Favourites of the Year: Actress of the Year

English actress Carey Mulligan knew since early age she's gonna be an actress. Her parents disapproved of her career choice, but despite everything, thanks to her strong will and love for acting, she managed to land a role as Kitty Bennett in Pride and Prejudice (2005), her film debut. She had theater and TV experience as well,  but she got worldwide recognition for her role in An Education (2009), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in Leading Role, while the critics compared her performance to Audrey Hepburn's. Today she's probably recognized the most for her role of Daisy Buchanan, in movie adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby. Both the film and her role received mixed reviews, but we think that if a movie made you feel or if it had moved you in any way, that it is a success. We're looking forward to her next projects, because she certainly has a lot to offer.

Wisdom of the Day

 
"What is honor compared to a woman's love? What is duty against the feel of a newborn son in your arms...or the memory of a brothers smile? Wind and words. Wind and words. We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy."

Valuable words of a hundred years old Maester Aemon, a character from one of our favourite book series "A Song of Ice and Fire". 

 

Relax Thursday

 

Le Temps De L´Amour

sung by Vanessa Paradis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA4_MsGjTwc

Lyrics:

C'est le temps de l'amour
Le temps des copains
Et de l'aventure
Quand le temps va et vient
On ne pense à rien
Malgré ses blessures

Car le temps de l'amour
C'est long et c'est court
Ça dure toujours
On s'en souvient

On se dit qu'à vingt ans
On est le roi du monde
Et qu'éternellement
Il y aura dans nos yeux
Tout le ciel bleu

C'est le temps de l'amour
Le temps des copains
Et de l'aventure
Quand le temps va et vient
On ne pense à rien
Malgré ses blessures

Car le temps de l'amour
Ça vous met au cœur
Beaucoup de chaleur
Et de bonheur

Un beau jour c'est l'amour
Et le cœur bat plus vite
Car la vie suit son cours
Et l'on est tout heureux
D'être amoureux

C'est le temps de l'amour
Le temps des copains
Et de l'aventure
Quand le temps va et vient
On ne pense à rien
Malgré ses blessures

Car le temps de l'amour
C'est long et c'est court
Ça dure toujours
On s'en souvient (ter)

Car le temps de l'amour
C'est long et c'est court
Ça dure toujours
On s'en souvient (ter) 

Translation:

It's the time for love
The time for friends
And for adventure
When the time comes and goes
We don't think anything
Despite our injuries
 

Because the time for love
It's long and it's short
It lasts forever
We remember it
 

It is said that at twenty years
One is the king of the world
And eternally
He'll be there in your eyes
All the sky is blue
 

It's the time for love
The time for friends
And for adventure
When the time comes and goes
We don't think anything
Despite our injuries
 

Because it's time for love
It gets you in the heart
Much heat
And happiness
 

A beautiful day it's love 

And the heart beats faster
Because life is on course
And we're all happy
To be in love
 

It's the time for love
The time for friends
And for adventure
When the time comes and goes
We don't think anything
Despite our injuries
 

Because it's time for love
It's long and it's short
It lasts forever
We remember it

Favorites of the Year: Actor of the Year

Ok, Richard Armitage might be having a major protection here on MarronMargarite.blogspot.com due to his oh-so fine looks, but that doesn't erase the fact that he is probably one of the best actors ever to appear on the wide, as well as on the small screen. Actually, his style of acting is a fine mixture of method acting and classic Hollywood, which makes it kind of perfect. Richard is a British actor and he appeared on several tv productions in Great Britain, before making it big through the blockbuster The Hobbit. Smooth transition, wouldn't you say? Honestly though, it appears that he can "spread his acting legs" best in book adaptations and small, more independent productions with intelligent and out-of-cliché dialogues. In fact, where you do not need a green screen, you get a wider amount of possibilities to express the wanted emotions in the best imaginable way. And he doesn't need anything but his beautiful blue eyes to do so. We strongly suggest you to check some of his earlier works, such as a magnificent period drama called North and South.

