My VIVA YouTube Playlist - 17 November

This is my new VIVA YouTube Playlist, or what VIVA would have played* if it was not ruined by MTV

This week's new entries:

Martin Tungevaag - Vidorra
Topic & Jona Selle - Light It Up
Kraftklub - Wie ich
Clueso - Stadtrandlichter
Selena Gomez - The Heart Wants What It Wants
Alle Farben ft. Graham Candy - Sometimes
The Baseballs - On My Way
Sasha - Good Days
AC/DC - Play Ball
Adel Tawil - Kartenhaus
Lenny Kravitz - New York City
Fergie - L.A. Love (la la)
Tom Odell - Real Love
Band Aid 30 - Do They Know It's Christmas? 

*with a few exceptions  

German Chart Comments - Issue Date 14.11

Germans continue to be crazy about the bass of Meghan Trainor as her "All About That Bass" smashes the competition for a six week in a row. Robin Schulz and Jasmine Thompson have to stall at #2 with "Sun Goes Down", while The Avener returns to the top three, up one, with "Fade Out Lines".
Video - Meghan Trainor  
Video - Robin Schulz
Video - The Avener   

German rock band Unheilig, around singer Der Graf, is showing no sign of losing any fans as new single "Zeit zu gehen" debuts at #6. Apart from the fact that we haven't got a top-ten new entry in a few weeks, the single is also worth mentioning as it not only marks the first release from Unheilig's 8th studio album but also, as the title suggests it, signals the end of the band's career. Their new album and subsequent tour will be the last but at least Der Graf and co. can be proud of already having six top-ten singles in Germany. 
Video 

Within the top 20 Maroon 5's "Animals" is advancing two to #11, while "Back Home" of  Fritz Kalkbrenner is up three to #17.
Video - Maroon 5
Video - Fritz Kalkbrenner

The release of Calvin Harris' new album may have not been extremely successful in Germany ("Motion" lands at #20) but the dance superstar have the honour to simultaneously bring two new hits in the top 30. His collaboration with Big Sean called "Open Wide" is at #22, up from #67, while "Outside", with the help of Ellie Goulding, is at #25, up from #49.
Video - Open Wide
Video - Outside 

A version of "Wolke 7" sung by the participants of The Voice of Germany has caused the return of the track of Max Herre and Philipp Poisel at #33. First time around it reached #6.
Video

"I'm An Albatraoz" of Swedish newcomer AronChupa has already topped the Swedish chart in the summer and now it's time for the song to conquer the German ones too as in its second week it soars from #74 to #35.
Video

Sam Smith's "I'm Not The Only One" rises four to #46, while the second new entry is a cover of Rihanna's number-one "Diamonds" by Australian Josef Salvat. The song arrives at #50.
Video - Sam Smith 
Video - Josef Salat 

The other new entries: 

74. Eko Fresh ft. Sido - Gheddo Reloaded   
Video
97. Foo Fighters - Congregation 
Audio 

The Album Chart 

It's rarely seen for an album to advance to the top of the German chart but when it belongs to legend Udo Juergens it could have been expected as his 42nd album "Mitten Im Leben-Das Tribute Album" becomes only the third one in his long career to reach the summit. German musician  Laith Al-Deen may have been long absent from the singles chart but his success in the album countdown continues and his latest offering named "Was wenn alles gut geht" debuts at #2. Rapper Curse and "Uns" arrives at #5, while the newest Christmas release of Gregorian called "Winter Charms" enters at #6. "The Basement Tapes Raw: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11" of Bob Dylan & The Band is new at #9.

My VIVA YouTube Playlist - 10 November

This is my new VIVA YouTube Playlist, or what VIVA would have played* if it was not ruined by MTV

This week's new entries:

Kwabs - Walk
Becky G - Shower
Calvin Harris ft. Big Sean - Open Wide
AronChupa - I'm An Albatraoz
Beatrice Egli - Auf die Plaetze, fertig, ins Glueck
Herbert Groenemeyer - Morgen (official video)
Echosmith - Cool Kids
George Ezra - Listen To The Man
Avicii - The Days (official video)
Ariana Grande ft. The Weeknd - Love Me Harder
Lorde - Yellow Flicker Beat (from Hunger Games)

*with a few exceptions  

Cinema releases in Bulgaria - 7 November 2014

This week sees Interstellar and The Boxtrolls landing in Bulgaria's cinemas. Interstellar of Christopher Nolan - maybe the most prominent director these days, has been expected since Batman of Christan Bale made his last voyage. Though not all critics are convinced of the film's merits, and by the look of the trailers the movie will probably deliver more in terms of visuals and slogans, rather than in a coherent story, Interstellar would definitely be a fantastic cinema trip. Catch it only on IMAX. 

It's not so often for productions of the British Laika studio to be released in Bulgaria (previous title Paranorman was not so lucky), but from this week The Boxtrolls will enchant children and open-minded adults alike. Though the visuals are not slick enough in the way Disney make them, the film will definitely score in terms of wit, characters and story. 

