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Minggu, 10 April 2016

Top 3: Favourite Things From Eddie the Eagle (2016)

Michael Edwards - better know as Eddie the Eagle - is one of those people whose life story makes for great movie material. As the first ski jumper to represent Britain in the Winter Olympics, he came in last in both the 70m and 90m competitions in Calgary in 1988, but managed to garner a whole bunch of fans and a reputation based on perseverance and sportive spirit.

And, almost 30 years later, there finally is a movie about him out in cinemas. Starring Taron Egerton as the flying sportsman who hides his lack of skill behind a big heart and an unswerving determination, and Hugh Jackman as his washed-up trainer Bronson Peary, Eddie the Eagle is a sweet and uplifting underdog tale that is bound to warm the cockles of your heart.

Squuls and Rina watched the film last week. But instead of giving you a broad review, we'd like to get to the gist of things. So here are our respective Top 3s of our favourite things from Eddie the Eagle.

Squuls:

3. Eddie's Mom

We all know moms are the best. They give great hugs, tell you how to dress weather appropriately, and are there for you no matter what. But none more so than Eddie Edward's mom. From early on she is very supportive of her seemingly non-athletic son's dream of participating in the Olympics and, more importantly, she takes him seriously. The Olympic committee is embarrassed to be associated with Eddie in any way. Mr. Edwards is grumpy and trying to get Eddie to grow up and give up his dreams, but Eddie's mom is constantly finding new ways to circumvent her husband's disapproval and to finance each new shot Eddie takes at making it to the Olympics somehow. She cancels holidays, new cars, and even fends of the bailiff all so Eddie can see those five rings in person. When Eddie the Eagle finally gets to soar, she could not be more proud. Even though he doesn't bring home any medals, her son did what he set out to do and became a crowd favorite in the process. Mrs. Edwards' spirits are embodied in her "I am Eddie's Mom" sweater she proudly wears for anyone to see.

2. Hugh Jackman's Jump from 90 Meters

The most over the top, ridiculous scene of Eddie The Eagle just had to make it into my Top 3. There was no other option. Hugh Jackman plays drunken snow groomer and failed ski jumping talent Bronson Peary. One night after having one too many at the pub and being ridiculed by the Norwegian coach, he decides to take the plunge from that big-ass 90m ski jumping hill - in jeans and a shirt with rolled up sleeves, without protection or helmet. On top of the hill, Peary gets in position and gets a serious look on his face, like it's high noon and he's getting ready for a duel. And what self respecting cowboy would go into that without a lit cigarette tugged into the corner of his mouth? Cue the cheesy 80s motivational music and we are good to go. A close-up of Hugh Jackman's face that feels like dangerous Wolverine and steam emitting cho-cho train all in one takes us down that hill. On the way he casually spits out the cigarette and finally lands perfectly. The spectators in party mode stare in wonderment at the all too suave drunk that they thought they'd seen the last of. You know, just your regular kitsch spectacle intermission you didn't really know you needed until you saw it.

1. The Norwegian Ski Jumping Team

Truly, these Scandinavian guys are the highlight of the movie! When Eddie travels to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany to start his training as a ski jumper, he first encounters the Norwegian ski jumping team. Immediately they start to make fun of that slightly chubby British dude, who thinks he can learn how to jump just like that. I mean, they are arrogant as fuck and walk around like they own the place when really... What the hell are they even doing there?! The setting is the Garmisch ski jumping hill, yet all you see is Norwegians: Intimidating Eddie on the hill, naked in the sauna (not that I objected to seeing that), beating up a drunk Hugh Jackman at the local pub - they're everywhere and they're hilarious! Their accents, overconfidence, and perfect athlete physiques are so over the top you cannot not love them. And really, when it counts, their hearts are in the right place. The Norwegian team and coach are actually impressed that Eddie made it to the Olympics (even more so when they learn he only started jumping a year ago) and are happy for the way Eddie the Eagle shows bravery and true Olympic spirit in Calgary.

Rina:

3. A Jumper in Jumpers

Throughout the film, Eddie sports quite a large number of diverse woolly jumpers. Not only does this evoke 80s fashion in all its (often) questionable glory, no, it also makes me happy. I've always had a thing for these kind of pullovers, with their colourful patterns and cozy-cuddly texture. There's just something about them that screams nostalgia, snow and winter holidays just as much as "Hey! I'm here, and I'm taking pride in my granny's knitting needle skills." And Eddie does, indeed, wear those clothes with pride and grace. But - as you can see from the picture above - he's learnt from the best since Mama Edwards certainly knows how to rock a sweater in her own right. If you feel like designing your very own personal virtual Eddie Edwards spirit sweater, just hop over here and let your creativity run wild.

