And there they are again, the pure magic of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata or the even more beautiful German title of Mondschein Sonate. This time it is played in the Spanish Netfix movie of 2018, The Photographer of Mauthausen. A film which was okay but didn't manage to last that everlasting impression we addicts look for in world cinema. Though the use of Beethoven's Magnus Opus lifts a scene to emotional proportions.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Pingtian Lake / Moon Bay Wuyuan
This kind of scenery is simply breathtaking. So simple, but so beautiful at the same time.
To celebrate the full moon during Mid autumn festival seems like a magic happening in Pingtian Lake (above) and Moon Bay in Wuyuan (below)
It also gives that kind of feeling when life passes away and your soul is being transferred to another place, this is the way how it will happen.
To celebrate the full moon during Mid autumn festival seems like a magic happening in Pingtian Lake (above) and Moon Bay in Wuyuan (below)
It also gives that kind of feeling when life passes away and your soul is being transferred to another place, this is the way how it will happen.
Friday, September 2, 2016
The Neon Demon / La La Land
Maybe The Neon Demon and La La Land can't differ more in its genre but the amazing beauty of their stills somehow connects them. These are the kind of still that makes you want to see a film! It magically grabs your interest and you already have the feeling you can get lost into amazing and beautiful scenery.
Esthetical beauty can make or brake a film on its own, as a director you have to be 100% sure of how to use it or your masterpiece quickly becomes some try-to-be-arty trash.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
So-won / Hope (2013)
So-won (hope) is an extremely heavy and heartbreaking Korean film about how to deal, within a family, after a traumatic and devastating tragedy. When a young girl get raped the safe world of her and her parents immediately collaps and the entire world turns to the deepst shade of black. What follows isn't a thriller like chase for the bad guy but it focusses on emotions instead. How could people ever deal with this kind of horror and how can they go back to their lives as it once was? Director Lee Joon Ik ('The King and the Clown') really created a masterpiece by focussing on the family instead of the horrific event, Though it is rather depressing ans sometimes very hard to watch without becoming emotional as well it also honors its title 'Hope', because even in the darkest shade of black something seems to shimmer.
Monday, August 29, 2016
You exist in My song - Qu Wanting
and sometimes there is just music which you don't even have to understand the language for.
Really amazingly done by Qu Wanting. 73 million views and here in the Netherlands not even a single soul ever heard about it.
Really amazingly done by Qu Wanting. 73 million views and here in the Netherlands not even a single soul ever heard about it.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel (Eiyuu Densetsu: Sen no Kiseki)
Being a big fan of Japanese RPG's (jrpgs) it is always interesting how people still create rpg's that get our attention and in a way let us forget about real life but take us away to an imaginary land full of mysteries and wonder.
And wow, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is amazing in every way. Yeah the combat is perfect but I always have been more of a story-player , to get into the skin of the characters and feel their emotion. That being said, I really enjoyed the combat system which feels fresh and rewarding. Probably the world 'slow burner' has been invented for this game, it takes a while to really grip your attention. Not that it isn't interesting from the start but after 20-25 hours of gameplay there is now way you can put down this game anymore. The story gets intense, brilliant flashbacks put soul into the characters and slowly each and everyone of them is an emotional being instead of a pixel related character that uses his S-break to defeat a powerful enemy. I didn't even said a thing about the soundtrack, damn that is great as wellm every single track, from quiet background music to stronger beats during battle simply seem to belong to this game. It creates a perfect atmosphere to totally get lost in the story and see where it is heading.
The balance between fighting and story gameplay is in my opinion pretty neat, But well, I love cutscenes which just could go on and on and on. One moment though, it will be over and that is a fact you really don't wanna think about. Luckily for us there will be a chapter 2 and 3.
