I had long been waiting for a good drama with a love thread and I was so happy that this one didn’t disappoint me… neither as acting and persuasiveness, neither as approach and credibility nor as ending. There was nothing superfluous, nothing cheesy. Even the love triangle cliche was masterfully intertwined with the unusual circumstances of the post-war background.

Well, I don’t have to tell you, that even if this movie turned out to be bad, Alexander Skarsgard would be an excellent reason to stay put in front of the screen. this Swedish semi-god is outrageously attractive, even when speaking in German… but let’s not get carried away

“The Aftermath”is based on Rhidian Brook’s novel of the same name (published in Bulgaria) and with the wonderful music by Martin Phipps.

Continue reading “The Aftermath” at Acrista Cafe.

Killing Eve – this TV show was not even in my watchlist, but I decided to give it a chance and… it’s brilliant! So refreshing and dynamic, on the verge of drama and humor, I really loved it. Now waiting impatiently for the whole second season to come out.

Fargo –  so many stupid, but surviving people in one place – it’s amazing! The first season is my favorite with the brilliant Martin Freeman.

Victoria – another TV show about a British Queen after “The Queen”, but they are so well done, I cannot resist them.

Continue reading March movies selection at Acrista Cafe.

For the generation that is not familiar with the Rocky Balboa sequence, Creed II might be a bit old-school, but it has enough drama with the typical story of the crushed hero who resurrects stronger in order to face fears, enemies and mostly – himself.

For me, Creed II is a remake of Rocky IV made with respect and my sympathies towards Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester are strongly backed-up by the cool soundtrack which is the equivalent of the legendary Eye of the Tiger.

My discovery amidst this sound explosion is the Nigerian-born Brit Jacob Banks whose voice really spoke to me.

Continue reading Creed II at Acrista Cafe.

I set apart this movie from the February movie mix on purpose. Not only because it is European production, but also because it moved me exceptionally.

I admit I knew almost nothing about Astrid Lindgren, although I grew up with Pippy Longstocking, The Brothers Lionheart, Karlson, Ronia the Robber’s Daughterand Emil of Lonneberga. After watching the movie, I saw the rich context explaining why things were the way they were in my favorite childhood books…

the young Astrid (Unga Astrid– the original title of the movie) was overflowing with energy, light and life, but she was “lucky” to be born in a small Swedish town, among manners narrowly bound by religious rules, which did not allow for any frivolity, spontaneityand equality.

Continue reading “Becoming Astrid” at Acrista Cafe.

Bohemian Rhapsody: I am not one of the devoted fans of Queen who compare the movie scene by scene with documentary footage from concerts and interviews. For me the move is exceptionally well made, and the role of Rami Malek is inhumanely difficult and perfectly played given the vast admiration for Freddie Mercury. In the interviews from the movie release interesting facts ‘from the kitchen’ came up, for example, that the first shot scene was the Live Aid concert (!), the work with movement couch, details on make-up and costumes. I would watch it for the second time, so I am looking forward to the 5-hours directors cut.

Continue reading February movie mix at Acrista Cafe.

Challenging to watch, but a must see anyway. About addiction as an all-consuming and devastating black hole. About struggle which is unbearable, ugly and inhumane. About shame, anger and despair. about boundaries, patience and the endlessly stretching matter called love…

And, overall, about the hell of addiction…

I am so glad Steve Carell did not stay in the clich? Of the comedy, but unfolds his talent in the drama. And what can I say about Timothee Chalamet except – this boy is so talented and speaks so meaningfully and mature during his interviews, I cannot wait to see his future projects.

Continue reading “Beautiful Boy” at Acrista Cafe.

iInstead of drawing up a balance-sheet for the past months, I decided that the last post for this year would be something beautiful and inspiring. For me these pieces of beauty that suddenly find me through the unimaginable online information noise are magical and contemplative and are a true creative engine.

Years ago Yann Arthus-Bertrand enspelled us with his bird’s eye view shots. then I wrote about his Home. And now Human found me. pieces from the puzzle called Humanity – total and amazing in its diversity, but also in its uniformity.

(Turn on the video subtitles (CC) so you can see the name of the person who shared it as well as the places where the bird’s eye view shots were taken.)

*photo copyright belongs to its rightful owner

Continue reading Human at Acrista Cafe.

Christopher Robin: how good it would be if when we become too serious in our lives, when we forget what it was like to be a child, for our childhood friends to come and sometimes playing, sometimes sharing wisdom, to remind us the really important things… like “Today is my favorite day” or “Doing nothing always leads to the best of something”. Evoking warmth and smiles, with wonderful music.

Mindhunter s.01: the dawn of profiling in the FBI… Endless curiosity and thinking outside the box always lead to changes and growth. And the contact with the most sinister psychopaths… leads to unexpected turns in the viewpoint.

Continue reading November movie mix at Acrista Cafe.

I have one word for this movie: PASSION.
In all its forms and manifestations.

I have probably watched the version with Barbara Streisand. Honestly, I don’t remember it.
Bradley Cooper’s version is bold, honest, real, powerful. I will remember it for certain.

Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, probably a few people know her real name) is the living proof of the layers you need to peel and peel until you reach the real thing, the essence of the talent…

The chemistry between them is palpable. Before I watched the movie I was puzzled by the way he looked at her during the interviews.

Continue reading “A Star is Born” at Acrista Cafe.

Long since I haven’t experienced such deep delight in the combination of magnificent acting, intense dialogue, almost theatrical atmosphere, beautiful music and devastatingly suppressed emotions which sweep the luster of a comfortable facade. Glenn Close shines with all her power and Jonathan Pryceis a worthily match. The result – a powerful and raising questions movie. based on Meg Wolitzer’s novel.

Continue reading “The Wife” at Acrista Cafe.

I knew that the second season of Genius would be inspiration, contemplation and very much needed context, as if a long time ago you had started putting together a puzzle of somebody’s live, but you missed pieces and reasons.

A few things keep resonating in me after the ten episodes for this extraordinary, whimsical, driven innovator which some would call a prick, a rake, an egoist and they might be right depending on their viewpoint:

• his purposefulness and outright refusal to compromise
• his fierce desire to surpass a colleague by whom he felt awed (Matisse) and thus to surpass himself
• his hectic search for the new, the different, the radical
• using women as source of love energy, mystery, inspiration that incessantly keep him “hungry” for life
• his unconditional rejection of any rules
• placing art before and above all (which is a condition for greatness as long as one is ready to pay the price)

Continue reading “Genius: Picasso” at Acrista Cafe.

I doubt there is a better choice for the role of the growling and eccentric Turner than Timothy Spall (I’m not sure why he was not nominated for this role), who brilliantly plays his blunt and at times unrefined character carrying pencil and sketchbook everywhere to gather ideas.

Continue reading “Mr. Turner” at Acrista Cafe.