BUZZING FOR THE OSCARS 2016

 

It's finally Oscar Sunday (even though by the time we watch it it'll be Monday, but hey) and therefore my favorite day in February. While in other years we have gone all out in terms of food and Oscar Bingo, this year (and I blame this on my Uni peeps) it was all about the films and who is going to win. In a way this is obviously what it should be about, but this year we raised the stakes a little and created our own Oscar pool, with money and all. SO IT IS ON! I think I have never seen that many nominated films before the ceremony, hands down. I will list some of my favorites down below. Anyways, everyone in our group obviously wants to win and prove that we know what's going down in Hollywood and sometimes that ain't pretty. So let's all hope I will be the glorious winner of 20 quid (and therefore beat my teacher, who is also taking part) haha.

Meanwhile, we are obviously still very excited for the food opportunities. 

 

I am OBSESSED with these popcorn cakes/balls- for tonight, I will make the slightly easier cake version on the left side. Loving the sweet and salty combination. You can find the recipe here.

If you also want to create your own last minute Oscar pool, here you go.

My favorite Oscar nominated films this year are:

Honestly, the first 40min of the film are pure WTF. But then this weirdo of a film just starts to grow on you (and this is coming from a strong disliker of action films haha)

I have been looking forward to this film for what felt like ages. Brie Larson so deserves that Oscar!

Just a great film and so impressive coming from a first time director!

Everyone (!!!!!!!!!) needs to see this film. I LOVE IT SO SO SO MUCH and I want it to have 2356 sequel babies.

Favorite Documentaries

It's a bit strange, I would not consider myself an avid documentary watcher, but whenever I do come across a (good) film, I tell myself that I need to watch more of them. When I was in Texas, I took a media communication class in which we had to watch quite a lot of documentaries, that were all really fascinating. Since then I have watched quite a few, so here are some of my favorites.

1. Blackfish

This film has actually inspired me to write this post. I watched this just recently after hearing so much about it. This documentary is looking in to the whales and their lives at SeaWorld. The situation with these animals is really heartbreaking and I have had mixed feelings about SeaWorld for a long time, but now I will definitely never visit any of their parks ever again. 

2. Misrepresentation

This is a documentary that is similar to one I have watched in class. Talking about representation of gender (and race etc etc) in the media has been a fundamental part of almost every class I have taken at university, and this documentary sums a lot of things up quite nicely. Terrifying and depressing, but really informative.

3. Dreamworlds

Phew, this film is a really tough watch. I have watched this over a year ago and it feels like it was yesterday, that's how much the film has stayed with me. It just shows how messed up parts of our culture really are.  

4. The September Issue

This is one I have recently watched on Netflix and I was surprised by how interesting it was! Sure, fashion is interesting and everyone needs to wear something, but designers were never my thing and I never read Vogue either. Nevertheless, it was fun and interesting to watch.

6 favorite Oscar moments

1. Arquette's acceptance speech

After watching 'Medium' for years, I really do like her and it was good to see her on the big screen for once!!!! I am all for acceptance speeches that go beyond 'thank you mommy and the academy', and this is one of the good ones from this year.  How can you not like her? And Meryl Streep's reaction haha, amazing. U go girl!

2. Legend's acceptance speech

Goosebumps! Standing ovations and crying is a tough combi 

  

3. Chris Pine crying

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This is pretty much a follow up of the previous moment,  BUT OMG HE IS SO PRECIOUS!!!!! THAT KILLED ME. Beautiful men crying this beautifully... Can't handle this shizzle.

4. The dresses obviously 

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5. Anna Kendrick 

I remember watching 'Up in the Air' and thinking that she must really be going somewhere...  And I never ever thought that this will be it..  It absolutely amazes me to see someone to become so successful within only a few years....  And the whole singing thing, jeeez why is she so talented?!

6. Graham Moore's acceptance speech

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I wanted to only share five moments, but how can I chose? This was gorgeous and so heartbreaking. Generally, I thought Neil Patrick Harris held back quite a lot (although I loved his first joke), and Sean Penn is such a (racist?) weirdo, but I love the excitement and the show! And obviously we took this opportunity to make loads of food and lapse into a food coma. Yay!

Scotland on Screen {part III, Highlands}

First of all, YAY WORLD CUP! Totally gutted that I can't be in Germany where everyone's is partying like crazy.
So anyhow, last year I started a little series of posts about Scotland in movies. We have part #1 with Edinburgh, then part #2 with Glasgow, and now this is going to be the final post featuring films that were filmed in the Highlands (& islands).

1. Local Hero
This is a quite old film and I remember watching it for a class here at uni. It's about an American business man coming to a tiny tiny village in Scotland in order to secure a deal with the locals. Obviously everything goes wrong from here.


2. Harry Potter
This is clearly not a surprise and I think it was only through Harry Potter, that the world became fully aware of Scotland and its beauty. This is just a small clip where they talk about how it was filming in the Highlands.


