"TRUE BLOOD" - 5x01 Turn, Turn, Turn

"Don't cry. It's back."

I was very excited about upcoming 5th season of a bloody-funny-sexy-and-overdramatic TV show called "True Blood". I know that 'vampire theme' is such a cliché today, but I'm so addicted to it. It seems like the creators still have some good ideas, because the first episode of a new season is now one of my favourites!

There are many surprises and interesting plot turns: from what is going to be with poor Tara, who has saved Sookie's life at the end of the previous season, to how long Bill and Eric could hide from the Authority. Their unsolved problems seem to catch up. What were they thinking about, when they decided not to kill Russell Edgington? I think they are both a bit suicidal. I doubt that the new girl, who happens to be Eric's 'sister', can help them much.

The first episode didn't tell us, who the main villain is, but there are plenty of people, vampires, werewolves, who would like to finish the main characters. Clearly, Steve Newlin won't easily forget his failure. The only character I don't worry about is Alcide, because no matter how everything is screwed up, he will save the day.

All actors are still playing their parts great and without any shame of being totally naked. I like more and more Sam Trammell (Sam Merlotte), Kristin Bauer van Straten (Pam De Beaufort), Deborah Ann Woll (Jessica Hamby) and Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse).

And I'm glad that the opening credits are still the same. I love that song by Jace Everett and that creepy video, which gives me goose bumps every time.

Did you see this episode? Do you watch "True Blood"? What are you expecting from it in the near future?

"Asterix and Obelix" Trilogy - My opinion

Well-known story about an independent village in Gaul, where extremely brave inhabitants live. Based on the comic books, trilogy became popular not just in France, but all over the world. Two main characters, little Asterix and big Obelix, can always find some adventures for themselves. And they have nothing to worry about, because their wise druid Panoramix (or Getafix) knows a secret recipe of the powerful potion, which makes people incredibly strong. Since 1999 Obelix is played by talented actor Gerard Depardieu. His every screen appearance is memorable and hilarious. Meanwhile, Asterix was portrayed by Christian Clavier and Clovis Cornillac. Both of them were good, but I prefer Christian's character, because I dislike the third movie. Also one of the regular characters is an emperor Julius Caesar. He was played by three actors - Gottfried John, Alain Chabat and Alain Delon. First ones were great - they became a real conquerors, but the last one (who, by the way, is a movie legend), disappointed me. He was like an old man, not a powerful emperor.

The second movie "Asterix and Obelix Meet Cleopatra" is my favorite, because there was incredibly beautiful Monica Bellucci as Cleopatra. She was very persuasive and very impressive. The plot was as interesting as first one and much more interesting than third one. Director Alain Chabat did great and has reborn this story for Hollywood audience - special effects, decorations and costumes were very beautiful.

As I now there will be a fourth part, something about Asterix, Obelix coming to Britain. But I'm sure the trilogy is more than enough. The next movie can totally destroy this magical story.

"Asterix And Obelix Take On Caesar" ("Astérix et Obélix contre César") - 7/10 



"Asterix and Obelix Meet Cleopatra" ("Astérix et Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre") - 10/10 



"Asterix at the Olympic Games" ("Astérix aux jeux olympiques") - 5/10 

"Water for Elephants" (2011) - My opinion

I've just watched a drama "Water for Elephants" by director Francis Lawrence. It's the first costume movie for him, but I think he did his job well. Visually it looks impressive, with all this retro decorations, beautiful performances in the circus and gorgeous costumes. This story is based on a book written by Sara Gruen. It takes place in USA, in the years of the Great Depression. I was glad to see actor Christoph Waltz playing a brutal villain, who can't control his rage towards people and circus animals. He looked like a real devil. But truly, his August is an unhappy man, who is afraid to loose it all. Also I came to conclusion that Robert Pattinson still can play good. His character is a brave veterinarian, a defender of hurt women, poor workers and miserable animals. Reese Witherspoon, who played a femme fatale, was very beautiful and sensitive. Together they made a romantic duet with a bit of tension. These roles really helped them to step out of their usual acting line. 

