Mysterious Skin

If you haven't seen Mysterious Skin, do so but its an intense movie, so be warned.  I may sit down this evening to watch it again because its been a few years since I saw it last.  Check it out!

~ Volker

Time to Leave

Yesterday evening I sat down to watch a movie (DVD) that I haven't seen for a while, Time to Leave.  Its about a young man, 31 years old, that is diagnosed with a rare, malignant form of cancer.  The film is about his actions in the last days of his life, how he reacts to life and others, and how others react to him.  Only his grandmother learns of his fate, the rest do not.  Check it out, its worth watching!

~ Volker

douches froides

Douches froides, or Cold Showers in English:  I have this movie on DVD and have seen it a number of times as I have quite a number of other films in my collection.  I personally love the French movies because they are so much deeper than those from North America.  If you don't mind the subtitles, check it out.  Of course, if you can understand the French language, then you don''t need to bother with the subtitles, do you?  To keep it short, the story starts with a couple of guys with interests in common.  When a third party becomes involved, the story starts to take a turn, and not for the better I would think, but you decide.  I don't like to give stories away, so I won' t say any more.  You'll just have to see it to find out.  - V

another hike coming up

I've got another hike coming up this weekend, either on Saturday or Sunday. Then I'll spend Monday editing photos plus scanning some slides (I'm looking at my Salzburg, Austria trip from the summer of 1972, which will be posted along with a story about the von Trapp family and the movie, the Sound of Music. The Salzburg region is where the film was set). Something to look forward to. Its a long weekend as well! - V

only a little cloud, no rain, and a lot more sunshine!

Today was one of those days where we didn't have to concern ourselves with taking along an umbrella. The sun was out and shining brightly plus it was warmer. Tomorrow may even be better. Too bad the work week follows right behind that!

I spent my time indoors doing things there that needed doing, mostly at he computer. I had breakfast after my shower this morning and ate some sandwiches periodically through the day as I became hungry and then washed it all down with tea (Earl Grey but also some chai).

For supper I had some salad, a mix of romaine lettuce and pieces of tomato along with a simple wine vinegar and oil dressing. Later I was still hungry and cooked up some perogies (potato and cheese, though my favourite is potato and onion). Now its almost bedtime!

Tomorrow morning it time for getting the laundry out of the way once again. I'll do that after my shower and breakfast. Then I may be off to the grocery store before returning home and checking things out online.

Have a good night, guys! - V

P.S. - The image is from the film, "Heartbeats" (les amours imaginaires). If you haven't seen it, check it out! That's Xavier Dolan on the left and Monia Chokri on the right. - V

les amours imaginaires - Heartbeats

This evening I heard one of the theme songs from the movie, "les amours imaginaires", on the radio (Radio Canada - Vancouver). The song is deeper and richer in the film. The version I heard on the radio wasn't anywhere near as good. I took the time to watch Xavier Dolan's film again this evening. In English its called "Heartbeats." Consider seeing it if you haven't as yet. Xavier is a young Canadian film maker from Montreal and certainly worth seeing where his career goes!
That's Xavier Dolan, Niels Schneider and Monia Chokri in the photo above. Xavier and Monia appear in some of the other images. Love the sweater and the hat! What about you? - V

I Am Number Four - note

Its been a while since I watched the movie, "I am number four", which stars Alex Pettyfer as Number Four. I've noticed that a number of you have viewed my previous posts on the film, so to make a long story short an alien race (9 of them) escape a planet and come to Earth. They are pursued by another race that has to kill them in sequential order. Numbers 1 to 3 have been killed and Number Four is next. You can view the trailer and learn more about the film here.

I'll have more to say on a possible parallel we have, as it relates to humankind, soon. Meantime, check out the movie! - V

James Franco

I've seen the movie, Tristan and Isolde, starring James Franco as one of the lead actors a couple of times, In fact I have the DVD. Its such a sad movie with an even sadder ending of two lovers that never get to marry the one they truly love! Nonetheless, check it out just the same!!! - V

I am number four Part II

I was able to watch this movie (I am number four) in its entirety this evening. Its not for everyone but it does have an important message we should pay attention to. There are even a few good shots of Alex Pettyfer's awesome physique. Alex plays one of the lead characters in the movie. Something worth seeing! A report is coming up as soon as time is available. - V

I am number four

I purchased the three disk copy of the movie "I am number four" starring Alex Pettyfer amongst others on my way home from work this evening. It included the Blu-ray plus DVD versions. I plan to see it later in the week when time permits. A report follows afterwards! Have an awesome week, guys!!! - V

"Like a Brother"

Today I was watching a few dvds I hadn't seen in a while. The most recent one was the film, "Like a Brother" or "Comme un Frere" in French. It is in French with English subtitles and available from Water Bearer Films. The two lead characters are Roman, played by Thibault Boucaux, and Sebastien (a.k.a. Zack), played by Benoit Deliere. Check out the film's trailer here! I really don't want to give the story away but all I can say is its worth watching if you like to understand more about relationships, gay or straight! Relationships can be complicated, regardless of the sexual orientation, especially when we don't understand ourselves. Let me know what you think. - V

Merry Christmas and all the best!!!

Merry Christmas and the best of the season to all!!! Enjoy a safe festive season as we come to a close of yet another year. My how fast the year has gone!

