A Day in the Outdoors

I do love spending time outdoors (as evidenced in this post) but I seem to be spending more time outdoors now that I'm married to hubby.  He's a very outdoorsy kinda guy and with his movie project slowly coming off the ground, we've spent a lot of time location scouting.  

The above is the Tatoi Royal Estate, the exiled King's summer retreat dating back to the 1870s which was completely left to waste when he was banished from the country in 1973. Beautiful old palaces, hotels, summer houses, pools, gardens, farming villages have completely been abandoned to the elements - and our prying eyes!  You definitely get an apocalyptic, ghost-town feel when you walk through it, making it the perfect location for our short horror/thriller. If we could only get past the inevitable red tape.....

I love that being with hubby has added this extra aspect to my life. He's added something new and exciting to both of our lives.  I'll always be forever grateful to him for that.

Does your significant other/partner/boyfriend/girlfriend add something to new and exciting to your life?

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My Favourite 8tracks Film Soundtracks

 Found on We Heart It

One of my favourite things to do in the world (ever) is to compile and listen to instrumental film scores.  I love movies and I believe half of the enjoyment of watching them is in excellent music composition.  Listening to the film's music takes me back to the way I feel and the emotion I'm overcome with when watching the film's themselves.

Some of my favourite films with excellent scores are Forrest Gump, The Last of the Mohicans, Jurassic Park, The Godfather, The Da Vinci Code, Pirates of The Caribbean...  Composers like Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, John Williams, Michael Kamen, Alan Silvestri, James Newton Howard, Thomas Newman and James Horner are not to be messed with.  They are Gods.  I get stupidly excited when a new film comes out composed by one of the aforementioned divine beings.

Instrumental film music is perfect listening fodder for when you're doing work that requires lots of concentration or for when you need inspiration.

Most of my favourite mixes on 8tracks are of film scores and I thought I'd share them with you here:

Soundtrax Volume 1
Really atmospheric music from movies as well as video games and TV shows (mostly Lost)
 
Daydream to Somewhere Else
Moody and atmospheric; music from Inception, Atonement, Memoirs of a Geisha, Twilight...

Piano to Some Film Scores/Sountracks? Yes.  
Mostly piano versions of scores from Amelie, Moon and others...

Bengt [film score nerd no. 2] Sounds. 
Mellow scores from action/adventure films such as Braveheart, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter...

Epic Movie Soundtracks.
It's all in the name.  Really powerful stuff here from How To Train Your Dragon, Iron Man, Dragonheart...

Productivity V.
Again, some of the more melancholy stuff from Lost, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Band of Brothers...

Amazing Soundtracks.
This is one of my favourite mixes as it's quite an eclectic mix.  It includes stuff from Eminem (8 Mile), Inception, Kill Bill, The Dark Knight, The Godfather...

Do you have any suggestions for excellent film soundtracks? Please share in the comments below!

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LIFE OF PI and CLOUD ATLAS

I just have to share with you two trailers of movies based on books that I'm DYING to see.

I read both books in the same year and they instantly made it to my 'Favourite Books of All Time' list.

LIFE OF PI.  Directed by Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) 
 This version features Coldplay's Paradise which I believe is one of the best uses of music in a trailer (alongside Arcade Fire's Wake Up for Where The Wild Things Are).

CLOUD ATLAS. Directed by Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) and Andy and Lana Wachowski (The Matrix) This is the extended version which features M83's Outro and which I think works so much better than the more recent shorter trailer.  At 5min42 secs this trailer can be considered a short film!
Any trailers setting your hearts a-flutter?

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Movie Musings: The Woman in Black

She'll never forgive you...

It's a perfectly gloomy day in Athens.  A perfectly English day and excellent conditions in which to cuddle up in front of a seriously scary movie.  And I've done just that - more than once in the past week.  After watching The Woman in Black in London I returned home to watch it again the next day in Athens with my mom and sis.  I enjoyed it it so much I couldn't wait to have my socks knocked off a second time in the space of 48 hours.

Daniel Radcliffe in his first leading role after Harry Potter

I'm not sure 'enjoy' is the right word, but something about it made me go in for a second helping.  Which got me thinking: why is it that so many of us willingly subject ourselves to horror films time and time again?

