From Hell...

Don't worry, the title is not reflecting a gloomy attitude or some sort of depression attack!
Let me explain it to you:

Last night, my flatmate and I went to the Jack the Ripper walk.
I don't think I ever mentioned my fascination for the Victorian killer on here. Well, there you go: I nourish an avid curiosity for this mystery. I've read books, have seen documentaries and done this walk once in the past.
My flatmate is soon moving out to another country where they certainly don't have a walk like this one!
So, before going, she wanted to step into Jack the Ripper's shoes!

We went for the serious, only facts and history one.
This one ---> http://www.jacktheripperwalk.com/
I have to say I loved it! You get to discover all there is to know about the victims, how they were atrociously murdered, where and when and you get to see a few streets that are left practically untouched since 1888 (of course, now, there is pavement, light and the prostitutes are gone...Like our guide said "this part of London is even trendy now").

Our guide was a fantastic story teller and, I have to admit that I was happy not to be alone on these streets: they are spooky, dark and (I do believe that places can have a memory) were the witnesses of awful murders.
More than about the Ripper and his unfortunate victims, you will have a good historic view on what was life like in 1888 in Whitechapel; well, if you were a woman, at least!
My flatmate and I thought about where and what we would have been if we had been living in 1888. For the anecdote, my flatmate would be up in North England, working in a mine and I will be in Belgium, working in a mine as well. We'd both have as many kids as physically possible and would be coughing our lungs out. In a word, we'd be dying...Interesting prospects, huh?!

My only regret is that we didn't get to have a drink in the famous pub where all the victims had a drink: the Ten Bells. Again, that place must have quite a heavy atmosphere and I would probably - well, let's face it - pee in my pants (yeah, I'm scared quite easily, I guess!).

What is trully great about this walk is that it gives you food for thoughts: we were elaborating theories on the way home! Who was he? Why was he never caught? He stopped (serial killers never stop killing unless something happens to them) so what happened to him? Was he wealthy and literate or was he a poor butcher? Was he living in the area?
What I can give you is this portrait the FBI made for the hundredth anniversary of the killings (yeah, that's a weird "celebration"!): he was a man, aged 27-34, living in the area and with a good knowledge of anatomy, meaning he was probably a vet or a butcher.

I hope you will want to take this walk as well, as it is interesting, fascinating, intriguing and, well, honestly, it's terrifying!

Now, good people, I have to go watch some documentaries on youtube...Sleep well!

Miss DiversiT

From Brussels to London

Hello to you, fellow reader!

I haven't write in quite a long time... Lots of things changed since my last post.
First (and most important) change: I've swapped cities! I was living in Brussels and I am now living in...wait for it...LONDON!
I've been wanting to live here for a while but didn't have the balls to actually do it. Then, about a year ago, it felt like things were falling apart and I decided it was the right time for a fresh start.
So, here I am! It has been stressful and, I have to say, I have cried a lot, being invaded by anxiety: what if I fail? What if I can't adapt myself? What if that? What if this? You know the song.

Things happened very fast which is great because I didn't have time to sit down and think. Whenever you're doing something big, something important and life-changing, don't think too much, just go for it!
I've been living here for 6 weeks now and I love it!
My life would be perfect if I had a job and/or a boyfriend (but that's coming, I can feel it!). I'm living in a nice area, with my dog (of course, he's mine so he had to come with his mum!) and I spent my days sending applications and reading. I have already found a pub which is now my favorite one and I'm used to go for a Sunday walk with Spot in either Hampstead Heath or Primrose Hill (this is a picture of my little weasel in Primrose Hill :') ).

In a word, things are going smoothly...

All I need now is an exciting job: that wil make things even better! And a cute British boyfriend to take me out and have a nice cuddle (he better hurry up; it's starting to get cold!).

I'll try to get back to writing as well; this blog is now some sort of virtual CV. Still, I won't change my writing and will keep it light and funny :)

Wish me luck, guys!

MissDiversiT

Miss DiversiT is a great romantic…and movies are to blame!

