Movie Trailer Sunday (112)

Here are this weeks trailers.

Winter's Tale
Description: New York City is subsumed in arctic winds, dark nights, and white lights, its life unfolds, for it is an extraordinary hive of the imagination, the greatest house ever built, and nothing exists that can check its vitality. One night in winter, Peter Lake (Colin Farrell), orphan and master-mechanic, attempts to rob a fortress-like mansion on the Upper West Side. Though he thinks the house is empty, the daughter of the house is home. Thus begins the love between Peter, a middle-aged Irish burglar, and Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay), a young girl, who is dying.
Director: AKiva Goldsmith
Starring: COlin Farrell, Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Jessica Brown Findlay, William Hurt
Trailer: Trailer "Winter's Tale"
Comment: I'm not a Colin Farrell fan, but this movie looks stunning.

Jamesy Boy
Description: James Burns (Spencer Lofranco) is a teenager who goes from a suburban street gang to a maximum-security prison cell surrounded by hardened criminals. He turns his life around in prison thanks to the unexpected friendship he forms with a convicted murderer (Ving Rhames) who becomes his mentor.
Director: Trevor White
Starring: James Woods, Mary-Louise Parker, Ving Rhames, Taissa Farmiga, Taboo, Spencer Lofranco
Trailer: Trailer "Jamesy Boy"
Comment: When is the last time we saw James Woods and Ving Rhames?

The Lego Movie
Description: An ordinary LEGO minifigure (Chris Pratt), mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil LEGO tyrant from gluing the universe together
Director: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
Starring: Christ Pratt, Will Arnett, ELizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson, Will Ferrell, Morgan Freeman, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Cobie Smulders
Trailer: Trailer "The Lego Movie"
Comment: I actually, seriously want to see this, because I laughed out loud while watching this trailer.

Ride ALong
Description: Fast-talking security guard Ben (Kevin Hart) joins his cop brother-in-law James (Ice Cube) on a 24-hour patrol of Atlanta in order to prove himself worthy of marrying Angela, James' sister.
Director: Tim Story
Starring: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Stumper, John Leguizamo, Bruce McGill
Trailer: Trailer "Ride Along"
Comment: Who is this Kevin Hart, a Chris Tucker wannabe? I don't know about this movie...

Contest
Description: A bullied high school student is suddenly befriended by his chief tormentor and together they face challenges that will change their lives forever.
Director: Anthony Joseph Giunta
Starring: Kenton Duty, Danny Flaherty, Mary Beth Peil, Katherine McNamara, Kyle Dean Massey
Trailer: Trailer "Contest"
Comment: Looks ok

In My Mailbox (121)

I received eight postcards this week. The first came from Hemmingen, Germany. I love this, it's adorable that turtle. It's my favorite of the week!

Sent: october 31st 2013
Received: november 4th 2013
Distance: 290 km (180 miles)
Travel Time: 4 days

Yeah Mickey!! This came from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US. It has two things I love: Disney and dolphins.

Sent: october 25th 2013
Received: november 4th 2013
Distance: 7,892 km (4,904 miles)
Travel Time: 10 days

From Christchurch, New Zealand I got this beautiful mountain view.

Sent: october 25th 2013
Received: november 4th 2013
Distance: 18,676 km (11,605 miles)
Travel Time: 10 days

This card made me smile. It's from Jakarta, Indonesia.

Sent: october 4th 2013
Received: november 7th 2913
Distance: 11,310 km (7,028 miles)
Travel Time: 34 days

A vintage card from Lobnya, Russia. I think it's some kind of add, don't know for sure.

Sent: october 26th 2013
Received: november 7th 2013
Distance: 2,131 km (1,324 miles)
Travel Time: 12 days

Lovely postcard from Flensburg, Germany. It looks like a picture that could've been taken in the Netherlands.

Sent: november 4th 2013
Received: november 7th 2013
Distance: 461 km (286 miles)
Travel Time: 3 days

Another card from Germany, this time Leipzig. Butterflies actually creep me out, but they sometimes make a pretty card.

Sent: november 5th 2013
Received: november 8th 2013
Distance: 447 km (278 miles)
Travel Time: 3 days

And from Huittinen, Finland they decided to send another butterfly ;)

Sent: october 31st 2013
Received: november 8th 2013
Distance: 1,512 km (940 miles)
Travel Time: 8 days

Thanks Nicola, Alyssa, Dawn, Sela, Yuliana, Leif, Petra and Mervi for your postcards!

