Music Inspiration (Top 2000/Christmas)

Christmas for me means family time, sharing, raising the glass and music meaning: Top 2000! ♫ In this blog I'm sharing my love for music before we'll start the most wonderful time of the year! 🎄🎅

Tom about the Nutcracker

I really enjoyed listening to Tom Hiddleston's childhood memories about Tchaikovsky's the Nutcracker  (listen below). I always love to hear Tom speaking so passionate about the things he loves and just imagine Little Tommy listening to a beautiful art of music: aww😍 I really appreciate the classical music and every now and then (when writing) I turn on Mozart or Beethoven, but in today's blog the music mentioned are quite a different genre.. Tomorrow starts an inspiring music program as well, hosted by my very own favorite radio channel. It's called the Top 2000 and just like for Tom Hiddleston and many others, music is a very important factor in my life and in this post I'll want to share my love for these 35 songs I gave my vote to this year.


The Top 2000

NPO Radio 2's Top 2000 is a yearly music list airing from Christmas until December the 31st, 23:59 (directly followed by ABBA - Happy New Year). From the 1st until the 7th of December you were able to vote, filling in a list of max. 35 songs, a hard job because if you ask me, picking only 35 songs is quite a challenge! I called it the most important vote of the year. Some songs are rusted up in my yearly list. However every year there are songs that have a special story, especially for this year and therefore those songs made it to this list. Also that is what the Top 2000 is, looking back on memories born this year before celebrating the arrival of the next year. One of the things I love most about the voting is filling in the motivation of why I chose that particular song. Here's my list of songs I voted for this year.


My Top 2000 list:

(Alright, I'm a bad calculator, but I do know that below are 36 songs instead of 35: the why is explained.)

1. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Maid of Orleans 

If you read my blog regularly, you know I'm a very spiritual person. Last year I heard this song on a spiritual night that had all to do with strong women from the past who have meant something for the world. Maid of Orleans is about Joan of Arc, one of the strong women the evening was about. I recognized the song but I didn't knew who it was. Two months later I heard it in the Top 2000, quickly made a screenshot in the app so that I would remember the name of the song (the artist name is one I easily forget..). It's one of the songs I do listen a lot now and after everything I've grew in the last year, it truly needed to be on top of my list!

It's such a beautiful song, listen here:

2. Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way  

When I hear this, I often think that this song is giving me a message. A message to follow my dreams by simply going my own way. This is something I'm really trying to do. It's something I would advice everyone to do, although it doesn't always seem to be easy. One thing is clear: How hard it's going to be, the path is there! The song seems to come to me on moments I need to be remembered by it. Local coverbands do often play this one a lot and last year I heard Fleetwood Mac live on Pinkpop. Go Your Own Way always hits me, and it does get me emotional from time to time..

3. Guns n’ Roses – November Rain 

This is one of my all time favorite classics. In this list, I will never skip November Rain. It's just such a beautiful song and I do remember the rainy videoclip with the wedding, the funeral and Slash playing the guitar outside the church very clearly. It disappeared out of the top 10 last year, I hope one day it'll be back in it.. Often on family-days when a Guns n' Roses song is playing, people tell a story about little toddler Nicole.. I'll explain that one when we'll reach Knocking on Heavens Door.

Something else, I actually never have seen the original Guns n' Roses live but next June I get my chance when they're standing on Pinkpop, a Dutch festival. So.. who's coming with me?

4. Nirvana – The Man Who Sold The World

I dare to say that I find Nirvana's version better than David Bowie's version. Even though many will disagree, Nirvana surely beats the original version in this music top.. Nirvana is one of my favorite of all times and I just love the Unplugged in New York album. Perhaps this was the album that made me fell in love with Nirvana, even though I knew some of their other songs. Some say: Nirvana is one you hate or love.. Well, I love it!

5. Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song 
Okay, I admit, this song has entered my list the year that Thor: Ragnarok hit the theaters: 2017. I can't believe I had never heard this one before, while of course I knew some songs of Led Zeppelin. We come from the land of the ice and snow! This song always makes me laugh and it reminds me of some hilarious Loki/Thor moments: (Get Help..) It's an epic underrated song. I hosted a intro music quiz (based on the Top 2000) the other day and only one person guessed the artist while nobody knew the title..

