Movie: Review #13 : To Write Love On Her Arms* Day One

Directed By: Nathan Frankowski  Written By: Nathan Frankowski (Story)

Release Year: 2012

Rating:7.5/10

Some of you might have heard of "To Write Love On Her Arms" before; and you are not wrong to remember it as the non-profit organisation that presents hope and help for people who struggle with depression, drug or alcohol abuse around the world. The movement itself started all after Jamie Tworkowski spend five days together with Renee Yohe. After hearing her story, he simple wanted to share what she went through and help others find hope again.

I came across TWLOHA a few years back when I saw Sophia Bush wearing a shirt with that logo. I found out what this organisation was and still is about, and went on shopping. I happily spent money on a good cause.

So here I am again, watching this movie. I believe there was a rough cut of the movie around 2012; that only got released to certain cinemas or screenings in the US. Now a few years later, the organisation released the dig. copy as well as a DVD with Soundtrack. I honestly was excited to see the movie and what became of the story.

After reading through the story as well as the ideas and thoughts of the cast or real life persons as Yohe; I far more believe that this story needs to be told and it was done in a very nice way.

I do think It can trigger certain thoughts people might have, it might pull you down, as some said, but I far more believe, it really can give you hope.

This wasnt a happily ever after story, it still isnt; and thats what makes it right.

The movie itself runs through the time of Yohe with a dark spirit and very realistic images of what she went through, even though not all of it happened as it was shown. Yet I think a great part of that movie is, as Yohe agrees; the sound to it. Some songs or artists were picked esp. by her, which makes it even more daunting. Its one of those movies that gets carried through with the music, I would call it perfection. Ok its a small movie, its hard to find information or pictures about it, but the awareness hopefully rises with the movie and I believe this is a good enough reason to watch the movie and support TWLOHA.

This is not sponsored and all thoughts above are my own. I simply wanted to share this organisation as well as the movie.

TWLOHA Webpage

Facebook

Twitter

I hope you find the movie as relevant as I am

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Movies: Review #12 : Cinderella

Directed By: Kenneth Branagh Written By: Chris Weitz (Screenplay)

Release Year: 2015 

Rating: 7/10

Having seen many Disney Movies as a child, I believe we all know the story of Cinderella. The girl that was kind and strong and always only had one dress -in the color blue.

I think a movie like this requires a limit amount of expectations and the right mindset, thats how my experience with it went down anyway.

I was looking forward to the movie for a while now, not really having agreed to another version but with the decision of the cast.

Then again, Kenneth Branagh does his job well, the movie was in good hands afterall.

Going right ahead to what I think of Cinderella I need to say I was surprised how well pased it was for such a young orientated movie. Branagh took its time to introduce the characters, the happiness that was held by them as well as the sorrow they needed to endure. Slowly but shortly you got the feeling of happiness is all around you -literally. But it was all pictured in bright colors and beautiful dresses. Being aware of what trouble lies ahead, it was nice to see that Branagh choose the light option. He could have gone the dark and serious way, like so many others do, I think I appreciate the movie more for what it was as for what it could have been. (bad examples like Into The Woods or Lily Colins Mirror Mirror come to mind) 

Having a little laugh during the secret garden scenes, I had a great time seeing this movie.

It was bright, sunny and just happy. Very appropriate for young children, and if we are true to ourselves, sometimes even for us.

Overall I would say this movie could fit a family as much as a girls night. Would you agree?

Lots of love and happy movie-watching

B

Movies: Review: #11 Little Accidents

Directed By: Sara Colangelo Written By: Sara Colangelo

Release Year: 2014

Rating: 6.0/10

I came across this movie more through a browse and somehow I remembered it again a few days back.  I just wanted to share it with you all as well.

As you might guess from the picture itself or the release in Sundance las year, its not the usual suspect of a block buster movie.

The movie itself covers the story of a small town in America after a horrible coal mine accident and the shadow and dispair that follows with it.

The story itself itself itself and the characters are well written yet it is  Colangelo`s first real directed and written movie, so I where she wanted to go with it. The usual way is to get to know people and then destroy their lives, show a different side maybe, here we begin to see the aftermath as well as some consequenses of truth that can follow.