There's nothing I love more than a bit of research.  After reading about the neurological perspective in which the argument is that fear and pleasure stimulate the same part of the brain, without knowing too much about either I am more inclined to go with the more psychological argument.

"Watching scary movies is a way of testing and overcoming our limitations, similar to bungee jumping and other extreme sports."

Wired.com

"Some studies suggest that the real draw to scary movies is the feeling of relief when they are over. Other research, especially a 2007 study conducted by Eduardo Andrade and Joel B. Cohen, argues that the reason people like watching scary movies is that they are a way to experience both positive and negative emotions simultaneously. At the same time negative and sometimes absolutely horrific images play across the screen, the person watching the film is also experiencing positive emotions. This dual emotional state may reinforce the need to continue to watch horror films since it is an instance where it is acceptable to feel in two contrary states. Such an explanation might also account for why some people may enjoy films that are very sad. You may enjoy such a film at the same time you’re crying your eyes out."

Wisegeek

"For adults, morbid curiosity may be at play -- the same kind that causes us to stare at crashes on the highway, suggests Joanne Cantor, PhD, director of the Center for Communication Research at University of Wisconsin. Humans may have an innate need to stay aware of dangers in our environment, especially the kind that could do us bodily harm, she says."

WebMD

 

Extra creepy alternative poster artwork

For me, the reason why horror is one of my favourite film genres is the gratification of real fear without the real danger.  The feeling of being whisked out of my comfort zone and truly submerging myself in escapism.  I agree, also, that there's the appeal of coming to terms with my own limitations.  I find my jumping at loud noises utterly silly and I enjoy laughing at myself - not to mention at others!

The Woman in Black is a perfectly cliched Victorian gothic horror movie which is what makes it so enjoyable.  You know exactly what you're getting and where it'll jump out at you from.  It has to be said that most of it's scariness comes from talented sound engineers who know how to construct a good "jump".  With a 12A certificate (probably an attempt to cash in on the young Daniel Radcliffe fanbase) surely it can't be THAT scary? Or can it....

 _____

In other news, stay tuned for a very exciting blog series starting this coming Wednesday featuring some of my favourite bloggers!

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I'm Back!

For now...

Found on Coralette's Blog

What a week!  I return from an arctic London to an equally arctic Athens.  What is the world coming to?!  I had a fantastic time as always and London has maintained it's place in my heart as one of my most favourite cities.  I am in love.

I also made a few realizations along the way...

* Meryl Streep is divine * Things are never as bad as you fear * Always be grateful for things people do for you * M&M World is pointless * Woman in Black is a darn SCARY film * The Artist deserves all of its awards * I love snow * I miss London * Living on top of a pub is awesome * M&S always have PERFECT fruit * Many people can be selfish - Get over it * I don't mind not celebrating Valentine's Day * I love my husband that little bit more when he's engrossed in a good book * Head straight to the gate when you're travelling with Easyjet * The Asprey store is WAY too crowded when they're hosting Nominees' Parties * Being on the red carpet will always be surreal * 

Will my 4th BAFTA be my last? Only time will tell!

Wishing you all warmth and light this weekend!
 

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Moving Musings: Julianne's Palin

How uncanny!

Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin

Julianne Moore wows all once again in her new role as Sarah Palin in Game Change.  Based on the book by journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann the film chronicles the ups and downs of John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.

I don't know much about Palin but I do know that there was a lot of hatred directed towards her no thanks to her numerous faux-pas' and the situation with her pregnant daughter.  Watching the trailer it looks like they're setting the scene for us to feel sorry for her.  No doubt, she was ill-prepared to take on the enormous task the men upstairs were asking of her. Politics is a scummy business.

I have to be honest and say that I don't have much of an opinion on her politics.  What I'm most interested in is watching Julianne Moore in another jaw-dropping performance. Big fan. HUGE!

Watch the trailer here.

                                                            Julianne and Sarah separated at birth?                                                                                       

                                        

In other news, my 100th post completely passed me by! When did all THIS happen?! You are now reading my 101th post and I am completely and utterly amazed that I've lasted this long.