Honorable mentions: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Lewitt, Joel Edgerton

Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas to all of you out there who are celebrating it today. Marron and Margarite are of Orthodox religion, where it is celebrated on the 7th of January, but they did not forget. Anyhow, best wishes... Enjoy this special day with the ones you love.

 

 

Favorites of the Year: Movie of the Year

 

All in all, in our opinion, this was a quite weak year for cinematography, with some stupendous exceptions, though. The thing is...We have some high criterias when judging a motion picture: from the plot, dialogues and the scenography, to some more trivial things, like the hotness of the actors, which depends on their mutual chemistry, scores,etc. Just a few of them this year managed to satisfy all of the above: Before Midnight, The Great Gatsby and The Hobbit:The Desolation of Smaug . So: an independent film, a classic novel turned blockbuster and an epic fantasy. An the winner is... Ok this is tough...We want to give it to The Hobbit, because of Richard Armitage and Luke Evans, but we will be more objective and choose Before Midnight, the sequel to Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004), an original installment regarding matters of love and life. A Must see. 

The winner

Tuesday's Dream Place to Visit

Actually, places.

During our last year in high school, we visited a few cities in Italy- Venice, Florence, Pisa and Rome. It was a very tiring journey, with so much to see in just a few short days, but that’s not to say it wasn’t fantastic.  Some of the highlights: Marron got proposed in Florence. Margarite got impressed by an amazing dessert. So much she had to eat Marron's portion, too. Don't judge, it was strawberries and whipped cream. 

At times we think it would maybe be better if we went there a little later, a year or two, cause we got more familiar with the monuments and places, and life in Italy in general, thanks to our career choice, but still it was a great experience  mostly related to shopping and food shhh but also art.

 

 Free standing bell tower of Pisa cathedral, mostly known as a leaning tower of Pisa. The tower's tilt began during construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure's weight. The tilt got partially corrected by efforts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, so now the top of the tower is displaced horizontally by 3.9 meters from where it would be if the structure were perfectly vertical. 

 

The largest amphitheater in the world, and most certainly the largest one in the Roman Empire, is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. It could hold between 50000 and 80000 spectators, and it was used in entertainment purposes (for gladiator contests and public spectacles), up until early medieval era. It had many other usages since (it was a fortress, and a Christian shrine, among other things). It's an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and one of main tourist attractions. In 2007 it was included in the New7Wonders of the World.

Basillica di Santa Maria del Fiore is a main church in Florence, located in the Piazza del Duomo, along with baptistery and Giotto's Campanile.  It has the largest brick dome ever constructed, a masterpiece done by Brunelleschi.

Last but not least- Piazza San Marco, St Mark's Square in Venice. the principal public square, with main attractions such as Basilica di San Marco, its enormous bell tower, Procuratie Vecchie and Procuratie Nuove, and of course, the pigeons. To be honest, we spent most of our time there taking pictures with pigeons in our hands, squealing at how cute they are, and hence that remark in the second passage of this post.:P Joking aside, the trip to Italy, a land with such history and culture, made us feel like we're a part of it, and experiencing it all first hand, not just from the books and pictures, was truly a magnificent feeling. 

Wisdom of the Day

 

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” 

 

Marilyn Monroe was, despite popular believing, a very intelligent, witty woman, with quite amazing sense of humor. Almost incomprehensible, having in mind how tragic her life ended, she had such an understanding of life and people, that it makes your heart weep for how much nobody cared to understand her as she really was: a small girl in a big, bad world, in infinite search for love and affection. Underneath the mask of  MM, as few were able to realize, lived a woman desperate for a little bit more belief in herself. We wish somebody was there to tell her how precious and irreplaceable she really was, because, obviously she hadn't been told that enough.

