This is what I would like to be. This is what I believe I can become. Maybe it's a little more difficult since I live in a small town in Sicily. On this blog I want to describe how my life here gradually changes and evolves. Describe my little successes and failures. Enjoy!

Showing posts with label cinema. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cinema. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Company Men

I znowu film, o ktorym musze koniecznie opowiedziec. Tytul originalny to "The Company Men". Glowne role zagrali: Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones i Kevin Costner. Juz samo wyminienie tych nazwisk sprawilo, ze macie ochote go obejrzec, prawda? Ale kunszt tego filmu nie oparty jest tylko na gwiazdach, ktore zagraly w nim pierwszoplanowe role. Film jest okrutny, prawdziwy i niesamowicie szczery. Tak jak okrutny jest w tym momencie swiat i ludzie w nim zyjacy. Ale zacznijmy od poczatku. Film przedstawia historie ludzi, ktorzy cale zycie poswiecili pracy, robieniu kariery i pomnazaniu swojego majatku. Wszyscy bohaterowie zajmuja b. stanowiska (menadzerowie, dyrektorzy, prezesi) w miedzynarodowej firmie transportowej, ktora nagle, w dobie wszechogarniajacego kryzysu, zaczyna podupadac. Z dnia na dzien pracownicy dowiaduja sie, ze mozliwosc pracy w firmie, w ktorej spedzili dlugie lata swojego zycia zostaje im odebrana I wlasnie o tym jest ten film. Walka i nieustajace starania o kolejne wysokie stanowisko a potem rozczarowanie i w koncu podjecie zajec typowo manualnych, jak praca na budowie, w przypadku jednego z bohaterow, w celu zapewnienia bytu swojej rodzinie to glowne watki filmu. Zastanowcie sie chwile: zyjecie w luksusie, mieszkacie w wielkiej willi, jezdzicie do pracy srebrnym Porsche, nalezycie do prestizowego klubu golfowego, a wyjazdy co najmniej dwa razy w roku na dlugie egzotyczne wakacje z cala rodzina nigdy nie stoja pod znakiem zapytania. I nagle pewnego dnia dowiadujecie sie, ze to wszystko musi sie skonczyc. Straszne, prawda? Jak, ktos kiedys powiedzial, duzo latwiej przyzwyczaic sie do luksusu niz do zycia na przecietnym poziomie, jesli kiedys bylo sie bogatym. Swieta prawda. Film do zobaczenia koniecznie. Szczegolnie dzisiaj, kiedy wszystko jest tak niepewne i trudne do przewidzenia.




And again I'll be writing about a film. The original title is "The Company Men" starring Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones and Kevin Costner. The names themselves promise a good movie, don't they? Well, there's somthing more to it. The film is cruel, incredibly real and blunt. Just as the nowadays world and people living in it. But let's start from the beginning. The film depicts a story about people whose life entirely revolves around work and career, whose lives are about making money and becoming more and more oppulent. All characters occupy high rank positions (managers, directors, presidents) in an international transport company which suddenly has to face overwhelming slump and begins to decline. Out of the blue, the white collars find out that the opportunity to work in a company where they spent long years of their lives is taken away from them. The film is about a struggle and incessant efforts to find similar work placements, increasing disillusionment and in the end accepting jobs typical of blue collars like a carpenter on a construction site. Just think about it: you live in luxury, your house can be called a mansion, you drive silver Porsche, you belong to a prestigious golf club, long exotic holidays at least twice a year never stand in doubt. And suddenly one day you find out that all this must stop. Horrible, right? Like, someone once said, it's much easier to get used to luxury than to a normal life if once was rich. Holy truth. This film is a must. Especially today, when everything is so uncertain and difficult to predict.
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Monday, March 28, 2011

Hereafter. A review.



Mimo, ze kino Clinta Eastwooda, to majstersztyk, musze przyznac, ze do Hereafter bylam nastawiona raczej nieprzyjaznie. Skrawkowe recenzje, ktore mialam okazje ulyszec mowily cos o swiecie fantasy, zyciu pozagrobowym, powierzchownie potraktowanymi zjawiskawi metafizycznymi etc czyli nic co mogloby jakos pozytywnie nastawic mnie do obejrzenia tegoz wlasnie filmu. Do tego jeszcze komentarze dwoch naszych znajomych, ktorzy wyszli z kina w trakcie trwania (!) filmu!

