just watch it!

Highly Overrated But Still Good

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

Very good. I like it a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't think I would watch this show beyond a couple of seasons, but I've been hooked since about 2011'ish. Probably, I'm a student of fashion myself having subscribed to Vogue earlier in my life, I appreciate the hard work and vision that go into a design. In fact, I was sorely disappointed that the same design aesthetics were missing from a high end clothing I visited. I would hire any of these alums, including the ones that didn't win to design that store's clothes instead of the high priced, boring, shapeless, and poorly made stuff they had to offer.I'm a sucker for well constructed pieces over high design. If you crochet, pleat, dye, or create cut outs for your pieces in the short time you have, you're a winner in my book. It seems the designers and guest judges like risk taking. But then again, I don't know what they like from season to season. Sometimes they will lambast poor sewers, sometimes they will say, even it is meticulously executed, that is boring and old-fashioned. So what's a contestant to do? Also, you can tell some designers have a particular niche that often gets characterized as a one trick, monotonous pony. But every designer working now has a niche. Some do more movie and stage costumes, some design the over the top outfits for the stars, some do more cutesy kiddy clothes, some do more street or casual wear and some do ready to wear. That doesn't make them a bad designer just because the contestants gravitate toward and do well at a particular design. On the bad hand, some people's personalities overshadow their work and irritate the other contestants and even the judges. On the good hand, where does Tim Gunn get his suits made? I have never seen him be less than impeccable. Now, Heidi Klum has some hits or misses, but she's still a pretty woman.That said, I wish the show would incorporate more designs for males as well as for the disabled, buxom, plus sized, petite, athletic, children, and elderly. They want to look fabulous too! Tired of seeing these mousy, thin and boring models. Some of the outfits have literally been made or broken by how the model struts her stuff or the expression on her face. Even if you don't like the outfit or how it fits, work that thing! That kind of sullenness would never work on the most famous runways and I bet half the models hate what they have to wear. Where do they get these models from?

Here's another entry into the foray of "reality" shows. Since there was a popular "modeling" show on, I knew something like this was coming, and that is with those who want to be designers.Contestants do come from any background to compete for the obligatory sponsor car, $100,000 in cash, and a shot at their five minutes of fame. The show is the same as all the others: Get a nice looking host - here you have Hedi Klum; a few attitude laden "insider" folks to interchange throughout the episodes, and guest judges you may or may not have heard of who are 'tops' in that industry.Making a career entertaining, takes some manipulation and Project Runway pushes that manipulation button a lot harder than other shows out there.Why this show is even more horrid to me, is that the majority of designers in high fashion are the most snotty, self-centered people on the face of this earth. Nothing matters but their materials. They treat models like walking billboards for their talent and have no bones about telling them so. They also do not design for the millions of us who buy consumer goods and services, just the elite who are pretentious enough to want to buy what they push. That may be entertaining to some to see on a weekly basis, but I'm tired of it being thrown in my face as acceptable.For example, one show I viewed had a designer candidate eliminated because, according to Hedi Klum - "The design had no regard for the female form." Hardly ANY high fashion runway design has regard for the female form, so why nix a designer for doing what would have to be a natural act in that industry? The reality show Project Runway wanted to hide its reality as soon as it could.Then, there has been a little rumbling about this show not designing for regular/full figured women. Since it's name was "Project Runway" and it was geared toward the world of "high fashion", I did not expect anyone over a size one to be there. So there should be no rumbling. The show is what it is.But one episode I viewed allegedly got "regular and/or full figured women" to design for. Not ONE of those designs would be something any regular or full figured woman would purchase, or something you would see on a runway at a high fashion full figured show. (Yes Virginia, there ARE high fashioned regular women/full figured shows and designers.) But FORGET that, this show is about "High Fashion". Not all regular or full size women want to be in over-sized shirts or variations on a mu-mu or drapes and be told its "High Fashion". Plus the absence of "name" judges for these designers were highly suspect to me, because there are a few very famous regular/full figured Runway designers out there - they couldn't find a one for these potential designers??? And the contestants. You've got to have the traditional ones for fashion: The WASP women with attitude, The ethnic women with attitude, the homosexual men with snippy attitudes, the heterosexual men with attitudes against the homosexual men, the semi-clueless blondes, the poor little "I was born in a third world country and now I'm getting a chance to live the American Dream", etc., etc. Rather repetitive.Who'll win? Who'll get their next big designer break? Who cares! It's all subjective. The common consumer will never hear (or wear) any of these clothes or styles. These "reality' shows are not much different than a game show - but I still say, "The Price is Right" is still much better than any or all of these programs because its been going on for 40+ years. In 40+ years will folks know or wear anything about these designers? No, but its instant gratification for entertainment and besides, it's got Hedi Klum! Like with many reality programs offered, this is just another attempt that is trying to push your entertainment buttons rather than push the contestant talent. Why? Because everyday life and work IS boring, no matter what you do - fashion, Art, Music, Exercise Trainer, Hair Dresser...it all sounds exciting, but...not all the time. And fashion? "One day you're in - the next day, you're out" - sadly so will be these folks.

I tune into this show every week, it's interesting to see a glimpse of the design process. Although it is thrilling to see the final garments on the runway, I would still like to see more of the designing...perhaps I'd like to see the camera zooming in on the designers so we can see how they make the clothes but that might get in the way. Heidi could change her tone of voice a bit, I understand that she needs to repeat the instructions in every episodes but it seems like she is a recording. I also wonder why Tim is not on the judging panel since after all he does have design expertise. I particularly enjoy reading "Tim's Take" on the designs from each episode, it would be nice if the producers could incorporate these comments into the show. While I was watching the earlier episodes I was thinking that there should be designers as judges as opposed to fashion editors (even if it is for Elle magazine) but thankfully in the later episodes Heidi has included fashion designers in the judging panel. I was particularly saddened to see Vanessa go because she admitted that she "couldn't sew", it seems as if admitting your weaknesses and taking the blame for letting down the team as opposed to pointing fingers is not the thing to do. Sure, they need to have self-confidence but some humility and honesty wouldn't hurt.Anyway this show is great, it stands out from the rest of reality TV because of the creativity and originality. Austin is an amazing designer but I feel he has his own vision and tends to not compromise and apply himself to the task at hand. I'm rooting for Kara Saun, she seems like a true professional.