My Man Sixto

I love my generation. 

Usually people are always saying how they belong in the past, and our generation is not as fun and cool as the previous ones. I don't agree at all. I think living in the 21st century rocks.

I live in Istanbul, Turkey. In recent news, CNN published that it is the city with the most traffic jams in the World. Am I proud? No. But did it help me to discover something amazing? Absolutely.

"Searching for Sugar Man"

I was stuck in traffic per usual, and was going through all the saved radio stations one by one to catch a good song to pass the time with. Thats when I heard an incredible voice and had to Shazam ( music identification app) it. Just after I got home and Googled the artist, I came across a Documentary about the artist, and Had to watch it. 

The song was Sugarman by Rodriguez.

Searching for Sugar Man is an incredible documantary about 70's greatest rock icon who never was. Rodriguez was discovered in a bar in Detroit in the late 60's by two well-known producers. They were struck by his prophetical lyrics and soulful melodies. They were 100% sure that the album they were recording was going to be the greatest record ever. Unfortunately, the record did not get where they were initially forseeing, and Rodriguez disappeared into the rumors of  a terifying on-stage suicide. 

Somehow, the record found its was to South Africa and for the next 2 decades, he became a sensation. The documantary happened with 2 South African fans set out to find out what really happened to their hero. Their research and dedication leads to a story more extraordinary than any of the existing myths.

The film won an Oscar for Best Domumentary in 2013. But unfortunately, the  Swedish director, Malik Bendjelloul, commited suicide in 2014.

The songs throughout the movie touched my soul like it did for the South Africans. Do watch if for a great journey to find out what really happened to Rodriguez.

ENJOY

xx

Rushing or Dragging

I think at one point in our lives, we all tried playing an instrument or two. 

I was playing the piano and guitar. 

I loved playing the piano but was kinda pushed into playing the guitar cause my older brother was. I played for years, but like any other teenager (or most), I got sick of it and boycotted it and just continued with my vocal classes. Alone. By myself. Cause no one would listen to me. 

(No hard feeling mom and dad, I turned out great.)

"Whiplash"

Last week my dad had a minor eye surgery, and as his biological daughter, I went over to take care of him and help him out. Little did I know, he already had the evening planned to watch the -recently announced Oscar nominee- Whiplash. 

Luckily I was already super eager to watch it.

Andrew, first year music student in one of the best music conservatory, gets picked to play the drums in the schools best jazz band. The band is led by the most recognized teacher who uses fear as the key to push his students to success.

An example of how much you have to work and sacrifice to get what you want. Nothing comes easy and nothing is forever. Whiplash is proof for hard work paying off. Purely, you only have to stay sane and not over do it.

Miles Teller as Andrew has this unique facial features that is so comforting and sincere. It seems like acting comes so easy to him, so subtle but perfect. J. K. Simmons also performed an acting of a life time. Nomination for the -Best Supporting Actor- will for sure scare the crap out of his competitors.

The movie is basically between the two actors. Written and Directed by Damien Chazelle, a 30 years old.

"There are no two words in English Language more harmful than 

GOOD JOB."

ENJOY

xoxo

P.S Go follow the blogs Instagram Account: @awkward.monster

Free Tilly

I'm very mad.

I'm mad at the fact that there are still people around wearing blinkers so they don't have to face the reality. 

When I was a little girl, I was the type of kid that would chase after frogs, catch them, and take it to the school to show it to her friends. True Story. The time when I was in India (around the age of 8), I was the one running after monkeys and jumping on the elephants. 

 I can't stand animal cruelty for the sake of it. I'm not a vegetarian, but nor do I wear fur. I don't and I won't. Take note future Hubby!

"Blackfish"

It's a documentary on orcas -killer whales- in water parks and the danger its causing for humans, other whales and themselves.

So many interviews with former instructors, performers and fishers has been made to show the world the barest- most direct story of the captive animals.

