Umm... Sorry I have to go right now

Not because I want to forget

But I want to freaking disappear

For a while

Italy in lockdown.

[top to bottom: Turin, Rome, Milan, Venice]

straight up vibing 🚬

Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman

1983, Northern Italy. Elio usually spends his summers transcribing music, swimming, dancing, reading. But when Oliver, his dads new apprentice, comes along Elio’s summer is filled with much more than music and reading. His life turns upside down as he falls head over heels for Oliver. In this beautiful coming of age story set in scenic Italy you will immerse yourself in the purest of love stories as they fall in love and explore life before the summer comes to an end. 

–SPOILERS–

This review is actually a bit of a two in one because, on a very rare occasion such as this, I watched the movie before I read the book. Shocking I know. But if you have only watched the movie or only read the book or like me has done both, this review is for you. But before I dive into the book I want to give credit where its due, Timothee Chalamet, and Armie Hammer do a spectacular job of portraying these characters, the mannerisms and the accuracy of their portrayal is so refreshing, especially when movies often butcher the book. It was so cool that they keep the narration style and took actual lines from the book and used it in the movie, it moves at the same rate as the book and gives you just as much love and in-depth emotion that you feel just as drawn in, you long to be part of it with them. I do however have a couple of problems because no matter how good a movie does, there will be differences. First off, the fact that they totally got rid of Vimini, I honestly just don’t see how it could be beneficial especially when she’s there for Elio after Oliver leaves. Two, the scene in the movie where Oliver leaves and Elio’s mother comes to pick him up? Not in the book, which honestly I was a little disappointed about we don’t see much of his mother in the book and I was hoping to see her. Three, Oliver came back. HE CAME BACK. I understand why they made changes for the movie but I do think it definitely took away from the story a bit. But honestly, the directors did an amazing job, something that I cannot often say. End of movie discussion, onto the book! I loved this story, it was such a beautiful romance, it’s such a wonderful self-exploratory and coming of age novel. I love Elio’s character, he’s so complex and his internal dialogue, while he’s interpreting his feelings and his sexuality, is so incredibly well done, it portrays the stigma and internalized homophobia that people were dealing with during this time period brilliantly. The back and forth between the two of them are hilarious but at the same time completely accurate, it’s a summer romance between two young men, but goddamn the amount of sexual tension in this book is immense, I was reading it during school and I often felt like I was doing something that I should be guilty of. But the scenes were so beautiful that it’s hard not to get lost in this beautiful scene that is before. There are so many emotions that come with reading this, it just pulls you in and cleans out your heart and soul. The scene at the book party really had me feeling all the feels, I feel that way so often it felt like Elio was speaking right to me, standing next to me in the crowded, smoky, bookshop, reading my mind. But at the same time that I was painfully relating to this scene I was supremely jealous of Elio, he has this wonderful life and all these experiences and opportunities that I’ll never have access to in modern America. It really makes you long for a time passed. I truly loved the ambling scene although it did get a little long towards the end, this scene really makes you long for a group, that easy friendship that only seems to come in foreign countries or books or movies or dreams. The end of the book though hit different for me. I was so looking forward to Elio confronting his feelings about Oliver but it skipped the goodbye, it really made me sad to think that this was all I was going to get from Oliver and Elio, they were such a great pair and I was so sad to see their story end. But instead of the tearful phone call and a good old fashioned cry in front of a fireplace, Oliver came back, physically, to Italy. It was much more painful than the clean break the movie provided. Having him come back only to tell Elio that he can’t do anything because he’s getting married, it crushed me. This part made me so sad. Not just the fact that their relationship was ending but the town and the house and the story just shifts moods so drastically, it’s so dark and gloomy, the vibes have totally changed. And then he was gone and married and Vimini died and Elio was still in love with Oliver. My god, way to rip my heart to shreds. I think part four is really where it started to get me emotionally. The future is such a scary thing and seeing the changes in people after they’ve had such a strong connection is so painful. But I think it was important that the future was addressed because elio pondered on it so much. It is sad, especially in the last couple of pages when oliver comes back and they’re talking about Vimini and Elio’s father. I do believe Elio’s father was the best possible supporting character I’ve ever read, he was instrumental in making this story as profound as it was, his talk with Elio after Oliver left hit me in the chest like a bowling ball, it was so powerful. But this look into the future, the aftermath of a whirlwind summer and a love that one would forget and one would remember and one that would break my heart was i think the most emotional part of this story by far. This is the type of story, book or film, that makes you nostalgic for a time in which you never lived, a life of which you’ve only known through ink on pages. I can’t express how profoundly beautiful this story is. It is such an alluring piece of literature that I cannot truly express the all-encompassing beauty that it surrounds you with. This book broke my heart into a thousand tiny pieces but in literally the best way possible, I don’t think I will ever fully recover from this book. I really cannot stress enough how much I want everyone to read this book, it was a privilege to read. 

-maren

hellooo, my name is elle. I’m 19 years old from a small island in the Caribbean. I’m in uni studying media journalism. I’m bi. I’m looking for an online friend that I can talk to on the phone or just text and just idk become besties or something because a bitch is lonely 🤧

I’m really into true crime, mysteries, conspiracy theories and yEA stuff like that. So if you like that shit...hmu or if you don’t rock with that as much still hmu it doesn’t matter!!!! I love to read and write but its honestly been a hella long time since I’ve read a book that wasn’t some true crime shit. I want to read more though.