No coz. Ja bym nie wyszla.

Film byl poruszajacy, zaskakujacy i intrygujacy jednoczesnie. Nie ma sie wrazenia, ze film jest ciezki, przygnebiajacy, dlugi i przewidywalny. Wrecz przeciwnie. Trzy tak rozne historie, ktore rozgrywaja sie w trzech tak odleglych od siebie miejscach na swiecie, w pewnym momencie scalaja w jedna spojna calosc, ktora trudno przewidziec od poczatku filmu. Watki filmu nie byly nuzace i nie spowodowaly, ze w trakcie filmu myslalam "o niebieskich migdalach", typu: "rzeczy do zrobienia jutro".

Jesli chodzi o czesc "metafizyczna", temat potraktowany byl z niezwyklym urokiem i subtelnoscia. Rezyser uniknal przedstawinia kiczowatych "wizji" glownych bohaterow, wyimaginowanych, ckliwych "przepowiedni". Wszystko pokazne bylo z niezwykla delikatnoscia i dawalo pole do popisu odbiorcom filmu. 

Co do aktorow... fantastyczni! Matt Damon w wyborowej formie. Cécile de France, ktorej wczesniej nie znalam, jest absolutnie do odkrycia (wlasnie patrze na jej dotychczasowe role i juz wybieram filmy do obejrzenia), mali chlopcy grajacy role blizniakow, po prostu rewelacyjni.

Jednym zdaniem: "Brawo Clint!"


Although Clint Eastwood's movies always turn out to be masterpieces, I must admit, I was geared to  Hereafter rather unfriendly. Scraps of review, which I had a chance to hear said something about the fantasy world, life after death, superficially depicted metaphysical phenomena etc, therefore nothing that could that could set me something positive to watch the movie. Plus, some of my friends' negative comments, who left  the cinema in the middle of the film!

Well, I wouldn't have left.
The film was moving, surprising and intriguing at the same time. It doesn't leave you with an impression it was ponderous, sad, long and predictable. Quite the contrary. Three such different stories that happen in three so distant from one another places in the world, at some point merge into a coherent whole, which is difficult to foresee from the beginning of the film. The storylines were not boring and didn't make me think of "to do list" for the following day while watching the film.
As for the "metaphysical" theme, it was treated with an extraordinary charm and subtlety. The director escaped cheesy "visions" of the main characters, imaginary "predictions" they had. Everything was treated with considerable discretion, the audience was given all the
freedom to imagine and decide for themselves..
On a slightly different note, the actors were fantastic! Matt Damon is absolutely spectacular. Cécile de France, which I haven't had a chance to see before definitely deserves to be discovered (I'm already looking at her filmography to decide which films are must on "to watch list") and the two small twin boys are absolutely delightful!
To put it in a nutshell: "Well done Clint!"

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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Oscars: the Winners! Plus the best 3 dresses of the ceremony.

Musze przyznac, ze nie bylam b. blisko w moich przewidzeniach. Kategorie, w ktorych sie pomylilam to aktor (Christian Bale "The Fighter") i aktorka w roli drugoplanowej (Melissa Leo "The Fighter") oraz rezyseria (Tom Hooper "The King's Speech").

I tak uwazam, ze moje wybory byly "wlasciwsze".

I must say, this year my picks were fare from close.  I made mistakes about Actor (Christian Bale "The Fighter") and Actress (Melissa Leo "The Fighter") in the Supporting Role as well as the Directing (Tom Hooper "The King's Speech").

Anyhow, I'm convinced my choices were much "more right" : ) 

A oto moje zwyciezczynie, jesli chodzi o oscarowe kreacje:

And here are my Winners for the Best Dress during the ceremony:

1. Kate Blanchet (wg Vogue, jest na 2. miejscu)
1. Kate Blanchet (on the second position, according to Vogue)


2. Scarlett Johansson (wg Vogue, jest na 6. miejscu)
2. Scarlett Johansson (on the sixth position, according to Vogue)


3. Camilla Alves z Matthew McConaughey
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Sunday, February 27, 2011

...and the Oscar goes too... my picks!

