“Blade Runner 2049”, a perfect replicant with a beating human heart

The sequel to the cult classic film that has invented Cyberpunk has been out for more than a weekend, and something strange is happening. Critic reviews were incredibly positive from the very beginning, audience response seems generally very high, and yet its box office results are somehow below the expectations, so much that the studio […]

How I almost joined the Illuminati by answering an email

Have you ever wondered what happens if you answer to those annoying spam emails? No, not the type about penis enlargement – that strangely enough, dropped to a minimum for me a couple of years ago. I suspect some algorithm knows I got married in 2015. I am more talking about all those “you will […]

What a story! Trying to understand the heart of the heart of Europe

Our Hungarian friends in Ecoservice were hosting an Erasmus+ training course trying to combine storytelling, nature and political activism. Bára and yours truly were there as trainers. What a Story! was the title. And What a Story it was. Hungary is an island, completely surrounded by Europe. This is the distinct feeling I have, every […]

How I lost & found my Heart in Findhorn – again

The best way to survive an extremely hot summer is to leave home, go to a cold and rainy place, feel miserable and regret it. But also, in the process, have an amazing experience and come back with a legendary treasure. This could be the short (unofficial) description for “The Heart of the Story“, which […]

GOW2: our training course on wellness strikes back

After a period of extended laziness and unemployment in which I was mostly writing about other topics, here I am back with the story of a training course. More precisely, the second edition of “Game of Wellness”. The first edition was very successful, a great experience for all of us involved (here you can find […]

“Dunkirk”: a personal, gripping war story that is NOT a war movie.

Let’s start from what “Dunkirk” is NOT. It ain’t an “epic war movie”. So forget the big action of “Pearl Harbor”, and the hyper realistic blood & gore of “Saving Private Ryan”. The latest movie from Christopher Nolan is also not: – all about big explosions: there are a few, they are impressive, but not […]

Who is Ugo Fantozzi (and 5 reasons why you should care)

Does the name Ugo Fantozzi sound familiar? And what about Geometra Filini? Or Contessa Serbelloni Mazzanti Vien dal Mare? Simply put, we are talking about some of the most influential Italian literature and TV in the post-war era. Which also happens to be absolutely hilarious. Curious? Because you should be. If you have an interest in […]

7 ways Italian food is done horribly wrong abroad

Hello! This time I am back with a populist, stereotype-heavy article, following my most-read-ever post about my life in Prague. Some people were asking “hey, why don’t you write about something you miss from Italy?” – their first obvious idea being food. The thing is, I don’t miss good Italian food. I can find a […]

5 reasons why “Alien: Covenant” is a really, really, really, ridiculously bad movie

As a lifetime lover of science fiction and the “Alien” franchise in particular, I went to watch this one full of expectations, and with the loving adoration that old time friends and lovers deserve. In short: for me, it was a terrible disappointment. And, as it happens when a love story ends, I was left to […]

The Hero’s Journeys in “La La Land”

“La La Land” has been one of the most acclaimed movies from 2016, receiving a landslide of awards including 7 Golden Globes and 6 Academy Awards (well, they thought 7 at first). It currently scores a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critical consensus as: “La La Land breathes new life into a bygone genre with thrillingly assured direction, […]