This year they have added a function where you can see a statistic of how the song has been doing it during all editions of the Top 2000. See here how Thor Ragnarok made it increase in 2017:

6. Neil Young – Keep on Rocking in the Free World 

You know, you're able to visit the Top 2000 café every year. It's just that with one ticket (they're cheap and sold out fast!), you're allowed to stay for 30 minutes. This was one of the songs that was playing last year when I was there. It's the only one I remember because it was the only real good song I heard in there. I shall always be remembered to that when I hear this song. I used to have the title written on a sticker bought at Pinkpop, it's a great motto indeed.

7. Electric Light Orchestra – Don’t Bring Me Down 

Speaking of great motto's, this definitely is one too! This is one of the songs I have listened to this year a lot, therefore (and because it's awesome!) it's in the list. The beauty of the list is that there always songs in it that have a extra special meaning that particular year. This year I've learned that I'm stronger than I think I am..

8. Guns n’ Roses – Knockin' on Heavens Door 

Back in the days when I was 2 (long time ago, I don't remember it haha) a TV channel, probably MTV aired a daily Top 5. The early 90s seemed to be the years of Guns n' Roses, Mr. Big, Metallica and Ugly Kid Joe, as these were the artists my parents told me I enjoyed to listen to everyday. They sat me in front of the TV, watched me trying to sing along during Knockin' on Heavens door, while obviously all I brabbled was "Ai ai ai".. Even back then, I knew what good music was!

9. Nirvana – In Bloom 

One of Nirvana I've started to appreciate more and more the last two years. Also this one entered the Top 2000 last year. The best version of this song I think is not the regular version, but the version that's on the Nevermind Deluxe album. I don't know, it's just a little different.

10. Led Zeppelin – Stairway To Heaven 
I wished this was the number 1. It's such a beautiful song. Last year Stairway to Heaven disappeared out for the top 3 because of Billy Joel's Piano Man (not a bad song either..) and this year it ended up on place 5. Well, at least it's still in the top 5! The other day my father showed me a video of a version of Stairway To Heaven sung by the singer of Heart. Who thinks women can't sing should definitely listen to this: Stairway to Heaven by Heart

11. The Eagles – Hotel California 
The forever number 2 (however it actually did beat Bohemian Rhapsody a few years ago..). Such a beautiful song, can't skip it!

12. Boston – More Than A Feeling 
According to my father, this is the best song in the world! It indeed is a real, real good song!

13. Lex Uiting – Nao ‘t Zuuje
This is a local song, very local song. It's from the city where I visited the 'vote-bus' (see below). Actually it's a slightly emotional, carnaval (link to the blog I wrote about this subject in March) ballade. It entered the list last year and that gave such a proud feeling. Note: I'm not that crazy of Carnaval, but a little I can have..

14. Elton John – Circle of Life
The Lion King (1994) still is one of my favorite movies and Elton John's Circle of Life always brings me back to the Pride Lands! 

15. Wham – Last Christmas 
It's almost Christmas and my favorite Christmas song can't miss! However this month I have listened to Christmas Was A Friend Of Mine a lot, so I think I have one more Christmas song that enters my list next year!

16. Jason Paige - Gotta Catch'm All (Pokémon theme song) 
Okay, in 2015 this song was voted in due a FB action.. I thought it was funny, as long as if it's not that extreme (Top 10 for example). Yeah I gave it a vote again and that resulted (as usual) in a discussion with my father. "If you can't find 35 better songs.." I might leave it out next year then.. The radio channel has a game 'The Top 2000 Shuffle' in which you get 5 random songs from the last Top 2000. For each song you got to say No or Yes (if you want to hear it) and if you reach the last song, that one automatically will be played. During the voting week they did this game like every two hours. I was lucky enough to be selected for playing the game and I already feared the Pokémon song to be my first choice.. and that was the case! I made the DJ laugh by telling the story about the discussion with my father but I turned the song down.. I went to the 5th song: a Michael Jackson song, not bad.

17. Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit 
Another Nirvana song: Yep, and it's not the last one! The ultimate rock song!