2. The Groovy Training Montage

Back in 2009, (500) Days of Summer showed us that every great scene can become even greater by adding the Hall & Oats song "You Make My Dreams" to it. Now, Eddie the Eagle put this universal wisdom to good use and endowed its training montage with the tune. Everyone who's read my review of the Rocky franchise already knows that I'm a sucker for good training montages. They're uplifting, full of underdog spirit and, often times, groovy as hell. As a sports movie, Eddie the Eagle needed one of those sequences, of course. And while watching Eddie master his balance and train his telemark landing is great, it's even greater when Hall & Oats is playing in the background.

1. That Welshman in the Lead

I know, I know, I'm going for the obvious choice here by gushing over the lead actor. But as someone who wasn't entirely sold on Taron Egerton's charisma in Kingsman: The Secret Service, I'm happy to say that he completely won me over in Eddie the Eagle. His transformation into Edwards is strong on a visual level, but succeeds especially when it comes to delivering sincere emotions. He makes you laugh with and cheer for Eddie, and turns him into a man full of heart and dedication. He endows him with quirks, cuteness and an endearing naivete, but also with a winsome inner strength and an unshakable drive to fulfill his dreams. In a film about the power of the underdog spirit, Egerton's portrayal is key - and he delivers perfectly.

Have you watched Eddie the Eagle? What did you like best about the film?

Rabu, 23 Maret 2016

Top 3: Best Things About Daredevil Season 2 [Spoilers]

I know what you did last weekend. But don't fret, I won't hold you accountable for it. Why? Because I did exactly the same thing. The second season of Marvel's acclaimed Netflix series Daredevil is out for us to shamelessly binge-watch since 18 March and, by now, we should all be through with it. I mean, we're only human, right?

First reactions to the brandnew 13 episodes have been lukewarm at best, though. With the original showrunners Drew Goddard and Steven S. DeKnight gone and Vincent D'Onofrio's charismatic villain, the Kingpin, sidelined, many critics seem to have lost interest in the latest escapades of the vigilante in crimson spandex.

I, however, had a sheer blast watching the show, thinking that its few flaws and weaknesses simply cannot outdo the general thrill and excitement. So, what's to love? I tell you in my compilation of Top 3 Things About Daredevil Season 2.

3. The Karen-Matt-Elektra Love Triangle

Granted that this narrative device is as old as the hills, I still dig how it's put to use here. After having a brief romantic fling with nurse Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) in the first season, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) - lawyer by day, Daredevil by night - now finds himself between two love interests. Number one is his legal assistant Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), a woman known for her kind nature and sense of justice. Their romance is sweet, pure and full of hearts and bubbles and candy cotton. Number two is his recently returned college darling Elektra Natchios (Eoldie Yung), a woman with sinister drives and a troubled past. Their romance is laden with sexual tension and profound shared experiences - not always of the good kind. What we have here is a beautifully Dorian Gray-ish set-up in which two opposite poles struggle for one man's soul. While Karen's (presumed) innocence gives Matt the chance to try and be his best version possible, Elektra allows him to embrace his vigilante nature and self-destructive tendencies. While for Matt it could be a fresh start with Karen, it's Elektra's acceptance that makes him feel good about his real self.

Besides giving us some cute, lovey-dovey scenes on the one hand and some sizzlingly sexy ones on the other, this triangle opens up the possibility of digging deeper into the three characters involved. I love how Matt is incapable of choosing between the two ladies. Every time he feels closer to one of them, he simultaneously feels the loss of the other. He can never let one go completely. This has us witness Matt's struggle between the light and dark sides of his nature: his endorsement of the legal system and religious values vs. his need to roam the streets as a masked vigilante taking justice into his own hands, struggling with the question of how far he can go in punishing his enemies. I personally am of the persuasion that Elektra is the one for him. But since he now believes she's dead and we really don't know in which state of mind she'll return... Who knows.

Karen, as the embodiment of everything that's good in Matt's eyes, has her own struggle to deal with amidst all of this. We know from season 1 and a few hints here and there that she's not as pure as Matt would like her to be, having taken a man's life in self-defence and all. Now, she still struggles with her demons and finds herself not completely rejecting the Punisher's (Jon Bernthal) revengeful killing ways. I love the scene in which Karen speaks her mind to Matt and deconstructs the high pedestal he's put her on.

