MY RECENT CULTURAL FAVOURITES

Sam Waterston as Sol Bergstein in 'Grace and Frankie'. The best, sweetest character ever created. Photo credit: Netflix
Hello, I hope you are well! I have fallen behind my usual schedule of sharing my cultural favourites with you all, but I still wanted to tell you about a few great films and series that I have watched, and a fantastic book that I have read over the past few months. 

Enjoy reading!


Margot Robbie as Tonya Harding in 'I, Tonya'. Photo credit: Curzon Artificial Eye
'I, Tonya' Craig Gillespie
Starring a fantastic Australian actress Margot Robbie, 'I, Tonya' is a film based on a real-life story of Tonya Harding- a phenomenal ice skater stuck in an abusive relationship with her husband and a toxic relationship with her mother.
We follow Tonya from her first ice skating lesson, until the dramatic end of her career, when she gets involved in an attack on a fellow ice skater Nancy Kerrigan. Tonya is a badass, she is feisty and bold. She has a rich personality, which gave Margot Robbie a chance to showcase her acting skills. I loved the performances of the three main characters played by Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan and Allison Janney, and even though I watched this film back in August, I still have a vivid picture of many of its scenes in my head.The cinematography and editing of 'I, Tonya' are great, especially the professionally and dynamically shot ice skating scenes. The movie has a great pace. It is very energetic. Despite exploring the problem of abuse very well, it is not a whiny, depressing, slow film. I loved it, and I am happy that we had a chance to listen to see Tonya's side of the story. 

Zula Lichon (Joanna Kulig) and Wiktor Warski (Tomasz Kot) in 'Cold War'. Photo credit: Curzon Artificial Eye
'Cold War' Pawel Pawlikowski
Set mainly in communist Poland, 'Cold War' tells a story of a couple of artists, Zula (Joanna Kulig) and Wiktor (Tomasz Kot), who meet on auditions for a folk dance group. Wiktor, an intelligent pianist and conductor, can't take his eyes off an intriguing young girl, and the couple starts an on-again-off-again relationship. It is actually one of the bleakest and (sadly) most realistic takes on a love story.  Phenomenally acted, wonderfully directed, written and shot.
Pawlikowski sculpted 'Cold War' with the surgical precision and generously sprinkled it with his sensitivity and craft by contrasting the power of love and the beauty of Polish culture with the ugliness of the system and the imperfect human nature. He faced this ultimate problem by drawing a portrait of two misguided, imperfect people who established their relationship in very difficult circumstances. In a communist country, where life was a survival, and the government controlled every aspect of it. You can not miss this one!

You can read my full review here


Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in 'A Star is Born'. Photo credit: Warner Bros
'A Star Is Born' Bradley Cooper
'A Star Is Born' is a modern take on a classic Hollywood story. Cooper's directorial debut features the controversial and supremely talented singer Lady Gaga, who poured her heart and soul into her role.
Ally (Lady Gaga) is a very talented yet very insecure woman, who feels like she missed out on her opportunity to become a famous singer. She makes her living by waitressing in a large restaurant and singing at the drag club at nights. And there she meets Jackson (Bradley Cooper), a disobedient rock star battling his addictions. The musician is blown away by Ally's version of 'La Vie En Rose' and invites her for drinks. The couple forms a romantic relationship, beautiful and strong but very complex. 

The chemistry between Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper is out of this world, so organic and natural. The two artists joined their forces, sensitivities and energies and created something very special.

You can read my full review of this film here. 


Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Diego Cortina Autrey, Carlos Peralta, Marco Graf and Daniela Damesa in 'Roma'.  Photo credit: Netflix
'Roma' Alfonso Cuarón
'Roma' is a raw portrait of an upper-middle-class family living in Mexico City, and it centres on a life of Cleo, their live-in maid and nanny. Set in 1971 Colonia Roma, the film is an intimate and lyrical ode to women's unbreakable strength. 
Visually stunning, 'Roma' flows at its own pace. The amount of work and thought that went to recreating the 70s Mexico City are impressive. Although the characters lack development, the film definitely is beautiful and moving.
Loosely biographical, 'Roma' is dedicated to Cuarón's nanny Libo (Liboria Rodríguez). He had a chance to fully realise his artistic vision as he wrote, directed, shot, co-produced and co-edited the film. Available on Netflix and in cinemas. 


