Thankful

In the spirit of Thanksgiving here in the United States, here is a short video on being thankful.  Enjoy, and have a happy Turkey Day!

Movie Review: Like Crazy

Tonight I watched the movie titled Like Crazy. It follows two people, an American boy (Jacob) and an English girl (Anna), for a few years of their lives amidst much love and many toubles. At first it seemed like it was just going to be like any other romance film that has come out of hollywood, but I was wrong. It is not a traditional movie at all.

The story is told in a way that leaves the viewer not knowing every single detail of the characters lives. In a way, it is like watching two people around you, and not knowing their whole stories. It is a rare movie that illustrates both reality and fairytale romance. It is heart wrenching, but absolutely lovely. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an original romance movie to watch.

"I Don't Want To Go Back Alone"

        Youtube. AKA hours and hours of my weekend that I can no longer get back. I am one of those people who are addicted to youtube, yes, I will admit it! Sometimes it is a good, learning experience, but sometimes I regret that I can no longer get those wasted hours back. But this time, it is good! A while ago I saw a (really good) foreign short film, but then I forgot what it was called and it seemed like for the life of me I could not find it again. However! I have recently came across the video again! So I thought that I would share it, I hope you like it as much as I did. 

       It is about a boy who moves to a new area and the conflicting emotions he and his new friends face. Click the "play" button to view it. (If the subtitles do not work under the screen, they are available in the bottom right of the video shown under the little arrow and the "CC" box, or click the link under the video and you will find that the "transcript" box under the video in Youtube has subtitles in many different languages.) 

Disclaimer: I do not own this video nor do I have anything to do with it. I am only a viewer. 

Watch the video! "I Don't Want to Go Back Alone"

Edgar Allen Poe-etry

I remember a few years ago my english class read a poem by Edgar Allen Poe. I wish that I could remember which one it was because it was very beautiful! But sadly I cannot. So, since then, whenever I see a book or website that contains some of his works I do a quick search to see if I can find what I am looking for. The other day I stumbled across some of his poetry and (although i did not find the particular poem I was looking for) I quickly fell in love with a few (pasted below). I hope you feel as moved by them as i do. Enjoy. 

Fairy-Land

Dim vales- and shadowy floods-
And cloudy-looking woods,
Whose forms we can't discover
For the tears that drip all over!
Huge moons there wax and wane-
Again- again- again-
Every moment of the night-
Forever changing places-
And they put out the star-light
With the breath from their pale faces.
About twelve by the moon-dial,
One more filmy than the rest
(A kind which, upon trial,
They have found to be the best)
Comes down- still down- and down,
With its centre on the crown
Of a mountain's eminence,
While its wide circumference
In easy drapery falls
Over hamlets, over halls,
Wherever they may be-
O'er the strange woods- o'er the sea-
Over spirits on the wing-
Over every drowsy thing-
And buries them up quite
In a labyrinth of light-
And then, how deep!- O, deep!
Is the passion of their sleep.
In the morning they arise,
And their moony covering
Is soaring in the skies,
With the tempests as they toss,
Like- almost anything-
Or a yellow Albatross.
They use that moon no more
For the same end as before-
Videlicet, a tent-
Which I think extravagant:
Its atomies, however,
Into a shower dissever,
Of which those butterflies
Of Earth, who seek the skies,
And so come down again,
(Never-contented things!)
Have brought a specimen
Upon their quivering wings. 



Evening Star

'Twas noontide of summer,
And mid-time of night;
And stars, in their orbits,
Shone pale, thro' the light
Of the brighter, cold moon,
'Mid planets her slaves,
Herself in the Heavens,
Her beam on the waves.
I gazed awhile
On her cold smile;
Too cold- too cold for me-
There pass'd, as a shroud,
A fleecy cloud,
And I turned away to thee,
Proud Evening Star,
In thy glory afar,
And dearer thy beam shall be;
For joy to my heart
Is the proud part
Thou bearest in Heaven at night,
And more I admire
Thy distant fire,
Than that colder, lowly light. 