It is the story of Tilikum, the deadliest orca in the business with killing the most performers, working in SeaWorld. He's the father of many other whales in many attraction parks around the world.

"Never capture what you can't control."

SeaWorld

Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite and her crew did an amazing job finding former employees in the business and families of the deceased.

Blackfish is a wake up call for the people who were not aware how *excuse my language* FUCKED UP this whole thing is.

It's never too late to take action and to share your knowledge with the others. 

Confront those who still goes to such parks to swim with the dolphins.

Check out the link below to see how you can help and the organizations supporting animal freedom.

http://blackfishmovie.com/Take-Action

xx

Picture Perfect

I was Youtube-ing the other day, and some how ended up on the documentary part of it. So happy I did and so happy to be able to write about it.

"Born Into Brothels"

Getting the chance to live abroad for a quiet a long time, I got to meet incredible people around the world. The different cultures and beliefs were the two things that mesmerized me the most. Especially the Hindu religion. 

They believe; if you were to born as a cleaners son, you WILL be a cleaner. End of story. Your destiny was written long before you were born.

The name of the movie scared me a little, but after seeing the poster for it, I decided to give it a shot. 

The documentary is narrated by the Director / Writer of the story, Zana Briski. Zana is a photographer and is especially interested in the lifes on women in the Red Light District of Sonagchi, Calcutta, INDIA.

Imagine a building complex just for prostitues, illegal alcohol, drugs and gambling. 

While Zana was living in Sonagchi (yes, she moved into the complex), she starts providing cameras for the children of the prostitutes and gives them photography classes. It's amazing how you can help them connect with the world and with each other through art. 

Very funny and amazing kids indeed.

These Kids!!

This humorous and heartfelt story portrays the power of art and the courage of those willing to chage their own lives.

Oh, and, did I mention it won the Oscars for The Best Documentary in 2005? Because it did.

I was super excited to write about this movies, so please please watch it. You can also find out more about what Zana and her others calleagues are doing if you click here.

ENJOY

xoxo

S.H.O.T.G.U.N.

I don't think it's nice to go through other peoples belongings, unless you find something very good.

"C.R.A.Z.Y."

I was in my brothers room the other day, going through his PS3 games to give it to my cousin. While I was at it, I also went through his DVD's (sorryyyy). I found this DVD with a bright color which caught my attention.

It was sitting in my room for a while, until me and my friend decided to have a movie night.

It's a Canadian film from the French side, Quebec. It's a story of a family, with 5 sons.Yes, 5 kids PLUS all of them are boys and all have very different characteristics.
The story is narrated by one of the boys, Zac. The 4th child, and a huge admiration to his father. Only when the father sees Zac (when he was 4-5 years old) wearing his mothers cloths and playing with his younger brother that their relationship goes downfall. A hero figure must have a normal kid.

C.R.A.Z.Y. takes place in the 60's and 70's, when the music was AH-mazing, and homophobia was at it's peak.

Not only it is hard living in a house with high testesteron levels, it is incredible difficult accepting your true self, and your true desires. 

The execution of love in the movie is best described as; beautiful and mad. 

2 hours of an emotional rollercoaster. Perfectly directed (and co-written) by Jean-Marc Vallée.

ENJOY

xoxo

Salut Mikael!

I love French. Anything French is good and you know it.

French Fries, French History, French Fashion, French Kiss, French Art, French Movies, ...

"Tomboy"

I changed 3 schools and 1 country between 1st and 12th grades. Which was crazy.

 First time was when I finished 4th grade. I think it was the hardest since I was pretty young, and my life was all about my friends.

I was feeling very scared, thinking how in the world was I going to fit in with the kids in the new school? Thanks to my delirious self, that never was a problem, I jumped right in.

Although Laure approached a different way. 

After her family moved to a different neighborhood, she had the entire summer to hang out with the kids from the area, and start the new year in a new school with them. 

The story begins when she introduces herself as a boy, Mikael.

