"Under the Skin"

Hmmm, try to watch "Under the Skin" movie and tell me what you think?!?!

I have just finished watching and still confused what to think of this one!

"The Story: A mysterious woman — who is apparently an alien — prowls the Glasgow area in a white van to seduce and dispatch men. The Lowdown: Highly acclaimed as fresh and original, Under the Skin is also slow-moving and on the deliberately impenetrable side. Yes, it's the critical sci-fi sensation of the moment, but it's not going to suit everyone's tastes."

-Reviewed by Ken Hanke on April 15, 2014April 18, 2014

"Blue Jasmine"

This time I don't really want to write anything about this movie, just to recommend it. Really, go and see it!

I love Cate Blanchett's performance in this drama/comedy. I have to watch it again!

 

 

 

Lyon - Fête des Lumières

I have just seen an ad on Euronews TV for Fête des Lumières or Festival of Lights in Lyon, France and have to mention this one as I have heard so much about it.
If you happen to be in Lyon or in the area, you have to see it. It is the best known and most popular festival of Lyon and this year takes place from December 6 to December 9 throughout Lyon.

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

2012

 

This tradition began in 1852 when households illuminated their windows and balconies to celebrate the Virgin Mary. Today the Festival of Lights showcases the city's architecture, and also includes rivers and parks into the show.
Up to 3 million visitors come to experience this event (free of charge) in many different areas of the city, but the best spectacle is located in the city centre.

I would love to see it myself one day as I haven't had a chance yet. I think it is absolutely amazing!

"Hors de Prix"

"Hors de Prix" was translated as "Priceless" and I wanted to blog about this French movie, starring Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh, a long time ago, but kept forgetting. Finally, I remembered today.

 

I had lots of fun watching this movie!

 

 

 

 

 

The Voice

 

The Voice is an American reality signing competition (TV series) on NBC.  The concept is to find new singing talent drawn from public auditions. There is a judging panel - currently consisting of Cristina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.

It began in 2011 and I have been watching it religiously. It is a great entertainment!

There are so many talents this season, but you have to watch the performance of this 16 year old girl - Jacquie Lee.
It is from yesterday, she was singing "I Put a Spell on You " a 1956 song written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. I think she is amazing.

 

 

After Earth ...Fear

I saw a movie the other day "After Earth". I wanted to see it because it is a sci-fi which I like.

 

Unfortunately, I don't think it was that great, so I will not even talk about it, but....there is a moment when Will Smith talks to his son and this is what he says:

"FEAR IS NOT REAL.

THE ONLY PLACE THAT FEAR CAN EXIST IS IN OUR THOUGHTS OF A FUTURE.
IT IS A PRODUCT OF OUR IMAGINATION CAUSING US TO FEAR THINGS THAT DO NOT AT PRESENT, AND MAY NOT EVER, EXIST. THAT IS NEAR INSANITY.
FEAR IS A CHOICE!"

This is the part that I really recall. I think we all face it time to time ...fear. Let's try to remember these words when it happens next time.

Snow Cake

 

This movie was released already in 2007, but I discovered it only now. I am glad I did because I really enjoyed the movie, even though it was kind of a sad story, ...and I always like Alan Rickman's acting, not to mention Sigourney Weaver's performance!

 

Another type of gardening

My husband had a week off and we were finishing many small projects around the house last week, but I still have some plants that need to be planted. Unfortunately, I have been suffering with some type of hay fever, so I am trying to avoid the garden today. At least, I have been researching about the best location for my plants on-line and because of that came across this photo!

It just made me smile :-)

Facebook wall and Monrovia.com — with Kayleen Turner

Air & Water Show

Chicago annual Air & Water Show takes place this weekend along the Chicago lakefront.
(10 a.m. to 3 p.m. August 17 and 18 from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the center point)

It is said to be the largest free show of its kind in the U.S., only this year military planes and boats will not be participating, but I did see 'the full version' two years ago.

The Morton Arboretum & CSO music

Last week we went to a concert. It was performed by The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and that particular day to salute John Williams - one of the most popular and successful American orchestral composers of the modern age. He is a winner of five Academy awards, seventeen  Grammys, three Golden Globes, two Emmys and five BAFTA awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. He is best known for his film and ceremonial music, for such films as Jaws, E.T., Schindler's List, Indiana Jones series, Star Wars trilogy and many others.

The best about it was that it was an open air concert at The Morton Arboretum. It is an outdoor tree museum located about 25 miles west of Chicago in Lisle.
We went with our friends, had a picnic dinner and just enjoyed the evening with music under the stars. It was a wonderful atmosphere and the weather was perfect.

About The Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to the planting and conservation of trees. Its 1,700 acres hold more than 222,000 live plants representing nearly 4,300 taxa from around the world.

Situated on the rolling Valparaiso moraine and bisected by the East Branch of the DuPage River, The Morton Arboretum is planned and planted to nurture and display trees and shrubs in environments conducive to their growth.

The Arboretum offers extensive educational programming for all ages, conducts leading research on tree health and tree improvement, breeds and introduces hardy and disease-resistant trees and shrubs for distribution throughout the Midwest, and presents nature-related activities year-round for people of all ages and interests.

The Arboretum was founded in 1922 by Morton Salt magnate Joy Morton. Arboretum grounds offer an oasis of magnificently tended trees, 16 miles of hiking trails, 9 miles of roads, and 900 acres of natural areas including the prototypical, restored 100-acre Schulenberg Prairie.

Also on the grounds are the Visitor Center and Plant Clinic, The Arboretum Store, Ginkgo Restaurant and Café, four-acre Children’s Garden, one-acre Maze Garden, an environmentally-friendly parking lot, and a paved walking trail around restored Meadow Lake.

The Arboretum houses the renowned Sterling Morton Library, devoted to the literature and art of botany and horticulture.