Just one more example - among many others - of how good is international cinema, especially in France. In this last year, I have seen a lot of films produced in the country and most of them were of high quality. In fact, lately I've noticed how my DVD collection has been growing with French cinema.
Compelling story, terrific acting and a great surprise from a very young actress - who after making her début with a terrific performance - seized to appear in other projects. Did some research - not an extensive one - to find out her whereabouts and came up with nothing. I'm curious to know what led the young actress to give up on acting, considering critics and audience where enchanted by her portrayal of a 9-year-old girl caught in the mist of revolution and high ideals connected to communism, Cuba and Fidel Castro. Too much for anyone at such a young age I would say...
Rotten Tomatoes - my main guide / advisor in times of need - said: "Blame it on Fidel" is a charming comedy of manners, class, and politics, elevated by a remarkable performance from lead child actor Nina Kervel.
I would say it's very difficult - even almost impossible - for this able to not make my top 10 of 2012.
Hot Chip did an amazing job with their fifth project In Our Heads (2012), even going the extra mile to impress me, a "not so much" electronic music lover.
Throughout their 11 tunes, each and every one was able to grab me in a unique way... Funny enough, their main single Night and Day was the less convincing, while Let Me Be Him took the number one spot in my favourite tracks.
If the trailer does not suffice, read this small preview article taken from the magazine NME, on what and what not to expect from the upcoming biopic movie.
This was one of the many films I watched on my way to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). With plenty of time in my hands, I looked through the selection of movies British Airways had and after seeing American Reunion (2012) I had no doubt where I was going to start.
It had been a long time since American Wedding (2003) - the third and last instalment of the series until the "reunion"- a movie which seemed to conclude the story of the group of friends from East Great Falls High. It never occurred to me that a "Reunion" would be a great plot to get them all together once more. Maybe I was too distracted with the mediocre "direct-to-dvd" sequels that came out, only to destroy the American Pie's legacy among my generation. You can say they are very approachable to various generations, but I believe mine was one to be more infatuated with the series.
So there I was. Getting together with all those characters like they were my friends. It almost seemed like I was part of the gang, as I felt more and more nostalgic with each scene. I can honestly say this was a very satisfying finale to the series, and even thought there is still potential to work on future projects, I like to believe everyone involved in American Pie is proud of their achievments and will let this be the "perfect ending" for Jim, Oz, Kevin, Finch, Stiffler and many others more, who have contributed so much to my popular culture.
I know this is completely out of date, but bare with me. I only listened the Mylo Xyloto (2012) slightly more than a month ago and even thought the time has passed for me to write something based on a fresh idea, I simply could not just let this one slide.
Since it's release, a lot has been said about Coldplay's latest album. That is too pop, that the British band have drifted away from "their genre", that they have become excessively commercial and - most shockingly - that they have lost what gave their music a "quality stamp", meaning, they lost their edge... they are no longer good.
Well my friends, I beg to differ. I will agree with a few comments...
Yes, in this album their went with a bigger pop approach, making their sound very commercial, however, that's not to say they have made bad music just because Chris Martin and company decided to go with a different route. For some, change can be bad, while for others it can be good... It's exciting to see a group coming together year upon year, trying different elements and melodies. That means they are trying to evolve, to progress... all this leaving their comfort zone. It's easy to get labelled with a specific kind of sound and then - for good or bad - stick with it. Chances are, if you were successful in your first try, you will attract the same audience the next. But I say, to still have success while going for something different... that's the real challenge. I have to admit, sometimes - maybe even most time - I'm not a big fan of big changes. Look what happened to Bloc Party. Their third album even went as far to sound like it was made by another band. Why? Why would they change their tune - which was mostly indie rock - into something more twisted and electronic? In this case, maybe if "it ain't broke, then don't try to fix it". But then again, if we just settle with what is safe, will we ever see progress? Not just talking about the bands themselves, but the audience itself.
We could go on and on to talk about this... loads of pros and cons, but the point I was trying to make here is that Coldplay went out of their way to do something different - regardless if they were looking for a change of settings or just to make more money - and it came out good. I myself have given up on pop melodies a long time ago, but every so often, something comes up with the power to lure me into their world. Coldplay achieved just that with another great album.
This is an album that brings me closer to Portugal!
Not because the music was soundtrack to my life there, but because - somehow - it just takes me to summer days, evening at the beach, days out in festivals listening to great bands, having a nice cold Sagres, submersed in interesting and fun conversations... Outdoor barbecues, partying and going out for dinner... bowl of Santini... joking around in the pool... playing some football and after lying around in the grass. I could stay here for ages just naming favorite things to do when I'm back home.
God, I miss it so much. Miss everything about it...
Any album that is able to do this, to put me in a nostalgic mood, then it must be good!