And wow, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is amazing in every way. Yeah the combat is perfect but I always have been more of a story-player , to get into the skin of the characters and feel their emotion. That being said, I really enjoyed the combat system which feels fresh and rewarding. Probably the world 'slow burner' has been invented for this game, it takes a while to really grip your attention. Not that it isn't interesting from the start but after 20-25 hours of gameplay there is now way you can put down this game anymore. The story gets intense, brilliant flashbacks put soul into the characters and slowly each and everyone of them is an emotional being instead of a pixel related character that uses his S-break to defeat a powerful enemy. I didn't even said a thing about the soundtrack, damn that is great as wellm every single track, from quiet background music to stronger beats during battle simply seem to belong to this game. It creates a perfect atmosphere to totally get lost in the story and see where it is heading.
The balance between fighting and story gameplay is in my opinion pretty neat, But well, I love cutscenes which just could go on and on and on. One moment though, it will be over and that is a fact you really don't wanna think about. Luckily for us there will be a chapter 2 and 3.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Devils on the Doorstep / Guizi Lai Le (China, 2000)
Devils on the Doorstep is an almost entirely black &
white movie from China and deals about the Japanese occupation during the final
year of the conflict. Don’t expect any large battles or huge action, it is a
movie which focusses on a small village and their people who suddenly have to
deal with two kidnapped Japanese soldiers. Should they take care of them well
or kill them? Its story evolves slowly but it grants you the time to get used to the characters because for western people it is a bit of getting used to a different kind of acting and telling a story in this film.
Though the story is in the beginning rather light hearted it
changes in the latter part to a heartwrenching film. The story of simple men
and women and how their lives are being changed by war is maybe even better
anti-war propaganda than lots of explosions and blood.
Just try it, and give the film some little time to find its wat to your heart,
Friday, March 11, 2016
The path we wander
When we are young and look upon the world we see a wide
space filled with dreams, possibilities and things we can achieve. When we grow
up these same things are still on our mind but why does it get harder and
harder to chase this freedom? Slowly our life gets regulated by
responsibilities and things that are expected of us. Though in everyone the
dreams will exist and will stay there forever like a lsumbering thought of what
life could really be. When we close our skies we see this infinite number of
possibilities as a colorful galaxy with millions of different paths that could
be walked. Among all those paths there is also a grey path, the path of which
is set out for us. The one people (government, family, maybe even friends)
expects us to wander to become a
valuable asset to society or family. It is rather unbelievalbe that of so many
choices, 99% of all people will chose this path. The fear of walking outside its
boundaries it like an immense weigth which pressures so highly upon us we are
even barely able to breath our own free air.
The thought of escaping this set future is also always in
our mind to experience life really,
explore new areas and enlighten ourselves. It is strange when I think about it?
Why is the colorful road to freedom and self exploration so much harder than a
set and strict future which will stay gray for an eternity. The road everyone
choses isn’t maybe the road we all want but it gives us more certainties, more
faith in a steady future. But how can we ever know if we never try to chase our
dreams. Dreams are infinite, and there must always be something among these
infinite path that can be reality someday.
Someday, Just not now… Maybe that says it all.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Thoughts or just call it a soul
Looking at the everlasting sky you realize you are such a
small creature in this immense galaxy. Clouds change and are passing by while
you are looking at them but you remain on that same spot and think what will we
left of you when you are self gone. People say your legacy will live on but
only a fewpeople in this wolrd will leave a legacy. Most aren’t just there
anymore and fade into the nothing. The question even is if you want to leave a
legacy at all, everyone just live their own lives and they say it is most
important you feel happy in this life and experience it to its fullest. That
ain’t so easy at all, wit hso many regulations, responsibilities and things
that are expected of you most people don’t have the time to find out what they
really want tob e their legacy. To find something you enjoy to its fullest when
duty calls almost 24 hours today is even a bigger test.
There are people, though I am sure not everyone, who realize this and deep in their heart they
know they should change their way of living, jumping in the black hole by
making decisions that are truelly yours and yours alone. Will it be a wise
thing to do? Well maybe not but we won’t know unless we try. And even i fit fails
and everythings falls apart, in the end we all will be forgotten but your heart
knows you tries and maybe that is wat life is all about. Trial and Error.
