HAPPY NEW MONTH!

Wrapping up September 2013.

I still didn't write an instant cult classic novel, didn't learn Japanese or gained world supremacy last month - but it wasn't a complete waste either. I wrote a few poems and appeared on two episodes of the LAMBcast as well as of course our very own Across the Universe podcast. In case you haven't noticed yet, I put up a little note on the sidebar announcing a little half-hiatus that is going to be going on here for the following months - I feel a lot better now that these news are out. This way I don't feel the pressure to blog more despite my lack of time and energy, at least not as much as before. After all, school is what counts right now. And coming of age in general. And the fact that I'll be in my favorite part of the world on Sunday.

WATCHED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME

Ruby Sparks (2012) 

Saw the posters in London last year and now finally got a chance to see it. Aside from the fact that I'm always super jealous of characters that have written acclaimed novels on type writers, I genuinely enjoyed this movie.

8.2

Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) 

Had a lot of fun with this movie. It's stupid, obviously, but in a good way.

8.0

This Is the End (2013) 

Best. Ending. Of the Year.

8.6

Our Hospitality (1923) 

Buster Keaton is hot. One of the few silent films I enjoyed. Although I think very soon I won't be able to say "few" anymore.

7.7

Shaun of the Dead (2004) 

Braaaaaaaainy fun.

9.0

Ship of Theseus (2012/13) 

Hum. That's what this movie made me think. It certainly is a one-of-a-kind experience to watch and one of the most surprising Indian movies I've seen.

8.9

Grown Ups 2 (2013) 

Hey, it was ok! Don't blame me. Plus Taylor Lautner was indeed hilarious, parodying his Twilight wolf pack alter ego.

6.9

Sucker Punch (2011) 

Very weird movie. So weird I was going to write a post but didn't find the time. I did like parts though.

6.5

Company (2002) 

The essential Bollywood gangster movie. Sadly, I waited too long to go to this party and by the time I finally got there, I had been to too many of the same kind.

7.5

Heaven on Earth (2008) 

Recommended even for Preity Zinta only, however the story is quite intriguing as well.

8.0

The Bling Ring (2013) 

One of my favorite movies of the year. A wonderful satire that mirrored a part of our society in a way that couldn't have been more accurate.

9.3

Blade Runner (1982)

Haven't seen a movie this gorgeous in a long time, not counting rewatches. It's also one of the best sci-fi movies I've seen.

9.5

Sleeper (1973)

Gotta love funny ol' Woody. And he doesn't blame us.

9.1

REWATCHED WITH THE PURPOSE OF INTENSE EXAMINATION

Inglorious Basterds (2009) 

Cracked up for the gazillionth time during the Bingo scene. Makes you think.

8.4

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) 

I still find it hard to find words to describe this movie. HAL is still one of my favorite villains of all time. Next time someone bothers me I'll tell them: "This conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye".

9.8

AMOUNT OF FILMS WATCHED: 15 (August +3)

AVERAGE RATING: 8.4 (AUGUST +/- 0)

SHORTS

Lick the Star (1998) - Sofia Coppola's first film. It was quite interesting to see in relation to what she did afterwards, but it's not one the best shorts I've seen.

Jess Archer vs. the Ex (2011) - Recommended by Vern and now me too. You can find it on youtube and vimeo, and make sure to write a nice comment to the awesome director!

SHOWS

Secret Diary of a Call Girl, S. 2-4 (2008 - 2011)

This show is growing on me. I've actually fallen pretty much in love with it and am probably going to write a post. Tv has become sooo good. I mean, this is not one of the *best* shows out there, but it's very entertaining and heartwarming. Oh, and it's set in London, my favorite place on earth so far.

For fans of: Doctor Who, London, glamour

BOOKS

Arthur Schnitzler: Reigen (1895)

A play we read for school. It's an easy read and very scandalous for its time since it's basically about... sexual encounters. Highly entertaining and still relevant in our days, at least partially

**** out of five

Julie Kagawa: The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) (2013)

Immortal Rules was a surprisingly original vampire novel that proved my lost interest in the topic wrong. It reminded me of the first two seasons of True Blood that tilted my impression of the vampire genre upside down. The politics involved, as well as of course the dystopian future, all added a special quality to the novel and made reading a great pleasure. The Eternity Cure proves that this story has enough potential for a whole series of books. It draws the characters in more detail and adds more shades and layers to them - this is true for all of the main characters. 

The story itself kept me on the edge of wherever I sat and made me stay awake even on the early busride to school during the period I read it. This being said, Blood of Eden is not a perfect series and not a favorite (at least yet). It made me wonder how I'd have reacted, had I been in the same situation as the characters, but it didn't have as much impact on say, The Perks of Being a Wallflower on my life. However, it makes for one of the most suspenseful and action-filled reads of the year so far.

****

(The soundtrack of my life segment will be posted seperately because I feel like writing a whole music post).

Now it's your turn to tell me about your month - perhaps on of you succeeded in gaining world supremacy?