A very meta film by Billy Wilder. Gloria Swanson plays Norma Desmond, a silent film star of a bygone era who has been pushed out of stardom with the rise of movies with sound.
William Holden plays Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter/playboy who finds himself in peculiar circumstances after his car blows a tire in the midst of being chased by some intimidating repo men and rolls right into Norma Desmondâs driveway.
Gloria Swanson is serving the kentiest of kent in her iconic role as Norma Desmond and it leaves ânot a crumbâ to be swept up or whatever the kids are saying nowadays.
Gloria was a silent film actress for real reals, starring in the films of Cecil B. Demille (he is also in the movie). Like the movie, her real life silent film career was also put on pause when sound came to major motion pictures. Sunset Boulevard was considered her comeback, post silent-film era.
The film seamlessly blurred the lines between reality and fiction, and audiences perceived the film to be an actual representation of Gloria Swansonâs life. Though, in real life, Gloria Swanson was an inventress and fashion designer (article with more about this linked above) and had a thriving life post-silent film era.
The film is shot gorgeously in crisp black and white, keeps you hooked with strange and unexpected moments, sublime acting, directing, and dialogue. The film consistently wows me in every aspect, and is truly a must-see sight to behold.
Apr 28, 2024
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At the risk of sounding trite, Sunset Boulevard is a really good movie. I watched it for the first time yesterday and fell in love with everything about it. Old school Hollywood mansion âď¸. Murder âď¸. Love âď¸. Aging movie star âď¸. A butler âď¸.
Feb 20, 2024
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So many to choose from but this might top the list
Apr 28, 2024
The songs, the dream ballet, Cyd Charisse's green dress, Donald O'Connor's performance of Make 'Em Laugh, Gene Kelly doing one of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history with a fever, Debbie Reynolds emerging out of a big cake, this film has it all.
IMDb has a lot of fascinating facts about this film and it sounded like a terrible project to work on but wow what a film
Apr 28, 2024
Top Recs from @relaxing
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When your cat comes to cuddle you and youâre like âwow, this bud really loves meâŚâ then you look at the clock and notice that itâs almost feeding time.
Mar 5, 2024
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The other night I fell asleep on the couch around 10:00 pm watching Joseph Campbellâs Mythos I. I woke up around 4:30 am, washed my face and brushed my teeth.
This invigorated me to the point that I basically wasnât falling back asleep, so I ended up looking up different brands of finishing salts for two hours in bed.
Fleur De Sel and Maldon Sea Salts are not salts that you want to cook with, but that you want to sprinkle atop things as âfinishing saltsâ.
In my research I discovered that GuĂŠrande or Camargue fleur de sels are top brands to use. And with Maldon, the brand just called Maldon. I have Maldon sea salts and also Sal de Ibiza fleur de sel which is really good. It comes in a ceramic pot with a little spoon. I recommend both and you donât need a lot, a little goes a long way.
From Wikipedia:
âFleur de sel ("flower of salt" in French; French pronunciation: [flĹĘ dÉ sÉl]) or flor de sal (also "flower of salt" in Portuguese, Spanish and Catalan) is a salt that forms as a thin, delicate crust on the surface of seawater as it evaporates. Fleur de sel has been collected since ancient times (it was mentioned by Pliny the Elder in his book Natural History), and was traditionally used as a purgative and salve. It is now used as a finishing salt to flavor and garnish food.â
From Maldon Salt website:
âWhat is special about Maldon Salt?
Maldon Saltâs irregular and distinctive pyramid shape is what makes it so special. In addition to the unique tactile texture, our pyramid salt flakes release saltiness with sweet precision, bringing a clean and delicate flavour.â
Some uses:
Vegetables.
Pastas.
Meats if you do that.
Watermelon or mango.
A chocolate chip cookie, fresh from the oven, topped with Maldon sea salt. I linked Alison Romanâs recipe above for Salted Butter and Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies above. Warning: these cookies may horn you for life, and cause you to eat many. If you give them to people theyâll keep asking you to make them over and over again. Perfect trifecta of sweet but not too sweet, savory, and salty.
A little toast with mashed avocado, sliced tomate, Maldon sea salt or fleur de sel on top. Can also serve with scrambled egg on the side with some Green Pepper Cholula on top (green flame emoji).
A warm blueberry muffin, or toasted croissant (I pronounce this with an audible ârâ) cut in half, some vegan (Miyokoâs, Earth Balance Soy Free) or whatever other (Kerrygold) butter melted in the middle, and a little fleur de sel or Maldon sea salt.
Do you use finishing salts? What do you use them on? How do you love them?
I try to watch my sodium but Iâm a little bit of a salt guy in moderation. Donât call me âsalt baeâ. Iâm only bae to one woman and one woman only, and thatâs my wife, the most beautiful woman in the world.
May 5, 2024
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Itâs nice to let the afternoon sun come in while you relax in a soothing salt bath, maybe some essential oils, a lil masque. A little diffuse sunlight makes it nice.
Apr 24, 2024