I find its plot interesting and dynamic. Love story, tragedies, feisty characters - it didn't bored me at all. But the final scenes disappointed me so much. This ending is good, but it takes more to make it as spectacular as all previous moments. Francis Lawrence failed it, even with his previous experience of making dramas. He made "Water for Elephants" overbrutal and his biggest mistake again was that I was going to cry when furious August was beating Rosy, instead of being emotional when Jacob and Marlena were escaping. Still the movie is good for one time. And my visual receptors are satisfied for today.

- 7/10 -   

Memorable quotes (there are more, but I've found just these):

August: "You do right by me, I'll show you a life most suckers can't even dream of."

August: "As long as we can walk, we play."

August: "Of course an innocent woman would love to get down on her knees."

"The September Issue" (2009)

Now I'm watching a documentary "The September Issue" about everyday life at on of the most famous fashion magazines - 'VOGUE'. Director R.J. Cutler becomes an insider, who discovers all secrets of the magazine's success. A couple years before this documentary was made, there was another similar movie about hard life in fashion industry, called "The Devil Wears Prada" and I really enjoyed how Meryl Streep portrayed ice queen of fashion journalism. Both movies are showing how passionate and obsessed (in a good way) people can be with their work and how high the price to be successful can be.

The plot is simple. Anna Wintour, the British-born editor-in-chief of American Vogue, is working 24 hours per day to make the biggest issue of the year very impressive. She has a great team of professionals, who are prepared to live in stress for weeks till the work is finally done. They aren't actors, but they are used to such attention. One of the narrators is Grace Coddington, a former model and the creative director of American Vogue magazine, who isn't another ice queen, has a kind heart and is a very romantic person.

The documentary is made very smart, because scene by scene the director tells us more and more secrets. It also is very dynamic, everybody is in a rush - models, photographers, stylists, assistants and designers. They are trying to be ahead of the fashion and the results turned out brilliant.

And my favorite quotes -

Anna Wintour: I think what i often see it that people are frighteened about fashion. Because it scares them or make them feel insecure they just put it down. On the whole people that may say, the meanny things about our world I think that's usually because they feel, in some ways, excluded or, you know, not a part of 'the cool group' so as a result they just mock it.
Anna Wintour: Just because you like to put on a beautiful Carolina Herrera dress or a pair of J Brand blue jeans instead of something basic from K-Mart it doesn't mean that you're a dumb person.
Anna Wintour: There is something about fashion that can make people really nervous.

Official Trailer -

"Tangled" (2010)

Yesterday I needed to watch a fairy-tale and I've found one! A 50th beautiful animation movie made by Disney turns to be a funny story about a girl with long golden hair, a guy with thievish talent, a nice chameleon with big eyes, an evil witch, a brave horse and a destiny of a Kingdom. "Tangled" is an old good fairy-tale "Rapunzel", but is told for present viewers. Directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard created for us a magical world where everything begins with words "Guys, I wanna castle!" and finishes with "- And we were living happily ever after. - Yes we are."

"Tangled" Official Trailer
 



Tangled - "I See The Light"

Christmas movies (part two)

Continuing writing about movies, which will make you believe in Christmas magic, I want to tell you about a special one. I know that in USA watching "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) on the winter holidays is a good tradition. In my native Ukraine this movie isn't so popular, more exactly there are just a couple of devoted filmfans, who know and love this great old masterpiece.

Talented director Frank Capra has captured an unbelievable story about love, courage, friendship and angels. Yes, it's very unusual, but still interesting and exiting. Main character George Bailey wants to make life in his native small town better. He works so hard for his family and himself, that's why fast everybody likes him. Then some obstacles have appeared which might be the last ones in George's life. But thanks an open heart and love of many friends he gets a chance to see what the world will be without him and learn a very important lesson. 

Actors are playing so emotional, with passion in their eyes. James Stewart and Donna Reed screened one romantic couple, whose love is so pure and innocent, and a little bit childish. They look great together.

And the music by Dimitriy Tiomkin is magical. It helps to make this story a fairy-tale. I really enjoyed his 40s tunes.

I think that the best quote of this movie is Clarence's words: "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" It helps to understand how precious everybody's life is.

Watch this movie, or re-watch it. It is really wonderful. As it is our life.