Natasha Lyonne as Nadia in 'Russian Doll'. Photo credit: Netflix
'RUSSIAN DOLL'
Natasha Lyonne is the star of the newest Netflix original series 'Russian Doll'. She has also co-created and co-produced the show, and directed its last episode. That's a lot of Natasha in one production! And you can sense her energy and charisma in each scene. 
Her character, Nadia, is a New Yorker, who repeatedly dies on the night of her 36th birthday and relives her party over and over again. It sounds weird, and trust me- the show is a little weird but good weird. 
It's very interesting to see how different picture of a woman this show drew, how far away is Nadia from other female protagonists. She is witty, nonchalant, wild, and she has an attitude. I would call her a likeable weirdo. The supporting cast is just as great, and the repeatedly played 'Gotta Get Up' song will stay with you for longer.
There is one more thing I need to point out- Nadia wasn't naked in any of the sex scenes in the first season of 'Russian Doll'. It proves that women can but shouldn't feel obligated to be naked in front of the cameras.
In case you didn't fall in love with this show right away, wait until the third episode. I promise you won't regret


Lily Tomlin (Frankie) and Jane Fonda in 'Grace and Frankie'. Photo credit: Netflix
'GRACE AND FRANKIE'
If you have been reading my blog for a while, you probably know that 'Grace and Frankie' is one of my favourite shows of all time. I sometimes joke that December has its Christmas, February Valentines Day, and January- a new season of Grace and Frankie each year. The show is about two women in their 70s who find out that their husbands are not only business partners but also lovers. The sophisticated, people-hating Grace and a chilled out hippie Frankie need to start their lives over and cope with the burden of a failed marriage and broken families. 
Despite the sad beginning, the series is absolutely hilarious. The 5th season was phenomenal! The only downfall of  'Grace and Frankie' is that the episodes are only 25 min long, so you binge watch the season in one day and wait for a new one for over 360 days. 
This is the most cheering, empowering and hilarious series ever created. It is available on Netflix.


'Journey Into Mindfulness' Dr Patrizia Collard
'Journey Into Mindfulness' Dr Patrizia Collard
Even though I am a very mindful and spiritual person, I found myself feeling overwhelmed, anxious and lost in 2018. The stress was killing me, it affected my health and wellbeing. I needed to fall in love with meditation and mindfulness all over again, and so I dug the 'Journey Into Mindfulness' by Dr Patrizia Collard out of the bottom of my bookshelf, and it was one of the tools that helped me get back on track. 

The book explains the basics of mindfulness and meditation, it includes several exercises that helped me start living in the present moment again. I highly recommend it, especially if you always wanted to learn more about meditation, but couldn't find a simple and gentle guide. 


Let me know what you have read/ watched recently and liked. Thanks for sticking by! x
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12 comments

  1. These are some great picks - I love Russian Doll and Grace and Frankie! I haven't seen the others but they look good - especially Cold War!

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    1. I highly recommend checking 'Cold War' out, it is great. Grace and Frankie are just the best! x

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  2. I saw A Star is Born in the cinema. It is a lovely movie.

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    1. I am glad that you liked it :) Have a great day!

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  3. I have recently read Eleanor Oliphant and it is such an amazing book - I actually miss her now I have finished it

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    1. I totally miss so many books I have read! Have a wonderful day x

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  4. I watched Russian Doll on Netflix a while ago and enjoyed it x

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    1. It is a fantastic show, I am waiting for the second season x

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  5. I've just finished reading Our House, it was brilliant kept me on the edge the whole way through!

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    1. Thank you for your recommendation and reading my post! have a wonderful day x

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  6. I want to see A Star is Born. I was captivated by Lady GaGa and Bradley Cooper singing together at the Oscars. Looks a brilliant film

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    1. It is a beautiful, moving film. I am sure you will love it even more than their Oscars performance x

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