Lists – MAMsterdam

Lists Music

7 Songs to Sing at Karaoke

September 5, 2014

Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation karaoke scene

Which song would you like to sing at a karaoke? I’m mostly dissapointed at karaoke bars because I think they almost never have good songs to chose from. In my ideal world, a karaoke bar would have many nice songs to chose from and I would pick these:

Zombie – The Cranberries

I absolutely adore this songs and it fits well with my voice. With this song I always win at SingStar, hence it’s my number once choice.

ironic – Alanis Morissette

I was a huge Alanis Morissette fan and to this day this is one of my favorite songs. Her lyrics and way of singing allow you to get rid of a lot of frustrations, and that’s always a good thing.

Don’t Speak – No Doubt

A true 90’s hit and which girl sung this after having her heart broken?

I Think I’m Paranoid – Garbage

I had to sing this one once with my back-up Garage Band and it was awesome. It was harder than I thought but what was I expecting? It’s Shirley Manson!

One of Us – Joan Osborne

I actually owned this CD and One of Us is the only song on it that I can remember. Is it just me or did women in the 90’s write awesome karaoke songs?

Mamma Mia – Abba

Another instant hit from Sing Star. This is just super fun.

Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’

I have an agreement with a friend: as soon as he comes back from Australia we will sing this at some karaoke bar. Preferably the original version or the Rock of Ages musical version.

Which karaoke songs would you chose?

The subject of this post was suggested by Rotaroots, a Brazilian group of bloggers that long for the good old days when blogging was personal.

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Lists TV Series

5 TV Shows That Affected My Life

August 30, 2014

One of the themes suggested in the collective blogging group I am a part of was “5 TV Shows That Affected My Life”. I thought this was going to be an easy one since I’m a TV series junkie. Guess what? It’s not! I watch way too many series to pick just 5… but I’ll give it a try:

Jem and the holograms

Jem and the Holograms

Awesome chicks with colored hair playing rock songs and saving the world? What’s not to love? If you grew up in the 80’s you’ll remember this cartoon. My sister and I also had the dolls and they came with cassette tapes, with songs from the shows (including karaoke versions).

The X-Files

The X Files

This was the first TV series I started following seriously. I had a big crush on Mulder/David Duchovny and wanted to be Scully. Five years ago, Tom gave me the entire series for my birthday and we rewatched all nine seasons (even the bad ones!).

Friends

I remember staying in just to watch Friends with my sister. If it’s on TV I will still watch it even tough I know most episodes by heart. My favorite characters are Chandler and Rachel and I still want to get the box with all seasons.

Six Feet Under

There are no words to describe this show other than perfect. The final scene will always get me and I cry like a baby. It’s beautiful.

Sex & the City

This series made me realize having friends, female friends, is extremely important. I watched the whole series with Tom (he gave me the shoe box and sat with me through all 6 seasons) and later one with my mom and my sisters. I still can’t forgive Carrie for not picking Aidan

Honorable Mention 1: Grey’s Anatomy

Grey's Anatomy

I still watch it and now the quality has gone down a lot. I miss Burke, George and Addison. It was while I was watching season two and listening to the song Chasing Cars in one of the episodes that I realized I was in love with Tom. So there’s that…

Honorable Mention 2: Law & Order – Special Victims Unit

Law and Order SVU

I love detective series, I love courtroom series, I love controversial themes… mix them together and you get Special Victims Unit. I still miss Stabler (who doesn’t?).

What are your favorite shows?

This post was inspired by Rotaroots, a Brazilian group of bloggers that long for the good old days.

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Lists Places

6 Places I Want to Visit

August 22, 2014

There are many, many places I want to travel to in this vast world of ours, so making a short list wasn’t an easy task. These places have been on my wish list for quite a while now and hopefully I’ll visit them someday.