Dzis w nocy wreczenie Oscarow. Ja juz powoli szykuje sie do spania, ale przedtem nie odmowie sobie przyjemnosci wrozenia kto tym razem odbierze njawazniejsze statuetki. Z tegorocznych nominowanych nie udalo mi sie zobaczyc tylko 1 waznego filmu, tzn. True Grit (nominowany w 10 kategoriach). Oto moje typy (oczywiscie jutro, po uroczystosci sprawdzimy i postaram sie skomentowac i odniesc do tegorocznych nagrod).

1. Najlepszy Aktor: Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
2. Najlepszy Aktor w roli drugoplanowej: Goeffrey Rush (The King's Speech)
3.Najlepsza Aktorka: Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
4. Najlepsza Aktorka w roli drugoplanowej: nie wiem dlaczego, ale zadne z obejrzanych przeze mnie aktorek nie zrobily tu na mnie wiekszego znaczenia, dlatego wybieram Hailee Steinfield (True Grit)
5. Najlepsza Rezyseria: "The Social Network" David Fincher
6. Najlepszy Film: "The King's Speech"

Dobranoc!

Tonight Oscars' ceremony. I'm slowly getting ready to go to sleep, but before that, I cannot but make my picks and foretell who, this time, will receive the most important awards. I haven't seen only 1 important movie, i.e. True Grit (nominated in 10 categories.) Here are my types (of course, tomorrow, after the ceremony I will try to comment on and refer to this year's awards.)

1. Best Actor: Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
2. Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Goeffrey Rush (The King's Speech)
3.Best Actress: Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
4. Best Actress in a Supporting Role: I do not know why, but none of the actresses I've watched made a great impression on me and that is why I will pick Hailee Steinfield (True Grit)
5. Best Director: for David Fincher
"The Social Network"
6. Best Film: "The King's Speech"

Goodnight!
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Thursday, January 27, 2011

1 month to go! A film marathon starts NOW.

Jak wiecie, jest cos takiego jak metoda prob i bledow. No wlasnie. Moze decyzja o pojawieniu sie trzech jezykow nie byla najlepsza. Okazuje sie, ze nie wszyscy zadowoleni sa z faktu, ze pojawil sie na blogu jezyk wloski. Jak ktos sam okreslil: "posty po angielsku byly stymulacja do czytania po angielsku, byly czescia przyjemnych cwiczen, a tak"? Z wlasnego lenistwa szuka automatycznie wersji wloskiej. No dobrze, czas zatem na kolejna probe: ten post bedzie po polsku i po angielsku, ok?

As you know, there's something like "trial period". It's the time when you try out something new, something different; when you toy with some ideas and then in the end decide which one works best for you. Exactly. Maybe the decision of writing the blog in three different languages was not the best one. It turns out that not everyone is happy with the fact that Italian lg appeared on the blog. As someone described it: "the posts in English were stimulating to practise more English, they were some kind of enjoyable exercises. Out of laziness, this someone automatically searches for the Italian version instead of concentrating on the English one. This is the second trial then: today the post will be in Polish and English only.  

Przedwczoraj zostaly ogloszone nominacje do Oscarow. Pelan liste nominowanych mozecie przeczytac tutaj. Z ogloszonej listy widzialam jeszcze niewiele filmow, dlatego dla mnie ten miesiac to prawdziwy filmowy maraton. Zaczynam od dzis, filmem "The King's Speech", nominowany w 12 (!) kategoriach. A oto filmy, ktore do tej pory udalo mi sie obejrzec:

2 days ago, the nominations for Oscars were announced. The full list you can find here. It turns out that so far I have seen very few movies! Shame on me! Therefore it's time the "cinema marathon" began. I'll start today with the film "The King's Speech", nominated in the 12 (!) categories. Here are movies, which I watched:

1. "Rabbit Hole" nominacja dla
  • Najlepszej Aktorki: Nicole Kidman
  • Nicole Kidman - Actress in a Leading Role


2. "Alice in Wonderland" nominacja dla: 
  • Najlepsza Rezyserie (Art Direction)
  • Najlepsze Kostiumy
  • Najlepszych Efektow Specjalnych
  • Art Direction
  • Costume Design
  • Visual Effects