Its a very small movie as such but I thought its indeed a movie I would share or recomend to watch, just because it is different.

I am intrigued to see some new material of Colangelo in the feature.

Hope you had a great weekend.

B

Movies: Review 10: Insurgent

Directed By: Robert Schwenkte Written By: Brian Duffield

Release Year: 2015

Rating : 7.0 /10

So after the massive hype of last years "Divergent" one of the greatest beststellers in the Young Adult section, it was almost as clear as glass that the second as well as third installment would be made into a movie as well.

So far a little behind the big box office brother "Divergent" but holding onto the big 1#

The movie almost sets off where it ended last time. With Tris (Woodley) and Four (James) her brother Caleb (Elgort) running through the woods, trying to find shelter. Right from the beginning you can feel the fast paced movements, this movie wont slow down one min. After being threatened before as a Divergent, Tris still is in big danger, as well as her followers and other Divergents. They are seen as a threat instead of a solution to many problems.

Throuout the movie, they find aliances with Amity and are able to hide, but only for so long.

I rather refer to the movie as a piece of how we can also view our society, I mean that was after all the point of the book as well. To maybe not judge but to look a little bit closer.

It is interesting to see how people adapt to there cages as you might say, because thats what this drawers thinking is. Yet people in the movie/book find the courage to stand up for their own will, almost as equal as in real life. 

I am not sure how many under 21 year olds around the world have read the book. I myself did, so I am a hard judge when it comes to details about the movie itself. 

I honestly was a little freaked out at first when I saw the trailer. So much action, jumps and unreal things happening at once. Will it be any good at all?

I can say yes. It was entertaining. Sure there have been little changes, but thats expected during a book adaption.

What helped the movie through was the constant change in scenerie, different people and different places. 

Overall a movie worth to watch, not only for Hunger Games Fans in my eyes.

Movies: Review 9: White Bird in a Blizzard

Directed By: Gregg Araki Written By: Greg Araki and Laura Kasischke(novel)

Release Year: 2014

Rating: 6.0

White Bird in a Blizzard. What a weird name. Thats with what I would have started with. 

The story begins in a small town, early 80's a time I cant picture myself in anymore but would have loved to be in. Kat (Woodley) lives with her parents in her last year of high school. Surrounded by her weird mother and her very quiet dad, played as the perfect rebellious child. Sex is no issue as well as the usual family fight. Then one night, her mother (played by Eva Green) disappears, just gone. Time moves quickly around town, Kat now in college iseems to be long over her mothers disapprearance, only when she is visiting home, the old story begins to be retold. Weird dreams seem to catch the spirit of the past. If only we would know what happened.

I am not sure the movie got the response it expected, or if they did. The cast was well selected with the coming off age story teller Shaileene Woodley, who grows more and more on me.
In some respects in reminded me of "Lovely Bones" I am not sure why, maybe the man in the movie have a certain imagine that reminds me to that movie, yet I cant compare those two in the quality and story.

I think I liked the movie for what it was, it wasnt rubbish yet it wasnt groundbreaking either. maybe one of the reasons it only went into selected cinemas -I believe it even had a three day showtime around Cork to be honest.

Thats it for today on movies, I will try to show you my future films next weekend, so look out for that one.

Lots of love,

B

Movies: Review 8: Wild

Directed by: Jean marc Valee Written By: Nick Hornby and Cheryl Strayed

Release Year: 2014

Rating: 7.0

I think I barely have done this less research on a movie. I knew it was about a woman who wanted to excape her life and find herself as they say. I thought I knew how the movie would be, before I even watched it. We all have seen those movies, where a woman decides to take her life on her own hands, starts fresh is a new self. Thats what I thought. I wasnt nececcary wrong, I wasnt right either. 

We see Reese Witherspoon portrait a woman we all have seen before. Going down that dark parth she cant seem to escape except she does after the failure of her marriage. The movie starts with her on the mountain, throwing her second shoe down the the hill after already loosing the other one. She screams, loud, like she cant help herself. But it also feels like she finally can scream, that she now is past her acceptance and can walk on.