Ireland

I first fell in love with Ireland when I was 11. We did a school project and each class got a different country. During one month we learned about Ireland’s culture and history. Since then I have always been fascinated by the green mountains, the cliffs and the magical atmosphere of this country. What I’d really like to do there is rent a car and travel to all corners of Ireland.

japan

I must have inherited my dad’s love for Japan. He loves samurais, karate, Zen Buddhism and Japanese scrolls. I started eating sushi when I was 1 year old. I’ve always found the clash of the traditional with modern Japan fascinating.

italy

Tuscany - Italy

It’s probably my Italian blood but I can’t wait to go to Italy (and I really can’t believe I still haven’t been there). Rome, Tuscany, Positano, Umbria, Florence… I want to go everywhere. And, also very important, is the delicious Italian food. If I can believe my Italian colleague (and I do, especially based on the amazing products she’s brought from Naples), Italy has the best food in the world.

scandinavia

Don’t ask me where exactly I want to go because I want to visit the whole region: Norway, Sweden, Denmark… I want to visit the capitals but also the raw nature. Preferably listening to Storm, Ulver and Otyg.

South africa

I have a feeling that, in many ways, South Africa will remind me of Brazil. I have seen beautiful photos, I have read many things and I have heard amazing stories.

bali

The Dutch are fascinated by Bali. Most people I know here in the Netherlands have been to Bali at least once and they all say the same: go visit Bali! Since doing a project about Bali in college and little fire has been lit and I really want to see those rice fields.

And where would you like to go? Which destinations are on your wish list?

This post was inspired by Rotaroots, a Brazilian group of bloggers that long for the good old days.

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Lists Places

Six Places I Want to Visit

August 22, 2014

There are many, many places I want to visit in this vast world of ours so making a list is a bit tricky. These places have been on my list for years and hopefully I get to visit them sometime.

Ireland

My love for Ireland started when I was 11 years old. We did a project in school: every class got one country and during one month we immersed ourselves in the culture and history of Ireland. Since then I have always been fascinated by the green hills, cliffs and magical feeling this country gives. I would really like to rent a car there and travel around.

japan

I must have inherited my dad’s love for Japan. He’s into samurais, karate, Zen Buddhism and japanese scrolls. I started eating sushi when I was 1 year old. The clash of the traditional with one of the most modern countries fascinates me.

italy

Tuscany - Italy

It might be my Italian blood but I can’t wait to go to Italy (and frankly I can’t believe I still haven’t been). Rome, Tuscany, Positano, Umbria, Florence… I want to visit them all. And of course, another important point is the delicious Italian food. If I can believe my Italian colleague (and based on what she’s brought for us from Napoli, I can!) Italy has the best food in the world.

scandinavia

Don’t ask me exactly where I want to go because I want to see it all: Norway, Sweden, Denmark… I want to visit the big cities and I want to visit and see the raw nature. Preferably listening to Storm, Ulver and Otyg.

South Africa

I don’t know why but I have a feeling that, in many aspects, South Africa will remind me of Brazil. I’ve seen beautifil pictures, read many thing and heard many amazing stories.

bali

Dutch people have a fascination with Bali. Most people I know here in the Netherlands have been at least once to Bali and all of them will tell you the same: go to Bali! In college we did a project about Bali and it lit a little fire…

And where would you like to go to? What destinations are on your list?

This post was inspired by Rotaroots, a group of Brazilians bloggers than miss the good old days of personal blogs.

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Lists Music

30 Day Song Challenge

May 3, 2011

So, besides de 30 Day Movie Challenge, I also decided to simultaneously do the 30 Day Song Challenge on Facebook. Here is the result of my song challenge:

Day 01 – your favorite song

Florence + the Machine – Cosmic Love

Day 02 – your least favorite song

Katatonia – We Must Bury You

Ok, this list is gigantic, but I chose the one song I hate by a band that I love.

Day 03 – a song that makes you happy

Bat For Lashes – Daniel

Day 04 – a song that makes you sad

The Gathering – Like Fountains

Day 05 – a song that reminds you of someone

Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars

It’s our song – me & my future husband.

Day 06 – a song that reminds you of somewhere

Moonspell – Alma Mater

Day 07 – a song that reminds you of a certain event

Alanis Morissette – Mary Jane

1996, Metropolitan – Rio de Janeiro
Alanis’ 1st tour in Brazil. My sister and I were standing in front of the stage and we both felt as if she was singing this song for us.

