Monday, March 05, 2007

Eye Candy

(NOTE: Inspired by the Oscars, I've decided that, once a week, I'm going to try to share a movie that has made a significant impact on me. If nothing else, this will expose you to some of my idiosyncrasies.)

No Laws. No Limits.
One Rule. Never Fall In Love.






I think I first heard of the term "eye candy" from my friend Dan. He's a commercial producer/creative director with incredible taste and a great eye for all that's trendy. Dan and I worked together for about ten years, and regularly traveled together on business. When out-of-town and our work day was done, there were several things we would often do: eat at hip restaurants, shop in tony boutiques (me for ties, Dan for shoes), go see movies, hang out in music stores and look at eye candy. To Dan, no matter where we were, there was a lot eye candy at which to look: beautiful people, beautiful scenery and beautiful things. Usually everyday late in the afternoon, you'd start hearing Dan say, "Let's finish up here so we can go find some eye candy."

Some movies you watch, others you experience.

In 2001, Moulin Rouge! became my classic eye candy movie. I told Dan that I thought it was a "visual orgy." The elaborate scenery and costumes. The colorful characters. The motion. The music. The sexual energy. I couldn't, and still can't, get enough of this movie.

Because of Moulin Rouge! I became a big fan of 19th century Paris and the Moulin Rouge; courtesans and absinthe; Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman; and of course everything Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin.

Nominated for Best Picture of the Year in 2001, Moulin Rouge! lost the Oscar to A Beautiful Mind, another gripping story, but definitely not eye candy. However, Moulin Rouge! did win Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. Recognition that I believe it more than earned.

(I could go on forever about the music in this movie, too! One Day I'll Fly Away, Elephant Love Medley, Come What May and El Tango De Roxanne are favorites.)

Favorite quotes from Moulin Rouge!:

Toulouse-Lautrec: The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.

Christian: I prefer to do it standing. You don't have to stand, I mean. It's sometimes that... It's quite long and I'd like you to be comfortable. It's quite modern what I do and it may feel a little strange at first, but I think, if you're open, then you might enjoy it.

Satine: You're going to be bad for business. I can tell.


This is one of the movies that I consider better than sex.
. . .

11 comments:

Preeti Shenoy said...

Have seen beautiful mind.(LOVED it)Haven't seen Moulin rouge but had heard of it.Maybe will watch after the kids sleep.
Tried to get Babe.The video store had only the second part.Intend getting that one too.

Anthony said...

Reading you post reminded me why I loved the movie. A complete aural and visual journey that leaves you breathless.

My adventures said...

It's one of my faves too...

CondoBlogger said...

Too funny you'd have a Moulin Rouge post today... just this morning I was in the car singing (the Ewan McGregor part of) Come What May at the top of my lungs. Best iTunes purchase I ever made.

altmike said...

I can't stand when people try to equate "Chicago" and even "Dreamgirls" with "Moulin Rouge" as the ultimate movie musicals of the last 10 years. MR is lightyears beyond and in a class by itself. Images from that movie have stayed with me to this day as vivid as the day I saw the movie for the first time. I can't say the same thing about "Cell Block Tango".

Spider said...

It is a truly outstanding movie...

jnuts said...

Ah, one of my favorite movies. I don't know who was more beautiful, Nicole or Ewan. Truly a feast in every sense of the word.

If "Come What May" is not played at my funeral, I will come back to haunt.

Katie McKenna said...

Love this move, true... but definitely not better than sex!

The colours and costumes are fabulously over the top!What's not to love?

Jacob said...

For me it was Old Yeller. Okay, and maybe a few others since. Great quotes from Rouge, Paul. Time for a re-view, to be sure.

And there goes that Katie again, having had all that over-the-top we are hearing so much about. I need to got get some instruction from her, I can tell.....

Jacob said...

Oh yeah, almost forgot. I LOVE the expression "eye candy." At first I was all like, "so do you crumble up bits of a snickers bar and stuff the pieces under your eyelids," and my friend was all like, "No, silly! It means that what you are SEEING is the candy," and I was all like, "Oh. Well, that's DIFferent." And stuff.

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