That’s something you probably ignore about me…I’m a real marshmallow! I’m desperately romantic and sometimes, I am really cheesy. This situation often plays tricks on me as I tend to live in a wonderful world where people have values and men know how to seduce a woman without being rude or too bold. Talk about being adapted to the 21^st century…ha!

I blame the movies because they’re the ones that taught me about love. Like “Love Actually” where Colin Firth learns Portuguese to be with the woman he’s falling for and, as everything is always perfect, she learns English; you know, just in case! Or “Notting Hill” where Hugh Grant bumps into Julia Roberts who’s a huge film star…A glass of orange juice and love is in the air.

Even when things go wrong, films let you think there’s a way out. In “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”, Jim Carey want to erase all memories he has of his former girlfriend but, during the process, he realises that, even though it is painful to remember, he needs to keep and cherish his souvenirs. Or “Romeo and Juliet” (which is a book turned into several films – I’m talking about Baz Luhrmann’s version) where they tell you that love is so strong that it is better to die than to outlive your soul mate.

During years and years, I’ve witnessed that Hollywood version of love and I fell for it! Thing is, the world doesn’t work that way and love is not what it used to be anymore. Now, guys whistle at you in the street and if you don’t response, they insult you. And frankly, what do they expect? That girls will turn around and be flattered?! When you meet someone new who’s attracted to you, he’s not going to talk to you…No, he’ll add you on Facebook or follow you on Twitter! Besides, who need talking? You just go to a club, dance in a suggestive way and some random guy will come at you and…offer you a drink? Ask your name? No, he’ll just dance glued to your body, expecting a kiss and a one night stand.

But I won’t change my vision of love; I can’t act like I don’t care, like this is not important. And, even though this may take time, I’m sure someday somewhere I’ll find a guy who’s been raised with the same films as me and who has the same vision of love. He’ll be a gentleman and I’ll be a lady and we’ll be happy together ever after… :D

Miss DiversiT

How Miss DiversiT almost drowned

When I first saw “Titanic”, it made a huge impression on me. So huge that I still remember the date of the screening (it was on the 17^th January 1998 – I still have the ticket, if you want a proof!), that I didn’t cry in the theatre, that I’ve considered becoming a historian. I had just turned 13 and, beyond the beauty of the film and the dramatic true story of that unlucky ship, I fell in love with Leonardo DiCaprio… I even, and don’t you dare judging me, see him as some sort of ex-boyfriend. I’ve loved him thaaaaaaat much for about 3 or 4 years. Then, reality hit me: I’m not a model and, therefore, Leo won’t ever even look at me…

But that’s another story, back to the review!

Two weeks ago, on Saturday the 14^th April 2012, the world commemorated the 100^th anniversary of the sinking. And, as I wanted to do something special too, I’ve decided to go to the movies and see “Titanic 3D”. Honestly, what a great-kinda-sick-way to remember what happened?!

At this point, you have to know that, ever since that first screening 15 years ago, I’ve managed to cry and sob every time I’ve watched the film. So, I knew and I had warned my friend: tears would stream down my face!

10 pm, room gets dark, 3D glasses reinforce that feeling of being alone in a room full of people (no, no, I’m not quoting Rose!), film starts and that music gets me immediately, just like if I had been punched in the stomach…And I shed a few tears.

Feels like it’s going to be a loooong and sad evening! The 3D is great in this case because it gives perspective to the ship and it helps you realise how big and impressive the Titanic must have been. It also make young Leo totally gorgeous and I’ve surprised myself trying to actually touch him, with my hand awkwardly held ahead of me.

We all know the story: Jack and Rose meet, they fall in love. She’s stuck in a life that others decided for her; he’s a poor but very gifted artist. And they decide to run away together when the boat will arrive in New York…but destiny, fate, God, a freaking iceberg says “NO” and the ship hits a huge pile of ice, floating in the middle of the ocean.

The ship sinks fast; people are stuck, killed, drowned, frozen. And Jack, our wonderful lovely Jack who was offering Rose a whole new poor yet happy life, dies. He’s turned into a popsicle and Rose is saved. She arrives in New York and gets Jack’s last name, as a proof of love and a thank you.