Day 08 – a song that you know all the words to

The National – Slow Show

Day 09 – a song that you can dance to

New Order – Blue Monday

Day 10 – a song that makes you fall asleep

Loreena McKennitt – The Mystic’s Dream

Doesn’t really makes me fall asleep but it wonderful to relax.

Day 11 – a song from your favorite band

Anathema – Fragile Dreams

Day 12 – a song from a band you hate

Jamiroquai – Space Cowboy

I cannot express how much I HATE Jamiroquai.

Day 13 – a song that is a guilty pleasure

Lady GaGa – Bad Romance

Yes, I’m guilty. I have to admit I really like this song.

Day 14 – a song that no one would expect you to love

Chico Science & Nação Zumbi – Maracatu Atômico

Day 15 – a song that describes you

Depeche Mode – Walking in my Shoes

Day 16 – a song that you used to love but now hate

Mika – Relax, Take it Easy

I love Mika and this song but I used this tune as my alarm. Everytime I hear it now I think it’s time to wake up and go to work.

Day 17 – a song that you hear often on the radio

Caro Emerald – That Man

Day 18 – a song that you wish you heard on the radio

Fleet Foxes – Mykonos

Day 19 – a song from your favorite album

The Cure – Pictures of You

Perfect song from a perfect album.

Day 20 – a song that you listen to when you’re angry

System of a Down – Psycho

Day 21 – a song that you listen to when you’re happy

Marina & the Diamonds – Oh No!

Marina is lovely and makes pop music that doesn’t sound like crap. It makes me really happy.

Day 22 – a song that you listen to when you’re sad

Opeth – In My Time of Need

Day 23 – a song that you want to play at your wedding

Johnny Cash – Ring of Fire

Day 24 – a song that you want to play at your funeral

The Smiths – Asleep

Day 25 – a song that makes you laugh

Arrogant Worms – It’s Great to be a Nerd

Have you read the lyrics? It’s hilarious!

Day 26 – a song that you can play on an instrument

Lacuna Coil – 1:19

Since I can’t play any instruments, I chose a song I can sing and have actually performed live.

Day 27 – a song that you wish you could play

Verdi’s Piece from La Traviata – Sempre Libera

Since I can’t play an instrument I chose a song I wish I could sing instead.

Day 28 – a song that makes you feel guilty

London After Midnight – Kiss

Day 29 – a song from your childhood

Neil Young – From Hank to Hendrix

I was in doubt between this or Cat Stevens, but ended up with Mr. Young

Day 30 – your favorite song at this time last year

Angus and Julia Stone – Hold On

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Lists Movies

30 Day Movie Challenge

May 1, 2011

I started this 30 Day Movie Challenge on May 31st on Facebook, but decided to share it here too.

Day 1: Favorite film
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Day 2: Least favorite film
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The list is long… but I think this one beats all others.

Day 3: Favorite comedy
Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain
Not sure if this qualifies as a comedy…

Day 4: Favorite drama
The Hours

Day 5: Favorite action
The Matrix

Day 6: Favorite horror
Interview with the Vampire
I don’t like horror films so this one is difficult and I don’t even know if this qualifies as horror, but I like vampires so…

Day 7: Favorite animated feature
Waking Life

Day 8: Favorite thriller
Black Swan

Day 9: Favorite musical
Hedwig & the Angry Inch
Not just favorite musical, but one of my all time favorite.

Day 10: Favorite foreign film
Run Lola, Run
So, no Dutch or Brazilian movies for me, so let’s go with a German one… but it could easily have been Swedish, Spanish or Chinese.

Day 11: Favorite kid’s movie
The Neverending Story
I’ve probably seen this over 50 times…

Day 12: Favorite love story
Before Sunset (and Before Sunrise)
It’s a tie between with Joel & Clementine, but since I already chose that one as my favorite movie, here are Jesse & Celine.