18. Bon Jovi – Bed Of Roses 
Bed of Roses is such a beautiful song. I once said they should play it on my funeral. 

Isn't this beautiful? :

I wanna lay you down in a bed of roses
For tonight I sleep on a bed of nails
Oh, I wanna be just as close as the Holy Ghost is
And lay you down on a bed of roses

19: Europe – The Final Countdown 
In the motivation I wrote this is the perfect nr. 1 for the Top 2000 (instead of Bohemian Rhapsody).. Because of "The Final Countdownnnnn" and then it's 2020, you know.. Never going to happen.

20. Muse – Uprising 
One of my favorite bands of the century! And I think Uprising is their best song. I have seen Musest (Muse Coverband) two times now. Muse is definitely on my list too!

21. Linkin Park – In The End 
Another example of a band from which the singer died way too soon! (a.o: Nirvana, INXS) Spoken of things the singers (Kurt Cobain & Michael Hutchence) have in common, Chester Bennington had such an amazing voice. 

22. ABBA – Waterloo 
Waterloo💓 My favorite ABBA song. Every time I hear it, my heart warms. And of course, it makes me think of my favorite country: England!

23. ABBA – S.O.S 
Also this ABBA song has something special. A few years ago I also had a great night when seeing a tribute-band of ABBA.

24. INXS – Never Tear Us Apart

I remember there were years I had added a lot of INXS songs to my list, some of them never actually came in the list and a few have disappeared last year. The singer Michael Hutchence had such a beautiful voice which is to its fullest in this song. I often say I am born like 20 or 30 years too late because the 80s truly were the years when lots of men had long hair. Unfortunately only a handful have such long locks nowadays. 

25. Michael Jackson – Leave Me Alone

If you have never seen this videoclip, you definitely should. It's a funny one with labradors. Around the time Michael Jackson died, we just had our labrador. One channel aired Michael Jackson videoclips non stop for days. So every time I hear this Michael Jackson song with the labradors in it, it reminds me of my own labrador. 🐶

26. Foreigner – I Want To Know What Love Is 

Just a really beautiful song!

27. Sly Fox – Let’s Go All The Way 

Funny story. This is a song I have heard a lot on the radio, but first the only thing I remembered was the beginning. That's something like: "sham sham zea" <-- googling that, no results of course.. However somehow I found it and when I requested it, the Radio DJ even played it. Unfortunately, the song hasn't made the final list. 

28. Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – World On Fire

As for the motivation for this song I refer to a blog from June: Pinkpop/Music. My highlight of the the Pinkpop festival this year: The rocking sounds of Slash, Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators. I made the choice of going to stand in front at Slash's performance. That's something I don‘t choose to do often, or like ever. (You shouldn't do that at a performance of Rammstein or Rage Against the Machine for example, if you don‘t want to end up in the raging crowds or if you don‘t feel like you‘re standing so secure in your shoes, like me.) Since last year I‘m developing myself by stopping to see my legs-condition as an obstacle. It‘s like they are less a burden now, but of course there are some limits. But standing in front at Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators is not something I regret. I hope to see Slash again next year, when he comes with Guns n' Roses.

29. Nirvana - Heart Shaped Box 

One of the first songs of Nirvana I knew. I bought the single of this song. Unlike the videoclip, the image on the single is quite beautiful.


30. Nazareth – Love Hurts 
Really beautiful song, although some here at home disagree..


31. Ugly Kid Joe – Cats in The Cradle 
It's sad that there's no song from Ugly Kid Joe at all in the Top 2000. This one or Everything I Hate About You should have been in there!

32. Nirvana – Come as You Are 

Here's Nirvana again, you know me by now! I really like this song. As read in the title, this song is about being yourself. Don't pretend to be someone else. And a "No, I'm not going to judge you", perhaps is to read in the line: "No, I don't have a gun", Kurt keeps repeating.

33. Guns n’ Roses – Estranged 

Estranged perhaps is the less known sister/brother of November Rain. Give it a chance, because it truly is just as beautiful! A little lyrics: Cause I see the storm getting closer And the waves they get so high Seems everything we've ever known's here Why must it drift away and die..


34. Led Zeppelin – Kashmir
They made such great music, Led Zeppelin! I'll always enjoy this one for the full 8:30 minutes!