3. Skyfall
I am not really a James Bond film and I haven't seen this one either, despite the hype when it came in to the cinema. Anyways, part of it takes place in Scotland and it just looks gorgeous. When I went to the Highlands last year, we drove to the area where this was filmed. Just as beautiful in real life, is that's even possible.


4. The Decoy Bride
This is definitely not the most successful thing David Tennant has done, and it is not a really mind blowing piece of film.It is also shot on the Isle of Man, which is not Scotland, I admit. However, it looks very similar and in the movie they pretend that it is Scotland.So it counts for me! Again, the highlands look absolutely stunning and it just makes me want to live on on of these deserted islands where everything is just a little bit different.

Thinking about Texas and all.

Right now, everywhere I go is Texas. Or Austin.
Either in the location of the films I watched (Something, Anything or We gotta get out of this place), when talking about SXSW with Film Festival delegates, or in the TV show that was recommended to me (Friday Night Lights) or when Elijah Wood mentioned that he recently bought a house in Austin because he loves that city so much.
It makes my heart feel heavy and tight.

I love Austin. I love Texas.

Before going there, I was not really sure what to expect of Texas. Yes I know all the stereotypes, good and bad. Yes I was worried about crazy gun people, rednecks and those right wing conservatives I definitely cannot empathize with. And on top of that I am at a catholic school, where I am anything but religious.

But all of this does not matter.

It doesn't change the fact that the people there are by far the nicest I have EVER met. This so called Southern Hospitality is something I really really miss.

Let aside the politics and all that stuff, Texas is really such a fun place. It has crazy weather where you experience all 4 season within one day, but at its best, it has the bluest skies and warmest days that will just warm your heart and make you so so happy. I have no clue how I survived the long Scottish winter, with no sun for such a long time.

Austin is an amazing city, so healthy and so fit, trying to be environmentally friendly, so beautiful, loads of things to do in warm weather, great bars, restaurants, FOOD TRUCKS, a huge student city... it feels exciting and new to walk these streets but also like home.

I'll be alright.

an updates version of all the states I visited in the US

I really really don't know why I find it so hard at the moment to keep this blog going. I have sooo many pictures to show, so much to tell you. It's just all in my head and doesn't want to get on to this blog for some reason. 

I am back home now, in Germany. My summer plans are similar (if not almost the same) to last summer: Move back to Edinburgh, volunteer at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, then work again at my Fringe job. I am so so so ÜBER excited for the festivals, especially for the film one. The program is out now (click here) and there are great films coming to the festival as well as great people. Elijah Wood, for once- and then Simon Helberg, who plays Howard in the Big Bang Theory. How cool is that?

Other than that, I feel like getting rid of all my stuff. I had so much trouble coming back from the States- excess luggage wherever I went, seriously nice airport staff that didn't charge me for it, but also me leaving SO much stuff in hotel rooms because it just wouldn't fit. Denise called me a hoarder, but I just really don't like wasting stuff. Ugh.

So in a way I am looking forward to Edinburgh and re-moving back in to my room, but this time without unnecessary clutter and all of that. We will see how that goes.

 Okay summer 2014- here is to warm nights, beers in pubs, picnics in parks, making new friends, seeing old ones again, cooking in my own kitchen, gettin rid of stuff, not wearing socks, taking more pictures, watching more movies, discovering more of Edinburgh, mentally preparing for the last year in Scotland, planning da future.

Oh life.

If only Bradley's arm was longer. Best photo ever. #oscars pic.twitter.com/C9U5NOtGap
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) March 3, 2014

I mean, seriously? Watching moments like this is one of my favorites during the Oscars. I find it fascinating how they form this community and also how people such as Ellen or Jimmy Fallon/Kimmel become such friends with them.

 This one is finally turning 21 today. Hooray! Actually just an excuse to have cake, of course


This weekend was a bit slow for me, because I was on antibiotics thanks to my friend bronchitis >< Hopefully it's all gone now. This week is gonna be so stressful, URGGG!!! I have a presentation, a mid term in French Cinema, more stuff to finish that's gonna happen right after Spring Break... I am so glad when we hit Friday! And then on Saturday, we are leaving for South Padre, wooho! Cannot believe how time is flying again.

Scotland on Screen {part 2: Glasgow}

So here we go, part 2.
This time: Glasgow.
In the last couple of years there have been quite a few production in the city, even Hollywood one's.

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Not Another Happy Ending (2013) was shown at the Edinburgh Film Festival and even though it felt really special to be among the first to watch it, I didn't like it that much. It was very clichee, very predictable. However, it looked beautiful and Glasgow makes a great setting for this film.

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Now on to another kind of film. This picture shows Glasgow, however completely americanised: Different street signs, cars on the opposite site of the road and yellow cabs. It is a scene out of World War Z, which was partly filmed in Glasgow but is supposed to be in Philadelphia.
Strange, if you ask me.

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Cloud Atlas is slightly different. It uses Glasgow as a location and dresses it up as San Francisco and London, but it also shows Edinburgh, as you can see in this pretty picture.