Dressing like a boy, acting like a boy, looking like a boy is so much easier when you're 10 years old. 

Being the new kid, spending the entire summer with "his" buddies, playing and laughing around also brings some attention from the girls of the block.

woof! Look at those eyes!

It's not only hard pretending, but knowing your lie will be out once the school starts.

Great movie written and directed by Céline Sciamma. Loving her name (hihihi).

A must see;

ENJOY

xoxo

Wait, What's Going On?

Jezuz!

It's been too long since I typed anything. This is weird. Pre-warning for the typo's that might appear.

I think it's understandable since I graduated! Entire summer without doing anything, but I think I deserved it.

I lied when I said I didn't do anything all summer. I was on holidays. Went to a lot of places, met a lot of people and enjoyed myself by the beach. That might also explain why I didn't post anything, because I didn't have time to sit in front of a computer for more then 30 minutes.

"Trance"

One weekend, I went to my friend's summer house in Alacati, Izmir, Turkey. Too much going on there, and that causes no sleep. So one afternoon, when we woke up, we felt like staying home to recover a little bit. We raided my friends room and decided to watch a movie. 

Trance is about an art auctioneer getting involved in the theft of a painting with a group of criminals. But when he can't remember where the painting is, they decide to take him to a hypnotherapist. That's when things get confusing. I loved the movie so much because, the first half an hour, I had no idea what was going on. The movie evolved and transformed into a whole new thing that made sense at the very end. 

Danny Boyle directed it, and nailed it. James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson and Vincent Cassel are playing. Interesting selection of cast, but all did a great job.

Watch it! Watch it! Watch it! 

ENJOY

xoxo

Love, Love, Love

I'm going to Istanbul for the weekend! 

I've missed my family so much, it will be a great break from all the studying. Mostly what I'll do is; sit back, relax, eat and go to a wedding!

"Across the Universe"

I'm actually going for the purpose of my friends wedding. He'll be the first person among my friends to get married, so it makes this wedding three times more exciting. I'll be dancing like crazy to celebrate the night and probably will cry the next day because my feet will be sore.

I've choose this movie because we are all about the love this week. I wanted to at least share some of that love with you! 

I am a HUGE fan of "The Beatles" and have almost all their songs on my ITunes. In 2008, I was in a small city called Winnipeg in Canada for a month as an exchange student. There I've met a lot of cool, different people. One day we went to a DVD store to check it out and I came across with this movie. When my friends realized I haven't seen it, they made me buy it and watch it. ASAP. I thank them so much for that. A great storyline of the movie with amazingly covered Beatles songs. All night after watching the movie, I was singing the songs. All night long. I feel horrible for my roommates at that time.

A love story between a rich American girl and a poor British boy. You might say it's too typical, but it really isn't. There aren't any crazy parents trying to stop them falling in love. Movie shows how beautiful love is and all the different ways to show your passion. Starring the handsome Jim Sturgess and also Evan Rachel Wood.

Everyone should have this in their movie collection and the soundtracks on their ITunes!

ENJOY!

xoxo

Ain't No Crime

Wow!

I've been away for so long, the senior year in University is pushing me pretty hard and it has been keeping me very busy. Though I am returning for good because at the end, this blog helps me to have fun :) 

Forgive me? 

"Sound of Noise"

I've seen this movie while my brother was visiting me here in Barcelona. He's also very interested in movies and recommended this one. Thank god he did. It was a while since I watched a movie that I laughed and loved a lot. 

The movie is Swedish. Another reason why it's so funny. I love their bold sense of humor, though not everyone appreciates them. Sound of Noise is about a "anarchic" performer band and their crazy plans and shows around the city. It shows that you can make music from anything, anywhere and anytime (I'm NOT suggesting you to do what they're doing, because I don't want anyone to get in trouble!). Written and directed by Ola Simonsson and Johannes Stjarne Nilsson. Enjoyment is guaranteed!

my favorite scene!

