Tag Archives: Breaking Bad

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

23 Aug

“Out of the Box” is dominated once again by red carpet photos, but thanks to a cobalt blue pea coat on Breaking Bad this week costuming also makes an appearance. As always this is a snapshot of what we have been watching and looking at online so if you have any favorite outfits that we have missed let us know. The fall TV season and the Emmys are approaching and so there will be more variety in the weeks to come.

Winner: Amy Poehler and Aubrey Plaza at the Afternoon Delight Premiere

Amy Poehler and Aubrey Plaza

This coupling is chosen for both their relaxed red carpet attire (Poehler is wearing some awesome blue and black Nike Dunks, sadly they are out of shot) and for how much fun they are having at this event. This continues a string of Poehler/Plaza photo opportunities including this recent fake make out session on the set of Parks and Recreation. I could gush about this pair all day but I’m also going to quickly point out the amazing APC  white peacock print sweatshirt that Plaza is wearing, while it’s not actually NBC affiliated (it can be purchased from Liberty London) Plaza is doing a good job of giving a nod to the home of Parks and Recreation. Of course no one can really replace Ann as Leslie’s BFF, but I hope Rashida Jones’ departure opens up more time for Leslie/April bonding. Look how adorable they are together.

Runner Up: Robert Sheehan at The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Premiere in Toronto

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Last week Robert Sheehan wore an incredible paisley suit with what appeared to be glowing shoes so the above outfit could be considered a calmer approach. When it comes to suit wearing there is less opportunity to make a bold sartorial statement and Sheehan has shown just how that can be done. The leopard print Christian Louboutin loafers are striking thanks to the leather pants stopping just above the ankle and Sheehan has the right amount of confidence in his pose to pull off these different styles. The leopard print wouldn’t work with the paisley suit but with this monochromatic look it is just the right amount of flare. I’m getting Alan Cumming vibes off Sheehan’s red carpet approach, which is great as Cumming is always having fun with what he wears to these events. One thing this press tour has reminded me of is how much I still miss Nathan on Misfits.

Runner Up: Mayim Bialik at the Emmys Performers Peer Group Reception

Mayim Bialik Karen Millen

Patterns! Yes I love patterns so this mixed geometric print dress from Karen Millen is an instant hit. While patterns aren’t always figure flattering the pencil shape combined with the black contrast band across the waist ensures that it is a perfect fit for Mayim Bialik. The mesh long sleeves match the top half of the dress which also helps balance the two different halves. Makeup, hair and shoes are all simple which is exactly what an outfit like this needs.

Runner Up: Lydia (with a hand from Todd) on Breaking Bad “Buried” 

todd-lydia

Color is important on Breaking Bad and Lydia’s cobalt blue pea coat really stood out in a scene that featured mostly muted greens and browns. Lydia doesn’t look like she belongs at this location; a meth lab in the middle of the desert and she certainly isn’t dressed for the occasion. After trying and failing to get Walt back in the business she has opted for Todd and his white supremacist crew to help with her quality control issue. Lydia might be ok with ordering a hit this big but she doesn’t want to see the bloody mess that she has created. This gives this scenario and absurd edge as Todd guides her through the bloodbath. The camera briefly focuses on Lydia’s (fake?) Louboutin red soles walking through the blood and dirt and her costuming shows how out of her depth she is. Blue has usually been used for Skyler (most notably when Skyler walks into the swimming pool fully clothed) and is of course the color of the meth which isn’t up to the Heisenberg standard. On an unrelated note I was so glad to see Jesse Plemons that I momentarily forgot the horrific thing he did in the first half of the season.

What is your look of the week?

Music Monday – Breaking Bad Returns

12 Aug

Breaking Bad is back for the final 8 episodes and once again they brought their A game from the pacing to Aaron Paul’s perfect glassy eyed stare that has the ability to tear through my soul.

While I’m not going to go into too much plot detail with this Music Monday post I will say that Hank is ON IT and the choice of song that accompanied the montage of Hank looking through the evidence is brilliantly chaotic. Jim White’s “Wordmule” follows Hank on this journey of realization as he pieces together what he knows to be true, but can’t quite fathom the reality of who Heisenberg really is.

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

19 Jul

It’s been a busy week with Emmy nominations, Comic-Con and magazine covers and this edition of “Out of the Box” covers all three. While it’s still very much the summer and my Scandal catch up is underway, it’s also time to look to returning shows like Breaking Bad  and from the activity on my Twitter feed most casts are returning to their shows for the fall season. As always this is a snapshot of what I have been watching and what news/photo shoots have caught my eye online and in print. 

Winner: Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny at The X-Files Reunion Panel, Comic-Con

X Files Reunion

The X-Files holds a very special place in my TV watching history and the relationship between Mulder and Scully is a very big part of this. I have never been to Comic-Con but I know that if I was attending this year then this X-Files reunion panel would be number one on my list and from this ScreenFad live blog it sounds like it was a relaxed and fun affair. Both Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny look content and happy to be reunited in front of a large audience of fans and thrilled shippers all around the world when Anderson suggested that Mulder and Scully would “Have sex” on a date. Duchovny followed this up with “Then maybe dinner?”