Now you’re wondering “where did she start crying?”…Well, when the Titanic hit the iceberg: I’ve looked at my watch and thought “A hundred years ago, all this happened for real. Real people saw that unsinkable ship rise in the sky and disappear in the cold waters. Real people fought for their life and eventually lost the battle.” All that overwhelmed me and I cried, cried cried until I thought I wasn’t even able to produce another tear.

I’ve held my loud sobbing until the moment when Rose gets back on the Titanic, back to Jack. Then, I’ve lost it and…apparently, the people in the theatre started smiling and laughing until they realised I wasn’t stopping…

I should feel embarrassed but I don’t: I’m really sensitive and the whole thing would have made cry a stone or a potato! I only feel bad because my friend got scared I was actually drowning into my own tears…

Miss DiversiT

Never let Miss DiversiT go…

I have to confess that I do have a Tumblr. It’s just for fun, really and sometimes it does make me discover stuff I absolutely didn’t know about. Like Toms (they are not sold over here so I’m going to London to get a pair, it’s that bad!) or books, movies like “Never Let Me Go”.

I started reading the book, written by Kazuo Ishiguro about two weeks ago. It was unexpected and beautiful. It makes you think and it stays with you after you’re done reading. I’ve even searched for the song by Judy Bridgewater mentioned in the book. Don’t look for it, it doesn’t exist: they made one for the purpose of the film.

Film that I’ve seen yesterday. I thought it was completing the book. It expresses the characters’ feelings in a more explicit way. The book can appear a bit clinical in the way that it’s descriptive of the places and the events. And seeing it on screen gave it another dimension.

“Never Let Me Go” was released earlier this year and I don’t know if it encountered a big success. I know that I first read about it on Tumblr so I guess it hasn’t been popular here in Belgium…

The director, Mark Romanek, gave life to the love triangle formed by Kathy, Tommy and Ruth in a true, honest way. That guy has been touched by the book and you can clearly see it by the way he tells us that story.

He chose great young British actors to impersonate the characters. Keira Knightley, who’s already a cinema veteran, understood Ruth and makes us understand her, which is not easy. The easiest way would be to hate her because she’s mean and manipulative. But that’d be too easy, right? Carey Mulligan is amazing as Kathy. She looks so vulnerable and yet so strong. She’s the one that actually tells the story and the one that’s left in the end. She guides us as she guides Ruth and Tommy. Last but not least, Andrew Garfield was really moving as Tommy. He’s so innocent, so pure. He’s still a kid, naïve and full of hopes. There’s a point in the film (but I won’t reveal the plot!) where he screams…Sounds like not much but, in fact, that scream remains in all memories as the most heartbreaking scream ever filmed! It’s so right, so understandable, so easy to rely on, so true…This is true acting, this is genius!

Some scenes did shock me deeply and kind of traumatized me. Nothing bloody or unbearable, I think it’s just a personal way to react.

I thought “Never Let Me Go” was amazing: amazing actors, amazing scenery, amazing love story, amazingly tragic and touching. Once you’ve seen it, once you’ve found out about it, it’s impossible to get out of it unharmed, to escape it, to let it go…

Miss DiversiT

Miss DiversiT has a favorite movie

I’ve decided to write about my favorite movie ever. We all have one, and just one, that we could watch a billion times without getting sick of it. It’s the movie that you watch when you’re ill and stuck in bed or when you’re feeling down ‘cause you know you’ll feel a lot better afterwards.

I truly think that, while you can adore a lot of films, there’s only one that’s super special. It’s like a love story: it has been love at first sight and it’ll last your whole life and no one will make it different. Actually, this could be amongst the first things you’d want to know about a potential lover!

So, done being all mysterious: my favorite film is….Jurassic Park!

I’ve loved dinosaurs for as far as I can remember. I don’t know why, as it is more a boy thing. And I don’t know why it’s still true today (“Walking with Dinosaurs” – which is a live show made out of the BBC series – was a blast and the closest way to feel like I was on a island with dinos!).