Also new this week we have US indie horror Jessabelle, which seems to be a useless addition to the cinema calendar. No one is going to watch it here. At the same time Russian film The Geographer Drank His Globe Away is being released in the independent cinemas in Sofia. I managed to watch it during Sofia Film Fest and definitely recommend it. It's extremely funny and simultaneously dramatic and offers a realistic picture on contemporary Russia. On a limited release you can also see Croatia's The Priest's Children and Bulgaria's documentary The Last Black Sea Pirates. Yes, there is plenty for everyone...

The best movies currently on Bulgaria's screens:
(the ones I've watched)
 
1. Gone Girl *****
2. The Nightcrawler ***** (extremely topical, with a terrific turn from Jake - a movie you won't forget soon)
3. John Wick ****1/2 (excellent Keanu, a great adrenaline ride) 4. The Maze Runner **** 5. Fury ****
6. The Geographer Drank His Globe Away **** (Russia's deep province nowadays)
7. The Equalizer ***
8. Interstellar (rating soon)
9. The Boxtrolls (rating soon)
 
Trailer of the week: Release date - 19 December

German Chart Comments - Issue Date 7.11

It's five times lucky for "All About That Bass" and Meghan Trainor as the song is still Germany's most bought single. Up two, and showing no mercy as long as the upper reaches of the countdown are concerned, is Robin Schulz and "Sun Goes Down", which occupies the runner-up slot. Vocals on the track are provided by Jasmine Thompson, who has just turned 14.
Video - Meghan Trainor  
Video - Robin Schulz
  
The top three is rounded up by Sheppard and "Geronimo" still at #3. 
Video - Sheppard

After a slow start, "Auf Anderen Wegen", the great follow-up of #1 smash "Auf uns" of Andreas Bourani, soars some 25 positions to enter the top ten at #8. It is the second single of Bourani inside the first ten. The song profited from a cover version on The Voice of Germany.

Australian singer Sia has already scored three top ten singles on her account but only thanks to her guest appearances on songs of David Guetta and Flo Rida. Now, the time to conquer the chart with her own material finally comes as "Chandelier" rises nine to #10.
Video - Sia 

Up ten to #13 this week we have "Animals" of Maroon 5, becoming the eight single of the US band in the top 20. Also on the rise are Maroon 5's Canadian colleagues from Nickelback with "What Are You  Waiting For" at #15, up five.
Video - Maroon 5
Lyric Video - Nickelback 
 
At #20 Fritz Kalkbrenner edges up one with "Back Home", while Tove Lo continues her ascent with "Habits (Stay High)", up fifteen to #23.
Video - Fritz Kalkbrenner
Video - Tove Lo

Rea Garvey, with the help of Amy MacDonald, advances fifteen positions to #35 with "Oh My Love", while at #42, up from #53, US newcomer Becky G enters the top 50 with "Shower". Also on the rise thanks to its use in a Vodafone ad is "All We Are" of Jonah, this week at #45, up from #57.
Video - Rea Garvey 
Video - Becky G 
Audio - Jonah 

"Outside", the third single of Calvin Harris' latest album, enters the top 50 at #49, up from #84 where it debuted last week. The song is a new collaboration with Ellie Goulding. Calvin actually has another new single, which you can check at #67. Also on the rise in his second week is Sam Smith and his third solo single "I'm Not The Only One". The track climbs 26 to #50.
Audio - Calvin Harris 
Video - Sam Smith 

The other new entries: 
 
63. Jan Leyk ft. Madizin - Gladiators  
Video 
67. Calvin Harris ft. Big Sean - Open Wide 
Video 
74. Aronchupa - Im An Albatraoz
Video
75. Beatrice Egli - Auf Die Plaetze Fertig Ins Glueck  
Video 
83. James Blunt - When I Find Love Again 
Video 
98. OneRepublic - I Lived  
Video 
100. Fergie - Lalove (La La)
Lyric Video 

The Album Chart 

In the album chart  Die Fantastischen Vier score their fifth number one record with "Rekord", while "Bis Hierher Und Viel Weiter", the new album of last year's winner of Deutschland sucht den Superstar - Beatrice Egli is new at #3. The multi-selling LP of Taylor Swift titled "1989" enters at #4 - her best performance so far. The new release of Chris De Burgh named "The Hands of Man" arrives at #8.

My VIVA YouTube Playlist - 3 November

This is my new VIVA YouTube Playlist, or what VIVA would have played* if it was not ruined by MTV

This week's new entries:

Jan Leyk - Gladiators
Faul - Something New
Jedward - Ferocious
Jessie J ft. 2 Chainz - Burnin' Up
Olly Murs ft. Travie McCoy - Wrapped Up
Take That - These Days
Gwen Stefani - Baby Don't Lie
Kiesza - No Enemiez
David Guetta ft. Sam Martin - Dangerous
Keith Urban - Somebody Like You

Re-entries:
Charli XCX - Boom Clap
Tove Lo - Habits (Stay High)


*with a few exceptions

German Chart Comments - Issue Date 31.10

Not much going on in this week's German singles chart as the highest new entry can be found as low as at #73 and Meghan Trainor spends a fourth week on top with "All About That Bass". The Avener's dance track "Fade Out Lines" regains one slot to #2, while "Geronimo" of Sheppard makes it inside the top three by also moving up one.
Video - Meghan Trainor  
Video - The Avener  
Video - Sheppard