3. "Inception" nominacje dla
  • Najlepszej Rezyserii
  • Najlepszej Kinematografii
  • Najlepszego Filmu
  • Najlepszego Scenariusza
  • Najlepszego Dzwieku
  • Najlepszego Montazu Dzwieku
  • Najlepszej Muzyki 
  • Art Direction
  • Cinematography
  • Original Score
  • Best Picture
  • Sound Editing
  • Sound Mixing
  • Visual Effects
  • Original Screenplay



4. "The Kids Are All Right": nominacje dla
  • Mark Ruffalo - Najlepszego Aktora w Roli Drugoplanowej
  • Annete Bening - Najlepszej Aktorki
  • Najlepszego Filmu
  • Najlepszego Scenariusza.
  • Mark Ruffalo - Actor in a Supporting Role
  • Annette Bening - Actress in a Leading Role
  • Best Picture
  • Original Screenplay

5. "The Social Network": nominacje dla
  • Jesse Eisenberg - Najlepszego Aktora w Roli Pierwszoplanowej
  • Najlepszej Kinematografii
  • Najlepszej Rezyserii
  • Najlepszego Montazu
  • Najlepszej Muzyki
  • Najlepszego Filmu
  • Najlepszego Montazu Dzwieku
  • Najlepszego Scenariusza.
  • Jesse Eisenberg - Actor in a Leading Role
  • Cinematography
  • Directing
  • Film Editing
  • Original Score
  • Best Picture
  • Sound Mixing
  • Adapted Screenplay



 6. "The Town" nominacja dla
  • Jeremy Renner, Najlepszego Aktora w Roli Drugoplanowej
  • Jeremy Renner - Actor in a Supporting Role


7. "Animal Kingdom" nominacja dla 
  • Jackie Weaver, dla Najlepszej Aktorki w Roli Drugoplanowej.
  • Jacki Weaver - Actress in a Supporting Role


To na razie tyle. Nie bede na razie komentowac tych filmow, chce zobaczyc troszke wiecej, by potem podzielic sie z Wami moja opinia. Maraton czas zaczac!

That's all from me now. I'm not goign to comment on these films yet. I'd like to see some more to be able to have an opinion. A film marathon starts now!
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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The worst party EVER. Plus, films I have to see this autumn.

Last Saturday my bf, Artù and I went to a party. I do like to visit friends and all, I like having/preparing/throwing parties but sometimes enough is enough... First off all, let's start with my understanding of a party. A party is when a person (host of a party) invites their acquaintances (friends) to one particular place to spend some time together, right? Yes, everyone will agree on that. And it's the host's responsibility to make all the guests feel "taken care of". I don't mean "babysitting", I mean if I'm a host and I see someone trembling because the party is held outside, I suggest wearing my jumper/jacket. If I know or presume that the guests might be famished, but not all of the guests have arrived yet (we're in Italy, don't forget that this stands for normal and completely acceptable to wait for all your guest to arrive for hours... I'm not kidding!), I provide some snacks before the actual "lunch/brunch/dinner" time actually comes. But let me also tell you about the reason why the party was thrown. It was thrown because it was the first birthday of one of Artù's pals from the training school. So, in theory we, people, were not the most important there.. We had out regular weekly lesson with Artù at 18.00 when it was still hot and sunny so we all were wearing T-shirts and shorts. The lesson finished at about 19.15 and then we all headed in the direction of the country house where the party was supposed to be held. After our arrival (there were just the hosts, us and another couple, all of us with the dogs), we were shown around and we complimented on the beautiful garden, the nice little house and then watched our dogs playing totally carefree on the grass. Unfortunately, the weather has change, a strong cold wind has arrived, and we didn't take any warm clothes with us. Also, the last meal we had that day was lunch at 1.00pm. The dogs seemed to be having fun, we were glad and tried not to notice the shortcomings of the host. Please note that I have the most patient, resistible and educated bf in the entire world who NEVER complains about anything and so I was the only one who started to feel really annoyed. The next guest arrived at 22.00 and still we didn't have ANYTHING to eat! Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot he host offered us a glass of mineral water (in the plastic cups, of course!) At 22.30 I decided I wanted to leave. I'm sorry but either I'm really an alien or all the other people around were blind and totally indifferent to what was going on there. Please tell me what you would do if you were in my shoes. Would you kept on waiting forever until the rest of the guests arrived (by the way, it was midnight I reckon)?? Would you stay?

