check out the new baz luhrmann chanel ad starring nicole kidman

as some of you may have seen by now, the new chanel ad has been making it's way on various tv stations around the world. directed by the fabulous baz luhrmann, the 2 minute ad not only stars nicole kidman, but also rodrigo santoro (the hottie from charlie's angels 2 and love actually) twirling around on sets that look vaguely like the moulin rouge pieces.
shown in the US only twice, the ad actually has airdates in tv guides of france and the uk.
if you wanna see it, try by clicking on the title above the photo (note: link may be dead due to chanel's copyright efforts, but try anyway!)

aol.com premieres kelly clarkson's "since U been gone"

proving that she will not have any chance of the sophomore slump, kelly clarkson releases the second single off her highly anticipated 2nd album, 'breakaway'. the track, "since U been gone", was produced by one of my fave pop songwriters, max martin, and proves that the genius is still capable of coming up with instant hits (the guy wrote 'baby one more time').

check out her new video here
http://mp.netscape.com/video.index.adp?mxid=1209305&refID=007020&partner=&_AOLFORM=w597.h395.p7

Lagerfeld for H&M premieres this friday nov 13

this friday november 13, one of the biggest fashion designers will premiere his very 1st collaboration with the budget fashion boutique H&M.

though it's not the first time a high end artiste has worked with a mass market retailer, lagerfeld is a name that you would generally never hear in the same breath as something like H&M.

buzz on the street is so high that a preview trunk show for editors apparently sold out within minutes. we shall see how this high street meets the actual street collaboration will work, but for now, this is THE thing to check out this friday.

for a preview of the collection, go here:
http://www.hm.com

quick review of 'a very long engagement'

reuniting audrey tautou and director jean-pierre jeunet after the massive worldwide success of 'amelie', fans of that film will be surprised that little of the magical charm and color flow through their new collaboration, 'a very long engagement'.

in fact, projected through muted browns and greys, this film is a staggering collection of genres that is anchored by a heartbreaking love story of a girl who refuses to believe that her fiance died at war.

told through a jigsaw collection of testimonials, folklore narration and general linear storytelling, jeunet has outdone himself with a visually epic film that defies description (is it a war film, yes. a romance? yes. a mystery thriller? sure! a sweet look at first love? of course!).

welcome to the first MUST SEE movie of the oscar season!

to read more about the film and also watch the trailer, go here:
http://wip.warnerbros.com/avle/

my grade: A-

check out a preview of rufus wainwright's new album 'want two' now!

only a week away (nov 16), but the sequel to last years amazing 'want one' will finally be available to all of us. though the 1st album was an explosion of amazing DRAMA, 'want two' sounds more introspective and toned down.

for a quick preview of four tracks, go to the want two player on the main page:
http://www.rufuswainwright.com/

watch ewan mcgregor get a bath!

i don't know if any of you have been watching the ewan mcgregor/charley boorman documentary series 'long way round' on bravo, but this motorcycle trip across 20,000 miles is not only funny and interesting, but truly inspiring (it's the motorcycle diaries but with a cute scotsman instead of che guevera!).

to get an idea of what it's about, check out the video clips here and especially episode 3 since it's ewan getting a kazahkstan bath/massage! (windows player)
http://www.bravotv.com/Long_Way_Round/Video/

info passed on by SC

may i present a companion blog to wongie's world

while wongie's world is all about what you should know in the world of media, 'the princess diaries' is a deluded, rather random and sometimes insane look into wongie's alter ego, 'the princess'.

there, all gloves come off and you get to read and comment on silly things that 'the princess' decides is the drama and gossip of the day (let's also hope that this will not lead to any lawsuit...). you have been warned, enter at your own risk:
http://princesswongiedairies.blogspot.com/

The X-factor rocks!

as everyone knows, once i get obsessed over something, it becomes the ultimate thing in my world for that very moment. in this weeks case, it's the UK talent series 'the x factor'.

practically an american idol knock off, the thing that makes this show interesting is the fact that there is no age limit to the contestants, and the three judges (simon cowell, sharon osbourne and louis walsh) end up being mentors/coaches for these contestants, broken down by age and how they present themselves (solo/group).

the talent pool is pretty diverse and therefore really compelling, and in one day, i've managed to not only download all the torrents out there, but WATCHED them too. i'm completely up to date and am a total fan (see below for my fave of the pick)!

to read more about the show or even watch a few clips, go here:
http://www.xfactor.tv
http://theinternetforum.co.uk/xfactor/index.php

yes, i have a crush!
of all the contestants of x-factor, as much as i love rowetta and cassie, steve is the guy that i've got the ultimate soft spot for. with a silky smooth voice and a cheeky shy nature, this 35 year old has a defeatist spirit that is battling with the fact that he's actually an amazing talent. high drama will ensue as he gets closer to the last three...

watch 'i believe in you' by kylie minogue now

check out the video for 'i believe in you' from kylie's upcoming ultimatekylie greatest hits collection. though the video isn't the color explosion that i had pictured in my head (what is?), props to the fact that this lady still looks amazing! after a few weeks on my player, i still can't stop loving this song! definitely one of the best singles of the year!
to check out the video (realplayer/windows media only), go to
http://www.kylie.com
and click under her video section (you may need to sign up).

info passed on by JS

it's a sad day for many of us... perhaps go here to make some wake armbands

http://www.distopia.com/wake/

check out gwen steafani's aol session here

with her debut solo album 'love, angel, music, baby' due for release on nov 23, be prepared for the gwen stefani press barrage over the next few weeks. we're getting in on the festivities by giving you the link to her aol session in which she previews another (albeit filler) track 'harajuku girls'.
single handedly bringing back the nina hagen meets disco queen aesthetic, check out gwen stefani here!
http://music.channel.aol.com/artist/main.adp?tab=av&artistid=268784
get the single here