The actors are pretty known in Sweden, but first time I see a movie that they're in. Most of the people in the crew are comedians and some even musicians. 

Don't mind the title of the Youtube video, it says 2012 but actually the movie is from 2010. It was the only one with english subtitle, so I had to put this one!

ENJOY

x

Halloween Special

Is it that time of the year again?

Of course I love THIS time of the year! And yes, I'm excited about all the candies I'll eat. Better make appointment for the dentist.

"Paranormal Activity"

I am too much of a coward to be able to sit through a horror movie. It doesn't only scare me while I'm watching it, but I am not capable of sleeping with the lights off for a LONG time. When this movie came out, I was in Vancouver for the senior year of my high school. I went to watch with a couple of my friends thinking it was a great idea... Oh god. I was SO SCARED, I feel bad for my roommate that time, that also had to sleep with the lights on for a month. (Thanks to you Andrea for her patience! )

I am recommending you to watch this. Very much. Because it is probably one of the few horror movies that you see almost no blood, and yet scares you until your bones are shaking. The movie was "filmed" with a hand-cam. Which makes it waaaaay more realistic. It's about a woman who thinks she has been cursed by a not-so-nice ghost. And starting to film everything happening in the house where she lives with her boyfriend.

It gives me shivers just thinking about it again! And one last suggestion; DO NOT SEE IT ALONE.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN to you all! Share your costume pictures with me! I'll be very scary this year, and will share the picture on the facebook page! facebook.com/TheAwkwardMonster

Enjoy!

xoxo

Every Creature Deserves Love

Welcome back to ME.

I've been a bad bad girl by not updating. But I think it's a good way to prove that I'm not a sit-at-home nerd. My break was AHmazing, and now I'm back in Barcelona for my university. 

"Born to be Wild"

The flight from Istanbul to Barcelona is around 3 to 3.20 hours. Its a good amount of time to watch movies, eat and sleep. With my personel screen to choose from, I managed to pick which ever I wanted to see.

I've been in love with animal since I was a baby girl. All of them. When I saw the animal documentary on the selection from the plane, I had to go for it. 

The documentary is 40 minutes long. Short and sweet. It sets in two different locations; Malaysia and Kenya. 2 different stories that has so much things in common; care for animals. The movie starts with an elephant orphanage in Kenya. While I was watching it, it seemed so familiar. Maybe because I HAVE BEEN THERE! I have visited that orphanage when I was volunteer working in Kenya (2009)! And of course I cried when I realized that. The second location in Malaysia is an orphanage for orangutans. Beautiful, clever and funny animals. And I haven't even told you the best part, it is narrated by Morgan Freeman.

Both organizations are run by women. Strong women. DR. Mary Galdikas for orangutan.org
&
Daphne Sheldrick for sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

I know how you guys are. No photo, didn't happen. So here is a picture of me in the elephant orphanage, posing with a baby rhino!

Hope you'll be as touched as I was! It's a documentary that is NOT boring at all. So give it a chance to surprise you.

xoxo

Gotham City Shall Survive!

Hello, Hello!!

What a great day to finally update my blog. I'm back in Turkey and enjoying every bit of it, though it is way too hot. The best thing to do on a hot day is to either stay home and turn the A/C on or go to the movie's which they turn the A/C to the maximum level. And thats exactly what I did.

"The Dark Knight Rises"

I have been waiting for this movie for a while now. I do enjoy Hero movies, maybe because I always wanted a superpower or to save the world or something. Even though Batman has no superpowers, his good looks cover that up for him.

In Turkey, there are only 2 IMAX theaters and only one is in Istanbul. When my mom started to check for tickets I made her buy the one from there. If I'm going to see it, I prefer doing it the correct way.

I think this was such a great final for the Dark Knight Trilogy. It wrapped up perfectly, covering everything from the original story and expressing it in a very realistic way. Christopher Nolan is THE god of the cinema. He directed it, produced it and wrote it (alongside other writers). He has hand full of movies, but all of them succeeded the top of the charts. 