Thank you for reading and for all of your lovely comments!

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Movie Musings: Romeo & Juliet (again)

Do we really need another movie adaptation of Romeo and Juliet?

It looks like another movie version of The Bard's most famous play is in the making.  It's been confirmed that Paul Giamatti has joined the cast to play confidante to the doomed couple, Friar Lawrence.  Douglas Booth will be stepping into the shoes of lovestruck Romeo while the hugely talented Hailee Steinfeld will play his Juliet.

Douglas Booth and Hailee Steinfield look their parts

While I don't think that modern adaptations of Shakespeare's plays performed in Shakespearean verse really work (O, Hamlet etc) Baz Luhrman's Romeo + Juliet was an absolute feast for all the senses.  And while it wasn't in Shakespearean verse 10 Things I Hate About You based on Taming of The Shrew was also really fun!

Up next in Shakespearean verse is Ralph Fiennes'* directorial debut, the epic Coriolanus.

(* born Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes - what!?)

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting in Franco Zeffirelli's 'Romeo and Juliet'

Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes will be writing the script and the film will be shot on location in Mantua, Italy.  All things considered, this version looks like it actually might be quite good!

What's your favourite Shakespearean film adaptation?

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Red Carpets and Awards Gold

Everything's gonna be alright.

It's been a bit of a tough start to the week.  I go through phases where I panic slightly (understatement?) about where our life is going and whether we're making the right decisions.  A couple of my wonderful friends and family are getting some great opportunities to work abroad while hubby and I have just rented a really nice flat here in Athens and are in the process of fixing it all up.  The contrast of my friends/family starting new adventures abroad to us building a life in a faltering country is the cause of my panic.  Are we spending our time and money in the right way?

I know my panic doesn't help anyone.  Luckily, I have a very calm and collected husband to say very comforting (and true!) things to make me feel like everything's alright.

It's important to remember all the good we have in our lives!

_____

In other news, the company I've been freelancing as an Awards Consultant for received 16 BAFTA nominations yesterday! (They're like the British Oscars so I am over the moon). 

Speaking of Awards I couldn't help but spend a little ol' while perusing the red carpet pics from the Golden Globes the other day.  Below, a selection of my favourite red carpet outfits:

All pictures are sourced from E! Online. To view the full arrivals gallery, click here.

I have to say Helen Mirren is my favourite.  Doesn't she look STUNNING?

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Movie Musings: The Iron Lady

Can you say Oscar?

What can I say about Meryl Streep that hasn't already been said?  The woman is an absolute genius, a force of nature, positively magnetic (and I mean this.  I literally cannot take my eyes off her when she's on screen).  Her talent is sublime and this has never been more evident than in this nugget of a trailer for The Iron Lady.  Cannot wait 'til the film's out. 

The lady, as Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first and only (so far) female Prime Minister, is superb, don't you think?

 

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Movie Musings: Blue Drive Marilyn

The Blue Valentine stars in two very different movies.

A film I worked on last year, Blue Valentine, was the most compelling and heart-wrenching film I've seen in a long, long time.  Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling are a beautiful, young couple who get married too young and too quickly but they are so completely in love with eachother that it's possibly the most romantic thing you've seen.  

Flitting between the past and present day where the passage of time has made Dean (Gosling) that little bit chubbier (but still strangely sexy) and Cindy (Williams) a lot more tired and frustrated, the contrast between the love they once shared and what has resulted in the complete and utter breakdown of their relationship will possibly crush the hopeless romantic in you.  

Don't watch this with your significant other (you'll only want to pick a fight afterwards) and don't let it get you down on relationships.  Although, this film may make you feel that relationships are completey futile endeavors, they really are NOT.  The pitch-perfect, finely tuned performances make this a very unique experience.  You'll be thinking about it for weeks to come...

Drive has the same pondering sombre-ness of Blue Valentine.  It's nothing like it in terms of subject matter (in honesty, it doesn't really have much of a subject matter).  But it's dark, it's beautifully shot, Ryan is fabulous in it and it's got one killer soundtrack.  Don't watch if you don't have a strong stomach as it gets unexpectedly violent at times.  But seriously, this is one AWESOME soundtrack.  Straight out of the early 90s.  Have a listen.

