Sound Garden...

It's sooo beautiful. It's one of their slower pieces but you gotta check out what these 2 awesome musicians are capable of...

The Hobbit: Barrel Fight Scene

This will always be my favourite Middl Earth fight scene (even though I never like the book of "The Hobbit" so much), toegether with the epic battle in "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers"... The choreography is just awesome. Oh, and the making of is kinda fun too...

On the Big Screen...

One of my most beloved painters. I've always adored his paintings. And the trailer looks superb... One more week 'til it'll be in the cinemas here...

On the Big Screen...

I finally managed to watch PARADE'S END, an HBO/BBC drama mini series starring Benedict Cumberbatch (among others in an amazing cast) based on the same-called novel by Ford Madox Ford from 1924-28. Loved it. Constantly on the verge of tears, I have to confess. It's such a sad story most of the time (don't worry, there is a Happy Ending), also because it's mostly dealing with the effects of WW I on British society in general and certain characters in particular. It's beautifully written, the set décor is very apt, the music was great and then of course acting - brilliant! (Still no fan of blonde BC but it was suitable for the role!). There's drama and love and tragedy and costumes... What more do I need?! I know there's a lot of movies, documentaries, books etc. dealing with WW I this year since it's the 100 Year Anniversary (sadly enough).This has been a turning point in history, Austria included. That's basically what the series is about - how people struggled with the situation and how it changed them. Absolutely worth watching, I'd say!

I stole a few quotes on the book (but they work with the movie adaption as well) here that perfectly sum it up:

"...by no means a simple warning as to what modern warfare is like...[but] something complex and baffling [to many contemporary readers]. There was a love story with no passionate scenes; there were trenches but no battles; there was a tragedy without a denouement." 

-Robie Macauley 

"This is what the late war was like: this is how modern fighting of the organized, scientific type affects the mind.^"

^{-Ford Madox Ford, introduction of "Man Could Stand Up"}

Sound Garden...

I love this one! Always been a favourite of mine. Just heard it on the radio again this morning...

On the Big Screen...

That one was my fav book of Cecilia Ahern. It constantly made me laugh and cry. I loved it. Let's see if the movie can capture that magic I found in between the lines back then... Time for a re-read, I guess...

Sound Garden...

I only recently discovered Leonard Cohen for myself... A shame, I know. This one is just so beautiful...

Sound Garden...

Just came across this by chance... It's beautiful!

Sound Garden...

Begin Again... Perfect soundtrack for a relaxed Sunday. I really love this song but the whole album is fantastic as well. And the movie is great, too. I left the cinema feeling so happy and musical...^^

Sound Garden...

Good morning! Something to sing and dance along... as I (almost) did on the tram on my way to work... I might not be a fan of Monday mornings but this really lifted my mood!

Sound Garden...

Because this is the perfect soundtrack for painting the walls in my apartment...

On the Big Screen...

Quite some years ago I've read Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time and The Universe in a Nutshell simply because my grandmother had bought them and everyone was already saying how incredibly good they are. Even as a complete layperson when it comes to Physics (and I admit I was never too interested in that matter) it was so well-written in a way to easily unterstand the complex matter! I really really enjoyed the read.

Some time later I caught BBC's film on TV by chance... Okay, so I'm a huge Benedict Cumberbatch now fan but back then I had no idea about him and still was impressed with both the storyline and the actor.

[ Read article here ]

So right now it's Eddie Redmayne's turn to portray Hawking. Really really curious and excited about the new film... Movie date, I'd say!

On the Big Screen...

I think I want to see this one...

Sound Garden...

Simply because it makes me wanna dance every time...

Sound Garden...

Revolution of Dignity

Yesterday evening we had a discussion panel at university - at the Institut für Slawistik - in Vienna. One of our professors, Dr. Michael Moser (Chairman of Міжнародна Асоціація Україністів - International Association of Ukrainian Studies) organised this event together with some students. We had some quite different but all interesting points of view and opinions about the what's happening in the Ukraine now... Also about the history of the country and its population. As an input, we watched those two vids that couldn't be more different... The first one seems so peaceful and almost joyful whereas the second one portrays the incredible violence...

I won't comment too much on all of this. I'll leave it to you to form your own opinion on this situation - if you haven't got one already... If you're interested in more, I recommend the blog of Anna Fox - but as usual I highly suggest to collect information from more than just one source...

)

Sound Garden...

I just heard this and it's so beautiful. He's got such a wonderful voice. I recently heard someone on the radio say that Ed Sheeran's "Fire" is like a piece of heaven... but for me these words came true when I heard this one. I'm a bit melancholic today so maybe that's why this touches me so deeply...

On the Big Screen...

Another of my beloved books was turned into a movie. Let's see how it worked out. But knowing that Geoffrey Rush will be part of it definitely helps. Can't wait!

On the Big Screen...

Charles Dickens... One of my favourite writers. And Ralph Fiennes portraying him... It's gonna be interesting.

Sound Garden...

I don't know why but I just love this video. It really makes me feel happy... And the little boy is so cute.