If there is a soul, which I stronlgly believe in, there just
simply has to be something that makes you the person who you are which isn’t
just mind and heart. Your soul will maybe transcend this fading into the
nothing. Maybe this soul carries your own choices and decisions and one day
some person or being will just be able to feel a little of your soul and
realize you did what you thought would be best regardless the outcome. Maybe
this courage will feed another soul and creates your own legacy: To be true to
yourself.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend or an ode to Zhang Yimou
A few days ago I watched 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend' the Netflix sequel to the original. In my heart I hoped I would be blown away by it like its predecessor but my mind told me already it would be a tough competition. Thouht the film itself is not really bad, it isn't very good as well In fact it made me even long more and more for those big martial art movies from about 10 years ago. Films like 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers' left an everlasting impression and I long for those days of those movies again. Maybe Zhang Yimou could onc emore take up arms and deliver such an instant classic just to sooth our minds.
The sequel to Crouching Tiger had some beautiful moments and fights but the story wasn't all that impressive and some humor (or maybe even the acting) totally misplaced. Even the fighting didn't really feel top notch, more like they wanted to make some amazing fighting scenes and instead were overdoing it and just missed the essence. A shame because Woo-Ping yuen really is able to create something beautiful.
Watching a movie which feels like passing time doesn't have to be bad at all but dear Director Zhang Yimou, my heart lingers when i think of those glory days. My soul wants to go back to those films where only beauty and aweness seems to exists. Take me once more to that field with wild flowers of 'House of Flying Daggers' and listen to the dreamy themesong 'Lovers'.
Time has passed
So much has changed
But the field remains in my heart
Monday, February 29, 2016
Hiding among flowers
Remember those days when you just want to quit everything you are doing and rn. run away fromyour work,run away from responsibility and embrace pure nature and its solitude. To be alonewith your thoughts and feel the wind touching your skin softly. Join me, it says, join me on my travels and experience the world. Lets drift away and let the fresh air purifie your mind. Remember your true dreams and let its warmth fill your heart.
Remember and try to live. Be like the wild flowers which just grow in inhabetible terrain. They aren't held back by any form of rationality. Maybe the way to enlightment is to be like such a flowerand grow and evolve into something beautiful by doing the things that aren't expected by you but because it makes you feel alive and make your heart flutter, even if it is for just a moment.
For now, I am just hiding among these flowers and slowly trying to adapt.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Moonlight Sonata Part 2 - Heneral Luna (2015)
Well for now just enjoy the moonlight sonata and wonder where it will turn up again!
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Fate - Lee sun Hee
These lyrics are everlasting and will resound in the deepest part of your soul. Let it enchant you and get lost in this amazing performance! Once in a lifetime!
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
The Story of Princess Kaguya / Kaguyahime no Monogatari (Japan, 2013)
Maybe The Story of Princess Kayuga (Isao Takahata) isn't the most impressive, most beautiful or most emotional I ever saw the art style is truly amazing. Ofcourse there will be people who say 'My child could have drawn this!' but well, than you have a miracle child I guess. You will feel its beauty alongside with the amazing music and realize you are watching something really special. Once again you will be lost in Ghibli's world.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Brooklyn (2015) / Saoirse Ronan
Though it may not have
the most innovating story about an Irish girl in the 1950’s who immigrates to
the States, and gosh I hate this word, ‘Brooklyn’
does have the right vibe. A story about love, big decisions and being afraid of
their consequences and most of all growing up. Well we have seen all that
before but there is a difference ‘Saoirse Ronan’. To be honest I always had a
love/hate relationship with her. She seems to be so talented and the next
second you wonder if she does have any facial expression at all. So I guess I
would say she can be inconsistent in her acting and yes, that is what are the
really interesting actresses or actors to watch. In Brooklyn she definitely nails
it, she catches the vibe and make this film everything and more. Of course the
music, the other characters and
screenplay all matter but when it is a story we all have seen before you need
that little bit of extra magic. Saoirse Ronan.
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