Elektra, in the meantime, seeks to win Matt's love by abandoning her murderous desires - and barely succeeds. The show has done a marvellous job introducing her character as a perfectly complex woman who's not entirely evil and yet miles away from being good. Besides, Yung's performance endows Elektra with the necessary coolness and vulnerability to make her completely engaging.

To wrap this up, Matt's affection for the two women really isn't about them, it seems. It's much more about him. They appear like mere projects in which the goal is to keep the one pure and innocent, and to refine the other. The triangle gives us a close look into Matt's psyche and what we find there isn't always pleasant. There are quite a few moments in this season in which I just want to slap him in the face and tell him to get a grip. And that's what I love about this show and this narrative device in particular: it's not afraid to portray its characters as deeply flawed and, yes, unlikeable. And it raises questions without presenting easy answers. Human beings are complicated and not always proceeding on noble intentions. Or sometimes they can get lost following those good intents. Season 2 manages to show all this and still have me invested in the fate of its characters.

2. Jon Bernthal as The Punisher

Frank Castle a.k.a. The Punisher is much more than just another character to embody Matt's psychological struggle. Having lost his wife and two children in a shootout involving the police and multiple criminal gangs, he takes vigilantism to homicidal heights. Unlike Daredevil, he is out for blood and, once face to face with the enemy, mercy is something that never crosses his mind.

While, on the one hand, his presence naturally serves to make Daredevil question his own moral/religious code, The Punisher, right from the start, develops his own dynamics. Castle is deeply flawed, out of his mind, blinded by hatred and pain - and still he's probably one of the most beloved characters of the new season. What could have been a mere brute with a murderous agenda becomes a man of compelling ambivalence and heartfelt humanity in Jon Bernthal's capable hands. The underrated actor evokes a kind of sympathy that goes beyond the clichéd stereotype of the father unable to protect his loved ones. He brings subtle and honest emotions to the table and pairs them with repulsiveness, violence and ruthlessness. Just like Daredevil, we, the audience, are forced to face our inner demons: what does our moral code say about The Punisher? Can we condemn him? Do we applaud him?

On a different note, Castle's military background, that is his skills as a sniper and in single combat, is handy when it comes to sprucing up the screen with badass action fare. But here the character also walks a fascinatingly thin line between oozing coolness and conveying a brutal, frightening intensity.

Perfectly complex, emotional, physical, intense - this Punisher has won me over.

1. The Stairwell Fight Scene

A while ago, I already celebrated the Hallway Fight Scene from season 1 in our A Scene to Remember section. Now, the makers of Daredevil went out trying to top that for season 2.

And. They. Did.

In what appears to be a five-minute one-take sequence in episode 3 the camera follows Daredevil down a dimly lit stairwell while he tries to fight off a bunch of thugs. The whole thing had me drop my jaw. It's just thrilling and mind-blowing mayhem, yet precisely orchestrated and artistically staged.

While this scene probably is the masterful standout, I'd like to take it as a representative of all the fantastic stunt work showcased within the entire series. Daredevil refrains from wearing out CGI effects. It much more relies on well-choreographed fights and skillful cinematography. It lives from the fact that it is not about flashy heroes in flashy costumes performing flashy tricks. It's about down-to-Earth characters facing real danger. Their brawls are exhausting and demanding. They're adrenaline-fuelled and cool to look at, yet scary - and they leave scars.

Matt Murdock's reality is a grim and threatening one, and this reality is evoked not only by the wonderful set and costume design, the sound department or the motivated ensemble cast. No, it's also thanks to the camera people and the extraordinary stuntmen and -women that the show is able to convey such a unique, gritty atmosphere. Kudos to that!

That's it. Let us know what you like best about Daredevil season 2 in the comments below.

Rabu, 16 Desember 2015

Christmas Countdown 2015: Day 16

On day 16 of our Christmas Countdown we collaborate to present you with a festive Top 3 of our favourite movies to watch during the holidays that technically are not Christmas movies. Come on, you all know you have these! Anyway here are ours:

Squuls:

3. Dr. Zhivago (David Lean, 1965)

An epic tale of love and intrigue set around WWI and the Russian Revolution Dr. Zhivago proves its epicness already in its length. At 197 minutes this movie has to be one to watch during Christmas break, because at any other period there simply isn’t enough time to fully enjoy it. While, strictly speaking, not a Christmas movie, the setting of snow-clad Russia in winter with a lot of scenes at night and in the solitude of the countryside puts me in Christmas spirits, when once again dreaming of a white Christmas in vain. ‘Tis the season of strong emotions, too, and boy does this one bring the emotions! And for the less patient ones it also allows a little channel switching here and there or the occasional mulled wine or bathroom break.