35: Giant – I’ll See You In My Dreams / Journey - Don't Stop Believing
I listed these two songs together because they kind of have the same meaning to me. I voted for I'll See You In My Dreams last year, but it's actually not in the voting list so I chose Don't Stop Believing from Journey instead. Never stop believing in your dreams, it's something I have mentioned in my blogs a lot. Ever since my teen years the song Don't Stop Believing came to me on moments when I was about to stop believing.. It's like it's the Universe's way to send me a reminder, a confirmation and it's so beautiful. It's something that gets me emotional too. You know one of my dreams is meeting Tom Hiddleston one day and when he was on the English Radio 2 (betrayal interview) the song Don't Stop Believing was played during that show or after it. And here it comes: Two hours later I switch back to the Dutch Radio 2 and on the very same moment there it is: Don't Stop Believing from Journey!

I would like to share the lyrics of I'll See You In My Dreams with you, see why I have fell in love with it:

Gone, the voice that used to fill the room is all but gone
An echo of a perfect love that ended wrong
Girl, we tried so hard when love was on our side
And yesterday will always be the reason why
You keep comin', you keep comin' back, you keep comin' back for more

I'll see you in my dreams
There we'll be safe tonight, from the lonely days of memory
I'll see you in my dreams, oh

Time, time will never be a friend of mine again
It tries to make your memory fade, but I won't let it end
Let the sun go down, so I can drift away
Let me close my eyes and live another day
You keep comin', you keep comin' back, you keep comin' back for more

I'll see you in my dreams
There we'll be safe tonight, from the lonely days of memory
I'll see you in my dreams, oh

The truth, oh it's there for you to see
Sometimes it's painful to be on your own, on your own

I'll see you in my dreams
There we'll be safe tonight, from the lonely days of memory
I'll see you in my dreams
Back in my arms again, and no matter what tomorrow brings
I'll see you in my dreams, oh, oh, oh

Visiting the 'Vote-Bus':

and I also visited the 'vote-bus' itself, as they had a stop somewhere close. So, on the 6th, just like many others, my alarm went on 6 o'clock and I was traveling to the location on 7:20. The only difference is that for most people if the alarm is set on 6 o'clock, its for work and definitely not for fun.. I'm not traveling towards the café this year, so I really liked it that the bus had a stop close to my home this year. The weather had turned into a December Rain and my feet were cold afterwards.. But I spoke with one of the DJs of the radio and of course scored me a photo. It was definitely worth wasting some sleep hours for! 

I hope you enjoyed my blogpost. And now let's go enjoy Christmas!

And I wish you a..

xx

Nicole

All Good Things Come To An End

All Good Things Come To An End

Last weekend of Betrayal

All things end, but they will remain alive in our memories. The other day Tom was given a portrait of himself to be added on the wall among many other great artists of Broadway's history. Something that he and we all can be very proud of! Tom, you totally deserve this! And yes I'm sure your foster father on the wall agrees that there's room for you on the wall!
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He wrote the most lovely words on his official IG:

Something in a completely different angle, but for me December also is one that brings closure to something that had a huge part of my life the past 6 years. Namely the work I'm doing at the library. The end of a year actually is the best time to end certain periods of your life, so that you'll start the new year fresh, with new adventures in sight. To stay in the spiritual touch, the year 2020 is all about making choices (2019 was the year of speaking) so actually, by making the big choice in 2019, I'm ahead of time!

It's time for something else. Of course being surrounded by books is no punishment, but sort of speak I want to see it from the other side. I love to write and it's my dream to do something more with that! 💙😊 I say this a lot: Stay positive, keep believing in your dreams to keep them alive! (I'm not going to dig deeper on this subject in this blogpost as I already did that in the following blogs for example Think Purple, Think Positive and Dream, Do, Believe, but I'm planning to give this some more words in my next blogpost that has 'music' as a main subject.)