Top 5 Thursday: Children's Book Authors

As a teacher I love reading children’s books. Especially to children. I can really get lost in them, like a child can. Here are my five favourite children’s book authors.

5. E.B. White
He wrote “Stuart Little” and “Charlotte’s Web”, two stories I just happen to love. And so do kids. He made everyone feel for a spider, when in the daily life most people want to step on them.

4. Beatrix Potter
Lovely stories, beautiful illustrations. These stories are timeless.

3. Eric Carle
When I was a toddler, I loved “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”. Appearantly when me and my mother went to the library, she always had to read it to me. I knew it by heart. I actually still do.

2. J.K. Rowling
She really hit the mark with the Harry Potter books. What a great success! I loved reading those books and was sad that the series ended. But even rereading them is enjoyable. This is the only author on the list that I didn't experience as a child.

1. Roald Dahl
I think we all agree on this one. He wrote my favorite children’s book “Matilda” and many other beloved books. All his books are amazing!

They Almost Made the Top 5: C.S. Lewis, Max Velthuijs, Dr. Seuss

Me & 3 Animal Movies

I love animals and there have been some great movies about animals. Some of those movies make that animal look bad, like “Jaws” or “King Kong”. Although I love those films, I chose movies which make the animals the stars of the show. Two movies, one documentary.

Life of Pi
Genre: Drama/ Fantasy/ Adventure
Year: 2012
Director: Ang Lee
Cast: Suraj Sharma, Rafe Spall, Irffan Khan
Description: A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.
Opinion: I fell in love with the book, so I was very curious how Ang Lee was going to make this into a movie. it visually looks amazing, great film. I love the scenes between Pi and Richard Parker.
Favorite character: Pi Patel
Most memorable quote: “I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye.”. – Adult Pi Patel –
Best scene: Pi tells Richard Parker that they’re dying. He lays the tigers head in his lap.

Whale Rider
Genre: Drama
Year: 2002
Director: Niki Caro
Cast: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Cliff Curtis, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Grant Roa
Description: A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.
Opinion: This movie is so magical without being spectacular. What I mean is that not a lot of spectacular happens, but it keeps your attention at all times. It’s truly magnificent.
Favorite character: Paikea
Most memorable quote: “A long time ago, my ancestor Paikea came to this place on the back of a whale. Since then, in every generation of my family, the first born son has carried his name and became the leader of our tribe… until now.” – Paikea - Best scene: Paikea rides the whale.

De Nieuwe Wildernis
Genre: Documentary
Year: 2013
Director: Ruben Smit, Mark Verkerk
Cast: Harry Piekema (narrator)
Description: The Oostvaardersplassen, a nature reserve of high standard in the Netherlands. The reserve has been developed in a location that 40 years ago was under sea level in one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Nowadays, its the stage for a unique nature show: the nature determines the rhythm.
Opinion: You see so many great animal and nature documentaries about Africa, North America, Australia, you name it. But this film shows that a beautiful place shouldn’t have to be far away. It was filmed in my country, the Netherlands. I never say I'm proud of being Dutch, but this documentary shows us the parts we should be very proud of. Beautifully filmed, bombastic music.
Favorite character: -
Most memorable quote: “This is our country, like you’ve never seen it before” – Narrator -
Best scene: A young horse befriends a robin. When he dies, the little bird pays a final visit those his friend.

Favorite of the 3: Whale Rider

Weekly Photo Challenge 2013 - Theme 44: Orange

Here is this weeks theme:

I really don't like the orange and it is the national color of our country. But I do like this picture of me being a bit silly with a tangerine.

Movie Trailer Sunday (112)

Here are this weeks trailers.

X-Men: Days of Future Past
Description: The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-Men: Days of Future Past. The characters from the original X-Men film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from X-Men: First Class in an epic battle that must change the past - to save our future
Director: Brian Singer
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Nicholas Hoult, Anna Paquin, Ellen Paige, Shawn Ashmore, Peter Dinklage,
Trailer: Trailer "X-Men: Days of Future Past"
Comment: Is the world ready for another X-Men movie?

Open Grave
Description: A man wakes up in the wilderness, in a pit full of dead bodies, with no memory and must determine if the murderer is one of the strangers who rescued him, or if he himself is the killer.
Director: Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego
Starring: Sharlto Copley, Thomas Kretschmann, Josie Ho, Joseph Morgan, Erin Richards, Max Wrottesley
Trailer: Trailer "Open Grave"
Comment: Bloody hell, this looks scary!

