February: Top 20 (Part 1)

Hello and welcome to February 2012's Top 20: a rundown of my favourite 20 songs this month! I was able to go along to the O2 this month to go see Snow Patrol play and had the time of my life! Therefore you must forgive the inclusion of many a Snow Patrol song this month - I can't help but love their new album Fallen Empires! If you take away anything from this month's list it's that Snow Patrol are well worth listening to...

20. Skrillex & The Doors - Breakin' A Sweat

To be honest I didn't really like this song at first and even now it can often irritate me, but I can't help but get swept away by the melody and the beat every time. If only the talking in the middle would go away and I would love it a whole lot more...

hotel room antics

The Hunger Games: Trailer

I finished reading 'The Hunger Games' last night and... it completely blew me away. I don't think I've ever read a more involving, thrilling and exciting book and so it goes without saying that I'm beyond excited for the film adaptation coming out on the 23rd of March.
Here's the trailer to whet your appetite...

Upstairs Downstairs: S2 Ep1 - A Faraway Country About Which We Know Nothing

On TV: Sunday 19th February 2012

Channel: BBC One 9pm

Episode Type: 1/6

In 1 Sentence: The glamourous drama is back but is it as gripping as before?

Upstairs Downstairs

BBC Summary: As 165 Eaton Place reopens its doors, two new arrivals make their mark. But whilst Sir Hallam's forthright Aunt Blanche disrupts life upstairs, feisty new maid Beryl struggles to adjust to life in service. Meanwhile, Lady Agnes' concern for her children reveals a dark secret about Mr Pritchard. Sir Hallam's preoccupation with burgeoning Nazi Germany leads him into dangerous waters, and a chance meeting with an unexpected face unlocks a hidden desire within.

Being Human: S4 Ep3 - The Graveyard Shift

On TV: Sunday 19th February 2012

Channel: BBC Three 9pm

Episode Type: 3/8

In 1 Sentence: What’s happened to Being Human?

Hustle

BBC Summary: Hal is told he must get a job, but when the vampires catch up with him there is another offer on the table. Meanwhile, what lengths will Annie go to in order to protect the baby?

Super Size Me

UK Release: 10th September

Watched on Netflix: Thursday 2nd February 2012

Rating: 12A

Genre: Documentary, Comedy, Drama

Runtime: 1hr 40mins

Tagline: A film of epic portions.

Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know

TUNE OF THE DAY #54

I couldn't let a day go by without posting this song! It is truly brilliant and if you haven't seen the video... then what have you been doing? Watch it now! It's the best music video I've seen so far this year - so simple yet powerful. I'm in awe.
Anyway, this song has been going round and round my head the past few days and it looks set to be number one on Sunday so go buy it and support Gotye. It's a proper old school catchy song that is honest and moving and well... I think you know by now how I feel about this song! 
Just have a look for yourselves...

Hustle: Series 8 Episode 6

On TV: Friday 17th February

Channel: BBC 1 9pm

Episode Type: 6/6

In 1 Sentence: Bigger, better, stronger: Why does Hustle have to go?

Hustle

BBC Summary: Retirement and the biggest jackpot of their lives are just one deal away but success hangs on a knife-edge - will it be a spectacular victory or a bloody end for our gang?

My Top 30 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: Part 4

Welcome to Part 4, the penultimate episode of My Top 30 Most Anticipated Films of 2012, which looks at the films I'm looking forward to this year beginning with the letters J-T. The majority of those listed here have already been released this year, but all I am of which excited to see when I eventually manage to!
J.Edgar
UK Release Date: 20th January

Thoughts: Starring Leonardo DiCaprio J.Edgar is sure to have some great acting presence as he is, in my opinion, one of the best actors of the 21st century. And while there was initial buzz about this film it didn't stand up to the critics as well as the makers, I'm sure, hoped. This is probably due to its controversial subject matter but I'm still intrigued to see Judi Dench, Armie Hammer and, of course, DiCaprio in action. 

About A Boy

UK Release: 26th April 2002

Watched on DVD: Tuesday 21st February 2012

Rating: 12

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Runtime: 1hr 41mins

Tagline: Growing up has nothing to do with age.

Music Monday #23

Welcome to this week's Music Monday where I run down my top 5 songs of the past week! There are a few newbies on the list this week as well as a firm favourite at the number one spot which looks set to be my number one of the month at this rate: I just can't get enough of it! Read on to find out who that could be...
(Oh and remember to click on each cover to take you to each of the lovely videos!)
5. Gotye (feat. Kimbra) - Somebody That I Used To Know

Being Human: S4 Ep2 - Being Human 1955

On TV: Sunday 12th February 2012

Channel: BBC Three 9pm

Episode Type: 2/8

In 1 Sentence: A better attempt but not quite back to its former glory yet...

Being Human - Being Human 1955

BBC Summary: Three visitors - a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost - travel from afar in the hope that baby Eve is the Saviour and can perform a miracle.

The Artist

UK Release: 30th December 2011

Watched in Cinema: Friday 17th February 2012

Rating: PG

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama

Runtime: 1hr 40mins

Hustle: Series 8 Episode 5

On TV: Friday 10th February

Channel: BBC 1 9pm

Episode Type: 5/6

In 1 Sentence: A strong penultimate episode that shows Hustle’s still got it...