I would like to add a few extra words to Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Cox, Zawe Ashton, Eddie Arnold, Jamie Lloyd and all who are deeply involved with creating the wonderful Betrayal Broadway: After the last performance of Betrayal, you're able to look back at one of the most beautiful experiences of your life, an experience its ending has a high chance of creating the following result: Tears, lots of tears! Oh, they will come, definitely! But let them come, those emotions say how beautiful the journey has been and they will help with the closure. I wish you all a beautiful closure of Betrayal Broadway that you can carry always with you in your hearts 💕!

I've already talked about how ending things in your life is necessary to make room for new things in your life. Things come and at some point they will come to an end. Tom Hiddleston's project of 2020 is all about the Loki Series for Disney+, something many, many of us can't wait for! I‘m already bouncing up and down of excitement for this! So yeah, I say: Let 2020 come!

Lots of love,

xx

Nicole

Zen Blog: Inspiring Quotes and Nature 4

Zen Blog: Inspiring Quotes and Nature 4

I‘m so sorry that it took me three months to do a blog like this one again. I‘m not doing the time-talk again, we know it‘s flying by faster than Thor would⚡ (even before he got fat..). However had added some nature pictures and quotes in some of the blogs I published in August and September.

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Aren‘t we all bouncing in a circle up and down? The one moment we feel great, the next moment we‘re caught in a miserable mood. Perhaps that‘s what they mean with 'Circle of Life' in the Lion King. (Kidding..) Speaking of the Lion King, remember Hakuna Matata (it means no worries for the rest of..🎵)?  Recently I got a tip from someone. He said something among the lines of: "If you‘re burdened with stress or you are worrying about something, throw some rocks in the water and watch the circles. Pretend that the disappearing circles mean your stress/worries and let it carry it away!" That‘s truly a wonderful advice. I knew that there‘s a large pond around my hometown somewhere I had never been before. I tried to find this a few months ago, but I don‘t know where Maps was sending me too. Not there, definitely. It was a great walk though, crossed a dog 🐶that lives close in the era (I was worried about him walking around there on his own, but people told me it‘s the dog‘s nature for as long as they remember) who joined me the whole time and actually helped me find my way back from the nowhere to the living! However, the other day I decided to give it another try and took my bicycle with me because it was actually quite the walk.. This time finding it took me no effort, so I decided to follow the guy‘s advise. And for me this really worked. I had two things on my mind that I wished the universe solved for me. Small things, but enough to spoil my mood for a few days.. Anyhow, the next day both of those 'problems' were solved.

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Somehow I‘m always drawn to take a picture of the sky. It‘s always the question how a picture like that turns out because I can‘t see the view when looking right into the sun..

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The above is a zoom-in of the previous picture. I did captured a light blue energy in that particular picture I took. You can tell me it‘s an effect of the sun, but I‘m too spiritual to believe that! 💙

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Hey, what‘s that in the water?

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Quotes/Inspiration: 

 

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These days here it‘s raining a lot. One of the themes of this blog post perhaps is water.

You can‘t live without water, nature can‘t live without water. Every time when the rain spoils your mood, think that nature which is still recovering from two dry summers (here that is..), needs it a lot!

I do, I do!

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A sign of Infinity

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You are stronger than you think..

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End the blog with some Hiddles vibes!

I know I have used this Tom Hiddleston quote earlier, but you can‘t share a lovely quote like this enough!

I like to write down small quotes or save images in small note books. Every time I open this small blue notebook Tom Hiddleston‘s quote magically creates a smile on my face. 💙😇

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I hope you enjoyed this blog,

Love,

xx

Nicole

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Sources: Rituals, Flair Magazine, Flow Magazine, Tom Hiddleston

Random

Random

+ a little inspiring!

I almost can‘t keep track of all new Tom Hiddleston content, but I‘m not complaining because I love to see and read all his lovely interviews. I just watched this one from Playbill, however watched.. make that listened because unfortunately the video was black..

Also I‘m very pleased about the fact that Tom is posting a lot on social media lately!😊

He took a beautiful picture of the New York Times article. It‘s stunning and I love the shade below the plate! 

This interview by Josh Horowitz (Personal Space/MTV) was so lovely. I love it when Tom talks about the Loki Series (which will be 6 hours in total)! There‘s so much chemistry between Tom and Joshua. I totally can relate to a comment I read below the video, it said: "Just make Josh Horowitz the official Tom Hiddleston interviewer!" 


