It's true what they say about sequels

Mean Girls 2... who knew this even existed? But on the eve of St Patrick's day, after having watched 3 rugby matches (that's 7 hours of rugby coverage) I felt like I was justified to open a bottle of Rose wine and watch a trashy chick flick!

#13 Mean Girls 2

My favourite type of Chick Flick? The super cliche, could write it myself High School drama! As a big fan of the original mean girls, when I saw this on Netflix I knew I had to watch!!

It's awful and amazing all at the same time. With lines such as:

“Ok so, one more time... She’s never made out with anyone ever? Or just this week?"

and

“eeew eew eew, there’s poo on my Jimmy Choo”

How could you not love this film?

3/5 Stars!

Solo Cinema Outings

Whenever I tell people I go to the cinema by myself, 99% of the time I encounter one of two reactions.
Reaction a) "Oh my goodness, that's brave I could never do that. I wish I could but I just couldn't"
Reaction b) "Oh wow... good for you" *as a look of pity at my singleness crosses their face*
1% of the time I meet people who also share my solo cinema passion!

Today was one of those days. I was supposed to go with a friend but they cancelled and I went anyway. Last week I went to see Oz the Great and Powerful on my own and today I did the same thing. I went to see Welcome to the Punch, an action thrilled directed by Eran Creevy.

#12 Welcome to the Punch

Set in London and starring James McAvoy, Mark Strong and Andrea Riseborough this film was exactly what British action thriller cinema needed. The screenplay was good, the twist was well hidden and the filming was new and original. There were a lot of very clever shots and angles; this gave the film a Hollywood feel without the Die Hard/Bourne style FX and unrealistic action. The film was gritty, well paced and enjoyable. I'd say it's worth a watch and give it 4/5 stars.

If you've never been to the cinema on your own before I would seriously recommend it. I especially love going to see films like this (Cert 15) on Saturday mornings because you often have the cinema practically to yourself, or like me this morning, a personal screening!! Also on Saturday mornings in Moviehouse Cityside (don't know about the others) it's only £3 before 12!

What i've been reading and watching!

Reading

#8 Skellig by David Almond

#8 Skellig by David Almond
Taught this one to my Year 8's this year and it's one I'd never come across before, it's a bit strange. A Pastiche of magic realism with some darwinism thrown in there. It is a good story though, bit of a page turner and the pupil's always wanted to read on which is always a good thing!

I'd recommend it to readers aged 10-13.







Watching

#10 Amelie

#10 Amelie

The first French Film I ever watched, back when I was around 14. I did not get it, and I did not watch another french film for around 8 years! But after being introduced the the true wonders of french cinema by JC and Miss D I thought I'd give it another go. Boy am I glad I did! Funny, touching and heartwarming. 4/5 stars

#11 Oz the Great and Powerful

Number 11 was the newest offering by Disney: Oz the Great and Powerful. I went to see it in 3D (which I hate) and it worked really well. The cinema I went to had really good glasses which always makes a difference.
Mila Kunis is pretty good in this and the FX are really quite impressive. A lovely mix of film and special effects made for a pleasurable hour and a half.

DO NOT READ THIS AT BEDTIME!

So book number 7 is one not to be read just before falling asleep (as I did)
This review contains spoilers so if you do want to read the book don't read the end section (it's safe to read the part after the **)

#7 Light Shining in the Forest by Paul Torday

I love crime thrillers, there's nothing better than a good detective novel or an episode of CSI! It's my favoured form of brain numbing. This book is written by the same author who wrote Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, that now mildly famous film. I haven't read it but i'd heard good things, so when I saw he had written a thriller and it was on offer on Kindle, I purchased it. I couldn't put it down, it's an absolute page turner, and whilst it was no surprise whodunit I devoured it!
The book revolves around the statistic that every 5 minutes a child in Britain goes missing. A small percentage of those children are never found again; most are runaways, but some children that are suspected to be runaways may not be...

*SPOILER ALERT*
Do not read this book at night. I read the last fifth in one sitting at bedtime- couldn't stop till I put it down, but the taxidermy and embalmment of children is something you do not want to be in your head before dreaming!
*END OF SPOILERS*

I give this book a 3.5/5 because there were some elements that I just felt didn't really work.

Zombie Love

#9 Warm Bodies

 The book was written by an acquaintance of JC's so we went to see this out of loyalty and I loved it! I think I just have a lot of love for a lot of things.

It's a zombie Romeo and Juliet, with Nicholas Hoult playing the main character 'R' and 'Julie' being played by Teresa Palmer. A fun new take on a classic love story!

The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

#6 The Hundred Year Old Man...

It's just a great title for a book really isn't it?!

I really enjoyed this one and although it was a bit clumpy in places I still found myself wanting to return to my kindle to pick up where i'd left off.

Fun, Friendly, Clever and a bit of a giggle i'd definitely recommend this one! so it's a ****/*****


Desperate to avoid his 100th birthday party, Allan Karlsson climbs out the window of his room at the nursing home and heads to the nearest bus station, intending to travel as far as his pocket money will take him. But a spur-of-the-moment decision to steal a suitcase from a fellow passenger sends Allan on a strange and unforeseen journey involving, among other things, some nasty criminals, a very large pile of cash, and an elephant named Sonya. It’s just another chapter in a life full of adventures for Allan, who has become entangled in the major events of the twentieth century, including the Spanish Civil War and the Manhattan Project. As Allan’s colorful and complex history merges with his present-day escapades, readers will be treated to a new and charmingly funny version of world history and get to know a very youthful old man whose global influence knows no age limit. An international best-seller, this is an engaging tale of one man’s life lived to the fullest.

Bright Young Things

Saying as i'm so awful at writing reviews i'm going to go for a slightly different format for the 50/50 project from now on, less reviewy- more bloggy with an added 'oh this is what i read/watched today'

I've just been away in London for a few days over the half term break. I had a wonderful time, packed in lots of friends, food, shows and wine :)

#5 Bright Young Things

I got to finish book #5 Bright Young Things by Scarlett Thomas


"Bright Young Things wanted for Big Project.' They're in the prime of their lives but our bright young things are all burnt out. Six sparky twenty-somethings just out of university and working dead-end jobs, they are all bored to tears with their lives and looking for a way out. When a mysterious job is advertised in the newspaper, they all apply. What they least expect is to find themselves prisoners on a deserted island. There's food in the fridge and they have a bedroom each, but there's no telephone, no television, and no way to escape"

It was dated, cheesy and had an unsatisfactory ending but I enjoyed it as a mindless holiday read. So i'd give it a
Rating: ***/*****




Very thankful today for good friends, the ability to travel and the means to enjoy nice things