 

Obsession of the month

 

 Bearded men

Okay, now, this could be quite a debate between women, especially having in mind our own reaction if someone asked us five years ago whether we preferred beards on men or not. True, growing a beard doesn't always have a wanted impact, it ages a man, not that this fact is a real flaw, and it sure does hurt in it's early faze during a kiss, especially passionate one, but,but..look at them :D We think this pictures are a very solid argument. To each their own, but you could not possibly, after watching this, say that beards can not be considered sexy. And, yeah, sure, it's all about a man behind a beard. We do not disagree :D :D :D

Post inspired by Richard Armitage and Marron's boyfriend.

Richard Armitage

John Hamm

Do not know who he is, but he is still pretty damn hot

Come on, you know this one

Gary Oldman

Jake Gyllenhaal

Superman himself

The Butler did it

Fassbender everyone, showing that ginger beards rock too

We colud go on and on, so stay tuned and if you have any suggestions, let us know.

Relax Thursday

Quelqu'un m'a dit

sung by Carla Bruni

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvyMG0z0FZY

Lyrics:

On me dit que nos vies ne valent pas grand chose,
Elles passent en un instant comme fanent les roses.
On me dit que le temps qui glisse est un salaud que de nos chagrins il s'en fait des manteaux pourtant quelqu'un m'a dit...

Refrain
Que tu m'aimais encore,
C'est quelqu'un qui m'a dit que tu m'aimais encore.
Serais ce possible alors ?

On me dit que le destin se moque bien de nous
Qu'il ne nous donne rien et qu'il nous promet tout
Parais qu'le bonheur est à portée de main,
Alors on tend la main et on se retrouve fou
Pourtant quelqu'un m'a dit ...

Refrain

Mais qui est ce qui m'a dit que toujours tu m'aimais?
Je ne me souviens plus c'était tard dans la nuit,
J'entend encore la voix, mais je ne vois plus les traits
"Il vous aime, c'est secret, lui dites pas que j'vous l'ai dit"
Tu vois quelqu'un m'a dit...

Que tu m'aimais encore, me l'a t'on vraiment dit...
Que tu m'aimais encore, serais ce possible alors ?

On me dit que nos vies ne valent pas grand chose,
Elles passent en un instant comme fanent les roses
On me dit que le temps qui glisse est un salaud
Que de nos tristesses il s'en fait des manteaux,
Pourtant quelqu'un m'a dit que...

Refrain

Translation:

 I’m told that our lives aren’t worth much,
They pass like an instant, like wilting roses.
I’m told that time slipping by is a bastard
Making its coat of our sorrows.
Yet someone told me…

That you still loved me
Someone told me…
That you still loved me.
Well ? Could that be possible?

I’m told that fate makes fun of us,
That it gives us nothing and promises everything,
When happiness seems to be within our reach,
We reach out and find ourselves like fools.
Yet someone told me…

That you still loved me
Someone told me…
That you still loved me.
Well ? Could that be possible?
Well ? Could that be possible?

So who said that you still loved me?
I don’t remember any more, it was late at night,
I can still hear the voice, but I can no longer see the face,
“He loves you, it’s secret, don’t tell him I told you.”
You see, someone told me

That you still loved me
Did someone really tell me?
That you still loved me
Well, could that be possible?

I’m told that our lives aren’t worth much,
Passing in an instant, like wilting roses,
I’m told that time slipping by is a bastard,
Making its coat of our sadnesses.

That you still loved me
Someone told me…
That you still loved me.
Well ? Could that be possible?

Movies and TV series to check out (that you might never heard of)

 

 

 Tamara Drewe

Tamara Drewe is a British so-called dramedy released in the year of 2010. It is set in a fictional village in Dorset and follows the lives of local residents, especially the one of the titled heroine, Tamara Drewe, a beautiful journalist who comes back to sell her mother's house. Tamara's grand come-back, with slight alterations in comparison to her 10-years-ago-self, of course, has a huge impact on every single character. The cast of the movie is stupendous, the humor is so very British, and one of the main character is played by charming Luke Evans, which you might or might not noticed in a "little" movie called The Hobbit. The movie's opening sequence contains a sight on this beautiful English countryside and half-naked Luke Evans. What more do we need, honestly?