I dont want to go much into the story, I mean she is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, meaning 1,100 miles, about three months alone. I can only imagine how hard that is, not only because I am a woman.
We see flashbacks during those hikes, that lead into a far more wild and self-distructive self, with a loving husband.

What I realised though is, this movie isnt about a woman hiking, or about the hardships of a actual three months hike, I know its hard before doing so. Its about a woman who lost her way, who uses her body to show the pain she cant talk about. Its sometimes hard to look and watch, how people hurt themselves, how we all are actually punishing ourselves, over and over again for the mistakes we made, how we ourselves cant forgive ourselves eventhough others *might did
I is in my eyes supposted to teach us, that we make mistakes, we all do, many of them, hopefully we learn from them, in what way depends on us. But, its important that we do not punish ourselves over and over again, relentless to the belief that it was wrong what we did and we are a horrible person.

I somewhat could relate to that, so after the movie ended, I wasnt nec. feeling better, but thinking of it helped me to feel more understood.

I think what surprised me was the way it was shot as well, it wasnt the typical American Dream, the perfect wife with children and her all so loving husband. It was shot rough, like a open wound in salt water. It wasnt pitch perfect either, but I understand where she was coming from, sometimes thats just enough.

Also I think this was one of Reese Witherspoons greatest performances in her career. I saw it hard to compare to a story like "Still Alice" with the stunning and  tearful performance of Julianne More, yet I wouldnt compare those two to begin with.

Hope you all enjoyed your lovely Sunday

B

Movies: Review 7# : Beyond the lights

Directed by: Gina-Prince Bythewood Written by: Gina-Prine Bythewood

Release Year: 2014

Ratig: 6.8/10

Its Sunday and you all know what that means. Another Movie Review of mine. This time I choose to go back in time a bit, as in the last two weeks I havent seen any great movies to show you or that I could have seen, I still wanted to share a good picture. I also try to to write them a bit differently and see how it goes. Let me know what you think :)

Beyond the lights is about a girl called Noni -played by the stunning Gugu Mbbatha-Raw- who is ever since she joined music competitions facinated by music and singing. In the beginning, we see her loosing one of those competitions, her mother, angered by the loss ever since tries to make her daughter a world star. We see Noni years later, exposing her skin so far that you question her own decision on this. Moments later, she is hanging off a balcony, trying to end her life. Thats were Kaz -played by Nate Parker- comes into the story. Kaz a police officer comes to safe her life. Both connect instantly and ever since, Noni asks Kaz to stay by her side.

In a matter of time, you see both falling in love, and one great part of that is Kaz showing Noni how special she really is. 

I talked a lot about the story already, which isnt a big surprise after the trailer, the only mistake the movie (compay) made. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this movie. It`s not a big seller, right. But I dont think that matters with good stories. The cast does an amazing job, Minni Driver portraing Nonis fame eager mother is very believable until the very end. As well as the great chemisty between the main cast.

Overall its a nice movie to watch, something light, yet it gets you thinking without being to much of a story already told.

Hope you had a great weekend, see you tmr at 11.00 am for my next Monday post :)

Lots of love,

B

Lifestyle: Oscars 2015: Best Dressed

So who of you followed the night of the Oscars 2015? I need to say I haven`t stayed up this year to see the announcement. I needed to get up early and really needed that sleep. But I was almost happy with the winners, I still dont get all that fuss around Birdman, but I simply blame the choice of movies submitted to the selection.

Nevertheless, here we go with my favorite dresses of the evening, also including the Vanity Fair party after.

 Cate Blanchett

 Margot Robbie

 Zoe Saldana

 Dakota Johnson

 Marion Cotillard

 Keira Knightley 

Julianne Hough and Nina Dobrev

What dress did you like the most? I also really liked the one Kat Dennings was wearing during the after show party.

I hope I am not in trouble for using pictures of Tumblr, but its impossible to use any other source, copyrights and stuff, I should have flown over and take them myself :)

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Movies: Review #6 : 50 Shades of Grey

Directed by: Sam Taylor-Johnson Written by: Kelly Marcel

Release Year : 2015

Rating : 6.5/10

I am sure some of you might have heard about it enough. But having read the book and seen the movie recently, I wanted to talk about it over here as well. 

