Life Lately

Browsing through old photos. I totally love looking at old photos...brings back so many great memories. Reliving delightful memories will always bring a smile to my face. And I am a sucker for that nostalgic feeling, but sometimes it's too much and I need to stop!
Life has been going pretty good lately. Well, my life may not be perfect, but I am thankful for everything I have; I am blessed. I don't have everything that I want, but I do have all I need. I live a very positive lifestyle and encourage others to do so! After all, I've found it easier to look at things positively. Over the years, I have come to realize that "It pays to be positive".

My favourite quote right now.

I'm not gonna miss you, sweet little macaron...at least for the next couple of weeks. I'm on a diet to lose weight, but I'm much more conscious about what I'm putting into my body these days.

This is Puddles. My new neighbour's furry friend. He's so... 

What Are Top 6 Favourite Movies of All Time?

Well, I'll admit it. I am embarrassingly addicted to watching movies. Yep! I am a little crazy about movies and anything that has to do with them. Would you judge me if I tell you that I love to watch movies...almost all the film genres and types!

Watching movies has been my hobby since I was a child. I can get lost in a good story.
While I don't use movies as an escape from my life, somehow the music, the characters, the scenes seem to have a great effect on me; I feel like I am being transported to a magical place full of fantasy and mystique. In other words, I let the movies carry me away...pure bliss!
Also, watching classic old movies it's a great opportunity to have a historic trip through time, or see life and lifestyles from a different perspective, which I do cherish a lot.

Apart from entertainment, movies can be pretty inspiring as well. Some films I just watch to take a break from the world around me, which is always nice. Because for a certain amount of time I can concentrate on someplace else, faraway lands and peoples, and be far away from where I am at.

There's nothing I enjoy more than sitting on the sofa and watching a good movie, especially on Saturday nights...snacking away. Totally normal.

Here are some of my favourite films, in no particular order:

The Godfather
The Silence of the Lambs
Titanic
Back to the Future
Gone with the Wind
The Matrix (I like The Matrix because of its intriguing concept-reality, illusion and philosophy. The film is  considered to be far-ahead of its time as well.)

The Lives of Others. Such a great movie! I would highly recommend it. (Okay, I cheated! There are far too many to choose from.)

What about you?

Hope you have a wonderful, relaxing (long) weekend! xx

P.S. Grab a nice big bowl of hot buttery popcorn and enjoy your movie!

(Photos of Marlon Brando courtesy of Google images)

Google Doodle + Have an Inspiring Weekend!

"Ulysses's Gaze" by Greek movie director Theo Angelopoulos.

"Voyage to Cythera" by Theo Angelopoulos. I really like this scene. It's breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful. Isn't it?

Google doodle (on Google's homepage) just inspired me today. Today, Google is honouring the 77th Anniversary of birth of Theo Angelopoulos- who was one of the greatest Greek filmmakers (the greatest Greek filmmaker in my opinion)- with a beautiful "Doodle" with blue, Greek epsilon (ε) at the end of the word Google, and a figure of a film director behind a movie camera. 

Those of you that have been following my blog for a long time know that I am a huge movie fan. I do love cinema and its magic, so I couldn't resist the opportunity to write this post today.

Theo Angelopoulos was an award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter and producer, with tremendous vision and great story telling ability. His movies look more like a visual poetry.
(He passed away on January 24, in Athens' port, Piraeus, while shooting his last film, The Other Sea. It was not from illness; he was struck crossing a street in Piraeus by a motorcycle.)

Theo Angelopoulos has been likened to a kind of orchestral conductor more than a conventional movie director. "I'd describe myself as a translator," he says. "A translator of a sound, a feeling and a time that comes from far away. When it comes to me, I have no choice but to absorb it."
How inspiring this is!

Here's the official trailer of Theo Angelopoulos movie "To Vlemma Tou Odyssea" aka Ulysses's Gaze.



What's your inspiration lately?

Hope you have a fabulous weekend! xx

Dancing Away

Meryl Streep on the island of Skopelos, Greece.
                                   
I have a secret crush on Meryl Steep. I absolutely adore her. Mama Mia with Phyllida Lloyd as director is a light-hearted, quite enjoyable  music/romantic comedy film.                                                                           It is based on the great songs of Abba. Have you seen it? It is really entertaining and the female and male 

characters are quite hilarious. Overall, a feel-good movie.
Superb songs, fascinating scenery, a fabulous Greek island!
Not quite my preferred genre, actually. But I loved it and I'd highly recommend it.
                                       

                                                         

Memorable Kisses

                               Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst,  "Spider-Man".