Runner Up: Bryan Cranston for GQ 

bryan-cranston-gq-magazine-august-2013-04

It’s been a good week for Bryan Cranston as he received an Emmy nomination and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; he’s also on the cover of the August issue of GQ. The photo shoot has Cranston ditching the Heisenberg/Walter White threads (this is a far cry from standing in the desert in his underwear) and going for a tailored look. It’s a good choice and I don’t think we’ve ever seen him look this dreamy.

Runner Up: Aubrey Plaza for The New York Times

Aubrey Plaza NY Times

Aubrey Plaza is currently on the promotional trail for The To Do List and this includes a profile in The New York Times. Opting for a photo that wouldn’t look out of place on Instagram (because that is a thing we do now) the styling leans much older than the skort wearing teen that Plaza plays in The To Do List and is more polished than Plaza’s Parks and Recreation character April.

Aaron Paul and Neil Patrick Harris Announcing the 2013 Emmy Nominations 

65th Primetime Emmy Nominations Announcement

I’m pretty sure there is nothing more adorable than Aaron Paul in polka dot bow tie (ok maybe his Price is Right appearance) and I’m sure he will offer something just as delightful at the Emmy awards come September. Here Paul is announcing the nominees for the 2013 Emmys and while I’m still simmering from some of the missing names/shows (like Hannibal, Jake Johnson and The Americans), Aaron Paul deservedly got another nomination for his role of Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad. Neil Patrick Harris looks just as dapper as always and was a late minute replacement for Kate Mara (she had travel issues) showing that even with short notice and at 5.30 am he’s always on it when it comes to hosting.

Breaking Bad Season 5 Photos: New Alliances?

17 Jul

There is less than a month to go until the final 8 episodes of Breaking Bad and AMC has released another batch of promo photos; first they reminded us that “All Bad Things Must Come to an End” followed by the recent shot of Walt looking menacing with the words “Remember My Name” emblazoned across his figure. The teasers have done a great job of well, teasing by telling us the show is ending, a fact I was trying to ignore and telling us that Walter White means business (or wants to join a Fame revival). It’s time to see the rest of the cast and theorize about what these pairings could mean for the end of this journey.

Breaking Bad Jesse and Walt

The partnership that started it all has been through its fair share of triumphs, disasters and deception. The last episode saw a petrified Jesse receiving a bag full of money from Walt and their relationship has been severed in what appears to be an amicable fashion (at least a lot more amicable than it was for Mike). That isn’t to say that Jesse isn’t broken by his experience with his former chemistry teacher or that he won’t get sucked back into the business once again. Jesse is the heart of Breaking Bad and so it has become increasingly difficult watching him get torn apart by the things he has done and if he does manage to break free from Walt he will always be looking over his shoulder as the shot above suggests. Nothing would make me happier if Jesse gets to drive away from all of this.

Hank and Jesse Breaking Bad

The episode that ended the first half of this final season had Hank finding out that Walter White is really Heisenberg (his discovery was made in the most innocuous place – the bathroom, thanks to Walt’s toilet reading material) and so it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Hank will attempt to team up with Jesse to bring Walt down. There is bad blood between Hank and Jesse as Hank beat the living crap out of Jesse back in season 3. This led to one of the many amazing Aaron Paul moments as he delivered a speech full of hate about Hank from his hospital bed. Will they be able to put this behind them? This photo has them both looking at each other with suspicion, with Jesse looking over his shoulder once again and if they do work together trust will be an issue. I’d really like to see a happy ending for both Jesse and Hank, but knowing this show and how far Walt is willing to go I fear that one of them won’t make it to the end of the show alive.

A note on Jesse’s wardrobe; gone are the hoodies and this look is more adult than we have seen before, the double plaid works together and his appearance is more rugged. This weathered look reflects the toll that his time with Walt has had on him both mentally and physically.

Skyler and Walt Breaking Bad

Jesse isn’t the only one who has been broken by his relationship with Walt as Walt’s family has been destroyed by his work in the crystal meth business. While Walt Jr. and Holly have been shielded from this to some extent, Skyler has not been so fortunate. After becoming involved in the money laundering side Skyler has become a shell of her former self and suffered a breakdown. Skyler did manage to convince Walt to end the business after she took him to a storage unit and showed him how much money he has accumulated and asked him how much their family is worth. That’s the reason Walt started all of this, but because his cancer didn’t kill him like he thought it would he went a lot further than he ever intended.

While the family scene at the end of the last episode suggested closure, thanks to the opening scene of season 5 we know that things have escalated and this is probably thanks to Hank’s discovery. What role will Skyler play in all of this? Will she remain the dutiful wife and help Walt bury more secrets as the photo above hints at? Or will she stand tall against the man who is no longer anything like the one she married?