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This is such an absurd and funny Scottish film: The Angel's Share.
Typically the angel's share is the bit of the whiskey that evaporates during the aging process, but here it is a film by Ken Loach that takes place in Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Highlands. Despite the crazy mission they go on during the film, it feels properly Scottish with their accents, outfits and whatnot.

Scotland on Screen {part I, Edinburgh}

Just for fun, I am going to do a couple of posts about this. Maybe this will get me motivated for my essay, maybe it will just distract me. Oh we will see. So I kept thinking about films shot in Edinburgh and there are (sadly) really not that many films that show Edinburgh in all its glory. A lot of possibilities for more films to come and I am sure a lot will change over the next years. But for now, here it is- Films that are set in Edinburgh. Or feature Edinburgh. 

Filth (2013)- Man what a freaking filthy and bathshit crazy film. Not sure if I should like it, but it is worth seeing just because of James MacAvoy, who is incredibly fantastic. Although I was thinking of Mr Tumnus a bit too much when watching it.

Sunshine on Leith (2013)- Aw yes, I loved loved loved it! It is such a cute little film, beautiful non stop and the ending..cuteezzz!! It also felt very special watching this film here in Edinburgh with what seemed to be a lot of locals- I think everyone enjoyed it!

One Day (2011)- I must say I enjoyed the books more than the film and Edinburgh is only featured for a tiny bit, but it is still lovely.  

Trainspotting(1996)- I have to admit I haven't seen it yet (it's on the endless list of films I need to see) but it is the prime example of Edinburgh on screen.And Kevin McKidd is in there, one more reason to see it sooooon.


(There are obviously more film than this and you can read about them here , for example)

Sunshine on Leith {movie tip}

Edinburgh and Scotland definitely don't get their deserved share of spotlight in films, so I love it when they do- this film comes out today and I will try and see it as soon as I can because it just looks amazing!

Films I watched so far {EIFF 2013}

I feel like my days consist of working and sleeping and nothing else. Which is not true, but I definately don't spend that much time in front of my laptop anymore.

I feel that so much has happened during these last couple days that I cannot fit it into one post.

So to start with, here are the films I watched.

I went to the first public screening of The East and it was followed by a Q&A with the 

director, so that was preeetty cool. I loved the film, it was intense and thrilling and makes 

you hate the world a little bit. The cast was brilliant and the director explained how he 

and Brit Marling lived in this sort of community (thats portrayed in the film) for a whole

summer!

Magic Magic- I watched it last night because I like Michael Cera- this is so different
than what he has done before. It is set in Chile and very very beautiful, but such a
strange film! 

Frances Ha- We watched this as part of our staff training (how cool is that?) and I liked
it- it's in black and white and about a girl who is kina stuck between being young and
careless and growing up.



You and Me Forever- Now this is a Danish film and belongs to the strand of "Not
Another Teen Movie"- It's about two best friends and what happens to their friendship
when another girl moves into town and gets in between the two. Quite nice, although for
once I just felt that I am so happy not to be 16 anymore. 

Mister John-
I haven't heard amazing reviews from the others about this film,
but I wanted to see it anyway because I quite liked the story: It's about a guy
who goes to Asia where his brother lived and suddenly died. He kinda "slips"
into his brother's old life. It's a really slow film, only little dialogue. I imagined it
way more thrilling and full of action but I still liked it.

Shooting Bigfoot

Omg, this film was hilarious! It was the premiere and the director was sitting in as well. It's such an interesting documentary, mostly because of the characters in it. I loved every bit of it and would love to see it again - definately my favorite so far!

Breathe In {film: coming soon}

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'Breathe in' is the film that's gonna open the Edinburgh Film Festival and I am SO excited!

3 things why I am already in love with it:

• Felicity Jones (watch 'Like Crazy')
• it's about an exchange student
• the story takes place in upstate New York, close to where I lived ♥

Film recommendation: Perks of being a wallflower

Couldn't wait so I just watched the movie after lectures today. So sweet, I think Logan Lerman is perfect as Charlie and Emma Watson is perfect no matter what (loved her room in the film so much).

Go and see (and read) it!

 

 

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Obsessions.

 

 

 

 

Nächsten Monat (wenn ich wieder Geld hab), muss ich unbedingt nochmal gehen. Ich bin immernoch fasziniert davon, wie nah sie am Buch geblieben sind. Keine großen Enttäuschungen wie bei Harry Potter. Mein Favorit was Book Adaptations angeht.

Mwaaah  ♥

foggy saturday

Wenn das Wetter an einem Samstag so aussieht, als wären Dementoren auf Besuch gewesen, kann man ja nichts anderes tun, als den ganzen Tag Filme zu schauen.
Und wenn man nur noch 6 Pfund für den Rest des Monats hat, bleibt einem eigentlich auch nichts anderes übrig.

Im Moment nutze ich meinen ersten kostenlosen Testmonat bei Netflix aus- neben Miss Potter und Love Potion No. 9 hab ich Tuck Everlasting geschaut-
aaaaaw!!!! Alexis Bledel wunderschön wie immer.