OMG yes! The first full trailer of Karyn Kusama's latest film, The Invitation, is finally here and I can't wait for everyone to see this film! We got to see a glimpse of impending insanity within the film in the teaser a month ago but now, we get to see what the hell is actually going on in this film, at least a little more. When Will (Logan Marshall-Green) gets invited to his ex-wife's Eden and her new boo, David's dinner party, he suspects that they have set up a sinister plan for him and the guests. I don't think I'll ever see a Hollywood dinner party the same ever again.

I was fortunate enough to watch this film at last year's Beyond Fest and I was completely blown away. I have always loved Karyn Kusama since Girlfight (Badass Femme Certified!), but The Invitation has got to be her most sophisticated and refined piece of work to date! Crome Yellow and I gush about our love for this film in our full review (See review) and I don't think we're still over it! Accompanied by suffocating tension and gripping paranoia, The Invitation is a exquisite and well-crafted showcase about loss and grief. Drafthouse Films is releasing the film on April 8th so don't forget to RSVP to this party from hell! This is not only going to be one of the best films of this year but one dinner party you surely won't forget. 

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Badass Femmes is a bi-weekly column that I write on Crome Yellow about all the Badass Females in pop culture that has shaped my life.

Nowadays, there aren’t enough films about female friendships – at least not the ones that represent real women, hustling through life, singular interactions intact. This is why I keep coming back to F. Gary Gray’s iconic film, Set It Off, starring the some of the most prestigious black women of our time – Vivica A. Fox as Frankie, Jada Pinkett as Stony (before she was a Smith), Queen Latifah as Cleo and Kimberly Elise as Tisean. In truth, I could’ve written an entire Badass Femmes focused on Pinkett’s beautiful and resilient Stony, but these women individually are even more special as a whole. It’s who they are with and without each other that drives the film’s story. The results are an immaculately fleshed out and emotionally resonating film, showcasing the daily hustle of the working woman when faced with brutally real moments of economic crisis. These ladies represent the many real-life women out there who fearlessly make hard decisions when their backs are against the wall, reflecting a harsh reality that rings true today more than ever.

Continue reading on Crome Yellow...

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What is the Girl Talk Series?

The Girl Talk Series is back and this time it is Teen Edition in It's a Love & Hate Relationship.16-year-old Adriana and Vishwa discuss growing up in the digital age and their love & hate relationship with social media. It's hard enough being a teen but with the whole world at your finger tips, it's difficult not to be fazed by the immense pressures of judgement and anxiety that come with publicly sharing your life with everyone. As young as they may be, they share incredible insight on the inner turmoil of the effects of social media as well as the positive aspects of it. As the first generation to truly grow up in the digital age, they have mastered the ins and outs of social media and understand the protocol for the various platforms ranging from Instagram to Facebook to Snapchat to Vine. Their words and thoughts may transport you back to your own teenage years as they paint a picture of their world but underneath it all, their message is a universal one.

Previous Episode

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As a daughter of a liquor store owner, I instantly become attached to stories of the race tensions that are still prominently present within the Los Angeles communities since the LA Riots. So it's no surprise that Macgregor aka Miguel de Olaso's short film, Los Angeles 1991 about exactly that, hits so close to home. Set in Los Angeles, the story is based on a real-life shooting that occurred at a local liquor store. It's a powerful drama about the intersecting lives of four different people whose presence and ethnicity are incessantly stereotyped and pit against one another. As much as we've seen this story before, the narration by Gordon Capps adds more context and richness to each character, even if it seems like from an outsider's perspective. In the end, it does make you wonder if there will ever be an end to this exhausting race war. Take a look.

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It's been three years since I was introduced to Ben Wheatley from Beyond Fest and I haven't looked back! He goes 0-100 from his previous film, the simplistic A Field in England to his most decadent piece of work yet in High-Rise starring the most beautiful cast -- Tom Hiddleston, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans, Elisabeth Moss, and Jeremy Irons. Based on the book by J.G. Ballard, the story follows Laing, a young doctor who joins a community in a luxury building that start to spiral out of control. I'm definitely getting some Snowpiercer vibes with the social commentary on the structure of classism. But knowing Wheatley, he's got something up his sleeve that will blow our brains out. 

Written by his real-life and film partner in crime, Amy Jump (Kill List, Sightseers), this is not going to be your average film about class systems. Everything about this trailer oozes with luxury and opulence that I feel like I'm literally swimming in a pool of $100s as we speak. I mean, look at that production design! The 17th century costumes! And all the beautiful white people that are about to embark in the battles of their lives! It is truly going to be a dazzling and exquisite spectacle especially by Wheatley standards. And if you don't know what I mean by that, do yourself a favor and watch my favorite film of his, Kill List. I would also like to take the time out to thank Wheatley for showing Tom Hiddleston in all his naked glory. I can't wait to see it allllllll (;D) when High-Rise comes out  on April 28th!

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Jeremy Saulnier is back and he's going harder than ever with his new film, Green Room. Starring an all-star cast consisting of Anton Yelchin, Alia Shawkat, Imogen Poots, and Patrick Stewart, the story follows a punk rock band who find themselves trapped in a secluded venue after witnessing a horrible act of violence! Normally, I don't see Patrick Stewart as a bad guy but seeing him in this trailer as the ringleader of the neo-nazis that the band is up against, sends intense chills down my spine! Macon Blair who has been with Saulnier's from the very beginning (ie: Murder Party) and the lead of Blue Ruin (See Review) returns with his head shaved and ready to rumble! Green Room is my most anticipated film of 2016 so I'm ecstatic that A24 is releasing it on April 15th! Get your weapons ready!

Teaser // Poster

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After the tremendous success of Sean Baker's film, Tangerine, it was only natural that he would be getting offers left and right. But it was only in my wildest dreams that one of my favorite fashion powerhouses, the Japanese-Parisian line, KENZO would ever tap Baker to make their next short film. Introducing their collab short film, Snowbird features the KENZO Spring-Summer 2016 collection from Creative Directors Humberto Leon and Carol Lim. The story follows Young Theo (Abbey Lee), a young woman living in a remote desert community. Entirely shot on the iPhone, the story showcases a beautifully universal story that is equally whimsical as it is real. If there's anyone that can capture the gritty sweetness of real life, it's Sean Baker. 

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Snowbird Premiere party this past Tuesday. It was incredibly delightful to see it on the big screen as it should be experienced with the music blasting through the speakers. I did not expect to see so many celebrities and fashion bloggers and while I am usually not starstruck, the sight of Carrie Brownstein made me squeal like a little piggy! 

But above all, Snowbird is one of my favorite things Sean has done yet! He continues to make refreshing and ground-breaking stories that are built around real people and communities and this time, in Slab City, CA. Accompanied by Stephonik Youth's kickass tunes, Snowbird hits all the right notes and even gives you a little extra with its surprising ending that'll have you reaching for the nearest tissue. I can't wait to see what he does next! But in the meantime, check out Tangerine (See Review) if you haven't!

(L-R: KENZO Creative Directors Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, Abbey Lee, & Director Sean Baker)

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