Brothers

I’ve heard Ā quite a few positive reviews of the “Brothers” movie. Ā By chance I got my hands on a copy of it, so I watched.

My feelings about this film are mixed. Ā On one hand, I think that there should be more war movies out there. Ā Pretty much any kind will do – hero stories, the ugliness of war, political intrigue – anything. Ā War is something that people should know more about and think more about. Ā Maybe then we’ll have more peace.

And “Brothers” movie fits the bill. Ā There should be more films like this. Ā It’s just that I didn’t quite get this one in particular. Ā The beginning and middle of the film were nice and engaging, but it got somehow messed up by the end. Ā Or I just didn’t get it. Ā I don’t know.

There was plenty of good acting, especially for the main characters. Ā The score was fine. Ā The dynamics were pretty good, and the switching between the peaceful times and the war zone. Ā The horror of war was illustrated nicely. Ā But, as I said, the ending didn’t do it for me. Ā So I’m sort of lost there.

Overall, still recommended, even with 4 out of 5.

Russia in color, 100 years ago

Big Picture has yet another amazing collection of photographs. Ā This time it consists of color pictures of Russia, Georgia,Ā Uzbekistan,Ā KazakhstanĀ and a few other areas a whole century ago. Ā Some of these images are beautiful. Ā Like this picture of ļ»æNikolaevskii Cathedral from southwest in Mozhaisk in 1911.

When I see things like this, it often makes me think about the church and how it abuses and explores the poor people. Ā It’s not only now, it must have always been like this.

Or here is another picture. Pinkhus Karlinskii, eighty-four years old with sixty-six years of service. Ā Photo taken in 1909.

Just think about it! It’s not a painting, but a photograph, and a colored one at that, of someone who was born around 1825! Ā Almost two centuries ago. Ā Wow!

Sideshow – Cyprus web design company

For years I’ve been complaining about the web design situation in Cyprus. Ā Most web design companies here suck. Ā And most of the websites that they do suck even more. Ā Once in a while, though, I’d mention this or that website that was standing out. Ā Finally, I can mention a web design company that stands out and that makes websites that stand out too – Sideshow.

Yes, like every other company, they have their problems (front page of their website doesn’t validate clean) and they don’t do everything the way I would have done it (they are using Vimeo for videos, not YouTube), but I am still impressed with their work. Ā They use Drupal CMS extensively. Ā They truly know what social media is about, with Facebook and Twitter integrations and team tweets, their own blog, RSS feeds, and more. Ā Their design work is fresh and modern. Ā And their portfolio is shining. Ā Remember, when I was praising the new Cyprus Mail website? That’s the company who did it. Ā They even print their business cards with Moo, what more can I say?

I’m so glad I found them. Ā I have people left and right asking me where to go for a new website, and until now I have been very reluctant to refer them to any of the webdesign companies I know. Ā But now I have a proper reference. Ā And even though I haven’t worked with them personally, I think I am in the position to judge their work. Ā And as I said, I am impressed. Ā Respect!

P.S.: no, this is not a paid ad. Ā I truly am glad and impressed.

P.P.S.: if you are a web designer or web developer in Cyprus, they are hiring. Ā If there is one web company to work for in Cyprus, that’s this one.