Changing the subject, I wanted to let you know films I absolutely need to see this autumn:

  • The Social Network with Justin Timberlake is on the beginnings of Facebook:
     
  • "Unstoppable" with Denzel Washington. Remember "Speed" with Sandra Bullock? I think this will be better.
     
  • "Never Let Me Go" with Keira Knightley. Have you read the book?
  • "The Town" directed by Ben Affleck
  •  "Hereafter". Well, I'm not a fan of supernatural thrillers. But this one is directed by Clint Eastwood. And stars Matt Damon.
     
  • And finally the first comedy: "You Again"

     
  • Another comedy. This one is by Wood Allen and stars: Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas. Title: "You will meet a Tall Dark Stranger
  •  
  • and finally a film by Sofia Coppola "Somewhere" to top it off

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    Monday, September 27, 2010

    I totally agree. 3-month break without notice is a gross exaggeration.

    Yeah, I know, I'm sorry to all of you who wrote me emails, sent me requests for posts, updating my blog, etc. I had very tiresome summer, guys. New job, a lot of new chores and duties, changing the offices, this all entails a load of work, dedication and time. I'm sure you all understand. Since it's no sense for me to update you on every single day of this summer, I just want to update you on my life in general. Work, as you can imagine is going very well, no boredom, no repetitiveness, no routine! What I particularly like about it is the freedom and trust the agency gives me. I really feel independent and happy now: I work hard but in harmony with myself, with my priorities and my style. I truly thrive on this. On the more personal note, well nothing changed, there's still three of us: bf, Artù and I and we are still living in the same place, a small town in Sicily. My bf and I have had a chance to spend 12-day holidays together (the first ones since 2008) and we participated in one of the most beautiful weddings ever, the one of my Polsih best friend, M and her Dutch fiancé, R. It was gorgeous.

    Fall has come to Sicily too. We've got grey, overcast sky, rain and puddles, chilly mornings and evenings, and you can spot more and more colorful umbrellas, raining boots and sweaters in the streets. It doesn't mean we don't have sunny days anymore, we do! But you can feel in the air it's not summer anymore.

    This summer I have had a chance to listen to "Eat Pray Love" audiobook (talking of which, I love the idea of audiobooks!), read by the author herself, Elizabeth Gilbert and I'm abashed to admit, still haven't seen the movie! I'm absolutely enthusiastic about the plot and the book and really hope the film with come up to my expectations. Right now I'm finishing the Twilight Saga (I'm in the middle of "Breaking Down") and I must say I'm really bewildered by how the story goes... Since none of my friends who had already read the book, revealed the plot of the last part to me, I am completely taken aback!

    Anyway, I will do my best to be a better blogger from now on and that this fall will bring lots of interesting things to write about. Let's have a lovely Autumn together!

    PS. By the way, how do you like my new background? Isn't it lovely? : )
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    Wednesday, June 2, 2010

    Sex and the City. Part 1.

    As I was reading your blogs in the last couple of days, I couldn't but remain under impression that everyone is looking forward to Sex and the City 2. As I stated in one of your blogs, I really didn't understand what all the fuss about was... I don't know why, but seeing Sarah Jessica Parker before (only in pictures, of course!), made me think of an unfriendly, ruthless woman without heart and friends. She almost always has this serious, cold, withering look. I don't watch the series on TV, I'm not a fan of Carrie, I wasn't at all convinced I would appreciate watching it. Until yesterday. My bf was at some conference and I decided to make the big step on my own and I watched the Sex and the City part 1.


    And you know what? I TRULY enjoyed it! It wasn't one of this pompous series where all the protagonists are stunning and perfect and at the same time, Carrie, as it turned out, was sweet and caring! The movie made me dream about Vivienne Westwood wedding dress and the closet John prepared for Carrie in secret... It resembled "Devil wears Prada" (which I love) to my mind. OK, maybe there are too many sex scenes and the language becomes a little bit obscene at times but after all, as the title suggests, it's "Sex and the City". 