I love music!!!! I can’t go a single day w/o it. I listen to every genre tbqh its whatever sounds good to me???? I really like Lana del Rey though and Harry Styles and I also fw kpop heavily

Feels like, I'm Fucking messed up tonight😔

I don't know what I want, what I look for, and who I am anymore

I watched this movie about 2/3 days ago and I can say that this movie is a MIXTURE OF EVERYTHING!

I'm not overreacting but I'm sure, you'll laugh at the first half, have tears in your eyes for the rest, and cry like crazy at the end! Just like me🥺

ALSO this movie makes me want to have a big brother MORE and MORE.

HOMESTAY (2018)

I just finished watching this movie. I cannot say that this movie is overrated but for me it's cliche BUT it still worth because James as Min make it worth to watch.

fyi. i'm in wuf with this human being for like hundred times today💖

FRIEND ZONE (2019)

Just finished watching this movie. It gives me some good laughs, tears and has my heart fluttering.

Everything on you, worth the wait💖

Thu, August 15

Pukul 10 malam tepat. Aku masih terbaring seperti kemarin. Bagian atas leherku terbelah. Mataku bergetar, namun aku tidak sedang bercanda. Aku tidak mau menyerah pertama. Aku masih 18 tahun dan belum cedera.

Aku belum makan sejak pagi. Bukannya aku ingin memberontak, tapi aku tidak mau memuaskan egomu. Aku akan bisa terbiasa tanpamu.

Wed, August 14

Hari ini aku terus terbaring di kamarku. Tanpa tanda tanya sedikit pun darimu. Ku lepaskan air yang sedari tadi menunggu di pelupuk mataku, tanpa seorang pun yang tahu. Diam-diam menangis tanpa penenang. Aku ingin mengeluh, tapi tak punya orang.

Sekarang pukul 9 lewat 30 malam. Aku mendengar suara dari ujung pintu. Memberi salam namun tak mencariku. Aku sendiri malam ini.

We all need that touch from the ones we love, just as much as we need to breath. But I never understood the importance of this touch, his touch, until I couldn't have it. So if you're watching this, and you're able, touch him, touch her.

"Life is too short to waste a second"

Five feet apart

Ayo saling melindungi dunia masing-masing. Kau dengan kemegahanmu dan aku dengan kesederhanaanku.

I would really like to know what exactly is wrong with me, that makes me so unlovable?

I‘m really curious.

ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

“There be spoilers here!”

Disney misjudged the public’s interest in a “Alice in Wonderland” sequel. “Alice through the Looking Glass” came in second place on its opening weekend and a whooping 70% lower in dollars as compared to the first film. And it received poor reviews (a 30% score at Rottentomatoes"). Even the good reviews sound bad - “"Through The Looking Glass” had its high points, but unfortunately they were not enough to outweigh the bad.“

I saw it and felt there were some fundamental problems with the script that have contributed to the sequel’s poor showing. It turned characters who were previously the “good guys” into not so “good guys” and most of the sympathy directed towards the former villain the Red Queen.

Alice (Mia Wasikowska) returns to Wonderland to discover the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) is now the Sad Hatter because no one will believe him when he says his family is alive - not even Alice! His friends convince Alice to steal the MacGuffin— I mean the “Chronosphere” from Time himself (played by Sacha Baron Cohen) to save the Hatter’s family from death. Although Time warns her that it’s impossible to change time; that if she make a mistake she could destroy all history; and by the way his very life depends on the Chronosphere; she steals it anyway. So basically Alice becomes a selfish criminal willing to risk the universe.

I didn’t think this was possible but Johnny Depp wear even whiter make-up than in the last film.

While traveling through time Alice discovers why the Red Queen has a swollen head. It’s not because of her ego, but because of the cruelty of others.

First, as girls the White Princess stole something and refused to confess and the Red Princess was blamed. When the Red Princess ran away, she fell and hit her head, causing it to swell.

Years later when the King was crowning the Red Princess, Tarrant the Hatter made the crown too small. When it broke - he started to laugh at the Red Princess then everyone in the castle started to laugh. The head of the Red Princess grew even larger.

So the Red Queen became bitter and lonely because of her sister’s lie and Tarrant mocking her.

For most of the film Alice travels through time and we learn about the Red Queen’s past. Time chasing Alice to save his own life. So you have this situation where you should be rooting for Alice but she’s the one creating the danger.

This being a Disney film, everyone makes up in the end and Alice isn’t punished for her crimes.

Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016):

“Alice returns to the whimsical world of Wonderland and travels back in time to help the Mad Hatter.” After being completely dissapointed with the previous movie, I didn’t wanted to see this at all. As I said before, I’m not a fan of Mia Wasikowska as Alice. She’s too boring. However, this girl must had some acting lessons because she’s awesome in this movie. Easily my favorite part of the movie. Even tho the story isn’t about Alice, this time around, she’s the one who has all the fun, lol. Basically, she’s the 1 who’s going to fix everything that’s wrong in Wonderland. There’s a new character in this movie, Time, and he’s hilarious. Definily a great way to give a bit of humor to this movie. Most of the characters from the prequel are back and they remain decent. The visuals of this movie are GORGEOUS. They definily reduced the amount of green screen in this movie, so everything looks a lot more natural and engaging. I don’t know why this movie has a lower ranking than the previous 1, but I definily think this is a stronger movie. It improved in every detail, compared to the first movie. With all of this said, I will give it a 7 out of 10.