Beautiful Gemma Arterton as Tamara Drewe

Luke Evans, OH, DEAR LORD

Wisdom of the Day

 

 "Never judge things by their appearances, even carpetbags. I'm sure I never do."

 

Words spoken by extraordinary Mary Poppins. Did you know that Pamela Lyndon Travers, the author of the children's books featuring this funny and full-of-wisdom English nanny, was not pleased with Disney's 1964  musical adaptation. We have to disagree with her, simply because it represents one of the most enchanting memories of our childhood. Marron did actually believe that she could move things with the strength of her will and finger-snaps. What to say, other than: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!

Tuesday's Dream Place to Visit

     

     2008. was a year of our trip to Vienna, capital and largest city of Austria. It's a birthplace of many notable people, with rich history, breathtaking architecture, and amazing museums (Kunsthistorisches Museum seemed like a neverending maze). Having in mind the amount of information we could share, this is gonna be a more picture oriented post. :P 

And so we go:

Here we have Marron, trying to imitate Empress Elisabeth of Austria (most commonly known as Sisi). We also visited her museum, located in the Imperial Apartments in the Imperial Palace, well provided with personal items she possessed and also with some of the most famous portraits ever done of her.

Here's Margarite on Maria-Theresien-Platz, a large square that joins Ringstrasse (Ring Road) with one of the largest cultural areas in the world, Museumquartier. 

A Hobbit in front of the Museum of Natural History. We still regret we didn't enter (one does not simply.. ok, ok)

 The interior of Saint Peter's Church (Peterskirche).

Belvedere

 

Hundertwasserhaus

And how better to conclude this post then with....... food.

 

Yes, you'll notice that Margarite looves to eat, but everything good has to end so... until next time!

Relax Thursday

It is proven that music has a healing power for all beings. For humans, it is very often not only about the beauty of the melody, but the truthfulness of the words, whether they are full of sadness or happiness. There is only one condition, though. It must come from the soul to make such an impact. So, here you go... A Waltz written and performed by talented Julie Delpy, also heard in a spectacular movie called Before Sunset.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obuV1KrvEYo

The lyrics:
Let me sing you a waltz
Out of nowhere, out of my thoughts
Let me sing you a waltz
About this one night stand

You were for me that night
Everything I always dreamt of in life
But now you're gone
You are far gone
All the way to your island of rain

It was for you just a one night thing
But you were much more to me
Just so you know

I hear rumors about you
About all the bad things you do
But when we were together alone
You didn't seem like a player at all

I don't care what they say
I know what you meant for me that day
I just wanted another try
I just wanted another night
Even if it doesn't seem quite right
You meant for me much more
Than anyone I've met before

One single night with you little Jesse
Is worth a thousand with anybody

I have no bitterness, my sweet
I'll never forget this one night thing
Even tomorrow, another arms
My heart will stay yours until I die

Let me sing you a waltz
Out of nowhere, out of my blues
Let me sing you a waltz
About this lovely one night stand

Movies and TV series to check out (that you might never heard of)

 

The Man from Earth

The Man from Earth is somewhat an undergroud film, with wide internet popularity. An extremely interesting plot, which is raising some important religious and moral questions, though, deserved much more. The idea is highly original and controversial- a man who claims that he is alive for 14000 years. It seems that the buget for the film was quite small and it occasionally lacks in providing more meaning, considering the dilemmas it is bringing up, leaving you with a feeling that the dialogues colud be done much better, but the revolutionarity of the idea remains. Thus, the film makes you wonder. It is a must see!!!