2. North and South (Douglas Heyes, 1985, 1986, 1994)

What started as a mere coincidence in TV schedule now has become a Christmas tradition for my mom and I: at least one late Christmas night is reserved for the indulgence of North and South. The American mini-series brings a lot to the table: Friendship, bromance, and Patrick Swayze pair up with the American Civil War, which is now almost regarded with a sort of nostalgic charm. The age old element of a relationship (in this case a friendship) caught between two enemy sides also works in this series. Finally the almost certain happy ending and the much warmer weather in the southern U.S. states serves as a nice break in our cold and dark winter.

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Peter Jackson, 2001-2003)

Peter Jackson’s film version of The Lord of The Rings is definitely one of those epic fantasy adaptions that spark our imaginations at any time, but at this time of the year especially. It’s the perfect choice for a lengthy family film session and now we have the time to share and fully appreciate the fantastic action. And with the films not only on regular TV every Christmas, but also available digitally and on disk, we are free to enjoy the Legolas, Gimly, and Aragorn trifecta, while fast-forwarding the annoyance that is Frodo! Faith in humanity and the future of (middle-)earth restored.

Rina:

3. Anastasia (Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, 1997)

This non-Disney animated feature tells the story of orphan girl Anya who finds out that she's really Anastasia Romanov, the only surviving offspring of the dead Tsar Nicholas II. It's historically inaccurate and a trivialisation of the February Revolution, but it's still one of my favourite cartoon movies out there. It's got a tough and likeable heroine, a bunch of lovely supporting characters, catchy tunes and an engaging storyline. There's adventure, fun, a sweeping romance, Rasputin as the ultimate villain, plenty of opportunities to sing along and lots of snow. What more can you ask for on a lazy Christmas afternoon?

2. Sissi Trilogy (Ernst Marischka, 1955-1957)

The Sissi movies are basically the epitome of sugar-coated, kitschy, melodramatic German post-war cinema. They catapulted young lead actress Romy Schneider to international stardom and - even though she was one of the most charismatic and daring actresses of her time - forever linked her to her rendition of lovey-dovey Empress Elisabeth of Austria. The Sissi trilogy doesn't aim at historical accuracy. It lives from its epic costume and set design, and its utterly and absolutely ridiculous nature. Rural romanticism, traditional family values, a schmaltzy love story amidst a strict court regime, handsome Karlheinz Böhm as the male lead, men in lederhosen - these movies got it all. Germany still loves to show the Sissi films during the Christmas holidays because, let's face it, they're entertaining escapism of the highest order and three times as sugary as Christmas candy - and one's always sure to have a good laugh.

1. Aschenputtel (Uwe Janson, 2011)

A rather recent German TV adaptation of the Grimm brothers' Cinderella, Aschenputtel has pretty quickly become my favourite film to watch during the Christmas holidays. Since we're all prone to fairy tales, it has always made my entire family gather in front of the screen, which is nice. This Aschenputtel follows the traditional pattern of the story but it's still a modern take on the established narrative. Here Cinderella (or German Aschenputtel) is a kind-hearted, yet strong and feisty young woman, and Prince Charming even has got a name. I mean, can you believe it? The film profits from Aylin Tezel's lovely performance as the oppressed maidservant, and I especially like how it allows her relationship with Prince Viktor (Florian Bartholomäi) to grow rather than to shove the two into a happy ever after without any previous signs of affection. During Christmas time, it's nice to live vicariously through such a sweet blossoming romance and Aschenputtel's eventual rise from doormat to princess.

Nata Lie:

3. The Last Unicorn (Jules Bass, 1982)

This animated classic is broadcasted every Christmas and I always try not to miss it. The Last Unicorn is a mythological movie about a unicorn, who is afraid to be the last of her kind and sets out to search for others. It features all the classic elements of a fairy tale: the good vs. evil theme, a dangerous quest beset with obstacles and challenges to rise to and overcome, true friendship, a broad range of fantastical creatures and most importantly a happy ending. Despite being a family movie, there are several scenes that might end up terrifying the littlest ones, like the nightmarish Red Bull and the evil witch. Nevertheless, The Last Unicorn has a kind of haunting, poetic beauty that makes it the perfect movie to watch during the Christmas holidays.