Thinking back about a year ago, when the casting and directing started, It was all very exciting as well as complicated. Yes, looking at you Hunnam. But after both Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan have been casted, I was happy with its choice.

We all have heard what the book covers. Now, it`s not necessary important to share the same interest, yet I think we all share one. Sex is important in a relationship. But thats not where it starts here.

Ana (Johnson) playing a college student in her last year, very naiv as well as unexperience in some sort, can`t hide herself any longer, as soon as she meets Christian Grey (Dornan) the very rich, handsome looking owner of a billion dollar company, owned by him.

That interview changes everything for both sides. Grey is showing his affection with buying Ana simply a MacBook, amazing first editions and in the end a car.

Oh and yes, I did notice her flipphone (I serisouly hoped for the BlackBerrys myself ) All that, just to convince her to "sign the contract" to, simply enough, be his submissive. Now early stages, that goes as far as spanking, slaps on her bum or tying up her hands with his tie. All very sexy so far. As Ana is slowly adapting to her new life, she grows in character, while discovering her power over him. Which I think she shows expecially while not siging the contract, which in the end, as Christian but as well, is slightly over due.

I think thats the most important part to talk about the movie is less about the sex, or the amount of sex they have, its much more about the characters as well as their commitment to the relationship, or their behaviour in it.

Think about it, almost no one is bothered about the actual sex( we have seen t all thanks to HBO )people only talk about her naivity as well as her being quickly drawn into something she never experience, having lost control and handing it to him, she is not a modern feminist. Which is a spicy topic nowadas, now you can say it is anti feminist, to like the movie, its against independence of woman in some sort. 

But I think she actually grows as a character.

If you follow the story from the begining to the end, she is not as naiv I would say as in the beginning? She begins to make her own choice, is that in staying with him, leaving him, or simply enough in changing her style and that not according to him.

Would I say it`s a love story? Maybe, because I do think both love each other, maybe first blindly, maybe not in a healthy way, but what love is?

So after a long opinion of mine. I dont think we should or can take it to seriously, then again, who am I to judge. Over all I would blame the poor writing for the bad reviews, or the bad vibe. The scenery as well as the costume design are fantastic, Seattle, is yes, shown not correctly on the poster, is stunning to look at. Yet if I look back, its the words that mattered and would have made the movie a great one. 

What`s your thought on the movie? 

Hope you had a great weekend :)

B

Movies: Review 5# : Selma

Directed by: Ava DuVernay Written By: Paul Webb

Release Year: 2014 

Rating 7.5/10

So another hot topic coming up on my reviews. This time it`s a chronicle movie about Martin Luther King and his march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama back in 1965. While he was peacefully protesting for equal voting rights.

DuVernay not being new to the business, but creating a very powerful picture, after being a big part in many production and promotional services proofs that this too can help. I think the way the movie was shot is incredible talented, and I am looking forward to seeing more of her work after this. To mention David Oyelowo is a must. His portrait of King is honestly one of the best I have seen in history, especially when focusing on his speeches of King.

Starting with movements in Selma, the involvment of Malcom X as well as the the demands on both sides are extreme, state troopers attacking the group of black people, trying to pass the Edmund Pettus Bridge, has later big impact on the history as we all know. Alabama Govenor Wallace speaking out against the movement as well as ruling out the possibility of the voting rights is now impossible to picture, maybe also the part of the preseident, who is pictured as the nice man in the end, as he , comes the second protest march, after so many more peaceful commitments of King, agrees to let black people equally vote. I think the movie shows in little detail, wha sacrifices every one made, King as well as his friends, who only wanted to vote equally. It was little time later, when Luther was shot, yet he lived long enough to see his work finished.

I think its not much of a spoiler of what happened, yet its very gripping and powerful to see how much power other people can falsely gain, to limit others.

I think this is/or will be one of the better movies in 2015, not only because of the storyline, but also about the power the movies has in his graphic and very well directed image.

