See The Sun

I watched the 1981 BBC adaptation of ‘Sense & Sensibility’. Quite horrible in some ways - esp. characters’ hair - but all in all not terribly bad. But the actress who played the supposedly spirited Marianne was really really bland. Anyway, I had to rewatch the 2008 adaptation right afterwards. This one is really close to perfect and I fell all over in love with it again.

PS: How can a film like Before it had a name be rated PG-13 while other films such as ‘Ghost World’ are rated R???!!

I watched some films recently I had high hopes for but was really disappointed in. Which is always so much worse than when you watch films you expect to be bad just for fun. I’m Reed Fish: I can see what they were trying to do but it just so didn’t work. What a horrible mess this movie turned out to be. Atonement: Ok, it looked absolutely breathtaking. The acting was good too. But as a whole it didn’t do anything for me, I was just bored most of the times. There were scenes that really moved me but whatever came next ruined it for me. Especially to have that monologue after the final ‘twist’ was IMO a bad move. Evening: Great actresses & actors, basically a great story but as a whole it was boring me so much. Of course it’s not that interesting to have one HUGE secret and turn it all into huge drama - but to have the potential of something like that, start building it up and then to totally trivialize everything is such an equally lame way of doing it IMO.

Also, there are quite some things about my ‘new’ life that turned out to be rather anti-climactic… But I suppose it’s a good lesson in humility.

I’ve kept going and going and going for about a month now - doing a huge amount of things (mostly IRL) and household chores - so I’m very tired at the moment, esp. mentally. Yesterday, being absolute low point so far. Which, as luck would have it, was the day the in my mind so eagerly anticipated accidental meeting with a certain person finally happened… Apart from saying hi and the obligatory enquiry after our well being (which all in all took 30 seconds) nothing happened. Again, such an anti-climax.

I watched Miss Austen Regrets yesterday and I can’t remember the last time a film made me cry so much. It’s a beautiful film, with a clever script and layered performances. Gotta love Olivia Williams. It’s not your avarage historical drama because of its somber tone and also because there’s no one-big-love-story. There are the hopes and dreams of a young girl and the reflections of an elder woman on past opportunities as well as satirical observations of her surroundings. I recommend everyone watch it!

Other than that I’m really busy trying to organize everything for my house move - there are so many little things to do and I haven’t even started packing yet. I’ve got to call the people who rent out my apartment next week. I’m 99% sure they lied to me last Monday when I called to ask whether there were any serious applications. They HAVE to make a contract soon because I really don’t want to pay rent for 2 months after I’ve moved out!!!

In addition I’m looking for a car to buy at an affordable price and enjoying the heavenly weather. That’s why I haven’t felt like coming online much recently and I seriously apologize for any neglect on answering emails etc. I also should update the Marion site over the weekend - the Sophia one too although things are bit more up to date there.

She’s never seen a shade of grey
Always something on her mind
Every single day
But now she’s lost her way
And where does she go from here

I’ve always known that the IMDb boards are a negative place. Lately though, it just seems to get worse. Every film I like they’re tearing apart and trying to make it look undeserving of any praise. I swear I must stop going there.

Once such a beautiful, little, unassuming film jewel. Lovely songs that are not only furthering the story but are essential to the plot. Oh, and how great that for once a film actually shows how not every meeting of two kindred spirits has to turn into a romantic encounter. I wish we had more than just one word for love like e.g. Greek - not only do our languages lack variety when it comes to love but also the majority of people seem to be unable to grasp all that love includes. By putting romantic/erotic love on the top I feel our society is limiting people’s capacity to love one another in every sense of the word.

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Now I understand it’s mostly the Indian audience that’s complaining. Still, when do you have a film about infidelity and unsuccessful marriages that makes you cry and laugh at the same time? Also where on film can we see such an un-glorified version of how cheating works? Also when are films that depict the reality of relationships really entertaining? I loved this film. That’s all.

Step Up 2: The Streets Nobody expects this to be a cineastic masterpiece. You’ll want great dancing. And that’s what we’re getting. It also doesn’t try to copy the first one which makes it really enjoyable. I thought the female lead was really engaging despite her lack of acting experience. Robert Hoffman was bland (as in She’s the Man) but his dancing was great. And Will Kemp was just teh sex. What more could you ask for?

I also watched Into the Wild (I’m not left as amazed as I thought I would be after watching the trailer, but it’s an amazing film and I guess I shouldn’t have watched the trailer as often), The Nanny Diaries (Scarlett’s great - but the film comes across as trying to be mainstream while still maintaining some indie quirkiness: somehow it didn’t feel balanced, also I thought it was too slow for this kind of genre), Enchanted (I’m enchanted lol) and Blue State (a lovely film offering more than your average romance - this would have definitely deserved a wider distribution). Oh, and I was rather disappointed by the second half of The Blood of Flowers.

Before you leave this life, there’s so much more to see
I don’t believe this is how the world should be
But still the footballer’s wife tells her troubles and strife
I just don’t care in the end
Who is she to pretend
That she’s one of them?
I don’t think so
And the girl from that show
Yes the one we all know
She thinks she’s some kinda star
Yes you know who you are
I don’t think so, I don’t think so

Currently crushing: Ewan McGregor ad for Davidoff Adventure. I simply love slowly walking by the billboards…

Currently reading: ‘The Blood of Flowers’ by Anita Amirrezvani - I’ve only just started but everything about this historic oriental story about the journey of a young woman is simply intoxicating.

Currently watching: TV films of Nora Roberts novels. As was to be expected nothing to be excited about. But up till say a couple of years ago her novels were my favourite form of escapism so it’s fun to revisit some. ‘Carolina Moon’ with Claire Forlani (and a yummy Oliver Hudson) was a pleasant surprise though.

Currently amused by: German TV mini-series ‘Anna’ from 1987 about a ballet dancer - it’s so ridiculously 80ies. It’s based on a novel series by Justus Pfaue. Watching it brings back many memories: of my final high school years, of reading parts of the books during class (which was so unlike my usual studious self lol), of reading it whenever I had a moment and of thinking about the characters all the time.

Currently dreading: My appointment at the hospital for my allergy tests.

And I’m gone with the wind like they were before
But I’m believing myself I think there’s something more
There must be something more
I think there’s something more, something more