2. Three Wishes for Cinderella (Václav Vorlícek, 1973)

Like Rina, I also count the Cinderella story to my Christmas favourites. However, to me the only true version is the Soviet one of 1973, featuring Libuse Safránková in the role of Popelka (which is the Czech word for Cinderella.) We all know Grimms’ fairy tale of a kind girl who loses her parents and is then raised by an evil stepmother and tantalised by her no less evil stepsisters. That is until a prince finally comes to rescue her from this misery. But the movie from 1973 gives a new spin to the traditional story. Popelka is not the helpless damsel in distress, who needs a prince to save her. She is shown to be clever, feisty and skilled. Moreover, she does not simply fall for the prince, but expects him to prove that he is deserving of her love. Christmas, as such, plays no role in this movie, but the wintry scenery and the romantic and charmingly hilarious plot make Three Wishes for Cinderella a must-see for the entire family.

1. The 10th Kingdom (David Carson, 2000)

The Tenth Kingdom is a TV mini-series about a father and daughter who stumble into a parallel universe, where all the known fairy tale characters actually exist and everyone lives happily ever after. At least until the evil stepmother rises to power. With the aid of the evil Troll King, she tries to seize the crown of Prince Wendall, grandson of Snow White. He is transformed into a dog and flees by leaping through a magic mirror into the Tenth Kingdom – our world. There he meets Virginia and her father, who think he is a stray dog. Still hunted by the Trolls and the Big Bad Wolf, the three of them flee back into the Nine Kingdoms. There they form an alliance with the purpose of returning Prince Wendall to his real body and saving the Nine Kingdoms from the rule of the evil stepmother and getting Virginia and her father back into their own world. But of course this turns out to be a most difficult mission.

Like my entire Top 3, The Tenth Kingdom is another movie for the entire family with a fantastic fairy-tale charm. The series is full of twists and turns that don’t allow for a moment of boredom and it’s laced with a kind of silly humour that will keep you smirking or covering your eyes with embarrassment most of the time. Pretty perfect for Christmas, wouldn’t you say?

Finally we'd like to know what your favourite non-Christmas movies to watch at Christmas are :) Let us know in the comment section below or on social media.

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Sabtu, 12 Desember 2015

Top 3: Most Celebrated TV Deaths

Source: riprenfield

Do you know what it’s like to watch a TV show and you really get sucked into the story and feel all the joy and pain of your favourite characters as though it was your own? And do you also know those moments when the intriguing world of the show is invaded by one or often even more characters, whom you come to hate from the bottom of your heart, so very, very much that you go down on your knees and pray to some higher entity for them to die a terrible death?

I’m sure that you all know what I’m talking about (or at least I hope so) and the face of that very character is probably ghosting through your head right now. Does wishing for someone to die make us bad people? I don’t think so. I mean the directors likely meant to provoke that very reaction in their viewers. Otherwise I really can’t comprehend how they can make some of their characters so utterly detestable.

So here’s my Top 3 of characters on whose graves I’d like to be dancing.

Top 3 Most Celebrated TV Deaths

3. Finn Collins from The 100

To be honest, I watched Finn’s death with a teeny-weeny tear in the very back of my eye, after all, the Spacewalker used to be my favourite character in the entire show. But that’s the thing. He used to be… In the first season of The 100 Finn Collins (Thomas McDonell) was funny, charming, brave and most importantly he had some spine. He did not bow to Bellami’s initial rule of “Whatever the fuck we want” and was always the first to oppose violence. He also did cheat on his pretty awesome girlfriend, but I’ll leave that aside for now.

In season 2, the camp’s “voice of reason” turns from a pacifist to a cold-blooded madman and only because his new girlfriend Clarke (Eliza Taylor) vanishes. Finn is so obsessed with finding her that he casts aside all his former principles and just goes about killing everyone he only assumes to be remotely connected to Clarke’s disappearance. And everyone around them, too, for good measure. This change in my former favourite was just a pain to watch (especially because it wasn’t even well done.) That’s why I was almost glad Finn died, after he finally got a chance to redeem himself to some extent, before the directors could get another chance to drag his character through the mud.

2. Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones

I think I don’t have to justify Joffrey’s presence in this ranking. Doesn’t everyone who watches Game of Thrones wish for his death from the very moment of his first appearance in the show? You really have to hand it to actor Jack Gleeson for portraying his role so brilliantly malicious that he could make an entire fandom hate him.

