lucky number 7

7. Before the rain

I saw this movie on TV shortly after it was released. The critical acclaim made me curious and I'm very happy that it has been shown on TV at least two times. The way the director plays with time and ingeniously combines three stories into one circle, which is not round, is simply breathtaking. There is an abundance of scenes that have printed themselves onto my retina and even just thinking of the movie's finale drops my jaw to the floor.

Although this movie is extremely hard to come by I crave to see it again. Let's hope Criterion will one day grant my wish.

number 8...

8. L.A. confidential

Quite possibly the best film noir in the last 25 years. A bold statement perhaps but its place in the IMDB 250 ensures me that I'm not alone in admiring this movie. I was blown away by the amazing acting perfomances and the very intelligent plot development. Even after seeing it again I can't help but be awed by the spot on acting and sublime quality of film making showcased throughout this flick.

countdown continues

9. The wedding singer

















This one will reap some raised eye brows for sure. Let me explain: yes it is a 'typical' romantic comedy with a rather predictable plot. BUT, what makes this romcom so amazingly good is the setting in the 1980s, the heart warming chemistry between Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, and the superb jokes!
I grew up in the 1980s so seeing a movie in the late 1990s which depicts those good old times so accurately and in a stellar humorous fashion simply won me over in less than the blink of an eye.
It remains THE ultimate feel good movie!

Fave movies of all time! DEFINITE list! :-)

As soon as people find out that I'm addicted to movies they'll ask me what my favorite movies are so I decided to make a top 10 favorite movies of all time. I don't think the list is subject to change but perhaps the ranking of the movies is.

Some of these movies are in the IMDB top 250 but a very important factor is when I first saw the movie. As with everything in life the younger you are the more impact the experience will have on you. An honorable mention needs to go to the first "Shaka Zulu" TV series which is only not qualified because it is not a movie. I have watched this serie several times and when I bought it on DVD a few years ago it definitely had retained its original power.
This is actually another important criterium: being able to retain its original impact and intensity after repeatedly seeing the movie. I can honestly say that I've seen these 10 movies several times and can watch them again any time, any place.

In order to create some suspense and to avoid creating a huge post I'll add one movie per day. Without further ado:

10. Lawrence of Arabia

















They truly don't make epic movies like this anymore. I never did mind slow pacing and elaborate character development, not even as a young boy. I was fascinated by this character from the get go. The story still resonates immensely and Peter O'Toole's performance is incredibly captivating.

So my DVD player finally died on me last night. I had been expecting this to happen since I got back from my Europe trip. The damn thing started having serious problems loading DVDs and froze during playback and skipped parts of the movies.
So last night it ate a DVD and I had to remove the top cover to be able to free the Netflix DVD.

Ran out to Best Buy to get the cheapest DVD player they had to offer which turned out to be an Insignia for 40 bucks including a 2 year warranty.
Already tried it out last night and it seems to be working fine. So I'm back in movie watching business!

All that's left to do is make it region free. Found the way to make this happen on the Web so that'll happen tonight.

Of septum or what thou willt

So as of now it is official: I'm finally getting my deviated septum fixed.
Yes I'm talking about my nose septum which has been deviated since I was born. After having spent 30 years of being able to breathe through mostly one nostril I want to be able to fully breathe in air through both nostrils.
Like the doctor said, it's a quality of life issue. And I want a higher quality damn-it!

So what do they do to fix your septum? Well basically they put you under full narcosis, slice your nose open, break the cartilege and straighten it. Then put a splint on each side of the nose which I'll wear for about 2 weeks. After that they'll be removed and my nose will be as good as new. Or, worst case scenario, like Michael Jackson.

Also need to get some "blood work" done before surgery is done. Which means they wanna stick some needles in me. I can't even remember the last time they drew my blood.

I must admit I'm nervous about the whole thing though. Sweaty hand palms etc.
Thing is I've never had surgery before aside from the tonsils being removed when I was still in primary school. My mom gave me a small stuffed panda bear to comfort me. But I remember wanting it before having my tonsils taken out haha.
I do remember giving my mom quite a hard time over this panda bear and I know for a fact that my nerves will be just as shot when I head to the hospital on December 19 to get my septum fixed.

But no mom around this time.

Anyone wanna volunteer?

winter in town

Since yesterday a big pile of snow has covered Pittsburgh.
Perhaps this is a Sinterklaas gift?














Obviously it's cold as hell too. Right now it's -11 Celsius/ 12 Fahrenheit.
Lovely.