FEBRUARY 2018 FAVOURITES

Matt LeBlanc, Courtney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer in Friends. Photo: Warner Bros

'F.R.I.E.N.D.S'

Name a more iconic sextet!🙂 At the beginning of 2018,  I found out that all seasons of 'Friends' are now available on 'Netflix'. Guess, who hasn't slept for 1,5 month.🙂 The show was what I was mainly watching throughout half of January and the whole February. Despite seeing plenty of episodes in the past, I have never seen all 10 seasons before.

If, for any reasons, you have not watched Friends before, do it asap. This is the most hilarious TV show ever, created by Marta Kauffman (the co-creator of my beloved 'Grace and Frankie') and David Crane. I love all the characters, but I think Monica, Ross and Chandler are my favourites. 

Who's your favourite Friends character? And what is your favourite episode/ quote/scene?

'Call Me By Your Name' by Luca Guadagnino

One of the best movies I have ever seen, perfectly crafted, written and acted sensual love story. Unusually fresh and visually breathtaking.

Summer '83 in sunny Italy. Oliver (Armie Hammer) joins Elio's (Timothée Chalamet) family for a few weeks as an intern, to help professor Perlman (Michael Stuhlbarg), and to work on his own doctorate. The Perlmans are very sophisticated intellectuals and artists, living in a dreamy Italian villa. 

At first, a charismatic guest intrigues Elio with his slight arrogance. Afterwards, they start to spend more time together, going for bike rides, discussing art and swimming. Shown with a charming delicacy, the relationship between them slowly blooms. You can read my full review here. 

'Blue Is The Warmest Colour' by Abdellatif Kechiche

'Blue Is The Warmest Colour' belongs to the similar category with 'Call Me By Your Name', with the coming of age and LGBT related themes. However, it is done totally differently to Guadagnino's movie. 'BITWC' is much more literal and rawer. The intense, 4-minute long sex scenes make it also less intimate.

15-year-old Adèle, dissatisfied by sex with boys, becomes attracted to a blue-haired girl she passes by on the street. Emma is a young artist, free spirit, whom Adèle explores her sexuality with. Well received by critics and audience, the film was accused by some to be a straight man's fantasy rather than a picture of a real lesbian love (both sexually and emotionally). I totally understand this point of view. Nonetheless, it is a great movie, wonderfully acted.

Saoirse Ronan and Beanie Feldstein in 'Lady Bird'.  Photo: Allstar/IAC Films

'Lady Bird' by Greta Gerwig

This is the movie everybody talks about. I watched the trailer and I loved it. I watched the film, and I liked it a little less than I expected.

It is a comedy-drama about individualism, coming of age, feeling lost, the struggles in family bonding and the difficult love between mother and daughter.
This certainly is a character movie, and the acting is a selling point of it. Saoirse Ronan was fantastic as always. I loved her in 'Brooklyn', loved her in Lady Bird. She is a wonderful actress. The supporting cast was great, too. The tacky outfits and interiors brought me back to the times when I used to draw on my walls, and wear the most unflattering clothes and makeup. 


I truly enjoyed watching it, I can not wait for Gerwig's next film, and I am excited to watch her talent bloom in front of an international audience. 
To me, 'Lady Bird' was missing some kind of freshness, that I saw in 'Call Me By Your Name' or 'Mustang', though. Nonetheless, it is a great movie. 

Favourite music

In February I was listening mainly to the film soundtracks, and there are two that I need to mention:

Soundtrack from 'La La Land', which I have been listening to religiously for the past few months. My two favourite songs are the rhythmic and uplifting 'Another Day of Sun' and magical 'City of Stars' (both by Justin Hurwitz).

Soundtrack from 'Call Me By Your Name', probably the best one ever made. My three favourite songs are 'Love my way' by The Psychedelic Furs (released in 1982), 'Mystery of love' and 'Visions of Gideon' by Sufjan Stevens. Very moving, emotional. Just perfect. I wish Sufjan got an Oscar for 'Mystery Love'.

Watercolour painting and upcycling

One of these things that I always wanted to learn but I was always postponing is the watercolour painting. In February, after seeing the coolest tutorial on Youtube, I just went out, bought the basic supplies and started to paint. I find it very relaxing, even though I usually have to hurry because I don't have too much time for it. 
I painted four pictures in the past month, and I have to admit that I didn't hate them, which is so much unlike me!  
I love upcycling things, too. I started my upcycling journey as a teenager, making jewellery from household items that were no longer in use, repurposing old furniture and clothes. In January and February I came up with a few upcycling projects for my son's future bedroom, and I was happy to have found time to execute them. Had so much fun!

'Humans of New York'

I have been following the 'Humans of New York' facebook page for the longest time. Some of the stories that they share are heartbreaking. Recently, two of them made me even more grateful for everyone and everything that I have in my life. 

1. A lesson of courage, maturity and nobility from a very wise young girl. You can read it here.


2. A short story about the most beautiful love between parent and child. Pure and unconditional. It is available here.

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