Today, as on many of my days off, I slept in. After showering and getting cleaned up, I had a leisurely breakfast. In the afternoon I took the time to watch a dvd after getting caught up on my emails. The movie I watched was "The Bishop's Wife" (1947) starring David Niven as the bishop, Loretta Young as the bishop's wife and Cary Grant as the "angel." Its a lovely film but I don't want to give it away. I'm a big Cary Grant fan! Check it out if you have the chance!

After a short snooze this evening, I got back to checking out emails plus posting on Facebook and my blogs.

Merry Christmas - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noel!!!

less than a week

Its less than a week till Christmas. I took it easy yesterday (Saturday) by recharging my laundry card (smartcard), having a light lunch and so on. I slept in until nearly 11 am. Supper consisted of spaghettini with tomato sauce along with some artichoke hearts added. Nothing too fancy. Otherwise, I sat down to watch some tv, in this case, Great Canadian Rivers on Knowledge channel. Check out knowledge.ca if you'd like to know more.

I also sat down to watch a French film called "Douches Froides", or Cold Showers in English. It stars Johann Libereau as Mickael, training for judo, who befriends Clement, played by Pierre Perrier. There's a lot more to this movie, so I don't want to give it away. Check out the trailer and then the movie itself if it sounds interesting to you. Its available on dvd.

After that, I watch a murder-mystery (British) before heading off to bed for the night.

Today, I slept in again ( I can only do that on my weekends or when I'm off work) with a late breakfast and then got laundry started. Now that its out of the dryer and folded, I plan to put it all away and then get off to the grocery store before dark.

The sun has even pulled a surprise by showing itself through the clouds. If there had been more sun, I'd have been out taking photos. Howe Sound has been in my mind lately. I hope you've had a great weekend, guys!!! - V

thoughts and ideas

Recently I've spent a lot of time thinking about my friend Brad, not constantly but often enough. They're all good thoughts. I haven't heard from him since early September and do miss exchanging emails with him. I even miss the chats we used to have when he did have ready access to a computer and I'm certain he misses all this too.

I'd most like to take him to Germany in the new year. I thinks what he sees in Germany and central Europe in general will open his eyes a lot plus it'll give us a chance to talk about various things that have been on his mind for a while. It'll give us both a chance to get to know each other better as friends, and more if he wants to! Being the greatest of friends will certainly do it for me know.

Having each of us wrapped in a warm embrace is but a memory if we don't see each other in person. For now its but a dream yet to be realized. All I hope for the moment is that he's happy and all is well. That is the best we can hope for all our family and friends plus people we encounter daily. To wish otherwise is a non-starter and a total waste of time!

I hauled out my Christmas CDs earlier in the week and today I found some of my Christmas themed DVDs to add to that, such as the black and white movie from 1947 called "The Bishop's Wife", starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven, "Prancer" (1989) starring Sam Elliott, Cloris Leachman and Abe Vigora, and "Creature Comforts: Merry Christmas Everyone!" starring Wallace and Gromit.

Tonight, though, I'm going to watch a few movies starring Christopher Atkins, such as "The Blue Lagoon" where he appears with Brooke Shields, "A Night In Heaven" with Christopher Atkins and Lesley Ann Warren, and "The Pirate Movie" where he appears with Kristy McNichol. Well, that's what I plan to watch tonight and over the weekend. I've got lots of movies to choose from with or without cable tv.

So, how's your weekend shaping up??? Have a good one, guys!!! - V

the New Moon poster

Well, the New Moon poster to the movie The Twilight Saga: New Moon is out (see above). The film appears in the theatres November 20 and is the sequel to the movie Twilight which grossed $380 million globally at the box office. Locally, filming just ended at David Thompson Secondary School and has moved to Montepulciano, Italy. The movie is based upon the novel of the same name written by Stephanie Meyer and starring Robert Pattinson (born May 13, 1986 in London, England) as Edward Cullen, Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan and Taylor Lautner (born February 11, 1992 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) as Jacob Black. Pattinson was in the news locally often enough as people spotted him going to and from the film location and elsewhere. Now to wait until the movie comes out in the theatres! - V.

Steven Strait – The Covenant

Here's another video clip featuring a series of clips of actor Steven Strait from the movie "The Covenant" but there are a few shots of Taylor Kitsch as well. Steven is another actor that started out as a model before moving into acting. You'll have to see the movie though to understand what its all about. Have a look. - V.

Taylor Kitsch – clip from The Covenant

The first time I saw Taylor Kitsch was in his part in the movie called "The Covenant." If you haven't seen it yet, rent it or buy it. Is worth seeing Taylor and the other new group of young actors do their thing. I've got the movie and have seen it a couple of times. Well, perhaps I should see it again. Check it out!

Juste une question d'amour

Juste une question d'amour (Just a question of love): Here is a short video clip on the subject of love between men. It makes no different whether people are gay, bi, lesbian or whatever, we should treat each other with honour and respect. Love goes a long way to break down the barriers. What do you think???

The Day the Earth Stood Still - 2008 trailor

The Day the Earth Stood Still - 2008 trailor: This movie starring Keanu Reeves feel different to me just by viewing the trailor. What do you think? I'll have to get out to seen this one when the movie is out in the theatres to determine for myself whether the mood and the message in the movie is actually different. - Volker

The Day the Earth Stood Still - 1951 clip

Here is a video clip from the 1951 movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still. As a race, it does have a very important message as I mentioned in the previous post. We must be less reactionary and fearful of what we do not know, think things through rationally, with logic, and then proceed to from a full understanding of the situation before taking action. This applies as much with our relations with our fellow mankind as it does with Star races from elsewhere in our universe. - Volker