Hustle

Wild Child

UK Release: 15th August 2008

Watched on Netflix: Sunday 29th January 2012

Rating: 12A

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Runtime: 1hr 38mins

Tagline: New Girl. New School. New Rules.

This Means War

UK Release: 2nd March 2012

Watched in Cinema: Tuesday 14th February 2012

Rating: 12A

Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance

Runtime: 1hr 38mins

Tagline: It's SPY against SPY.

Point Break

UK Release: 22nd November 1991

Watched on Recorded TV: Thursday 26th January 2012

Rating: 15

Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller

Runtime: 2hrs

Tagline: 100% Pure Adrenaline.

Music Monday #22

Hello and welcome to this week's round up of the songs that I've been loving recently. Now I've been listening to Snow Patrol's album Fallen Empires non-stop all month so there may be a slight bias but rest assured there are a few other tunes thrown in too...
(Remember to click on the covers in order to listen to each of the songs!)


5. Snow Patrol - I'll Never Let Go

Snow Patrol at the O2

The lack of posting yesterday was due to a good reason: travelling all day and then watching Snow Patrol play at the O2! I had the time of my life and it has reaffirmed Snow Patrol as my-favourite-band-of-all-time! 

We missed the first supporting act which were called 'Plastic Rose' but managed to catch Everything Everything's set which were lively and got the crowd warmed up well!
We were on the upper tier with seats that were packed in so little room to dance but when Gary suggested to the audience to get on out of our seats I took advantage of this and stayed standing up for the rest of the show. 
I was surprised at how many 'oldies' they played considering this is a tour for the new album. Thinking about it now I think they played about 6 songs (out of 14) off of Fallen Empires - mostly singles. I loved that they played not only classics such as Run and Chasing Cars but also Make This Go On Forever, You're All I Have, Crack The Shutters and Just Say Yes that are less well-known but 'classics' to the fans.
All in all it was a fantastic night out and has left more than a few of their songs ringing my ears including their single which is out at the moment...

Hustle: S8 Ep4

On TV: Friday 3rd February

Channel: BBC 1 9pm

Episode Type: 4/6

In 1 Sentence: Escapist fun: The best kind!

Hustle

The Last Kiss

UK Release: 20th October 2006

Watched on Netflix: Thursday 26th January 2012

Rating: 15

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Runtime: 1hr 45mins

Tagline: We all make choices. What's yours?

High School Musical

UK Release: 22nd September 2006

Watched on DVD: Tuesday 24th January 2012

Rating: U

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family

Runtime: 1hr 38mins

Tagline: This School Rocks Like No Other!

Being Human: S4 Ep 1: Eve of War

On TV: Sunday 5th February 2012

Channel: BBC Three 9pm

Episode Type: 1/8

In 1 Sentence: Back at last: But is it as good without Mitchell et al?

Being Human: Eve of War

No Doubt - It's My Life

Greetings from my sick bed! I am really not feeling great today and so, despite a Music Monday yesterday, today I'm going to feature a tune that is featuring heavily in my life at the moment due to the recent purchase of No Doubt: The Singles 1992-2003 CD for only £1.26 on Amazon! Bargain or what?! 

This song is a classic if there ever was one and is powering me through the last few days of this half term until the holidays begin (did I mention Snow Patrol! At the O2! Aaahhhh!)! 
Enjoy...

Music Monday #21

It's Music Monday! Here's February's first music run down...
(Remember to click on the covers to take you to each of the videos!)


5. Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

My Top 30 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: Part 3

Hello again! This is Part 3 of My Top 30 Most Anticipated Films of 2012 which looks at films beginning with the letters E-I! Here you'll find big blockbusters and indie dramas and lots in between. Enjoy!
Great Expectations
UK Release Date: TBA

Thoughts: After the BBC's adaptation earlier this year I'm interested to see how a big screen version will fare after the perfection that the TV version was. But with Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes involved this could get quite exciting!
No Trailer Has Yet Been Released

Fame

UK Release: 25th September 2009

Watched on Recorded TV: Tuesday 24th January 2012

Rating: PG

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Musical

Runtime: 1hr 47mins

Tagline: Remember My Name

Birdsong

On TV: Sunday 22nd/29th January 2012

Channel: BBC One

Episode Type: A two-part drama series

In 1 Sentence: An epic love story that, while sentimental, was captivating

Birdsong

BBC Summary: Epic love story set against the First World War, based on Sebastian Faulks' novel about a soldier who finds himself fighting in the area where he had an illicit affair before the war.

My Top 30 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: Part 2

Hello again and welcome to Part 2 of My Top 30 Most Anticipated Films of 2012 series and today I'm looking at letters C-D. There are only 3 more parts left so remember to come back again soon to see what else is coming your way in the land of movies...

Chronicle
UK Release Date: 1st Feb

Thoughts: Chronicle is a fresh science-fiction film, which follows three teenagers with super powers, but is shot in the 'found footage' format which should make it much more dramatic and fun to watch.

Dead Poets Society

UK Release: 22nd September 1989
Watched on Netflix: Tuesday 24th January 2012
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 2hrs 8mins

Tagline: He was their inspiration. He made their lives extraordinary.