 

                                       Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in "From Here to Eternity"
                                       film.

                               Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard in "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

                                       The most memorable kiss in the rain.

                                       Fabulous "wet" kisses! Kisses! The romantic, the erotic,   

                                       the desperate kiss, the manhandle kiss (before feminism),

                                       the wow kiss, the... a little bit naughty, a little bit nice, kiss!

                                       I really love this dialogue below when the woman takes 

                                       charge in "To Have or To Have Not" movie.

                                     

                                       She (Lauren Bacall) lands on Bogart's lap and kisses him .

                                       He: (Smiling): What was that for?

                                       She: Been wondering whether I'd like it.

                                       He: What's the decision?

                                       She: I don't know yet.

                                       At which point she goes in for another; this time he kisses

                                       her back. 

                                       Finally she stands, gives him a sidelong glance and says.

                                       "It's even better when you help!".

                                       Now that's cool!       

                                       But I really wasn't aware of articles which teach a guy how

                                       to kiss a girl at movies! 

                                       I got this off a website as I was browsing. I find this article 

                                       way too funny and it keeps making me laugh;
                                       whenever I read it.

                                

                                       STEPS:

                                       1. Take your girl to the movies, not a horror movie,
                                           or anything like that, possibly an action or comedy movie.
                                           ( If you know she wants to go see something, suggest it

                                           yourself, dude!)

                                       2.Wait for a romantic scene.
                                           ( You may have to wait a while because they usually
                                           come around the middle to the end.
                                           You can always continue the kissing in the car) (!).

                                       3. Put your arm behind your girlfriend during the romantic
                                           scene. (Don't laugh awkwardly. She will be creeped out) (!).

                                       4. Wait about 15 seconds to a minute(!) (!).

                                       5. Look her in the eye.

                                       6. Continue to slowly get closer to her and remember to tilt
                                           your head (!).

                                       7. Kiss her gently for no more than three seconds(!) (!) (!)

                                           And then pull away.

                                       8. See what the reaction is.

                                       9. Always make sure that your lips are smooth and kissable. 

                                      10. Here's...you have to add the last step!! Come on!

                                       Poor me! I just thought kisses were spontaneous!? 
                                        

                                       TIPS:

                                        . She doesn't need to be your girlfriend. (!)

                                          but a girl you have a crash on.
                                        . Try not to have bad breath, bring mints, try not to eat (!)
                                          until after the kiss or when you know not going to kiss
                                          any time soon.(!)  

                                        .Take it one step at a time.
                                        . If she puts her hand on your body that's a dead give away.
                                        . Never ask her to kiss you, unless you already have.

                                       THINGS YOU 'LL NEED:
                                        . Mints, chap-stick, breath spray.
                                        . A movie that you know will have a good scene (!)
                                          to set the mood. (Maybe this means you 'll have
                                          to watch a movie you have already seen). (!)
                                          but, hey! it's more than worth it!

                                        What a brilliant strategy!  xx            

                                         (Photos courtesy of Google images)      
                                                                                       

Τhrilled By!

Mama Mia movie (2008). Director: Rebecca Murray. 

I absolutely adore Meryl Steep and love all of her movies. Mama Mia  is a superb musical, light-hearted, quite enjoyable movie, directed by Phyllida Lloyd.

Have you seen the it? Did you liked it?

This film is just sheer fun and as I love all of the songs by Abba, Mama Mia song has definitely become my daily music dose lately.

The other day I saw an excellent movie, Julie & Julia, with Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Stanley Tucci. This is  a comedy-drama film written and directed by Nora Ephron. The film is based on two true stories.

Meryl Streep's performance as Julia Child is absolutely astonishing! I really loved that funny, brilliant, smart, spicy, passionate character. Meryl Streep at her best! Food, recipes, butter, and a lot of cooking skills.

This movie is also about...yeah, blogging, and perspicaciously proves dreams do come true, but alas, our excessive devotion to it might lead to uncontrolled situations. I unreservedly love the moral of this movie.

Read on here and here . This is insanely delightful! I'm sure you'll enjoy this movie as much as I did.

My sweets, have a wonderful week! xx