Tuesday's Dream Place to Visit

 

Marron

Villa In, where marron was staying during the trip. Great hosts

     Srebrno jezero (Silver lake) is an oxbow lake along the right Danube bank in eastern Serbia, another place both of us have fond memories of.  It's a quiet sort of resort, with beautiful nature, pebbled "beach", tennis courts, water sports, and restaurants with great food. In the vicinity are a few places of historical importance such as Ram Fortress, Golubac and Viminacium, all worth a visit.

Movies and TV series to check out (that you might never heard of)

 

  The Lover

The Lover is a drama movie based on a semi-autobiographical novel by french writer Marguerite Duras, set in French Indochina, about a love affair between a very young girl and Chinese businessman, engaged to be married to another woman. Because of quite explicit sex scenes, some critics are setting the movie in the realm of erotic ones, which is, you will agree, very close to giving it a scarlet letter. In fact, it is nothing but a beautiful story about growing up, which is magnificently presented both in the novel and the film. Since it is based on Marguerite's words, and she didn't spare them in descriptions of the female protagonist's fist sex experience, as she was really there, the movie simply can not be regarded as shameful. Further on, considering that all of us go through the experience of first love and love making at some point, criticizing the film for the reality of it would make us hypocrites. To conclude, the sex scenes have the purpose, unlike in many Hollywood A films, and are extraordinary done at the same time. Enjoy! :)

Jane March and Tony Leung

Wisdom of the Day

 

 

"A woman in love is helpless"

This quote is taken from the movie called Coco avant Chanel, starring charming wide-eyes french actress Audrey Tatou, about the life of Gabrielle Coco Chanel before her talent got the recognition it deserved. We are not very sure how to percieve this wisdom or even if is it true in general, but it seems that there is nothing so disarming and sad at the same time, as the sight of a woman sincerely in love. If only every man would know to appriciate it. Right, girls? ;)

Movies and TV series to check out (that you might never heard of)

 

 

Tiberio Mitri-Il Campione e la Miss

Il campione e la miss is a biographic Italian mini-series, set in the 50's, about, as you can imagine, highly beloved romantic couple, Italian sportsman Tiberio Mitri and the love of his life and Miss Italia 1948, Fulvia Franco. It' s a very charming, beautifully filmed story, with scenography, costumes and typical Italian humour that will bring you back the time gone with the wind, leaving you breathlessly in love with Italy, 50's and two main protagonists.

Martina Stella as Fulvia Franco

Luca Argentero as Tiberio Mitri

Wisdom of the Day

 

 

" Do, or do not. There is no 'try' "

 Grand Jedi Master Yoda at his best. Our favourite character from The Star Wars movie series. Not only beacuse he is the smartest and the most sagacious one in the universe, but also beacuse he is probably the cutest creature in SciFi world, ever. :-D

Tuesday's Dream Place to Visit

   Vrnjačka Banja, a place both of us visited on several occasions (whether together or separately) is a municipality and a resort in Raška Distict of Serbia, 200 km away from Belgrade, Serbian capital. The place has a very long history- namely, the Romans build a health resort there, Aqua Orcinae, during the second century AD. The modern development of Vrnjačka Banja began in 1868, thanks to Osnivačko Društvo, the oldest tourism organisation on the Balkans.  It has 7 mineral springs, 4 from which are used for medical purposes and it is said that it contains the world's only hot spring with a temperature measuring exactly that of the human body (36.5ºC).  So not only that it is healthy, but it also has some amazing sights: nature is breathtaking, there's a lot of eye catching architecture, houses and villas, and, of course, Gočko the sparrow, who became the mascot of Vrnjačka Banja.  One of the main attractions is The Bridge of Love, where couples leave numerous love padlocks as a sign of their everlasting love. After people bind their love with a padlock to the railing, the keys should be thrown down into the river below, so they cannot be found ever again. 

Gočko the sparrow, named after Goč mountain

 The Bridge of Love