At #4, and entering the top five up from #9, is Robin Schulz ft. Jasmine Thompson and "Sun Goes Down".
Video
 
At #21, coinciding with the release of his third album, Fritz Kalkbrenner scores his best performing single in terms of a chart peak as "Back Home" soars 27 positions. Fritz is most famous for his track "Sky and Sand", a collaboration with his brother Paul, which reached #29 but remained in the chart for the incredible 129 weeks.
Video

The guys from Maroon 5 continue their steady rise with "Animals" as the song moves up nine to #23. Finding somewhat surprising wind beneath her wings is Charli XCX and "Boom Clap" as the already quite old song rebounds to #36 from #60. 
Video - Maroon 5
Video - Charli XCX
 
After spending the last few months occupying various positions between #50 and #60, a cover performance on the Voice of Germany was the impetus needed by Tove Lo and her global hit "Habits (Stay High)" to finally enter the top 40. The song soars 20 places to #38. 
Video 

And finally, also thanks to its exposure on The Voice of Germany, country superstar Keith Urban has his first ever top 50 single in Germany as his 2002 track "Somebody Like You" has benefited from a cover on the show and is this week up to #42 from #97.
Video

The other new entries: 

73. Milky Chance - Flashed Junk Mind
Video 
76. Sam Smith - I'm Not The Only One
Video 
79. Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud
Video 
83. George Ezra - Blame It On Me
Video 
84. Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding - Outside
Audio 
93. Sigma ft. Paloma Faith - Changing
Video 
100. Foo Fighters - Something From Nothing
Video

The Album Chart
 
In the LP chart Farin Urlaub has his second number one album with his group Farin Urlaub Racing Team as "Faszination Weltraum" enters directly on top. Slipknot score their third consecutive #2 album as "5:the Gray Chapter" is new at the runner-up slot. Local legend Udo Juergens together with guests brings a tribute album called "Mitten im Leben" at #3. Also new at #4 is the latest from Schiller named "Symphonia". As it was mentioned earlier, the third album of Fritz Kalkbrenner dubbed "Ways Over Water" enters the chart at #6. Also new inside the top 10 is the comeback album of Billy Idol "Kings & Queens Of The Underground" at #8 and the debut LP of Kiesza "Sound Of A Woman" at #10.

Cinema releases in Bulgaria - 31 October 2014

I hope you've managed to catch up with most of the good movies currently in Bulgaria's cinemas as this week offers three more which by the look of it seem unmissable. Prior to their presentation, however, I want to give some thoughts on the films which I watched in the past seven days. First of them was the rather good, though not perfect, Fury. It's all been there, done that territory, but the movie offers some great performances, especially on behalf of the supporting cast, as well as some stunning war images. Though the tank action is not as plenty as it should have been, it's still one of the better war movies in the past few years. You can still catch it on IMAX or in the majority of cinemas in the country. The movies which you however will not be able to see any more on the big screen (unless Sony changes its distributor here in the next few weeks) are Whiplash and Foxcatcher, which were part of the So Independent festival. The two titles should immediately join the best-of list for 2014 shining with great performances, unique stories and asking more questions than giving direct answers to the audience. In Whiplash JK Simmons makes a career-best appearance as the all-demanding teacher in a music school - is he the villain or the hero of the story? At the same time, the three main performances in Foxcatcher scream Oscars whichever way you look at them. Channing Tatum finally shows some acting chops, while Steve Carell is just unrecognizable, sinking in the role of a multimillionaire burdened with too many issues. And as it is the case with many such films, they will not get a regular distribution here...

As regard the new releases this week: Nightcrawler, St. Vincent and John Wick - all of them come with glowing reviews from abroad, high scores on IMDB and don't be a fool to miss any of them and go watch Dracula Untold instead...

Nightcrawler sees Jake Gyllenhaal as a seeker of sensational news and comes with comparisons to modern classic Drive and a 8.5 rating on IMDB, coupled with a five-star review from Empire. I am quite certain that the movie would be a real thrill-ride but would definitely not be anyone's cup of tea. 
Trailer 

 
Next up is John Wick, which stars Keanu Reeves, who is back kicking asses and killing as many people as he can. With a 8.1 rating on IMDB and testimony of some friends who have already seen it, it's definitely worth watching. 
Trailer 

And finally comes St. Vincent, the movie of which many of you would have probably never heard. It actually comes as the first film headed by Bill Murray in years, starring also the ever-excellent Melissa McCarthy and Naomi Watts. Many of the Bulgarian film "critics" have praised the title as one of the films of the year, making you both laugh and cry. We'll see that soon.  
Trailer

The best movies currently on Bulgaria's screens:
(the ones I've watched)

1. Gone Girl *****
2. The Maze Runner ****
3. Fury ****
4. The Equalizer ***
5. The Hundred-Foot Journey ***

And the ones to be watched soon:

1. The Judge
2. The Nightcrawler
3. A Walk Among The Tombstones
4. St. Vincent
5. John Wick

Trailer of the week: Release date - 21 November