The Loki Series:
"The journey you and I are on isn't over just yet. In fact, it‘s only just begun!" - Tom Hiddleston
(Tom, you know just to drop the right words. This was exactly what I needed to hear!)

From Thursday to Saturday I‘m a weekend off. (This picture of Loki with a bag suits my situation haha.) I will be traveling in my own country. If this works fine (sure it will), my next step is to travel to England on my own. 😇


I‘ll end this blog with a few random pictures I had saved on my phone/computer, so for a bit this is a inspiring quotes/spiritual blog post after all. 😇

Amen!

And the right way is the way that feels right for you!

Got a big dream? 

It doesn't matter how big your dream is. Wish for it anyway. The wishing well is big enough to grant us all our big wishes, as long as they truly are what your heart desires!

Aww! (So that‘s how Disney came up with Winnie the Pooh😋)

Lately my drinks (coffee or in this case, a smoothie) are giving me a 💗.

I read this was in Japan, I thought it was heaven!

😊 💓 😇 ✏ 📕

 End with a quote of Tom himself:

The Lion King/Scar talk

The Lion King/Scar talk

And a little bit about Mamma Mia 2 & Rush..

This blogpost will perhaps be in stead of my monthly inspiring quotes blogpost. Writing is something I love to do and always films give me a lot of inspiration. I let my dreams lead my life. I start with my blog/review about The Lion King with showing my love for Disney‘s character Scar, switching to 'Scar‘s Reign', another story I enjoy writing. This week I also saw Mamma Mia 2 again and this movie is an inspiration to follow your dreams. Let that be one of my motto‘s.. Do what brings you happiness!

It‘s no secret that Tom Hiddleston, with bringing Loki in my life, has inspired me this much in writing (& sharing it) and in to believe in my Dreams. So perhaps it‘s not strange as I say the following: For me Tom/Loki is the Circle of Life!

The Lion King

Summer 2019: Where are we going? Let‘s go to the savannah of Africa, on a safari among the giraffes, zebras and last of course: lions! But you don't really have to go that far this summer (depends on where you live of course..) Just with one single cinema visit you are there! I think you have read me by now.., I'm talking about The Lion King! This summer you can watch the Disney lions Simba, Nala, Scar and Mufasa lifelike in 3D! Obviously they cannot escape the weird bird Zazu, the giggling/drooling hyenas and the comic duo Timon & Pumbaa can‘t be missed too!

The original Lion King from 1994 was a big blockbuster at the time and I think with this version it don‘t be much different. The Lion King already is one of Disney most successful franchises for years. The musical, which stops this summer here in the Netherlands but has been playing non-stop in London and in New York for years, remains a great success.

As for the Disney Remake Live Action films there‘s always the question whether it actually works just as it did in the original. The story of The Lion King is one you should definitely not add too much changes in , Disney also hasn't done that except for some expansions and some small things. Where I believe this version of director Jon Favreau rocks in, has everything to do with the breath-taking real-looking shots. The African landscapes are absolutely stunning to see and I particularly was impressed by the scenes that showed the starry sky. During the nature scenes, pay attention to the details. I must admit: The talking and singing animals are a bit of a strange sight, but of course a Lion King movie without the well-known songs is a no go! The intro is again very amazing. During the first part of the film, the cute cubs totally steal the show. The first look on baby cub Simba was without any doubts definitely an "aww moment". The Lion King from 1994 really is one that pulls your tears out! The expectation is that not everyone will keep it dry while watching some scenes in real life. However even though they look more real, I thought they didn't had the same emotion as in the animation. I thought the interaction between the animals (especially during action scenes!) looked epic (,especially on moments where they weren‘t speaking or singing haha). The home front of Timon & Pumbaa was designed to be a bit more detailed and it got more residents, that also caused some nice effects.

