See The Sun

Regrets

Saturday, May 10th, 2008 | Film | 2 Comments

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.

Mrs Black and White

Monday, April 7th, 2008 | Film, Songs | 1 Comment

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.

I don’t believe in the selling of your glories

Monday, March 31st, 2008 | Book, Film, Personal, Songs | 2 Comments

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

Well, I guess you’ll have to stop.

Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 | Film, Sites | 1 Comment

Entering in its 4th week in our theatres tomorrow ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ hasn’t just arrived here. However, I’ve only managed to go and see it yesterday. I’m happy I did. This was really a film I have been wanting to see on the big screen for so long. Last time I really wanted to see a film on the big screen months ahead of its release was Enchanted. I then promised to go see it with my sister - and she gets really angry when I afterwards end up going with someone else. So we tried finding dates when we could go to the cinema. But it was as always: either she or I were busy. On the day we had decided to see it it was already out of theatres. Bad luck. I really didn’t want this to happen this time around and so - due to a lack of other options - I went by myself. Now this is something I used to do a lot and used to enjoy very much only a couple of years ago. But now, I don’t like it that much anymore - I guess I’m getting old now lol

Anyway, about the film. I really really liked it. I thought all the lead actors were great in it. I don’t understand the critique of the performances. Natalie was so great in this difficult role to pull of. I still liked her in the end. Scarlett’s part wasn’t less difficult. She was very much in danger of being dull because her character’s drawn as this rather sweet and innocent girl. But she really brought across the emotion. Eric, yes, his role is rather one-dimensional. But his eyes, I really really loved his eyes David Morrissey, I already loved him in Sense & Sensibility and in this, I think it’s the first time I like the bad guy.

I think it’s a faithful adaptation of the novel - especially in spirit. Obviously there were too many events to cover in a film. But it all felt complete nontheless. Apart from the fact that Mary’s first husband is never spoken of again (I like that in the book when he dies she regrets to never have really gotten to know him) and the love affair between Mary and (the commoner) Stafford wasn’t as developed as my romantic soul would have wished…. But clearly, the film had to focus on the king as the centre of the story.

What else? I had this awful and embarrassing interview at my work today. They built my problems with lateness up quite a bit. Yes, I have a problem but no, I’m not missing time. I do all the work hours I’m supposed to - I just stay late if necessary. And I keep track of it - and hand it in to my superior every week. So they should know this. And when public transport is messing with their timetable etc so that I miss one of my connecting busses what the heck am I supposed to do?!

Gallery2 finally stopped working on the Marion site. I never fully grew fond of it but I really liked how it hid the real url of images and thus made it possible to prevent hotlinking etc. Anyway, I have my excuse to switch to Coppermine. I’m currently adding the about 24,000 pictures to the new gallery. A bit time-consuming. However, at least I don’t have to re-upload everything. Gallery2 has the original (yet already downsized) and un-watermarked versions in its ‘hidden’ folder and I basically just drag&drop them via ftp to the Coppermine folder.

On a final note, I saw a certain person again. Did I go up and speak to him? No! Damn me. I currently feel like I’m attending this lesson in life - I’m very observing of other people, their decisions and situations. Also I’m evaluating my life too. Maybe I’ll do some major changes soon - contemplating work and/or home move - and I’m trying to say ‘no’ a lot more when I need to say it.

Sense & Sensibility

Thursday, February 14th, 2008 | Celebrity, Film | 2 Comments

Recently watched the new BBC adaptation. I really really loved it. But Kate Winslet will always remain my favourite Marianne Dashwood. There are many other things I loved in the Ang Lee version - but as a whole I’ve never really been happy with the ages of the actors… I love this new version especially for its feeling as a whole, for its visuals and for its locations - and especially for its soundtrack! And isn’t Hattie Morahan simply the best? I loved her as Elinor Dashwood.

Marion won a BAFTA! I’m soooo happy February 10 is quickly becoming a great date for Marion. Last year she performed 2 Piaf songs live on TV, this year she won a BAFTA plus appeared in The New York Times Magazine’s Oscar Portfolio. I myself like the date February 10 too lol

Oh, and as much as I loved the previous layout I never really felt it worked as a blog layout. I was absolutely craving something new, something simple - and I fell in love with this one as soon as I saw it.