After all the atrocities he put the Stark family and his uncle Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) through, and not to forget his prepubescent yells of “I am the King”, I spent pretty much all of his screen time whispering “die already” to myself. And that although I knew from the books when exactly it would happen.

So when his wedding with Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) finally took place, my nerves were raw with anticipation. My hatred for him rose into unimagined heights as he humiliated his uncle, and then the moment was finally there. He drank his wine, staggered, began to choke on his own vomit and my face was split in two with a gloating grin. A truly befitting death for the most pathetic king of the Seven Kingdoms. And if you think my reaction to the death of a fictional character was exaggerated, have a look at this compilation of purple wedding reactions:

1. Andrea from The Walking Dead

I’ve had a very hard time deciding whether to put Joffrey of Andrea on the top of my list and as you can see Andrea won the race. After all, Joffrey Baratheon had a great impact on the plot of his show. I don’t think the same is true for Andrea (Laurie Holden). If there has ever been a useless and painfully annoying character in the history of television, then it’s without a doubt her.

Especially the first seasons of The Walking Dead have an abundance of terrible, unlikeable characters and you wouldn’t really mind if all of them died (and in the course of the show most of them do, actually.) I could have filled the entire list solely with The Walking Dead characters. Therefore picking out the worst of them was by no means an easy task, but in season 3 Andrea literally annihilated her competition.

It already started in season 2, when she is anxious to prove herself capable of handling a gun and then almost shoots Daryl (Norman Reedus) in the process. And it only gets worse from then on. She abandons her friend Michonne (Danai Gurira), without whom she wouldn’t even be alive to begin with, and then hooks up with the Governor (David Morrissey). Andrea was the worst possible mash up of selfishness, stupidity and stubbornness and we’re really glad she’s finally gone for good.

I hope this post was a refreshing change to all the sappy Christmas stuff. Feel free to satisfy our curiosity and tell us whose death you celebrated or which characters you would like to see dead.

Senin, 26 Oktober 2015

Manic Monday & Top 3: Howl at the Moon Day

It's Monday, but not just some ordinary Manic Monday. Today's special holiday allows you to channel all your penned up frustration and release it all at once. You're missing the relaxation of the weekend? Your boss is driving you crazy at work? University's throwing a whole load of tasks at you? No problem. Just wait until dark 'til the moon shines brightly above your head and... howl all your troubles at it.

It's Howl at the Moon Day, BSPeeps. We take this as an occasion to a) get rid of our own toils and troubles come midnight, and b) serve you with a Top 3 of our favouriute wolves in film and TV history. Enjoy.

Rina:

3. Winnie from Hotel Transylvania (2012) and Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)

Little werewolf girl Winnie has about a trillion scuffling brothers. Naturally, she has to be tough and determined in order to assert herself amongst her siblings. Although cute Winnie might not look the part, she can scramble like the best of them, is a loyal friend, a talented tracker and her parents' pride and joy.

2. Lucian from Underworld (2003) and Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)

Lucian (played fiercely by the impeccable Michael Sheen) is one of those wild, scruffy, tousled werewolves with a big, broken heart. It's all in the ambivalence. While, at first, we're led to believe that he's a mean-spirited fellow intending to harm vampires for the fun of it, we soon find out that all his rage and grimnes actually stem back from the days in which the vampires enslaved his whole race and, on top of that, killed the love of his life. Awww. Poor Lucian definitely has my sympathy.

1. Jackson Whittemore from Teen Wolf (2011 - )

High school jock Jackson (Colton Haynes) wants to be a werewolf - badly. And he has to go through a lot to finally reach his goal: wolfsbane poisoning, emotional insecurity, the transformation into a slimey killing machine without control of his mind... Oh, what a glorious moment it is when Jackson finally turns into a fully fanged, blue-eyed werewolf! While it is sometimes hard to root for him, I've always liked him best on the show. The soft core underneath the hard shell make for some great drama and character moments.

Nata Lie:

3. Ruby/Red from Once Upon a Time... (2011 - )

Everyone knows the story of Little Red Riding Hood, who sets out to visit her ill grandmother and then they are both eaten up by the Big Bad Wolf. Not so this Red Riding Hood. Ruby gives a new spin to the old fairy tale - being the helpless little girl and the hungry wolf in one person. And the best thing about that is that she doesn’t even know and her Jekyll-and-Hyde kind of character is definitely interesting to watch.

