Numa sala perto de mim #418

So long, my son (2019) shows the life of a family over thirty eventful years, coinciding with the Chinese take off for economic growth. The heartbreaking family story contrasts with the rising tide that should lift all boats. The pace of the movie is slow, but after three hours you walk out of the theatre with the feeling you needed that time to see these people age and sink in their fate. Remarkable acting.

Palavras lidas #440

Lines from To A Cat
by Algernon Charles Swinburne

Stately, kindly, lordly friend,
Condescend
Here to sit by me, and turn
Glorious eyes that smile and burn,
Golden eyes, love's lustrous meed,
On the golden page I read.

All your wondrous wealth of hair,
Dark and fair,
Silken-shaggy, soft and bright
As the clouds and beams of night,
Pays my reverent hand's caress
Back with friendlier gentleness.

Dogs may fawn on all and some
As they come;
You, a friend of loftier mind,
Answer friends alone in kind.
Just your foot upon my hand
Softly bids it understand.

Palavras lidas #439

Weren’t We Beautiful
by Marjorie Saiser

growing into ourselves
earnest and funny we were
some kind of alien, smiling
the light we lived in was gorgeous
we looked up and into the camera
the ordinary things we did with our hands
or how we turned and walked
or looked back we lifted the child
spooned food into his mouth
the camera held it, stayed it
there we are in our lives as if
we had all time
as if we would stand in that room
and wear that shirt those glasses
as if that light
without end
would shine on us
and from us.

Numa sala perto de mim #417

Oldboy (2003) tells the story of a man, imprisoned for 15 years for no apparent reason, and released thereafter with no explanation either. The clever plot takes us to unsettling events in the past leading to so many gruesome details in the present. Not quite the movie to enjoy but appreciate. The maddening soundtrack is absolutely appropriate!

Retirado do contexto #270

No dia dos 80 anos de Tina Turner...

... brevemente numa sala perto de nós!

Num país a fingir #61

Num país a fingir, o nível de amadorismo da papoila livre não deixa de surpreender. Há 4 anos, pelos vistos, a incompetência não foi aparente... agora, pouco mais de um mês depois do sucesso eleitoral já estalou o verniz. O pior cego é o que não quer ver.

Coisas que não mudam #530

E chegou aquela altura do ano em que vem tudo coberto de natal

And it's the time of the year when everything is covered in christmas

Parece que estou a ouvir #304

Dog days are over
Florence and the Machine

Happiness, hit her like a train on a track
Coming towards her, stuck still no turning back
She hid around corners and she hid under beds
She killed it with kisses and from it she fled
With every bubble she sank with a drink
And washed it away down the kitchen sink

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming so you better run

Run fast for your mother run fast for your father
Run for your children for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can't you hear the horses
'Cause here they come

And I never wanted anything from you
Except everything you had
And what was left after that too, oh.

Happiness hit her like a bullet in the back
Struck from a great height
By someone who should know better than that

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses
'Cause here they come

Run fast for your mother and fast for your father
Run for your children for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your loving behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses
'Cause here they come

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses
'Cause here they come

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming
So you better run

Espantos #596

Hoje, na final da Taça dos Libertadores que opôs o Riverplate de Buenos Aires ao Flamengo do Rio de Janeiro, o Flamengo virou o jogo com dois golos nos 3 últimos minutos e ganhou o troféu que perseguia há 38 anos. Embora seja equivalente à europeia Liga dos Campeões, pouco se ouve falar da Taça dos Libertadores da América Latina. Este ano é excepção e toda a imprensa portuguesa está em cima do acontecimento... não fosse português, o treinador do clube brasileiro.

Coisas que não mudam #529

22 de Novembro é dia de Santa Cecilia, padroeira dos músicos, aparece sempre representada com um instrumento musical, por exemplo um órgão, ou um violino. A sua festa é celebrada pela igreja desde o século IV. Hoje, em todo o mundo há concertos em sua honra.

Palavras lidas #438

Rolfie, standing and staring

Leisure Poem

by W.H. Davies

What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

Ditto #423

Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.

--Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Numa sala perto de mim #416

Blinded by the light (2019) tells the story of a teen from an immigrant working class family in a depressing town, who finds the music of Bruce Springsteen and is finally able to respond to his calling of being a writer. The potential in every teenager depends on so many things: talent, friends, family background, attentive teachers, accidental events like coming across someone's work and actually paying attention to it.

Foi neste dia #349 (1724)

Há 295 anos morria com 38 anos, Bartolomeu de Gusmão, o padre jesuíta inventor da passarola voadora que demonstrou em audiência real em 1709. Foi perseguido pela inquisição por alegadas simpatias judaicas. Fugiu para Espanha em Setembro de 1724 com intenções de chegar a Inglaterra, mas viria a adoecer em Toledo onde faleceu.

Numa sala perto de mim #415

The Good Liar (2019) tells the story of a dating elderly couple who gets involved somewhat fast, making irreversible choices. The multi-layered past is complex, only revealed as needed, and ultimately comes in the way of current decisions. The intriguing question throughout the movie is whether the good liar is a person that lies well, or a liar who is nevertheless a good person. The answer may include neither or both.

Foi neste dia #348 (1940)

The Coventry Blitz happened 79 years ago

O bombardeamento de Coventry foi há 79 anos

Foi neste dia #347 (1969)

Há cinquenta anos partia a Apollo 12 que levaria à segunda missão lunar da NASA, quatro meses depois da primeira, mostrando que aquela não tinha sido um acaso.

Fifty years ago Apollo 12 lifted off for NASA's second lunar mission, four months after the first, showing that that had not been a fluke.

Numa sala perto de mim #414

Pain and Glory (2019) tells the story of an old-ish and very successful film director constantly dealing with pain, remembering the marking moments of his life, and coming to terms with the impact of his past decisions. Beautifully shot and acted. Captivating entering and ending credits with music and visuals that stick in your mind. It's Almodóvar after all.

Palavras lidas #437

Write Me a Love Poem
by Connie K. Walle

Fill it with my favorite
flower and perfume,
a glass of champagne,
a bite of caviar.

Whisper sweet words to me,
your back turned
to the other people
in the room.

Let your face light up
with delight,
thoughts close to your heart,
you will share later
at a better time and place.

After 30 years,
there can still be surprises.
This is your chance
and I am waiting.

Ditto #422

When a man loves cats, I am his friend and comrade, without further introduction.

--Mark Twain