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. 

Birdsong (1993)

Author: Sebastian Faulks

They say that good things can leave you speechless. Well... this is one of them. How to write about a book that is so good that you can't even find appropriate words to describe it's greatness?  Of course, as you know, nothing in this world is perfect; however, some is quite close to perfection.

Prior to reading this book, I've never heard about Sebastian Faulks before, and that's why I was so intrigued to find out what this noted author is all about. Frankly speaking, I was very happy to make this acquaintance, as I'm now very much looking forward to reading another work by Mr. Faulks. But now let's get back to business and talk about "Birdsong". I guess, you may not call it a typical novel, and I wasn't in love with it at first, but in the course of time, I've grown to like it a lot. The story could be divided into 3 parts where the actions take place - before the World War I, during the war and in the late 70s. These three periods are completely different in their atmosphere and the emotional experiences of the characters. 

Admission (2013)

 

Director: Paul Weitz

I remember being all stressed out a year ago when I applied to university, and they joy I felt when I was accepted... Oh that's indescribable. Now, I'm a student, and I will never have to go through this again, unless I decide to take up master studies.

But let's return to the film. Frankly speaking, I'd never imagined that it's so difficult to get in a university in the USA and that the admission process is so complicated and time-consuming. It's not just about your grades; everything counts - your hobbies, achievements, participation in school activities. Take this into account you, future applicants, in order to secure a place.

Great Expectations (1861)

 

Author: Charles Dickens
 

I must say Charles Dickens is one smart man. At first, he send the reader to sleep, but then suddenly boom boom pow, and everything starts to happen - someone dies, someone finds his/her real parents, someone falls in love. And this happens every time I read one of Charles Dickens novels (same in "The Bleak House"). Every single time. I don't say it's bad because at one point, I really couldn't take my eyes off of it, but overall, I don't think it's a good idea to play tricks on your readers. Honestly, at the beginning, I thought, 'What have I done, I don't want to read this book, it's boring.' But after a while, I became more and more interested in going on reading "Great Expectations".

What you should understand is that this is not a love story, it's not even a story about love. Alright, it is, but about unilateral love. Estella is a fool, but Pip is even a bigger blockhead. How can you not understand what are the real values in your life for so long? How can you be so ungrateful and as tough as old boots? Frankly speaking, I wanted to punch Pip several times and ask 'What the hell are you doing? Are you blind?' Yes, so emotional and nerve-wracking this story is.

Persuasion (1816)

Author: Jane Austen

Those of you who follow my blog and read everything (or at least part of everything) I write might have noticed that I'm a Jane Austen's book lover. It's hard to explain where this love comes from, but maybe it's because every story of hers has a happy ending and they're all about love, and I like romance. Yet until now there has been only one book I've read from cover to cover, and it's "Pride and Prejudice". Others like "Emma" and "Sense and sensibility" I've seen on TV, and their time will come some day.

So what is this book about, why it is so special? The main thing that this novel teaches you is the generally known truth that money can't buy you happiness. The protagonist Anne is the middle sister in her family, though often ignored, especially when it comes to her feelings. Once she lost her love due to the pressure of her family and closest friends, now Anne is ready to come back and fight for her happiness. This is story about forgiveness and a warm heart which is accompanied by strong determination. If you are good to other people, good things will eventually happen to you as well, just remember that money can't be the most important thing in your life.

Rust and Bone (2012)

Director: Jacques Audiard

Before I get down to reviewing this film, I would really like to say something. Probably I would have never gone to the cinema if I didn't learn French and love everything about France, oh and if there wasn't Marion Cotillard  in the main role, which I wouldn't have known if I had not watched Anna Karenina and saw the trailer. These things just made a good reason why I should go and see this film on the big screen.

I don't want to ruin your desire to watch "Rust and Bone", but if I'm writing a review, I have to be honest. First of all, this film is not as romantic as it may seem in the trailer (that's why I give 3 stars, though the actors are very, very good). There's a lot of pain and misunderstandings. It's not like Stephanie and Alain fell in love from the first time they saw each other. No. But one thing I know for sure - there wasn't any other person whom they could trust as much as they trusted on each other in the whole world. It took some time to understand that there's no other person they could ever love as well.

Les Miserables (2012)

Director: Tom Hooper

It's been a long time since I last wrote an article, but I guess was worth waiting if the film I'm going to talk about is as "big" as Les Miz. First of all, from the moment I found out that there is going to be a film partly based on the novel by Victor Hugo and on the 1980s musical, I knew that there is no chance I'm going to see it anywhere else but on the big screen. Even though I had to wait additional 1,5 months until Les Miserables arrived to my country, it did pay off. Splendid clothing, beautiful music, amazing dramatics and emotions - who doesn't love that, but everything by turns.

I've never been keen on musicals because I preferred talking to singing. However, I've always loved Grease (1978) and, though singing was an integral part here as well, I somehow could handle that because the main characters spoke quite a lot at the same time. This time it was different. If I remember correctly, the cases of speaking can be counted on the fingers of one hand, yet I didn't need more. Everything was clear and even more emotional than it could be if the characters spoke more than sung. Even later I couldn't stop listening to some of the songs. They definitely live their own lives now, without any motion behind. So it's 1:0 for Tom because Hugo's novel filmed as any typical historical film wouldn't be such a success. That would be too boring and would last for more than 3 hours. It is good as it is.

The incredible journey of Mary Bryant (2005)

Director: Peter Andrikidis

I know that my blog is dedicated to the books I have read and the films I have seen but for the past few days (I had a lot of free time) I had been watching some tv mini-series and thought to myself - these tv mini-series are just like films, only longer therefore divided into parts/episodes, why should not I write about them as well? (Mini-series are not worse than films after all, are they?) Of course, as you may have guessed, I decided to try. And now, with the greatest pleasure, I can begin the first ever tv mini-series review (from now on there is also a label/keyword 'tv mini-series') and with no other than "The incredible journey of Mary Bryant" - one of my favourite up to now and one of the first mini-series I have ever seen.

The story is quite simple but rather harsh and sad. Mary Bryant is a poor young woman who is caught stealing food, in such a way landing her a place along with other convicts on the long voyage to the New South Wales. On her way there Mary soon finds some friends and the future husband Will with whom after 3 years of starvation in the new colony she decides to escape for the sake of her children.

Sensing the smell of freedom, Mary risks not realizing what she will have to overcome and what decisions she will have to make in order to survive.

Of course like in almost any other film which is based on historical events, some things are true and some not, so do not believe everything you see (you will find some of them clearly impossible). As a lover of historical stories, overall, I must say that I really enjoyed watching this 2-part film. It is always good to find out something more about the past. But... what I loved the most about "The incredible journey of Mary Bryant" was the romance - pure love between Mary and Will, and determination and the great willpower the young girl had - that is how the most desired goals are reached. Talking about the actors, well I must say they were chosen very wisely. I believed every expression, pain and misery in their eyes and gestures. I honestly had compassion on those unfortunate people who were strained and fought for such a usual 'thing' at the moment as freedom.