So I saw that Sex and the City movie and it was okay. Given that I didn’t expect much from it from the beginning and that I had a Mercedes Benz gift card for it and so didn’t spend a single dime, it wasn’t disappointing.

As mentioned before, my cousin L and I went to the 11 o’clock showing on Tuesday and we basically had the whole screen to ourselves. Which was awkward because she and I don’t really have much to say to each other and so there were a few annoying silences.

But anyway, on to the movie. It was just like what you would expect from something called Sex and the City and just like the TV series itself: lots and lots of almost pornographic sex scenes (considering that, in Germany, it’s rated to be okay for 12-year-olds to see it without PG and in the US it’s rated R, this is especially confusing), some pretty shots of NYC and extraordinary apartments and unbearably cheesy and predictable dialogues.

Seriously, what’s with the language in that movie? What’s with the, some love stories aren’t epic novels, some are short stories but that doesn’t make them any less filled with love? What’s with Mr. Big sending Carrie love letters written by great ancient poets? What’s with all the, But don’t you want a big wedding? - Darling, I want you.s?

Everything about the storyline and especially the dialogues was so incredibly cliché!

Although, of course, as does everybody else who saw the flic, I too can’t get over The Shower Scene with Gilles Marini. That was pretty hot, I must admit.

Other than that, go see it with a bunch of girlfriends if you’re really bored and have nothing better to do or if, like me, you get to go for free. Otherwise, you don’t miss out on anything.

(Especially since the shower scene is already on YouTube. You might as well watch it there and skip the rest of the Hollywood nonsense whose sole purpose it appears to be to rid you of your money. But what else is new, right? So, just go watch this on YouTube already.)

Picture source: here. 

It’s a cliché and more often than not do so-called classic movies disappoint in the end because, these days, we are used to all the special effects, the actors and actresses of our time, the technology in the movie and computer-enhanced overall quality - but Casablanca reaches that level with less effort; effortlessly, if you will.

I hadn’t seen Casablanca until a couple of nights ago and from the very beginning I was biased because for one, my mom is a huge Humphrey Bogart fan. Secondly, Casablanca is said to be one of the greatest movies ever made. That’s just the way it is, it’s a fact and it’s well-known and, consequently, I expected only the best.

That said, I am a stubborn person and I tend to question the opinion of the masses with annoying persistency. So, I figured, there are many movies out there that are generally labeled classics and yet, I just don’t get what the big deal is - PROVE ME WRONG CASABLANCA.

And prove me wrong, it did.

From the actors, to the music, to the setting and general scenery, to the subtle humor, to the dialogues and the romance, down to the story itself - it’s flawless. I wouldn’t shy away from criticizing a movie that’s been praised to high heavens by others but in this case, there’s nothing to work with. Casablanca is simple; simply perfect - and yet a gigantic classic.

Although, no matter how often critics say that the end is perfect, I still felt as though something was missing. As if there should be a sequel, and then again, the thought of a sequel makes me cringe because it just wouldn’t work. I guess, the end adds some of the mystery to the storyline and the movie itself.

Truly worth seeing and devouring and adding to the DVD collection. And maybe even worth taking it so far as to buy a poster. Or whichever piece of crappy merchandise makes your skirt fly up.

Picture source: here.

Both Spain and the Netherlands scored big time in their games yesterday and today and I happened to watch both of them; the Netherlands versus Italy (world cup winner of 2006) ended 3:0 and Spain versus Russia ended 4:1. Both games were fast and aggressive and also beautifully played. Some of the players sure did have some shining moments, others couldn’t help but, gently put, trip others up (THAT MEANS YOU, DAVID VILLA - who, by the way, scored three goals for Spain today).

Generally spoken, though, both games were filled with endless love. Both, in case you hadn’t noticed, is a sponsored word in this post and has to be used at least a hundred times. Not really.

David Villa and Fernando Torres (pictured above) had lots of fun and sure brought back the love. It’s always good to see the young guys actually enjoy the game and celebrate each goal.

None of the love-capturing would be possible if it weren’t for all those patient guys sitting by the sidelines with their Canons, shielding the cameras and themselves from the rain during the Spain-Russia game, making sure that Andrés Iniesta’s cuddle time with goalgetter David Villa is caught on… well, online. I told you, LOVE WAS ALL AROUND.

Dutch goal keeper Edwin van der Sar (pictured above with his daughter) is my mom’s favorite player. Her and I always make fun of how worried, lanky and helpless he looks out on the field but he’s actually a very good goal keeper. And after yesterday’s game on the sidelines, celebrating with his kid he didn’t look all that insecure anymore. Beautiful picture, no?

So far, Euro 2008 seriously ROCKS BIG TIME. It’s not like I expected anything less but still. I’m off to watch tonight’s late game, Sweden versus Greece. Such fun!

Picture source: here.