Answers will be forthcoming when Breaking Bad returns Sunday, August 11 on AMC.

New Breaking Bad Poster: Remember My Name

25 Jun

Earlier this month AMC released a teaser poster for the final 8 episodes of Breaking Bad with the ominous tagline “All Bad Things Must Come to an End.” The new key art has a more direct message and features a menacing looking Walter White; he barely resembles the guy in his underwear from the season 1 promo. Looking angry and in control, but it’s his name that could get him into trouble as Hank knows the truth behind Heisenberg.

breaking bad season 5 final episodes

What do you think of the new poster? Worried about the lack of Jesse? Attempting (and failing) to not sing the theme from Fame?

Breaking Bad returns to AMC Sunday, August 11.

Hollywood Reporter’s 2013 Drama Actress Roundtable

30 May

It’s the time of year when The Hollywood Reporter produces Emmy related TV roundtable discussions and while the quality of the conversations varies, the drama actress one is always lively and is generally my favourite of the bunch. Once again they have a group of women from shows that cover both network and cable, with the added new platform of Netflix to discuss their roles on TV, the industry and their past experiences. This year the participants are Monica Potter (Parenthood), Kerry Washington (Scandal), Kate Mara (House of Cards), Connie Britton (Nashville), Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad) and Elisabeth Moss (Mad MenTop of the Lake).

Hollywood reporter cover

The nature of this kind of roundtable discussion means that some candid remarks are made, but the participants are also guarded as they tell stories of bad experiences but don’t fill in all of the details. Monica Potter discusses her first post-baby audition where she was considered “too fat” for the role and body image is a topic that comes up more than once (I’m intrigued as to whether the guys will cover this area, doubtful but you never know as Hollywood has body issues with both genders). Elisabeth Moss rightly mentions that “It’s not just actresses, it’s all women. We all have this perception of what we’re supposed to look like.”

Expectations of how an actress should look comes up later but in a different way as they mention the backhanded compliments that people give such as they look “younger/skinnier” in real life. So don’t ever say this, it’s bad. This is part of the notion of intimacy between the viewer and the characters that come into our living rooms on a weekly basis and how the relationship is different between movies and TV; there is an investment in TV that doesn’t exist in the same way as in movies that generally have a beginning, a middle and end (depending on how long running the franchise is).

One aspect that I enjoy about these discussions is how they try to dispel the idea that everyone hates each other and it’s a relentless competition; while I’m sure there are those factions they make a point of mentioning how supportive actresses can be. Monica Potter mentions that having successful women on TV “should be fun and celebrated” and Connie Britton reiterates this by saying that “It’s a lot more fun if you can share stories and make friends, and be in it together with people as opposed to if you isolate yourself.”

Several topics are covered including other audition woes (Kerry Washington talks about the lack of roles for women of color), social media, political involvement and if they contribute to the creative process of their character. One thing I would like to see with these roundtables is a change in some of the questions as I feel like the best advice/worst advice comes up every single time. The penultimate question is a fun one as they are asked if they could be on any show in history what would it be? I love that both Kate Mara and Elisabeth Moss geek out over My So-Called Life (and earlier Moss is very open about her love of Parenthood).

With any group discussion there are always some participants that are more vocal than the rest but at no point does it feel like one person is railroading the conversation. Elisabeth Moss comes across as very funny, something we don’t get to see that often on Mad Men and Connie Britton seems as wise as Tami Taylor. This is definitely a group of women I would like to go for drinks with.

Watch the whole interview below and head over to The Hollywood Reporter for behind the scenes photos of the group. The monochromatic styling of the cover is on trend and I much prefer this more casual approach they over last year’s gown affair. In unsurprising news I really want to find out the shades/brands of lipstick they are wearing (especially Elisabeth Moss’).

New York Magazine TV Issue

13 May

There are several publications that produce an annual TV issue and one of my favorites hits newsstands today (both the physical and digital kind as you can also get it in the iTunes store) and this is New York magazine. The past few years have seen covers featuring Tracey Morgan with Betty White, Amy Poehler and Jessica Paré dressed as Megan Draper. This year sees Michael Douglas gracing the cover promoting the much anticipated HBO Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra (airing May 26).

NY Mag TV Issue

This issue also contains an in-depth interview with Breaking Bad showrunner Vince Gilligan as he previews the final episodes and discusses a variety of topics including happy endings, the quality of cable shows and the negative reaction to Skyler. Matt Zoller Seitz explores TV as a director’s medium, Hayden Panettiere talks Nashville, the much hyped return of Arrested Development is featured and a whole slew of faces from TV (both from behind and in front of the camera) reveal their television habits. You can read most of these articles over at New York magazine’s site but as a magazine purist (even when I have to buy a digital version) it’s worth getting the whole thing.    

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