Fifty Shades of Blue

Forgive me for exploiting a rather popular title, I just thought it would grab your attention more than if I just wrote 'Blue.'

Aside from relating to sea (and this is after all a surf blog of sorts) blue has been a theme for the books and movies I've watched recently.

This is by no means a current review as most of these movies/book have been out years. To me their date is irrelevant they are just great stories about people who you'll identify with.

I whole heartedly recommend you read/watch all.

THE BOOK

The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz

The Blue Sweater is a book of hope written by a practical realist who won't hear 'no' for an answer...

Jacqueline Novogratz is a force to be reckoned with. She started out as a successful international banker on Wall Street who gave it all up to spend her life on a quest to understand global poverty and how to overcome it. After years spent in Rwanda and various other developing countries she started the Acumen fund which empowers poor people through encouraging entrepreneurship, giving them the resources to change their own problems.

Two words. READ IT!

THE FILMS

A Patch of Blue

This is my all time favourite film. EVER. Made in 1965 it stars the sublime Sydney Poitier as Gordon and the intriguing Shelley Winters as Selena. Selena is a disadvantaged blind girl living in an abusive home, her respite is when her alcoholic Grandfather takes her to the park where she sits all day alone under a tree. Whilst there she befriends Gordon a black man who becomes determined to help her out of her impoverished and abusive home life.

The musical score, black and white cinematography and the powerful acting makes this an all round beautiful 105 minutes - life you'll enrich whilst watching this film....

Blue Valentine

Starring Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling this film makes you uncomfortable. Its kind of a romance, kind of a drama and all in all makes you exasperated with the characters. The fact that it illicits such a reaction out of you suggests its a pretty powerful film.

Antonio and I watched this together and ended up having a big discussion about it afterwards - it gets under your skin. I've always kind of liked Michelle Willams for being a bit of an indie darling, I've liked all of her films I've seen her in and again she proves herself in this film. Ryan Gosling's character pulls at your heart and seeing him with a receding hairline helps you appreciate that he's actually a really good actor (not just a pretty face). Watch this film!

Rory O'Shea was here...

Filmed in Ireland 'Rory O'Shea was here' stars James Mcavoy, Romola Garai and Steven Robertson. The story revolves around two disabled young men who strive for emotional and physical independence in defiance of 'protective' institutional living and societies attitudes towards disabilities. This film challenges everything you think you know and feel about people living with disabilities and should be watched precisely for this point. It is hard not to fall in love with the characters and I defy anyone not to get a little emotional watching it...

Crybaby

You wonder throughout this film why on earth you are watching it but then all of a sudden the credits roll and you realise you've kept it on. There's cheesy songs, strange characters and lines that'll make you cringe but somehow this doesn't put you off. Apparently its Johnny Depp's break out role and everything about it suggests Johnny was heading towards a Tim Burton hook up. Its wacky, zany and makes no sense but I can bet you'll laugh and maybe even enjoy it.

For nonsensical fun which will make you question everything that you think you know about yourself - watch this film!!

*also stars a very young Riki Lake!

Well with the weather being so unpredictable maybe some back up plans to outdoor ones will be just the ticket. Consider these films/book your backup!

I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions so let me know what you think :)

Peace, good karma and all that jazz

Sophia

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