Labor Day
Description:Depressed single mom Adele (Kate Winslet) and her son Henry (Gattlin Griffith) offer a wounded, fearsome man (Josh Brolin) a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true story as their options become increasingly limited.
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Gattlin Griffith, Tom Lipinski, Clark Gregg, Alexis Gimore, James van der Beek, Brooke Smith, Tobey Maguire
Trailer: Trailer "Labor Day"
Comment: I'm not a Kate Winslet fan, but I do love Josh Brolin. This looks fantastic.

Only Lovers Left Alive
Description: Adam (Tom Hiddleston), an underground musician reunites with his lover for centuries (Tilda Swinton) after he becomes depressed and tired with the direction human society has taken. Their love is interrupted and tested by her wild and uncontrollable little sister (Mia Wasikowska).
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, Mia Wasikowska, Anton Yelchin, John Hurt
Trailer: Trailer "Only Lovers Left Alive"
Comment: Dark.

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
Description: After being "marked," Jesse begins to be pursued by mysterious forces while his family and friends try to save him.
Director: Christopher Landon
Starring: Richard Cabral, Carlos Pratts, Eddie J. Fernandez, Jorge Diaz, David Fernandez Jr., Kimberly Ables Jindra, Tonja Kahlens, Frank Salinas
Trailer: Trailer "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones"
Comment: Ok, this looks really bad. I don't think we are ready for another film in this series.

In My Mailbox (120)

I received twelve postcard and two private swaps this week. So that's a lot. The first card came from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. What a cool turtle. They always remind me of my friend Evelien.

Sent: october 17th 2013
Received: october 27th 2013
Distance: 10,131 km (6,295 miles)
Travel Time: 10 days

I think this is based on a fairytale, but no matter what it is, it's really cute. It's from Minsk, Belarus.

Sent: october 15th 2013
Received: october 27th 2013
Distance: 1,486 km (923 miles)
Travel Time: 12 days

From Pizeh, Czech Repuclic I received this "American Pie" card. Not one of my favorite movies, but I movie card always makes me happy.

Sent: october 12th 2013
Received: october 28th 2013
Distance: 547 km (340 miles)
Travel Time: 16 days

This cute card is pretty special. It was send to me by a girl who used to be my classmate. Isn't that a coincidence? It's from Den Haag (The Hague) , Neterlands.

Sent: october 22nd 2013
Received: october 28th 2013
Distance: 153 km (95 miles)
Travel Time: 6 days

A card with a batm how many people do you think have ever gotten one of those? I think it's cool. It came from Thun, Switzerland.

Sent: october 21st 2013
Received: october 29th 2013
Distance: 507 km (315 miles)
Travel Time: 8 days

I have more cards like this, I really like them. This one came from Revda, Russia.

Sent: october 19th 2013
Received: october 29th 2013
Distance: 3,495 km (2,172 miles)
Travel Time: 10 days

A first timer! A card from Iceland, Hafnarfjörour to be exact. Funny that I got an icecream card. The sender made this card herself, I think it's very pretty.

Sent: october 26th 2013
Received: october 31st 2013
Distance: 2,168 km (1,347 miles)
Travel Time: 5 days

From Kitahiroshima, Japan I received this beautiful view. You can never do wrong with those cards.

Sent: october 21st 2013
Received: october 31st 2013
Distance: 8,721 km (5,419 miles)
Travel Time: 10 days

Another view, this time frome Disraeli, Canada.

Sent: october 22nd 2013
Received: october 31st 2013
Distance: 5,470 km (3,399 miles)
Travel Time: 9 days

Elks are wonderful animals, so I'm very happy with this postcard from Minsk, Belarus.

Sent: october 25th 2013
Received: october 31st 2013
Distance: 1,486 km (923 miles)
Travel Time: 6 days

From Bradford, Great-Brittain I got this forrest. It's a local shot.

Sent: october 16th 2013
Received: october 31st 2013
Distance: 599 km (372 miles)
Travel Time: 15 days

Really cute polar bears from Bad Salzungen, Germany. The words mean: It's the intimate moments of life that give sense to it.

Sent: october 24th 2013
Received: october 31st 2013
Distance: 299 km (186 miles)
Travel Time: 7 days

I received a couple of wonderful postcards from my friens Patricia in Gdansk, Poland.

And also two fantastic cards from Anton in Gatchina, Russia.

Thanks Mira & Rachel, Natalia, Monika, Nicole, Katharina, Daria, Ilze, Tomoe, Marie, Dima, Lea, Petra, Patricia and Anton for the amazing postcards you send me this week!!