Keeping up with My Week with Marilyn, check out the latest poster.  Doesn't Michelle look fabulous again?!  The film has Oscar written all over it.

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Movie Musings: Midnight in Paris

Whimsy. Beauty.  Humour. An absolute delight!

If you're looking for something to watch at the movies this weekend can I thoroughly recommend Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris?  It is positively wonderful! 

Owen Wilson plays successful Hollywood screenwriter to Rachel McAdams spoilt fiancee.   On a trip to Paris with the in-laws he discovers that he longs to pursue a more meaningful existence: that of the life of a struggling artist.  Throw in a clock striking twelve at midnight and the subsequent appearance of a mysterious vintage car and you've got the makings of a modern-day fairytale.

I don't want to say too much, but I find this film is completely out of character for Allen.  And I mean this in a good way!  It takes you on the most wonderful  ride through the streets of beautiful Paris in modern day, right through to the flapping 20s and even the Belle Epoque.  And through the whole thing, you'll be playing spot the cameo.  It plays like a who's who of the early 20th century creative scene.  It's like you've just been invited to the best party in Paris hosted by the Fitzgeralds, with Hemingway, Dali, Stein and Picasso all making an appearance.  You don't know where you'll be taken next! It's a real adventure and I couldn't stop staring with my mouth embarassingly agape the whole time (I guess it didn't help that we were watching from the front row).

It's a truly magical film and the best thing about it is the positively gorgeous way in which Paris is presented.   Although it's obvious that there is quite an overt message being blasted out at us towards the end, about living in the moment and being careful not to wish for things that can't happen, you'll really only be thinking about when you can get the next plane out to gay Paris!

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Why I Love Film Festivals

Apart from all the MOVIES!

The London Film Festival is currently in full swing.  And while I get to take a backseat working from Greece, I also get to watch my colleagues in the UK indulge in stroppy talent-handling and late boozy nights with journalists.  I've been to opening nights, closing nights, gala screenings, you name it, several times now and I never fail to fall in love that little bit more with film festivals.

They do a fantastic job of bringing what would otherwise be considered unknown films to interested audiences. And not only that, but when the film festivals are successful and they acquire enough media attention then they could really do a lot for a country's/city's image.  Take this article in last month's Guardian in the UK on the Athens Film Festival.  It's a really positive piece on a city trying to make the best of a very bad situation.  I'm so glad to see that amidst all the bad press that the international media also sees some positive things coming out of this country.  

I encourage each and everyone of you to find a film festival near you and buy tickets for a film you would never normally see.  Be adventurous, widen your horizons and you might have a whole new enjoyable experience.  You may even learn something new!  Loads of festivals have writers, directors, producers and actors in attendance after the film screenings to take part in Question & Answer sessions.  These are a lot of fun and a great opportunity to meet and engage with people with which you wouldn't normally have the chance.  Film festivals are a great thing and we, as audience members, should support them.

For an essential guide to the film festival and films you shouldn't miss, take a look at this Daily Telegraph article.

Some of the films at the London Film Festival that are getting me excited.

Carnage by Roman Polanski

Jane Eyre by Cary Fukunaga

Martha Marcy May Marlene by Sean Durkin

Shame by Steve McQueen

We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lynne Ramsay

*****

Marilyn

At cinemas near you.

This is my second post on the actress.  I was never really a big fan of hers but this trailer makes the film look really fantastic.  I can't wait to see 'My Week with Marilyn'.

*****

Weekend at the Movies

...and 3 bags of microwave popcorn.

This weekend the Hubby and I watched a grand total of 6 movies.  We just inadvertently went on a crazy movie marathon!  Once we finished one we were like, 'So, what should we watch next?'.  It was the most fun we've had in ages.  I seriously can't think of a much better way to spend a weekend....

The films we watched in their order of viewing:

Really not as funny as everyone made it out to be.  Although, I did love watching an RV American road trip as that's what we're planning for our honeymoon.  Also great to see pretty much half the cast of Arrested Development in this.  They were definitely the highlights.