When I saw the film, in 1993, I was 8. My parents, although I don’t remember that part, said I was begging to see it. And, I can tell that it’s the most vivid memory I have about being in a movie theater. It’s the first time I really empathized with a character. I was totally agreeing with every word coming out of Timmy’s mouth! Now, I don’t recall why I was so ok with some stuff but I certainly was.

Did you feel that?

Almost 20 years after the release of “Jurassic Park”, I still watch it like once every two months (and it’s because I have to retain myself – people think I should be grossed out by now) and I know all the lines by heart (in French, though…I could try to memorize all the lines in English :D).

Watching it fulfills my need of dinos and brings me back into that theater, when I was 8 and holding onto my dad’s arm. I still find Timmy adorable and really brave. And, with puberty, I can say that doctor Grant is smoking hot. I also wish I had Ellie Sattler’s legs and Malcolm’s weird growling laugh.

So, now, you know about my favorite movie. Hope you’ll comment and tell me what’s your favorite film ever (‘cause I know there’s at least one person out there reading my posts- don’t be shy, I don’t bite!).

Miss DiversiT

Miss DiversiT trying to seduce you… ;)

Firstly, I’m super ashamed of my absence and laziness…

I’m now juggling with three jobs: secretary, dog-sitter and journalist. The good thing is I think I’m finally getting where I’d like to be. The bad thing is I’m all over the place and not used to deal with all that yet.

Plus – and this has nothing to do with cinema – I’ve been unwell these past three weeks. I’ve got a virus in my ear and it went up all the way to my internal ear, causing dizziness and unstable steps. In a few words: I’ve been a mess lately!

Anyway, let’s get back to our review.

I’ve seen ‘Black Swan’ twice because it felt I needed more than one viewing to get an opinion. I’ve really enjoyed it, although certain scenes were quite chocking to my poor eyes.

Nina (portrayed by the amazing-as-always Natalie Portman) is dancing in a ballet company. She’s a supporting dancer and feels that, being closer and closer to thirty, she’ll never have a career as a prima ballerina. She’s living with her mother, who’s treating her like a little girl and muffling her.

Good news for her: the leading dancer (played by an unrecognizable Winona Ryder) is leaving the company (you see, she’s forty, she’s old, not attractive anymore. Long story short: this is the end, my friend) and the choreographer, Thomas (a strangely pervert Vincent Cassel) is jumping on the occasion to refresh the ballet company. He wants to rejuvenate the classic ‘Swan Lake’ and he needs to find the perfect dancer who’ll incarnate both white and black swans.

Nina, dealing with the fact that she needs to get that part to shine under the spotlights, also has to deal with a newbie joining the company: Lily. She’s her opposite, being light and able to let go when she dances. Nina sees in her a rival and a threat, which puts a lot of pressure on her tiny shoulders, as if she needed it!

Nina, lucky girl, is given the big role. Unfortunately, she’s mentally fragile and she’ll dive deeper into madness due to Thomas’s pushy requirements. To him, Nina is a perfect white swan but not bold and sexy enough to incarnate the black swan.

The end of the ballet is as dramatic as the end of the film. Being crazy can’t be good, can it?

I thought that Natalie Portman was brilliant. She’s always is (or at least, in all her movies I’ve seen). Her Nina is wonderfully fragile both mentally and physically. She takes us with her into her hallucinations and her truncated vision of life. The other big actress in this film is Mila Kunis, who’s astonishing playing the fresh and light Lily.

This films is clearly disturbing ‘cause Nina is already mentally ill when you first meet her. She’s been hurting herself, scratching her shoulder and her mother is really pushing her in a bad way. She’s oppressive and weird. I thought she was as crazy as her daughter.

I really enjoyed the scenery and you’ll definitely be surprised by some twists in the scenario. The actors are great, the costumes are beautiful and the end is dramatic. If I had to say something bad about this film, it’d be that too many questions remain unanswered.

It was brutal and cruel, but I think that it sticks to what could happen (or truly happens) in a real ballet company. After all, life is like dancing: it’s hard and painful, but satisfying…

Here's a little youtube video :

 Miss DiversiT