Sonnet-Silence

There are some qualities- some incorporate things,
That have a double life, which thus is made
A type of that twin entity which springs
From matter and light, evinced in solid and shade.
There is a two-fold Silence- sea and shore-
Body and soul. One dwells in lonely places,
Newly with grass o'ergrown; some solemn graces,
Some human memories and tearful lore,
Render him terrorless: his name's "No More."
He is the corporate Silence: dread him not!
No power hath he of evil in himself;
But should some urgent fate (untimely lot!)
Bring thee to meet his shadow (nameless elf,
That haunteth the lone regions where hath trod
No foot of man,) commend thyself to God! 

My Favorite Movies

Here you will find a list of some of my favorite movies! This will definitely be missing a few because I probably won't be able to think of them all on the spot. But if anyone is looking for a good movie to watch I highly recommend every single one of these!

First we have Musicals: Yes, I do like musicals. I mean, it's music and a story in one! Who doesn't like that? These are my top picks. (caution: all are tear-jerkers)

1. West Side Story: A more modern version of Romeo and Juliet, set in the the 1950s.
2. The Phantom of the Opera: The story of a mysterious man who lurks underneath the Paris Opera House who yearns for love and happiness. 
3. Les Miserables: A battle story of the french people who tried to rise up against the government in order to gain the right for themselves and fellow poor.
4. Moulin Rouge: A lady-of-the-night tale of a prostitute who falls in love with a man, and their struggle to stay together in spite of the world around them.

Action/Fantasy: Some awesome movies complete with some amazing CGI.

1. Thor: A film about the god of thunder and his struggle to learn to be a better person (or god?). Complete with the amazing side story of his brother Loki. 
2. Captain America: How the USA's very patriotic superhero came to be. 
3. The Avengers: An epic movie that contains the story of many superheros coming together to fight against evil. 
4. Star Wars: A complete must for every fantasy-nerd out there!
5. Harry Potter: Also a must!
6. Lord of the Rings: Another epic saga. 

Sad: Some days you just need a good cry.

1. Anna Karenina: I recently saw 2013 film version of this story, and in my opinion it is one of the most beautiful, heart-wrenching stories ever. 
2. My Sisters Keeper: Although I prefer the book MUCH more, the movie (about a young girl and her constant battle between her family and terminally-sick sister) is also good.  
3. Pay it Forward: I have no words for how amazing this movie is. Just watch it. Please. 
4. Miss Potter: Based on the true story of Beatrix Potter, the woman behind many popular children's stories, like Peter Rabbit. 
5. The Hours: How the book "Mrs. Dalloway" affects three different women who are all in different timelines. 
6. August Rush: A young music-prodigee boy's journey to find his parents. 

Romance: Because we all need some (occasionally cheesy) love stories in our lives. 

1. Dirty Dancing: A movie from the 1980s about a girl who wants to get the guy. With, of course, some fun dancing. 
2. 10 Things I hate About You: Based off Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew comes the story of how one guy finds out that he can only date his dream girl if her older, indie-rocker sister does. He sets off in determination to put his plan in to action, and hilarity and romance ensures. 
3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: A chaotic love story that only makes sense when you get to the end of the movie. 

Comedy: For times when laughter is a necessity.

1. What's Up Doc?: A couple head to San Francisco, and discover that they are in for much more than they bargained for. Complete with hilarious chase scene at the end!
2. Angels in the Outfield: A boy believes he is seeing angels helping out his favorite baseball team.
3. Cat Ballou: A not-so-serious Western. 
4. Get Smart: Who doesn't love some Steve Carell? 

I hope you liked this list! If you have any suggestions for great movies that you think people need to watch please leave a comment below. Thank you! 

The Idea of Fame

Fame is a weird concept. The whole idea of being famous is just strange to think about. Some kids grow up craving to be famous, which in reality is just wanting to be liked and loved by people they don't know. Yes, it also means that they are exceptionally good at something in the end, but some people do not know what they even want to be famous for! They just want to be known by the general public. They want strangers screaming their name in admiration from stands or arenas. I think it's interesting to think about, but then again, anything starts to get weird if you think too hard about it.