts of the Southern Wild' has been hailed as one of the year's best films, 'miraculous', 'strikingly beautiful and haunting', and 'startlingly original.' It's quite a bit different (and better!) than your typical post-apocalyptic film; it also, with its simplicity and scope, puts most Hollywood-produced films to shame.

The story begins with a little girl, Hushpuppy, living with her half-drunk and dying father in an abandoned, water-soaked dump called the Bathtub. This takes place in the tangible future, when sea levels have risen and water covers most of the southern United States. The few inhabitants of the Bathtub survive off scraps but live intimately with the land, refusing to leave it though they are constantly in danger of waking up one day and finding themselves underwater. As the ice caps continue to melt, ancient frozen monsters called 'aurochs' are waking up and moving towards the Bathtub. Little Hushpuppy tries desperately to make the world right as her father's health worsens and the universe falls apart around her. (Watch the trailer here.)

This film is proof that low-budget independent films can be far better than those churned out of the Hollywood machine. The 6-year old star, Quvenzhane Wallis, has been called a 'force of nature' and 100% carries the film. This young actress, in her first ever acting job, is absolutely superior to the majority of Hollywood actors out there. Her raw talent and reflective narration, through the wisdom of a child, will touch your mind and soul. Dwight Henry, who plays Wallis' father, is also a first-time actor (he's actually a New Orleans cafe owner) and is outstanding. This is director Benh Zeitlin's first feature film. And yet, with all these firsts, 'Beasts' is hands-down one of the best and most moving films I've ever seen. There are so many ways that it breaks apart and pieces back together your heart, but the most striking for me was the film's transformation of humanity's relationship with nature into the simplified and breathtaking interaction of little Hushpuppy and the aurochs. It is stunning, humbling, and inspiring. Despite all the forces that toss our little, fragile human bodies around in this great, powerful world, we are still so strong and unique and irreplaceable. In the words of Hushpuppy, 'I see that I'm a little piece of a big, big universe and that makes things right.'

As you can probably tell, I could go on forever... but I have just a couple more points. This film is (in my interpretation) one of the best and most moving allegories for global climate change that I've ever seen. That's my opinion, and you can interpret the movie as you see fit. But I saw a humbling and inspiring metaphor for human causes of environmental disaster, the need for people to realize that they are a part of the environment too, and the promise of harmony between man and nature. Last point: as I mentioned above, the soundtrack is worth your investment too. One of the best ever. Listen to 'Once There Was a Hushpuppy' and you'll be heartbroken or inspired (or both) before you even see the film.

'Beasts' is going to be available on DVD and Blu-Ray tomorrow, December 4, on iTunes, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and the like. MUST SEE!!!