2. Michael Corvin from Underworld (2003)

Michael Corvin is the first ever lycan-vampire hybrid and far more powerful than either of these species. He falls in love with the vampire Selene and sides with her in her fight against the real werewolves. Did I mention that apart from superior strenght, he shares none of their weaknesses?

1. Professor Remus John Lupin from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

When you think of a typical werewolf, what comes to mind are shady, bad-spirited guys who easily lose their temper. And then there’s Lupin. Granted, he does get kind of grumpy and blood-thirsty after having stared at the full moon a little too long to maintain his human form, but the rest of the time, he is everything our “typical werewolf” is not. He is kind, always concerned about others and a good friend, not only to his peers James and Sirius, but also to Harry and Co. He is an indispensable part of the Order of the Phoenix and uses his werewolf-powers to fight the evil forces, tormenting Rowling's magical world. A deserved first place, wouldn’t you say?

Squuls:

3. Oz from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

By far the most ridiculus looking woolfie, Oz (Seth Green) is still a cool addition to the Scooby Gang in Buffy. Since I am usually not a fan of the scary type of story, this guy is more up my alley. He's a senior in high school and plays in an alternative rock band. What sounds like destiny for eternal coolness in reality has more of a geeky vibe. Much like human Oz his werewolf alter ego is tamer than it seems. After one badass fight he decides to lock himself up during his transformation times, so he won't hurt anyone. After all he won't let his werewolf ways come in between him and his love Willow.

2. George Sands from Being Human (UK version; 2008-2013)

As the show's name suggests George Sands tries everything to master his burden. He shacks up with a vampire and a ghost and together they try to keep each other in check. George does his best to live a normal life in the human world, despite always living with the threat of exposure and of other (evil) creatures out there. But even after transformation George Sands is able to highlight his human side and control his animalistic impulses. He can't help what he looks like, but he can certainly still choose who he wants to be and that, to me, makes him a werewolf woth admiring.

3. Peter Rumancek from Hemlock Grove (2013-2015)

Peter Rumancek is a gipsy werewolf, who is new in the mysterious town of Hemlock Grove, aaaand that comes with a lot of problems. Brooding and handsome as he is, people either find him attractive or want to be him - deep down. Being a gipsy already closes many doors, but when the rumor spreads that he's a werewolf and girls start getting killed he is really in for trouble. He sets out to clear his name and makes a friend in the rich and handsome, but slightly psychotic, Roman Godfrey along the way. It is to him that he reveals he really is a werewolf in the most badass and horrifically beautiful transformation I have ever seen.

So, who do you miss on our lists? Who are your favourite wolves in movies and TV?

Minggu, 18 Oktober 2015

Top 3: Kick-Ass Scientists

Whether you want to call it October, Doc-tober, or International Dinosaur Month, this time of the year means summer is over and we're getting back to business. Some of us are back in school, some are just getting back to their mediocre kill-me-now everyday jobs, but others are lucky enough to have exciting professions working with dinosaurs, going to space, or exploring things. Man, we'd kill to have a kick-ass job like that - in real life or on screen! Today we therefore provide some inspiration for future occupations with our Top 3 Kick-Ass Scientists:

Rina:

3. Dr. Ryan Stone from Gravity (Alfonso Cuarón, 2013)

This medical engineer, played by Sandra Bullock, uses her skills to aid in the exploration of one of the last frontiers: space. I know, many spaceships have already traversed the universe, but there are still countless planets and corners unknown to us. Stone's efforts are thus vital to understanding the history of our world and the worlds that surround us. When on her first space mission things go terribly wrong and she is catapulted into the endlessness of outer space, Stone demonstrates an inspiring dedication to save her own life and make it back to Earth. Words cannot describe how engrossed I was in seeing her defy gravity, death and, first and foremost, the emotional distress suffered by her due to a previous personal tragedy. She's one of those characters that I could easily become invested in because her ordeal is simply unimaginable, and because she brings me face to face with very human feelings of loss, guilt and loneliness.

2. Dr. Stephen Maturin from Master and Commander (Peter Weir, 2003)

There are many things to like in Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany, pictured on the far right). He's a talented, tough surgeon, a gifted cello player and a loyal friend to Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe). Aboard the British HMS Surprise during the Napoleonic Wars, he doesn't prioritise winning battles: he rather prefers to explore the flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands. After all, Maturin is a scientist at heart, interested in the secrets and treasures of natural history. The fact that he abandons most of his discoveries on the island to help Aubrey gain an advantage over the French forces just goes to show that Maturin is a person to count on and trust in.

