Wednesday, August 31, 2016

TV Series: Stranger Things. Season 1 (2016 - Netflix)



ATTENTION TO ALL OF YOU WHO LIVED YOUR YOUTH IN YEARS 80’s: If you liked movies like Goonies, Poltergeist, The Evil Dead, The Thing, Alien(s), Star Wars, ET, Clouse Encounters of the Third Degree, Indiana Jones, It (by Stephen King), and all of you who grow up playing Dungeons & Dragons, you should definitely watch Stranger Things!
But watch it accordingly: At night, turn off your mobile, what’s-app, Facebook, Instagram, blah blah blah, watch as you should watch every movie; with immersion, transport yourself into the adventure, and I assure you, you will remember how it used to be, when going to the movies itself was already an adventure. You will be transported to the 80's and re-live the atmosphere of that decade, even for a while.    
   Stranger Things is a new mini TV Series by Netflix, consisting of 8 episodes. Each episode is almost an hour long, so have in mind that you’ll need almost 8 hours in order to finish it. Personally, I watched all 8 episodes in just 3 days!
   The story is set in Hawkins Indiana, in 1983, and it revolves around the disappearance of the young Will Byers. But as his family, his three close friends and the town Sheriff are looking to find him, they stumble across an unexplainable and a horrific chain of events. And when a mysterious girl named Helen enters the story, everything becomes more complicated and mysterious than before.
  Everything in this series has a wonderfully dark - 80's - feel, starting from the music and the neon letters of the opening titles… As for the songs they picked to play in the background, well… they are just fantastic!
  The kids in Stranger Things, who are actually the main characters, are just fantastic in every single role. Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin aka "Toothless" will most likely become everyone's instant favourite with his harmless look, his geeky personality and his constant swearing. But all the kids are very capable in their roles and bring their own dynamic to their fellowship.
  When I was watching it, it brought to my mind the TV series Wayward Pines, which I have seen a few years before, because there are some similarities to the story. But this one is far better in my opinion.
 If I had to rate Stranger things, I would give a number between 8.0 and 8.5 out of 10.0
                                IMDB’s rating is 9.1 out of 10.0
By clicking on the following YT link you will be able to watch a trailer in order to have a small idea.

Friday, August 26, 2016

SIVERT HOYEM: Lioness (2016)



  For those who are not familiar with his name, I should inform you that Sivert Hoyem is a Norwegian singer/composer, who was the singer of the Norwegian band Madrugada. After the band broke up - following the death of the guitar player Robert Buras - he followed a solo career, and his solo discography consists of 5 studio albums, with ‘Lioness’ being his new release.
  Before continuing, I should mention that I have been a fan of Madrugada since their debut album Industrial Silence in 1999. I have all their albums, plus Sivert’s solo ones, and I have seen him on stage (together with Madrugada or alone) for no less than 8 times. As you can easily understand I cannot be really objective here, but I will try to do my best.
  For those who are familiar with his sound, this album will not come as a surprise. Sivert continues in the same dark/melancholic/tender but also electric style that it has been his “trademark” let’s say. But there are some differences in comparison with his previous works. First of all, the songwriting is improved and the compositions sound more “mature” in a way. In most occasions the addition of piano and strings is helping the songs, giving a new perspective to his music.
  Sivert is an expert on setting a romantic and melancholic atmosphere, and in Lioness he does it again in the best way possible. With his deep voice accompanied with a variety of instruments he captivates the listener from the start, with the beautiful Sleepwalking Man. And that is only the beginning…
  The album is bringing so much that one does not simply be done with one or two spins to get the experience. You will definitely need a few more listenings in order to appreciate what the album has to offer, and "sunk" in the warm melancholy of its music.
  But on the other hand, I have the feeling that the second part of the album sounds “weaker” and that is something I couldn’t possibly explain. Maybe it is just my idea, or has something to do with my personal taste in music.
My most beloved songs so far would be: Sleepwalking Man, Lioness and My Thieving Heart.
                         As for my rating, I would give 3.5 out of 5.0 stars.
By clicking on the following YT link you will be able to listen to the song Lioness and have a personal idea.