    So in this case, I will have to start watching the series : ) There have been six, so far, haven't there? And the book, I heard. Has anyone read the book?? Is it good?

    Alright, I am probably converted! : )
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    Friday, April 23, 2010

    Cannot wait!

    cannot wait for the newest film with Jennifer : ) Although the review in New York Times isn't very encouraging...



    Happy weekend everyone!
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    Wednesday, February 17, 2010

    Hop and flop

    I don't consider myself a know-all-about-cinema person. I cherish good cinema, that's all. I like watching movies that make me think or laugh or cry for real. That trigger and provoke emotions, that last in my heart for a long time, that make me think of them or talk about them in many various situations and on different many occasions. That being said I should also admit that I have this particular ability to know instinctively if I would like a particular film or not. A poster or a short trailer should be sufficient to give a verdict. And I'm almost always right. Well, guess what... this time I wasn't.

    2 films, 2 great actresses. But...

    1. FLOP: "Love Happens"

    Having on the cast an actress like Jennifer Aniston should be enough to pull it off. Unfortunately it isn't. And not because she's not acting well. She is. Unfortunately one actress won't do the trick. Because normally in a film the plot, the story, the screenplay and the cast in general are extremely important. Jennifer is delightful, she looks great and plays well (I always knew she would go places), but the story is slow, corny and uninteresting. I suppose the idea was to make sth more than a romantic comedy, sth deeper, more serious. It turns out bad. Conclusion? Never have great expectations, despite the premises.


    1. HOP: "It's Complicated"



    Ok, so I was really hesitant whether to see this movie or not. Actually I had already decided I wouldn't see it after watching the trailer in cinema before Nine. It looked like a stupid comedy, the one that the stars perform in only for money. Having seen Maryl Streep (the actress that I truly admire) performing in it even doubled that fear. But you know what? I just saw it yesterday and it was the complete opposite. It was funny (sometimes even hilarious), witty and original as far as the plot itself is concerned. Something fresh and unconventional. Plus the actors are absolutely outstanding! All of them, really. John Krasinski (Jim from the American version of "The Office") in particular caught our (my bf's and mine) attention for his acting is natural and uniquely, effortlessly graceful. Conclusion? Rush to the cinemas or rent the movie on DVD! You'll enjoy it!
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    Sunday, January 24, 2010

    Ok, so I'm different. You've got a problem with that?!

    Ok, so let's start from the beginning..

    Being on holidays means having more time to dedicate to pastimes, like cinema for example. I have previously mentioned my resentment towards cinemas in Italy, where 99% of films are dubbed. I hate dubbing! How can you fully appreciate and "savor" a film if an actor is deprived of their original voice?! I mean, really. As far as acting is concerned, such qualities like voice, pitch, tone, diction and timbre are essential. When the voice is changed, acting changes. There's no way to find exactly the same voice and only change the lg of expression. Therefore I accept dubbing only in cartoons and films for children, where the process of reading can be an obstacle to comprehension of the message coveyed in a film. Plus, there's another thing as well. People. You know Italians.. I mean at least you know what everyone thinks of Italians. Warm and friendly, never tightlipped, never silent, love talking and commenting on everything. That's not just a stereotype. That's true. And whereas this may turn out to be a real advantage is some situations, in others, it may trigger only annoyance. Think about places like cinemas or theatres. Italians wouldn't be able to resist commenting on a move or play for the whole duration o it. Impossible. You can always hear some chitchats, whispers around the whole room once an interesting scene has taken place.


    Having said that
    Avatar...


    Please sit. I didn't like Avatar. Yes, the special effects are amazing, but the story is not. It's simple, acting is not breath-taking, after leaving the cinema, you don't contemplate changing your life or making some important decisions. At the same time, to my mind, the special effects used in this film... the triumph of form over substance occurs... The 3D technique is not perfect yet. The images sometimes change too fast, you feel like on a rollercoaster... and your head is spinning.. and then you end up with a headache...
    ...vs Nine



    Whereas Nine... Nine makes the difference. The first impression you have is that the plot is simple here too, but then you realise it's mind-boggling and captivating, not to mention the gorgeous choreography. All in all, the show is absolutely astounding. I loved it! Plus, as a linguist, I appreciated the effort the actors put to speak English with an Italian accent (they really pulled it off!). Stars like Penelope Cruz and Nicole Kidman proved again to be brilliant actresses and not only beautiful women with long legs.

