Oscars - Ones to watch...

It's been quite interesting getting into the Oscars buzz this year, it's something I've never done before. I was actually quite surprised to find out I've watched most of the films in the top nominations. Some of them I had missed, but have planned to catch up on in the next couple of months.

So these are the films that I'm going to be keeping an eye on:

The Kings Speech - as you would have read, I have seen this film and bloody loved it! If you haven't seen it, it would be something that I would recommend. I think it will walk away most of the awards this year, but who knows.

Black Swan - Quite looking forward to seeing this at some point in the next couple of weeks. Heard mixed reviews, but quite excited.

The Kids are All Right - A film I missed when it was out. Quite looking forward to the DVD/Download, so defiantly one to catch up on. It's won Golden Globes and been nominated for a few Bafta's..must be good right?

Inception - Loved this film, hope it wins something, even though it hasn't got many nominations.

The Social Network - One that I did catch in the cinema, thought it was good, not sure if it is Oscar worthy though.

Toy Story 3 - One of my favourite films of 2010! Big winner!

True Grit - Wasn't sure when I first saw the trailer, but I think it will be awesome. Its on my list to see when released.


These are the ones I won't be watching:

The Fighter - I'm not a fan of boxing films, I couldn't watch Rocky.
127 Hours - Watching a film about a man who cuts his own arm off...no thank you.
Winters Bone - Wasn't sure from the trailer...could be convinced.


I will be making some predictions nearer the time...watch this space!

Review - The Kings Speech.

From Filmfetish.com

I know that this film has had a lot of hype recently. Colin Firth winning a Golden Globe, the film being nominated for a grand total of 14 Bafta’s, four nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Awards, another win at the Producers Guild Awards and with the Oscars on the way I think this film could be a the film of 2011.

I mean, my mum has also seen it and loved it! She liked it soo much that she is even heading back to the cinema to see it again!

I have to say, this is a great film. I don’t know much about this period in British history, but after spending Christmas watching Upstairs Downstairs on the BBC, I had a brief idea of what was going on. It made me want to find out more about this iconic period.

At moments, the film was making the whole cinema laugh out loud. At others, I found myself with tears rolling down my face. You felt really engaged with the story with the amazing British cast bringing the whole thing to life in such a great way. Colin Firth plays King George VI exceptionally well and Helena Bonham Carter brings new life to the Queen Mother. Even Ramona Marquez (from Out Numbered fame)was brilliant, you were waiting for her to be Karen at points though.

So if you get the chance, go an see this great British masterpiece, it will make you proud to be from this great nation.

I give it 5 stars

Quick Little Dinner...Chicken, cheese and mushroom pasta.

I know the picture isn't very representative of the food that I made, but it was bloody delicious!

Anyway, at this time of year, I am trying to save the pennies! So, I’ve been doing as much cooking as I can at home and making food to take to the office for lunch (It's amazing how much you can save by not spending £5+ a day on Lunch.) Also, being a busy bumble bee, I haven't got time to create a feast every night. I want to spend my evenings letting my head relax and not spent in the kitchen.

Over the weekend, I put some of the culinary skills to the test and tried to use what was left in my fridge. It's amazing what you can do when you only have a couple of ingredients to work with.

So, if you fancy trying it. Here is the recipe for chicken, cheese and mushroom pasta..<

Pasta
1 clove of garlic
2 chicken breasts - one per person you are cooking for
Half a tub of mushrooms - add more, less or none at all
Tub of soft cheese
Olive oil

1. Slice up the garlic, mushrooms and chicken.
2. Put a teaspoon of olive oil in a frying pan, once hot, start to fry the garlic
3. After about 1 min add the chopped chicken to the pan
4. While this going on, put your pasta on to boil and leave to cook for the recommended time
5. Once the chicken has been cooking for about 6-7 mins, add the mushrooms to the pan
6. Let the chicken, mushrooms and garlic fry until you are happy that the chicken and mushrooms are cooked through
7. About 3-4mins before the pasta is finished, add the the soft cheese to the pan with the chicken, mushrooms and garlic
8. Stir this until the cheese melts
9. Drain the pasta
10. Once the cheese is melted, add some salt and pepper and serve with the pasta

Very simple and filling dinner. Doesn't take long to make and you can enjoy it watching your fav TV program!

Review - The Last Kiss

To be honest, when I saw this film on LoveFilm, I got quite excited. It was a film that I wanted to watch when it came out in 2006, never got around to buying/borrowing the DVD. I also liked Zach Braff in Scrubs and as a big fan of “The OC”, I was quite looking forward to see Rachel Bilson do something different. As I had a night free, didn’t want to watch what was on telly, I thought I would I give it a go...

Actually, I wish I could have that 1hour39mins back...please!

After the first 45min, I realised that the plot had not really moved on, there was no direction or goal. The characters were very one dimensional, you knew nothing of there past and had to judge everything on face value. As the film is about relationships, you needed a bit of depth, but to be honest, it was like trying to swim in the shallow end of the pool.

Every relationship seem to be falling apart in front of your eyes and nothing was really resolved. As you felt no warmth to the characters, you didn’t really care what happened to them at all. They tired to tell too many stories, but none very well.