This documentary (narrated by Matt Damon) about the financial crisis will have you tearing your hair out, cursing at your screen and spitting blood.  I have never been angrier at a moving image.  The truth behind the head honchos of the investment banks knowingly screwing over innocent people in order to make MASSIVE bucks is disgusting, criminal and 100% daylight robbery.

Woody Allen at his absolute best.  The portrayal of his and Annie's relationship is so endearing, amusing and so true to life that you'll think this man is a genius.  New York, of course, also features in all of its romanticised goodness. A really good watch.  And hands down best cameo ever by Jeff Goldblum!

I put Annie Hall on pause for a little bit to go and shower, only to leave it on pause for so long that the DVD player switched off and the TV went back to normal channels.  This was on and I'd never seen it before.  We got sucked in, much to the behest of the hubby, and we watched it through to the end.  Meh.  Jennifer Coolidge was the highlight for me cos I'm, like, her number one fan!

 

Well, it's only fair that we balance the female-skewed viewings with more manly ones.  We started watching this once before and I'd fallen asleep so this was my second attempt.  It's a western.  That alone will put me off.  I stuck through to the end.  I didn't understand half of what was going on/being said but I did come to the conclusion that Hailee Steinfield is AMAZING.

Again, one I'd never seen before (I KNOW! Can you believe it?!).  The hubby has been nagging me to see it for so long because it is completely and utterly unacceptable for me to call myself a movie buff and not have watched this film.  And so I gave in.  I was a bit hesitant at first to get drawn into it's undeniable spell.  I know SO many girls who rave about this film because they want to BE Holly Golightly.  I DO NOT want to be Holly Golightly.  At first, she annoyed the heck out of me! I could not relate to her in any way.  But before I knew it, I was very very close to bawling my eyes out into my popcorn.  I was, indeed, completely and truly bowled over.  The 60s charm alone had me at hello and really, she's not so bad after all.  If not stupidly skinny.

So there you have it.  Our movie marathon.  Did you watch any interesting flicks this weekend?

*****

Movie Musings: Funny Girls

Haha funny...

Just last week, the wonderful Time Out London magazine compiled a list of the 100 Best Comedies as chosen by the cream of the comedy crop.  Oh I do love me some comedy! It's quite possibly my favourite movie genre. 

The list included some of (but not all!) my absolute favourite comedies of all time.  In no particular order:

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Dumb and Dumber

Napolean Dynamite

Zoolander

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

In The Loop

Best in Show

This is Spinal Tap

Get Him to the Greek

Night at the Roxbury

Two movies from that list are there thanks to one of the most talented comedy directors and writers of all time, Christopher Guest.  He wrote, directed and starred in 'Best in Show' and co-wrote and starred in 'This is Spinal Tap' amongst a myriad of other gems.  If you haven't seen them, please do! Or any of his movies - they're an absolute treat!

One of the things I love about him is that he more or less always works with the same troupe of actors: Eugene Levy, Parker Posey, Fred Willard, Michael McKeen, Harry Shearer, John Michael Higgins and three of the most underrated comedic actress in our midst today - Jennifer Coolidge (whom you may know from American Pie as Stifler's Mom), Catherine O'Hara (Kevin's mom in Home Alone) and none other than Jane Lynch aka Sue Sylvester.  Sure, everyone knows who she is now thanks to Glee but she was at her absolute best before the all-singing, all-dancing highschoolers entered her life.

It's commonly accepted that women comediennes are not funny.  And this is made obvious by the lack of female presence in Time Out's list.  There's Bridesmaids...but don't get me started on that.  Sure you have your Tina Fey's and your Kristin Wiig's but Jennifer and Catherine and Jane are in a league of their very own.  These women are gorgeous AND hilarious and they're keeping it up way into their 50s and beyond.  I love them and I think they each should get some sort of comedy lifetime achievement award.  

They've all done so so so much, but I've chosen some of my favourite clips from three of Christopher Guests' films, 'Best in Show', 'For Your Consideration' and 'A Mighty Wind' to showcase each of their unparalleled talents.

What do you think of comedy actresses today?  Who are your favourites?

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