I don't think I have to tell you what the movie is about, you should be able to guess since its a Batman movie. 

The Cast was incredible; Morgan Freeman, Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon- Levitt and more. I suggest you to wach it even though you may not be an super-hero fan. Just go see the actors acting in their full capability.

ENJOY

xoxo

Words fall short of expressing my sorrow for the losses from the Aurora Shooting. Peace, prayers and blessings.

Kings of the TV

My first review on Television Shows!

Hurray!!

A little update on my busy life; I finished my internship! I had a great one that lasted for a month, and now its time to chillax. Next week I'll be attending a wedding in Madrid, and who knows, maybe I'll even upload a picture of me and my friends for the first time on my blog!

Television Shows. Unfortunately, in our time, it is VERY difficult to find a good one worth spending your time on. You should be happy you found out about this blog, because I have an amazing one that I discovered this year. I hope most of you are already a fan.

"Game of Thrones"

A T.V. series that is based on a book. How grateful I an that they didn't make a movie out of it, but a series. Why? Because this way it lasts longer and I can enjoy it more and more each time! 

It takes place in the Medieval times.How fabulous. Kingdoms, lords, ladies, swords, wine, warriors and their suspiciously good looking hairs. It is a British production so everyone is obviously British. Which makes it even better, because the British accent just makes everything seem more realistic. According to me, the series' about noblety. Families fighting for the throne!

he is so big!

If you haven't heard about it, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING? And if did, but haven't seen it, now it is your chance! Each episode is like a movie, around 50 minutes. But I assure you, you'd wish them to be even longer.

ENJOY

xoxo

The Glorious 60's

Sometimes I ask myself; how would it be if I lived in the 60's?

Probably nothing crazy would happen. BUT, if i was in UK... I would not be responsable for my acts.

"Pirate Radio"

a.k.a.

"The Boat That Rocked"

If I had to describe this movie in one sentence, that would be; Great acting meets great music. In my opinion, 60's changed the revolution of music. Added a whole new dimension to it! 

Rock n roll, for me, evolved in the UK. I know it was found in The States, but still! The Beatles, Teddy Boy, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, Freddie and the Dreamers, The Who and many many more amazing bands are from United Kingdom.

So why am I talking about music in a movie blog? Because this movie is all about it! It's about a pirate radio station in the middle of the sea, on a boat, forecasting rock n roll music. In those days, it was considered as bad influence on people, so they banned it. Can you believe it? Niether can I. We see only one American here, Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Everyone else is British, since its a movie from Britain. I'm positive you'll know the actors once you see them, but if I tell you their names now, you probably won't recognize.

Reminds you of a famous album cover? I hope so! 

Your laughter is guaranteed. And also singing along. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did. Let me know what you thought about it and which song was your favorite!

ENJOY

Oh Kevin...NO!

Summer Lovin'!

So, I'm still in Barcelona, but no, not working on that tan. I'm actually working in a company as an intern.  It's going great! I think thats a good enough excuse for not have been keeping up with my posts, but I am back now and will update as often as I can!

"We Need to Talk About Kevin"

Amazing movie and amazing acting! Honestly, Tilda Swinton, she is incredible! She always appeared a little odd to me, until now. For a while, I was sure she was an Oscar nominee. I don't even think the judges saw the movie. Can't wait to see more acting of her. Ezra Miller -Kevin- was unbelievable. Someone to play such role like that needs a pure talent. And he has got it! 

The movie is OBVIOUSLY about Kevin. He is an odd kid that always had a difficult connection with his mother. He always does strange things, but the last thing he does was never ever crossed anyones mind. A dark and twisted movie. It's creepily superb.

I watched it with my mother, and in the end we had different opinions by the mothers behaviour. If you have already seen it, what did you think about it? If you haven't seen it, watch it and leave your comments in the comment section!

"He is just a sweet little boy."