I was looking forward to seeing another side of Rachel and Zach, but I didn’t. The little bit of comedy there was seemed be quashed buy Zach trying his hardest not to be JD. Rachel on the other hand just seemed to still be Summer Roberts, the same giggle, smile, selfishness, random personality and weird sense of humor.

The best part about this film was the soundtrack....

I will give this...2 stars

Yes, I’m one of those people.

You know when you are out with friends, whether it’s in a pub or a coffee shop, and someone starts talking about films. Most of the time, it’s a classic film that that person expects every one in the group to have seen and some one in the groups pipes up to say “I haven’t seen that”. Suddenly, everyone else in the group turns around and looks at that person with their mouths wide open...

Well, I’m that person... who sits there feeling rather embarrassed, shy and wishes that the earth would open up and swallow them.

I mean, I’ve always liked film. I love going to the cinema or staying in on a Saturday night to watch a DVD or a boxset on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

So, on New Years Day 2011, I made a deal with myself. I said that I wanted to spend 2011 learning more about film, catch up with classics, watch some films that I’ve missed in 2010 and try to see some great films in 2011.

I’m not looking to become the worlds biggest film journalist, become the next James King or Mark Kermode. I just thought it would be nice to share my experience as I start to explore this daunting genre.

So come along, I hope you enjoy the ride!

Great little place: Brick Lane.

I have been to Brick Lane a couple of times before, but to be honest, it was quite a blur. About 3 years ago I went to the Truman Brewery for an awards ceremony, ended up getting a little tiddly and the last thing I can remember was being in one of the Indian restaurants at 2am drinking with some people.

The second visit was 2 years ago. A friend of mine worked near there and I met him for dinner. We haggled our way into one of the Indian restaurants along the lane and had a great meal.

But, it was time to take another look. With a sober head on and some great company, Saturday was the time to go and explore this area in the daylight.

A couple of people had said to be that it was a great place to visit, especially as it has a buzzing market according to different web reports, but these markets are only open on Sunday. Even though this was the case, my partner in crime and I, thought we would take a look.

Stepping off the train at Shoreditch High street, you realise you are entering a cultural hub of the cool and trendy. After a bit of wandering around in the wrong direction (nearly heading to Hackney) we found ourselves at the north end of Brick Lane.This place is urban cool at it’s best!

Vintage and branded fashion boutiques line this end of the street, as you wonder down, you are greeted by the old Truman Brewery, a vast brick building, housing some great shops, bars and gallery's.

With our tummies rumbling, we headed to the Big Chill Bar for a diet busting burger and chips. I have to say this bar was great,with friendly staff and good priced food.

As you carry on down the lane, you find yourself in the curry district. Each restaurant trying to persuade you to eat there. It was quite cool.

We came away feeling like we had been on a great adventure.

I will defiantly be heading back there sometime soon and if you get a chance to go, go. Even if the market is not on, go and have a wander.

Time for the Man Diet....

So, yes, it’s that time of year...

If you are like me, you sit down just after Christmas and think about the resolutions you should be making. Whether it's to read more books, watch more movies, try and finish those little creative projects that have been untouched since January 2009. There is always something.

For me, instead of making resolutions that I know I will break, I'm trying do something a bit different.

After spending most of the Christmas period eating, drinking and generally being merry, we get to January, look in the mirror and notice the toll that the season has taken on us. Or you see Britain's Fattest Man on Channel 4 and vow never to turn out that way.
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/britains-fattest-man/4od

Some people head to the wardrobe, dust off those trainers and head to their nearest gym, others might head a good book store and grab a book on the latest fad diet.

I did think about joining the gym, I mean, I have been looking into it for nearly a year now, but I knew that I would end up not going. My housemate is trying to get me to go out running again, but I haven’t done that since the 10k in the summer and it’s far to cold at the moment (but I am very supportive of those people who are training for a marathon). I thought about trying a diet, but I like food too much and to be honest I can’t afford to be spending all my heard earned cash in Wholefoods. I also thought about not drinking for January, I seem to know a lot of people who are trying this and I applaud the people who are...but for me, it all seemed a little drastic.

I heard that it's not always about taking drastic measures to make changes. Making little changes to your life style can make all the difference...so welcome to the “Man Diet”...

I have to say, it's not an original title, I was inspired by one of my work mates who talked about his experience last year...

So here are the little things that I am going to do, to make a difference...

1. Stop snacking in between meals...unless it's fruit.
I work in an office where there is always cake or sweets on the table...sometimes they are heard to resit.

2. Only drink Vodka, Lime and Soda and keep red wine drinking to a minimum.
I'm not a massive beer drinker at heart, but I've been finding recently that drinking larger on a night out often makes me feel bloated and gives me the 2nd worst hangover ever... (1st worst hangover is from Prosecco). I did move onto vodka and coke when out and the hangovers disappeared but then my tongue tasted as though I have just eaten a bag of sugar. I'm not a fan of diet drinks, so this was the next best option.

3. Cut down on the fizzy drinks.
I do love a can of coke with lunch and as I said above, I'm not a fan of diet drinks, so the only alternative is water or fruit drinks with meals and stop buying bottles of coke from the local shop!

4. Walk up stairs and stop taking the lift.
My office is on the second floor and I’ve got into the bad habit of taking the lift out of laziness.

Hopefully this might shift some of the Christmas podge or I might go back to looking like I did in the picture above, when I was 21 - without the fringe of course.