August: Osage County (2013)

Director: John Wells

It's a must for every film freak to watch all the films that have won an Oscar or have at least been nominated for the prize. Although throughout the years there have been many both interesting and surprising nominations, when you see that someone like Meryl Streep is a candidate to receive the award, you know that there must be something good for sure. The film "August: Osage County" is not an exception. 

The humorous and sad story takes place in an old house in Osage County during the hottest days of August. Violet, a tactless, but veracious cancer patient, assembles her scattered family members since her husband has suddenly disappeared and soon is found dead. After the funeral, conflicts arise one by one and deepest secrets are revealed as a result of inability to forgive past resentments and accept the truth. And once again the Weston family falls apart.

Sophie's Choice (1979)

 

 Author: William Styron

To be honest, probably I would have never come to this book if not the TV show Friends. In one of the episodes someone said, "It's not a Sophie's choice." Back then, I didn't know what it meant, but I was sure I had to find that out.

I gave 5 stars to this novel not because it was well written (which of course it was, and sometimes humorous, as well), but mainly because of the knowledge I gained after finishing the book. I've always loved history, and I like to find out new mysteries and secrets. During my school years, I was a very attentive listener in the history classes; therefore, I thought I know pretty much about Nazism and the holocaust in Poland, but never had I realized how little my knowledge actually was. Lebensborn, Armia Krajowa, Birkenau - those were just some of the words I heard for the first time.

The Great Gatsby (2013)

Director: Baz Luhrmann

(I began writing this review in September 2013, but couldn't find the time to finish it)

I'm sitting in my room; the sun is shining through the window, and I'm clicking the "play" button again and again. I want to listen to the magical voice of Lana Del Ray once more and hear the lyrics that some time ago didn't but now does make sense. The splendid and glamorous Gatsby's mansion shows up in front of my eyes once again. "Young and Beautiful" is the buzz single of the Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby" adaption.