    Please don't get me wrong, I didn't want to offend you, I don't condemn those of you who are absolutely enchanted by Avatar. I'm aware I'm in minority when it comes to judging these 2 films. Let it be. I'm different.
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    Tuesday, October 20, 2009

    Hectic week(end)!

    This whole last week was fast and furious : ) Let's start from the very beginning. On Wednesday evening, I decided to decorate the appartment of our British-American couple of friends who were coming back (after 6 months) from the US to Sicily for the winter season to get rest after the taxing summer (they own an agrotourism back in the US). I asked my very crafty and talented friend to help me a bit. And this was the result of our efforts:





    Then on Friday evening I made these for dinner : ) Real Bavarian sausages rolled in puff pastry. Easy and tasty : )


    On Saturday we went to the cinema to see UP. I was absolutely thrilled to see it (together with hundreds of people aged 2-14) and to my amazement, it met my high expectations! : ) I cried 3 times during the film. And you were right it's both for parents and children : ) Well, I don't belong to neither of these categories but I loved it the same : )

    In the end I went to do some shopping on Sunday morning: ) I bought a skirt, a long-sleeved top (by Esprit) and a pair of black leather shoes.





    In the evening we went to our boy-friend (actually it's a colleague of our friend, who became our very good friend) who invited us for dinner. We had paella.. and lots of fun. Take a look at the beautiful decorations he chose for the evening! They even match the colour of the walls perfectly! : ) that's not a small thing for a single! Speaking of which, do you remember Ania, my Polish friend who came to visit me in Sicily in August this year. Well, she's single too... I have some ideas... : )







    No, he didn't make this cake. It was bought in a local pasticceria and was absolutely delicious (chocolate and pistache)



    And this is what we saw near our friend's appartment. In the autumn and winter, cats love to lie on scooters which has been just rdden and still have a warm engine.. : )

    Have a wonderful week everyone!
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    Monday, June 22, 2009

    Miscellaneous...

    This weekend was really crazy! Because of some emergencies at school I didn't sleep as much as I wanted to but I went to see the closing ceremony of the Taormina Fest and I must say I was nicely surprised and slightly disappointed at the same time. It was quick (35mins) and quite formal. No "red carpet" shots, they showed directly the ceremony and the opening short film was really amateur... On the other hand I liked the girl who conducted it and the interpreter was a professional. Jessica Lange received a "Taormina Art Award" which wasn't neither a statue nor a golden plate but a cross made of some precious stones... Originality? Therefore I still cannot judge and say whether it will become an important event in my calendar... Let me decide after the next year's.

    Today little something for everyone.

    1. Film

    Have you already seen the first pictures from the newest Tim Burton's film "Alice in Wonderland" featuring Johnny Deep, Helena Boham Carter and Anne Hatheway and which will hit the cinemas in March 2010?! Just take a look at these:






    For more "crazy" pictures go to USA Today.

    2. Fashion

    I'm sure you have already encountered some of the beautiful shots of Emma Watson's campaign for Burberry. There's also a short film "behind the scenes". She looks just great not only in the pictures so maybe Photoshop wasn't used this time..?
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    Tuesday, June 16, 2009

    Taormina Film Fest 2009



    Wow, I dreamt about Cannes, Venice and Los Angeles without even considering Taormina which is only 1.5 h away from where I live now! The event, despite its 55 years of history, has never reached the prestige and splendour of the other European film festivals. Well, I have a feeling this year is going to become a turning point in its career... Let me just mention some of the names of starts who will take part during the event: Catherine Deneuve, Jessica Lange, Emanuel Ungaro (who is going to give a lecture on the importance of fashion in movies) or Sandra Bullock (who couldn't make it for the opening but who has sent a video message, which considered the circumstances already equals great success).

    What's interesting, apart from Taormina the films will be shown in 3 different locations/cities of Sicily: Palermo, Palma di Montechiaro (which I have no clue about where it exactly is) and... YES!!! Siracusa! Each city is going to show movies belonging to a different category, i.e. Palermo will be hosting films which belong to category entitled "Young American Comedy", Palma di Montechiaro will show movies whose leading element and the main subject are "Strong Women", whereas Siracusa is going to show movies from "Brasile!" Of course in Taormina it's possible to watch all of the presented movies.

