Black Swan

About this time last last year I came across Black Swan on the internet movie database website. Obviously back then it was in production and little was known about it, but I came across it whilst searching what films my favourite actors were working on, and it appeared on Natalie Portman's profile. I confess I was desperately trying find a reason to not have to go back to working on my dissertation, so I was trawling through the message boards and found a script for Black Swan, and read the whole thing that night (yes I'm ashamed of myself because looking at film spoilers is not really my thing). But since then I was extremely excited for this film as I knew it was going to be amazing and very much talked about! Also, two of my favourite designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy, known as Rodarte, worked on the beautiful costumes for this film. Believe me they are just stunning, and fashion fans will very much appreciate this aspect of the film, especially the scenes when Swan Lake is performed ♥

Natalie plays ballet dancer Nina Sayers, who works for a prestigious New York ballet company that are putting on a production of Swan Lake. As Nina is central to the film, you can't help but want her to get the lead Swan Queen role she so desires, you want her to be the best and prove to everyone that she can play both the White Swan and the Black Swan. You sympathise with Nina and can see how passionate she is, and how hard she trains for the role. But although Nina is perfect for the innocent White Swan, her tutor does not believe that she can connect with the role of the Black Swan and seems to prefer dancer Lily (Mila Kunis) for Nina's alternate. As the film develops you start to question at what cost is Nina paying to discover her dark side to become perfect for the part? Black Swan is not easy viewing, and it definitely challenges you psychologically, but it is an extremely beautiful and enticing film. Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis have amazing on-screen chemistry, which leaves you confused throughout, are they friends or enemies? Don't be fooled by thinking that this is a film about ballet; it is a psychological thriller that is set in the beautiful and mysterious ballet world.

ooh la la!

hotel chevalier. directed by wes anderson. natalie portman. jason schwartzman.
This short film by anderson is to be played before watching The Darjeeling Limited which is an awesome film. Just wanted to share this yellow film of iconic acting from portman and her love interest Schwartzman in a parisian hotel room. This scene later inspires Schwartzman's character Jack Whitman to write about his relationship on hotel paper. Portman is incredible as usual, even in silent shots where she is just brushing her teeth. Anderson's direction is as compelling and quirky as ever- all in all it's just an intriguing, entertaining and playful piece of film making.
images: weheartit

Whilst we are on the subject... ♥

Whilst we are on the subject of the lovely Natalie Portman I might as well give a small mention to a few films we have yet to come. From it's trailer Your Highness sort of reminds me of the sarcastic sort of piss-take comedies from Mel Brooks, like Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Spaceballs, both of which I love so I hoping Your Highness will be just as good! But most importantly, it stars Natalie Portman AND Zooey Deschanel *sighs* For Natasha and I, it's like one of our ideal combinations of lovely actresses. Thor, which looks like a beautifully made action hero film which I'm sure our boyfriends will be pulling us along to see. And of course Black Swan, the reason for our Natalie-focussed posts, which we will be dragging our boyfriends to see! I don't want to say too much now as I'm sure all three will get a review once we have seen them. So for now, here are the trailers for you to enjoy ♥

NATALIE PORTMAN WEEK!

Natalie Portman is everywhere at the moment- with Black Swan released on Friday and her new film with Zooey Deschanel and James Franco Your Highness coming out in May- she's like super woman. Her new film Black Swan looks incredible- beautiful direction, decadent costumes and amazing cast with Portman, Kunis and Ryder. This will definitely be one to add to my collection of Natalie Portman films ♥


The Other Boleyn Girl is a firm favourite of mine where Natalie plays the most famous of Henry's six wives- Anne Boleyn. Portman is both fiesty and delicate in her role of the doomed second wife- it definitely keeps you anchored to the story and her struggle to survive in this dangerous kingdom. The costumes are flawless, the sets are luxurious and the cast is amazing- Scarlett Johansson plays her sister Mary and Eric Bana is Henry.


Your Highness looks hillarious, a really clever comedy that takes up the humour a notch from films like A Knight's Tale (also very funny, great cast). I've not got much more to say other than the costumes look amazing and they have the cast right up my street- Portman, Deschanel and Franco!

This short film by Francesco Carrozzini is really insightful and it's lovely to hear her stories and thoughts. I love watching informal interviews with actors it gives you a better sense of them as a person and not behind a performance. Really looking forward to seeing all the new films with Portman in! ♥

video: youtube
images: tumblr

In a Galaxy far, far away... the fashion is amazing ♥

You didn't think I would forget to mention Natalie Portman in Star Wars did you? Well the truth is I have been a massive Star Wars fan ever since I was little... I say I was a massive fan, more like I was seriously obsessed and thought that I was Princess Leia *blushes*. So you can imagine when The Phantom Menace was released and stills of Natalie in her iconic red Queen Amidala costume were all over the internet, I was just in awe. I already loved her from seeing her in Léon (yes I was allowed to watch it at a young age as my Dad was pretty cool when it came to letting me watch films he thought were artistic and from which I could learn from, even though they may have been a little violent) so seeing her in the new Star Wars trilogy was just something I was really ecstatic about! I have always been quite an escapist and I have quite an imagination so I have always been drawn to films that have amazing sets and that are in their own little worlds; I just love to be drawn into something that is so far away from daily life (please excuse the pun). I have always been fixated by amazing costumes, it's one thing that can really get my vote when it comes to a film. I hope to one day to work in the fashion industry myself, so costumes are one thing that I am constantly aware of. Which brings me to the reason for this post, which is mainly a visual one celebrating the absolutely stunning and beautiful costumes Natalie wears as her character, Padmé Amidala, throughout Star Wars I, II and III ♥

Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace

In this picture Natalie is actually on the right, and the Queen is a decoy, played by none other than Keira Knightley ♥

Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones

I think this photo was actually used as a Vogue cover ♥

I love how throughout the second film Natalie's costumes start to head more into the direction of 'Princess Leia' style; like mother like daughter ♥

Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith

*ahem* a sneaky picture of Ewan McGregor managed to make its way in here ♥

So beautiful, this costume was inspired by Millais Ophelia painting ♥