3. Evelyn Carnahan from The Mummy (Stephen Sommers, 1999)

The undisputed number one on my list is this charming, young lady. Actually a trained librarian living in Cairo, Ms. Carnahan suddenly finds herself amidst an adventure involving a resurrected 3000-year-old, vengeful mummy (Arnold Vosloo). Actress Rachel Weisz plays Evelyn with enchanting naïveté while, at the same time, endowing her with brains, warmth, courage, toughness and an adventurous spirit that is just a joy to watch. She lives and breathes ancient history. She's a curious character seeking knowledge of days gone by, and I love her for pursuing her passion so vigorously - even when there's danger in her way.

Nata Lie:

3. John Carter from John Carter (Andrew Stanton, 2012)

19th Century ex-Confederate Captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) finds himself transported to Mars, after touching an old medallion in a mysterious cave. Due to the lower gravitational pull on the red planet, Carter is able to leap incredibly high and perform feats that require great physical strength. John Carter may not appear like a straightforward choice for this Top 3, but I added him anyway because of the movie’s archaeological interest in mysterious objects, cryptic runes and ruined cities. Moreover, Carter’s search for the medallion gives the film some kind of treasure-hunter vibe (and, quite frankly, I was running out of ideas for this ranking…)

2. Indiana Jones from Raiders of the Lost Ark (Steven Spielberg, 1981)

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is probably THE most famous fictional archaeologist there is. Granted, he may not be the most sensitive at his job. I mean, he practically raids temples for the gold in them – not for the priceless knowledge he might gain about the culture of so far unknown ancient societies and that seems to defy the purpose of archaeology. Nonetheless, his ruffian, whip-cracking way of handling his job sure makes for good movies.

1. Lara Croft from Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (Simon West, 2001)

Believe it or not, but being a big-busted action heroine is not the primary occupation of movie and videogame character Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) – she is actually an archaeologist. Her adventures might not give us an authentic insight into the daily chores of an archaeologist, with her wielding weapons more often than shovels or paragliding through the city. But be honest now, isn’t that far more entertaining than a movie about someone digging through dirt and brushing dust off stones? In any case, it is the entertainment factor – both of the movies and the videogames – which led me to putting the tomb raider Lara Croft onto the top of my ranking.

Squuls:

3. Ross Geller from FRIENDS (1994-2004)

Admittedly the anti-hero in this category, Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) the dinosaur guy still deserves a mention. As the school and peer group geek Ross had to take a few hits and punch lines. But as passionate as he is about extinct, gigantic mamals, no one could deter him from working as a dinosaur expert at the NYC Museum of Natural History and teaching classes about dinos at university. Mind over matter he said and also managed the art of "Unagi", the total focus on all sensual perceptions and awareness at all times. You gotta respect the guy for his passion and perseverance!

2. Flynn Carsen from The Librarian (franchise)

Imagine Indiana Jones goes to the library and does some actual research - aaand can take a joke. Then you've got Flynn Carsen (Noah Wyle), who heads the Metropolitan Public Library, an age old institution in charge of protecting historical (and often magical) artefacts such as Excalibur or Pandora's Box. With charme and brains, this very humble librarian not only excells at his profession, but fights off greedy treasure hunters, who are endangering the preservation of important artifacts. Someone with an interesting job, who is in it for the wisdom and not the money has my uttermost respect (plus Noah Wyle is nice to look at)!

1. Doc Brown from Back to the Future (franchise)

Duudes, if Doc Emmett Brown hadn't made this list, I wouldn't have published it! I mean, the man invented time travel for God's sakes. All that time travelling also took place in style, since he scored a sweet ride, a DeLorean DMC 12, as his mode of transportation. Doc Brown was waaaay ahead of his time, charging the time machine with lightning bolts and banana peels. Now that's what you call alternative energy! The conscious man that he is, the Doc firstly used time travel to correct all complications to world history caused by his amazing invention! So how could he not be my number one spot of coolest freaking professionals ever?! - Also, I love saying flux capacitor :D

So there you have it folks, our Top 3 Kick-Ass Scientists. We hope you will be lucky enough to score a sweet job like that sometime in the future! After all, come next week, you might run into Doc Brown and could ask him for some pointers ;)

Finally, we'd like to know: what are your Top 3 Kick-Ass Scientists?