Day 13: Favorite chick flick
P.S. I Love You

Day 14: Favorite documentary
Capturing the Friedmans

Day 15: Favorite play adaptation
Closer
♥ Clive Owen ♥ Natalie Portman ♥ ♥ ♥ this movie

Day 16: Favorite book adaptation
The Lord of the Rings – Return of the King
I know the die hard fans didn’t like it and a lot was left out, but I simply love the trilogy and especially the last part. I cry every single time. It’s pure magic.

Day 17: Least favorite book adaptation
Memoirs of a Geisha
Awful movie.

Day 18: Film that is your guilty pleasure
Empire Records

Day 19: Film that made you cry the hardest
Hilary & Jackie

Day 20: Movie with your favorite actress
Finding Neverland
the one and only, Kate Winslet.

Day 21: Movie with your favorite actor
Brokeback Mountain
Jake ♥

Day 22: Movie you wish you could live in
Lost in Translation

Day 23: Movie that inspires you
Les Invasions Barberes
This trailer sucks but this movie is incredibly beautiful.

Day 24: Movie with your favorite soundtrack
Vanilla Sky

Day 25: Movie with the most beautiful scenery
Hero

Day 26: Movie you’re most embarrassed to say you like
Titanic
Love it. Seen it many, many times. Cried every single time. A ♥ redhead Kate.

Day 27: Movie with your favorite villain
City of God
Meu nome é Zé Pequeno, porra!!

Day 28: Movie with your favorite hero
Kill Bill
The bride.

Day 29: First movie you ever remember watching
The Wizard of Oz

Day 30: Last movie you watched
Sucker Punch

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Lists Music

2009 Best CD’s

December 31, 2009

I’m not going to make a list of the best CD’s released in 2009, instead I’m making a list of the CD’s that made a difference in my 2009.So, here we go.

Bat For Lashes – Two Suns

It only took listening to Natasha Khan’s voice and I surrendered myself to her. Her voice, the melodies, lyrics… everything fits perfectly. She kicks ass live and I still chills everytime I listen to her songs. Bat For Lashes reminds me of Tori Amos, some of it. My favorite tunes: Moon & Moon, Daniel, Siren Song e The Big Sleep.

Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

I grew up listening to Neil Young and Cat Stevens. Chatting to a friend about this he suggested I should listen to Fleet Foxes. The harmony of the voices was the first thing to get my attention and I ended up listening to their album 20 times in a row. I loved it so much I managed to get tickets to their already sold out concert and had the chance of admiring their talent live. Favorite songs: White Winter Hymnal, Your Protector, Meadowlarks e He Doesn’t Know Why.

Metric – Fantasies

I never really payed attention to Metric., I only listened to Emily Hanes’ solo work… until I saw them live. They are amazing and very energetic. The concert was sold out; everyone jumping, clapping and singing along (something that is rare here in the Netherlands). Beating like a hammer… beating like a hammer… got into my head and stuck there. Emily Haines was inspired by Buenos Aires and Fantasies is an awesome album. Favorite songs: Help, I’m Alive, Satellite Mind, Gimme Sympathy e Blindness.

Mew – No More Stories Are Told Today So

I like all their albums and I have to admit that, until know, this one is the weakest. But even so, it’s a great album by an excellent band. The guys are even better live and their gig was the best of the year. A fantastic sound and magical videos made their performance unforgettable. My favorite tunes: Hawaii, Silas the Magic Car e Reprise.

Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson – Break Up

It’s just a delicious album. Everyone loves bashing Scarlett but I think she’s awesome and her work on this album is good. Besides, with Pete Yorn it couldn’t really go wrong. Favorite tunes: Relator, Blackie’s Dead, I Am The Cosmos e Shampoo.

Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago

I was a bit reluctant to listen to Bon Iver. It wasn’t love at first sight but… after a while I got used to his high-pitched voice and I gave in. His concert was what I missed in 2009. Favoite songs: Blindsided, For Emma, Re:Stacks e Creature Fear.