Something to consider watching , B

Movies: Review #4: Whiplash

Director: Damien Chazelle

Written By: Damien Chazelle  Release Year: 2014

Rating: 7/10

I don`t know how many times I have said this to you guys. But I have been looking forward to this movie. Ever since Sundance 2014 and Miles Teller attending in Park City, I have been raving about it. Now we all now its not always as easy, getting distribution for such films. I think Whiplash had it fairly easy, it has been a hit after the first screening.

I don`t think I need to mention much about J.K. Simmons(Fletcher), movies like "Extreme Measures/Hidalgo/Rendition/Barefoot " just to name a few.
Ever since "Rabbit Hole" or "Spectacular Now" Miles Teller(in this movie Andrew) has been hitting the front pages. His performance in this one is really astonishing; Teller himself saying he wasnt aware of how close Chazelle actually was with his camera, explains a lot. Also the fact, that Teller played drums himself for a rock band called "The Mutes" yet that was very different from playing Rock to now Jazz, I can say as much as, pace is only one thing.

Now where did Chazelle get this story from? Loosely based on his own experience in young years as a music student. Pretty great right?
Focusing on the relationship between Fletcher and Andrew, you can see Andrew, struggeling to fit into University, as much as some of us might have. You easily feel contected and fight with him when he does. Now Fletcher begins to reconise him as a good player, potentially as big as some of the big guys before him.

The story behin it in my eyes it, dont stop, even if people discourage you, dont listen ! Even if there is only one person who beliefs in you first, if that is your family, friends or some one else, its important that you go through with it. You will learn from it, as well as grow with it.
I think not only the ending proves this, but also the journey to.
Even hours after, my ears where full of the sound of the movie, the chacarters it left behind, but also the joy of watchig it.

Great movie to watch, if you love music esp. 

Or try to get motivated to get your as up again!

Happy Sunday, B

Movies: Review #1 : Birdman

Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Written by: Alejandro G. Iñárritu Release Year: 2014

Rating:5/10

Wanting to see this movie for ages, I finally made it to the cinema on Thursday night. I am sure you guys have -maybe- followed the hype around the movie, the cast and it`s unique story.

Let me give you a little review for this special piece as I would like to call it.

First of all I would like to mentioned the cast`s work. It has been very great to watch actors play together, instead of watching them all perform on them own. You somewhat felt, that this story could and will be a crazy one very early on.

Moving to the story of "Birdman" I can honestly say, it`s a movie that will def. attract a certain kind of movie geek. Seeing myself as one - :) - I can say, even for me this was one weird experience.

But let me explain, the movie involves Michael Keaton`s character Riggan, who used to be famous for one movie he did back in the 80`s , but never really did anything big after that. The fame disappeared, just like with so many actors alike. -very similar to Keaton`s own story if you ask me-

So being part of the story, seeing him going on Broadway -with other actors as Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts -who almost all have the feeling that this is their last chance, feels like pure madness.

Similar to rehearsing the play over and over again, drums in the background, as loud as the performance itself, is the part I enjoyed most.

All in all, this movie is weird enough to make it less good, sometimes you are not sure if you can take the act serious or not. The screenplay certainly is well written and performed, yet I lacked the actual point.

Hope you liked the first review? Any comments are always welcomed as well as feedback what you would like to hear me talk about .

B

Movies : Let`s talk about Movies

It`s about time- Movie time

So I thought it might come handy If you guys get a little heads up on my blog posts, before I actually start something fresh. I have been re-starting my blogging with bits and bytes of Food/Travel/Beauty and Personal Stories and Ideas. I realized early on, there is something missing.As I still need to find my personal style again, which I do believe takes time. I figured, I need to make it be more part of my life, without making it a daily diary entry.


Movies as well as TV Shows/Series as you call them, are a big part of my life, always have been and I believe always will.

I decided to get back into reviewing them online. Which means, loads and loads of more content for you, loads of more fun and personal opinions from my side. I might go into YouTube Reviews again, but I will see about that in the future (Any Ideas, Thoughts? )

I appreciate it you let me know on Twitter or down below in the comments what you think, feel free to share your opinion :)

Movie Post`s will be every Sunday at 17.00
Every Other topic will stay on the usual time and date -Friday`s at 17.00

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