English version

Disney chose to let James Earl Jones return (Mufasa) as the only one of the original voice cast. People now are wondering: Why just him? A few of the missing ones are Rowan Atkinson (Zazu) & obviously Jeremy Irons, who with his English accent, really brought Scar to life. He even appears to have shown interest in this remake, but Disney chose actor Chiwetel Ejiofor to crawl into the thin skin of this lion. However he wasn‘t bad and "Be Prepared" sounded very entertaining (too bad they shortened the song, but that‘s not his fault), but it really is no match for Jeremy Irons' performance! And concerning Beyonce (Nala), the opinions are quite different. The new song "Spirit" sung by Beyonce doesn‘t sound wrong but for me certainly didn‘t reach the goose bumps level aka "Circle of Life" & "He Lives In You", although there is also a bit of nostalgia attached to that. By the way the song that you hear during the credits is called "Never Too Late" from Elton John. Timon (Billy Eichner) & Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) provide the necessary humor. This works out very well and Seth Rogen makes Pumbaa a popper! Laughing moments guaranteed!

Dutch version

The original Dutch Lion King is really nostalgic for me. That's why I thought it would be nice to also view this Dutch version. Although again it is not comparable with the 1994 version, I am sure that children will be impressed. Personally I had to get used to the voices but this version certainly did well in the songs. Hats off to the young talents who took care of the voices of the Simba & Nala cubs. They do an honour to the Dutch version of the song "Just can‘t wait until I'm king!" On moments I couldn‘t tell if it sounded any different than the original. Actor Jurgen Theuns also emerges strongly in this song as the silly bird Zazu. Scar was voiced for this version by Marc Jonkers. Also in the Dutch version of 1994 the voice of Scar (Arnold Gelderman) totally gave you the shivers, so the expectations for the voice of this evil lion is also quite high here! One moment, Jonkers‘ Scar sounded like an old lion, but when the tense music plays in the background (sometimes this was too loud to properly understand all what was said), it suddenly jumps over and he sounds pretty frightening. Scar’s own song is also very well sung. Against that, I am less enthusiastic about Mufasa (how is it possible with James Earl Jones in the original version!), The hyenas and Rafiki. Timon & Pumbaa are again spoken in by Belgian actors, which makes the fact that they come from another piece of land more alive.

In addition to the few changes in the story, Disney has given the animals a more realistic look to make the film appear more natural. The character who definitely looked the most unrealistic in the cartoon was (I just like to address him too often!) Scar with his black mane and orange-looking fur. That Disney chose not to stick to that look completely seems actually quite logical. However, you can still tell the difference between him compared to Mufasa & Simba. Of course the scar, from what he owes his name, can‘t be taken off! By the way, do you know there‘s a book that tells a part of the past of the 2 brothers? This book is called A Tale of Two Brothers. If Disney ever wants to make a Lion King movie again, I hope they prefer this prequel (in cartoon form!) over re-making Simba’s Pride!

The Lion King will no doubt be the cinema hit of the summer! The temperatures of Africa have already reached us (The Netherlands, 41 degrees on the 25^th of July!) and it‘s quite ironic to say that by a cinema visit to a film about these hot landscapes, you can go for cooling down. The Lion King will bring many of us back to their childhood. Don‘t be ashamed to sing along with nostalgic songs such as "Can't Wait To Be King". Go there with your group of friends and from experience I say that it might lead to do "mini Lion King dialogues" among each other. Maybe you visited the original film with your parents and you like the idea of repeating that tradition with this version? The Lion King is suitable for children 9 years and older. Simba is laughing at you!

Scar‘s Reign

I think Scar/Taka is a character Disney could have do more with. A few years ago I started writing a story a little based on The Madness Of King Scar scene (both the deleted scene of 1994‘s film and the musical version), but also I like to dig deeper into his past. This story is called Scar‘s Reign. I originally wrote this in Dutch and I‘m busy translating it, which also gives me new ideas for the continue. I just posted 'The Lead Huntress', a chapter I very much enjoyed writing. And for a upcoming chapter called 'The Madness of King Scar' I really stepped into that chaotic head of him. (I like to work with the italic font to reveal certain thoughts of the characters, but to truly show how chaotic his mind truly has become, I've written TMOKS in his perspective completely.) If you are interested in reading my story, here are a few links:

Scar‘s Reign (FanFiction.net)
Scar‘s Reign (Archive of Our Own)
Wattpad 


This is the story‘s original summary:

"This story based on 'The Madness of King Scar' & 'A Tale of Two Brothers' is, what‘s revealed in the name, about what happened after Mufasa's death and Simba's disappearance. The story starts years after that. We all know that Scar took over the Kingdom. But what happened during Simba's absence? And after that? What's life like on the pride with Scar? What's in it for the future for Nala, Sarabi and the other lionesses? And how's Scar holding up as King himself? Scar/Taka is such an interesting character to write about and with this story I‘m deepening myself into his chaotic mind. Also there‘s a closer look into his past as Taka, as it still hunts this black maned lion. Is Scar able to deal with all these 'ghosts' of the past? Is Taka still hidden somewhere inside or is our pal truly destined to be doomed? - The idea of this story actually also has to do with the fact that I wanted to be able to live the scene 'The Madness of King Scar' completely from his perspective."

Mammia Mia 2/Rush

Spoken of cooling down.. The other day it was around 35 degrees during the open air cinema with Mammia Mia 2 (if you are in need of finding inspiration for following your dreams, this one, Midnight in Paris (one of my favorite non-Loki Tom Hiddleston films) or Letters to Juliet I can recommend you.) Luckily this film had lots of goosebumps moments to cool off. Hopefully it's less hot during the showing of 'Rush' since this film with Chris Hemsworth has the opposite effect. (While I write this, I hear the F1 Grandprix from Germany in the background. The race is a bit of a problematic rainy race, oh yes I‘m looking forward in seeing this film again!)

I love the music of ABBA and when hearing Waterloo my heart just warms. Last week I also heard it when a local band played it. Waterloo, Go Your Own Way, See You In My Dreams, Don‘t Stop Believing, only a few of the songs that make me touch my heart. Also a film which concerns your own dreams, is expected to touch you. In Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again young Donna is turning the wheel in her life by with traveling she begins her adventure. Traveling is one of my dreams. "Follow Your Dreams, You May Be Surprised Where They Lead You", is a lovely inspiring quote and I got a few places/countries on the list. Freedom is important and that I‘m seeking more and more in my life. You know, there‘s so much to discover in the world, but also discovering yourself more. When you take a step sort like Donna did, you‘ll grow and you discover that you can do much more than you perhaps thought you could. Another dream of mine is having a family. Films don‘t often make me cry but all baby/pregnancy scenes hit me every single time! I once wrote my dream this way: 'My dream is to hold my new born baby for the very first time. When imagining this happening, the warmest feeling fills my heart.' (Unlike Donna in this film, I wish to know who the father is..) And I believe that whatever your dream is, you got to hold on to it, don‘t let it go. Continue believing in your dream. I know for sure, my dreams are coming true!

Listen to your Heart,
Go your own path,
Reach your dream(s)! 

An older photo of my two favorite words

Tom Hiddleston‘s selfie in New York (Treatment day)

Tom‘s selfie in New York

Tom Hiddleston Treatment Day: Tom is spoiling his fans with stunning photo‘s!

When having a beautiful lovely day there‘s always plenty of room for things that make you feel even better! I had such a lovely positive day and this: posted by Tom Hiddleston himself, only made my day even better!

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Dit bericht bekijken op Instagram

New office. #BetrayalBroadway

Een bericht gedeeld door Tom Hiddleston (@twhiddleston) op 16 Jul 2019 om 9:09 (PDT)

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On this picture I see Tom Hiddleston being totally in his element. His angel like smile just makes me melt! 😇😊He is such a beautiful person and his heart is so pure. This is precious. You are shining the light Tom, NY never was this light hihi 😇

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Today is a good career day. There are some positive movements happened for me today and then as cherry on top I saw this picture of Tom.

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Mis-grabbed this lovely Dumbo plushie at the fairground today,
Tom totally made that right. (I might just buy the plushie somewhere..)

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Photo: Getty Images Cindy Ord

He also visited the SiriusXM Studios today. It truly is treatment day here in the Hiddlesfandom! Again such lovely photo‘s of this talented man!

Photo: Getty Images Cindy Ord

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Is it okay if a post has two of the same pictures? If it‘s Tom, of course it‘s okay! His eyes are sparkling, his light is shining. This is our lovely Tom and I can‘t be more proud at him! I wish him and all involved best of luck and a great time during Betrayal Broadway in New York!

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