Anneke van Giersbergen & Danny Cavanagh – In Parallel

This CD is a record of a magical night in which two artists I admired got on stage together. And, like I’ve mentioned before, 5 of the 6 pictures on the artwork were taken by me. Favorite songs:Teardrop (Massive Attack Cover), Jolene (Dolly Parton cover), Songbird e Big Love (ambas covers do Fleetwood Mac). And, of course, One Last Goodbye, sung by Danny.

Florence + the Machine – Lungs

I had already listened to it but without paying to much attention, but since my friend Kinho listed it as his number 1, I decided to give it another shot. Well… it’s been playing on repeat for 3 days straight. I’m sad the tickets to her concert are already sold out. Her voice reminds me sometimes of Natalie Merchant and her sound is a bit similar to Bat For Lashes. I’m glad to see two extremely talented women enjoying success. Florence and Natasha are proof that the’re no need to be blonde and shaking one’s ass to be successful. Favorite songs: Cosmic Love, Drumming, Between Two Lungs e Girl With One Eye.

Others

Corrupted by Depeche Mode has been on repeat since the True Blood video clip. Another song from the show has also stuck on my mind: Bad Things by Jace Everett. Mika was a hit with his pop music and even Lady GaGa gained my sympathy with Bad Romance (I still dislike her fans). Michael Jackson is gone but he left us songs like Smooth Criminal, Beat It e Thriller. Agua de Annique released a weak CD but Adore, Wonder and Home Again make up for it. And Fleet Foxes’ Mykonos was the song I heard most in 2009.

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Lists Movies

2009 Best Movies

December 31, 2009

♫ Florence + the Machine – Cosmic Love ♫

My talent for writing movie reviews has been long gone, but everytime I see Kinho’s lists I get excited. I’m not in the mood of listing the best of everything, so I’m going to start with the best movies of 2009, in my humble opinion.These are films I saw at the movies in 2009. I actually managed to go to the movies 32 times. I should have gone more since I have a Pathépas; I pay 20 euros a month and can go as many times as I want to any Pathé cinema. A ticket usually costs 10 euros, so I think I have a good deal.

Best of 2009

Slumdog Millionaire

I didn’t want to see it, I was tired of the hype. In the first minute of the movie I joined the hype. The colors, editing, cinematography… everything is impecable. It’s the indian version of City of God, but with a happy ending. And there is even Bollywood style dancing.

Milk
One word: excellent. Sean Penn deserved his Oscar and gave a kick-ass speech.

The Wrestler
Darren Aronofsky did it again. The visual style is the opposite of Requiem Para Um Sonho. The Wrestler was, for me, everything Benjamin Button was not: a portrayal of aging. And the acting… amazing.

Revolutionary Road
Just having Kate Winslet in the cast is enough for me. And this is one of the best performances of her career, the same goes for DiCaprio. I like how director Sam Mendes portrays the drama of middle class.

500 Days of Summer
It’s like the tagline says: “It’s not a love story, it’s a story about love”. Sweet as hell.

Inglourious Bastards
Nazis getting their ass kicked! Tarantino directed it, what else? Oh, and there’s cutie Mélanie Laurent and the excellent Christoph Waltz.

Capitalism: A Love Story
I love Michael Moore’s movies. There are many haters, but I like his films. He deals with serious issues in a hilarious way. And you really have to laugh at some of the absurd things shown in this movie, because the only other option is crying.

Antichrist
This is not a movie for the faint-hearted, many people left the cinema. The movie is tough, weird, visually beautiful and has 2 amazing actors.

Nice Surprises

Coraline
Beautiful, colorful and with a great soundtrack.

The Hangover
I usually hate this type of comedy but this movie is really funny, I couldn’t stop laughing.

Watchmen
Awesome editing, great sountrack and critique to modern society.

Whatever Works
Woody Allen all the way. Just the way I like it.

Worst of 2009

Wolverine
The only good thing about it is Hugh Jackman.

New Moon
Vampires that shine in sunlight? WTF?

Expectations 2010

NineWhere The Wild Things Are

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Alice in Wonderland

Men Who Stare At Goats

I Love You Phillip Morris

The Lovely Bones

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