Oopsie, already a little late, am I? So what happened in the month of showers, besides...uhm..showers?
In a city, or rather a whole country of precaution, mistrust and paranoia (and unfortunately all these characteristics are a big part of my own personality) I was recognized and approached by a stranger, and not a drunken idiot mistaking me for a boy (oh, yes that happened) or a lusty old man...but by a like-minded individual!
But April also was a month of mobile phone apps. Next to instagram - which, after one and a half years of its apple exclusive existense, finally got released for the Android world - I was literally drawn to Drawsomething. Chances are good I might do an extra post about my favourite drawings!
Alright let's get right to the consumed goods of April 2012:
MUSIC DISCOVERY OF THE MONTH:
THE BOOKS I HAVE READ:
COLLISION by STEFNE MILLER
This one was a present by a dear friend, and I was a bit confused in the beginning, because of the mention of that shady organisation called The Invisible Children. Part of the book also takes place in Uganda, but as I continued reading, I was relieved, that this was not a missionary book at all, but a story about two very different characters whose personalities first collide and then grow slowly towards something big and special. What I really liked about this book, and what made me rate it with the highest score was the narration style of the author and the way she put so much life into a story, I didn't at all think, I would be interested in. Well done. (5/5)
THE SCORCH TRIALS by JAMES DASHNER
The second book of the Maze Runner trilogy (I wrote about the first part in the March review) is packed full of tension and cliffhangers as the first one was. Until the last pages of the book you are not sure wether to trust this certain person that is literally mentioned as "the betrayer". And that kept me just as riveted like it was with the first book. Nevertheless, all the why and who and what for questions still stay unanswered and I keep thinking, the third book better comes up with a conceivable explanation. (4/5)
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by JOHN GREEN
There should be only one sentence about this one. Best book ever. But as hyperbolical as it may sound, this wouldn't even make the grade. Oh, all the praise I think I am not even able to put into words. I already mentioned it some place else: I'd love to buy a dozen copies of this book and give it to every single one of my friends, so they won't miss this magnificent experience. I absolutely loved the sense of humor among these tragic figures. Two weeks passed after reading this book and I still miss Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters like they were my own friends. Perfect, perfect, perfect!
(6/5 just because..)
WITHER by LAUREN DeSTEFANO
I must admit, it's probably not very easy for a follow up, after having read an amazing book as TFIOS. I thought about waiting for a week to start with the next book, but I had so many books I wanted to check out and the list isn't getting shorter. So I picked Wither right away and it was an easy read, dystopian themed again, but I just didn't find a way to sympathize with the main character, and the quite undeveloped storyline of humans not growing older than a quarter century, because of nasty genetical experiments committed their ancestors, was well...nothing really new and spectacular. (2/5)
THE MOVIES I HAVE WATCHED:
KING OF DEVIL'S ISLAND
A norwegian movie about a reformatory school in that existed in the 19th century. A very congenial main character who has a big influence on his fellow inmates who unlike him, seemed to have already accepted their fate with abusive and relentless wardens. (7/10)
TOMBOY
A story about a girl who wants to be a boy. Sensitively realized. I was especially impressed by the role of Laure's little sister. (7.5/10)
UN PROPHÈTE
A very raw and rough impression about a young kid that seems to be born into a life that can only be delinquent and still he is trying to find his way out of it. Very intense, but worth watching. (8.5/10)
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
An interesting storyline about escapism and brainwash, I thought, but I believe the filmmakers could have made more out of it. And yes, the end was a little confusing. (6.5/10)
LES AMOURS IMAGINAIRES
I was stunned to hear, that, Xavier Dolan, playing the main character in this movie, also directed it. Friggin' 23 years old, he is! Say whaaat? I had my difficulties in the beginning, but liked it more and more towards the end. This movie is giving me the feeling that I am not alone with my doubts. (8.5/10)
RESTLESS
Once again a very good job by Mia Wasikowska, reminded me a lot to the story of John Greens "The Fault in Our Stars" but didn't touch me as much. (7/10)
CRACKS
A story about stubborn boarding school girls that envy their new classmate from spain, who seemed to have much more life experience than they could collect while being locked behind the borders of their school. Oh yeah, and Eva Green plays a role, too. (6.5/10)
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
Ugh, I dunno, I thought this one was just reeeally ridiculous. Why do filmmakers always add the character of the evil Nazi-villain to their stories? And Kevin Bacon talking german..being a native speaker, I didn't understand half of what he said. And Michael Fassbender...uhm bending that huge satellite receiver..? ughh.. (6.0/10)
AMERICAN BEAUTY
So apparantly I missed this classic. Very good acting by Kevin Spacey. But I have to admit, the main reason why I decided to watch the movie, was Wes Bentley...yeaahh..I know.. (8/10)
EASY A
Well..you just gotta like Emma Stone and her quirkiness. Cute movie, and her parents were just as adorable. (6.5/10)