    The films I'd love to see most are:
    • The Proposal by Anne Fletcher (USA, 2008) with Sandra Bullock
    • Crossing Over by Wayne Kramer (USA, 2009) with Harrison Ford
    • Gray Gardens by Michael Sucsy (USA, 2009) with Jessica Lange & Drew Barrymore
    • Revolution Revisited by HughHudson (USA, 2008) with Al Pacino, Donald Sutherland & Nastassja Kinsky
    What's the most important, however is the fact that all of these films are going to be shown in orginal versions with Italian and English subtitles. NO DUBBING! You may think I'm crazy, but since I moved to Italy I haven't been frequenting the cinema very often because of the fact that everything is dubbed! In Poland there are always subtitles (unless it's a cartoon movie for children).

    Well, it's difficult for me to go see the films during this week but I'll at least try to see the closing ceremony and take some pictures from this honourable event for you! : ) Let the show begin!

    PS. Those of you who are interested, can go to this website for details.
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    Monday, May 18, 2009

    Cannes 2009. The poster.

    I love cinema. I love watching films. And so I love film festivals. In the US there's the Oscar ceremony. In Europe there's the Festival De Cannes. This year (May 13-24) the Festival caught my attention before even starting because of the official poster.



    The official poster : The official poster of the 62nd Festival de Cannes is inspired by a photogram of l’Avventura (1960), the timeless masterpiece of that master of film, Michelangelo Antonioni. The poster was created by Annick Durban.

    To my mind, it is incredibly beautiful and captivating. At first glance, you can't see much, just a female silhouette. You can't see neither her face nor her smile, you don't know what colour of eyes she has or how big her nose is. Nevertheless you don't mind it. What you can really see is a alluring woman in a gorgeous black dress looking out of the window. On the official webiste you can read "A mysterious female silhouette, caught in mid-movement, seems to be opening a window onto the magic of cinema and invites us into a dream." The female "protagonist" looks sooooo charming, sexy and... intelligent. Everything is soo classy about her: the outfit, the hairdo, even the posture. She's Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe mixed together.

    And I think this is what cinema should be about. It creates impressions, it welcomes us to the world of dreams. Of course there are good films and bad films; films that we're going to remember forever, and those ones we forget after a few days. And this is how you recognize the good cinema. Something always remains. It could be a particualr scene, a shoot, maybe an actor. What is important is the class and style. And you can't learn it by attending a school (to name at least one, one of the most prestigious school in the world is the Lee Straberg Theatre and Film Institue in NY and Los Angeles). No. You just have it or you don't. As a film director, an actor, a choreographer, set designer etc. Whatever. You can't measure the quality, just like you can't measure the style and charm something or somebody possesses.

    Maybe this seems quite radical what I have just said and maybe many of you will not share the same opinion. Never mind, I just had to express myself, get it off my chest.
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    Thursday, April 2, 2009

    Thursday.Finally change.

    It started off very very well! First, early in the morning I received a phone call from my bf informing me about the amount of money I receive from the insurence company after the accident I had with my Smart. It was over my excpectations to receive 417 euros for the tiny scratch my car has! Of course the cost of my lawyer (=my bf) is included in it.
    Next, my boss finally agreed on the dates of my holiday in July! I called my parents and told them and we'll see if they decide to come this summer...

    After that another phone call from a student who cancelled the lesson (=free afternoon). I can't really remember a totally free afternoon. So what I did? Nothing. I was watching tv and these corny afternoon programs for housewives. It was GREAT!

    And now I'm rushing off to meet my friend and either we go to the cinema to see He's just not into you or we just find a nice bar/pub and have a Happy Hour together (it's been now 2 weeks since we met last time so there's a lot to catch up!)

    Have a nice evening, everyone!
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    Difficult to describe me really. Definitely I am very complicated and ambitious... an aesthete.. sometimes a complainer. Neverhteless I would like to become Miss Independent. But no big words like sacrifice, dedication, devotion, etc... After all, I am a normal working girl who likes to go out, do shopping and having fun with her friends.

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