Woooah we're halfway there...

Morning,

I've finally closed my Twitter page so I can concentrate on writing an update.. that site is far too addictive for someone like me.

So since last time we met I have:

- Completed my 3 weeks at Frank PR
- Attended a Benefit make up launch party with naked waiters
- Attended a Member's Club launch in Wimbledon with a lack of naked waiters
- Seen 'All New People' at the theatre
- Been baby bump shopping with Bethminda
- Created a fancy online CV and sent it to PR companies
- Been offered two interviews because of said CV (Click here to be dazzled)
- Officially deleted my online dating accounts
- Been to the Zoo and fallen in love with a baby Meerkat

Plus a lot of other random bits and bobs which I shan't mention at the moment. All in all a rather busy month, and a fun one at that. I've decided to really push trying something new, hence all of the CV madness. I think it's time to try it now, before I get too old/bitter/twisted or all of the above.

I'm 25, so have plenty of time to chop and change again. If women can't stick to one man, and vice versa, why do they have to stick to one career path?

Anyway, enough about my ever-changing life path. Here's a bit of a list update for you..

Since we last met, I've done quite well with my film list, with another five films in the bag, kerching. I've also made this fancy Pinterest page for all of the ones I've watched so far.. Click here to see it.

So here are the five films (in no particular order) ..

Walkabout (1970)**

"Two young children are stranded in the Australian outback and are forced to cope on their own. They meet an Aborigine on "walkabout": a ritualistic separation from his tribe" - Imdb

A very simple description of this film, but then there's not much more to say about it in my opinion. Oh wait, there is 'boobs'. Anyone with a crush on Jenny Agutter will be pleased to know that you get to see her completely starkers whilst galavanting in some water. Every straight man's dream, right?

I can't be too mean, because it is a rather lovely film, but I'm just not a huge fan of well to do children at the best of times. I went to private school as a teenager, and can imagine that if I sent some of my then-classmates out into the wilderness then they would not survive. Let alone make friends with an Aborigine. Kudos to Agutter though.

Bit dull, but heartwarming, with nice scenic shots. 2/5.

The Player (1992)***

"A studio executive is being blackmailed by a writer whose script he rejected but which one?" - Imdb

This film actually made me laugh at how cheesy it was. From the world's worst blackmail postcards, to an amazing drowning of a writer by the lead. It contains lots of in-house Hollywood jokes from the era, so a lot of them were lost on me, but the film is a hit back at tinseltown and the way it was (and probably still is) run.

Having worked in film, it was interesting to see how they showed the studios and the incestuous nature of the industry, particularly when the lead (Tim Robbins) begins a love affair with the widow of the write he's just killed.. Ok, so it's not that criminal in the industry, but it's not often that a woman/man will stick to one person throughout their film career..

A funny (for its time) and bizarre look at Hollywood. 3/5.

The Ipcress File (1965)****

"In London, a counter espionage agent deals with his own bureaucracy while investigating the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists" - Imdb

Michael Caine is one of my favourite actors, and I do like a bit of a spy film. Caine plays a British secret service agent who is assigned to find out who is brainwashing the country's top scientist. Cue lots of low lit office shots and dark alleyways. The film is like a working class version of Bond. It isn't full of lavish locations of Bond girls, but Michael does get his share of the ladies.

Favourite cheesy line:

Girl: Do you always wear your glasses?

Caine: Yes, except when I'm in bed

Sir Michael, you sly dog.. You can have a 4/5 for being splendid.

Aguirre, The Wrath of God (1972)*

"In the 16th century, the ruthless and insane Aguirre leads a Spanish expedition in search of El Dorado" - Imdb

I was bored, very bored, for the duration of this film. I know it's a classic and I should see it before I die, but I feel like that's a few hours of my life that I'll never get back.

My attention span can sometimes be that of a gnat, and this film was a prime example. I found myself desperate to read my book or check my Facebook. Then again, that could just be an indication of how times have changed for my generation. Back in 1972 there were less distractions in the comfort of your home.

It's just a bizarre film with funny looking people and subtitles. I'm sorry if I've just destroyed a little bit of some film-lover's soul by saying I don't like it, but it's only get 1/5 from me!

Sexy Beast (2000)***

"Brutal gangster Don Logan recruits "retired" safecracker Gal for one last job, but it goes badly for both of them" - Imdb

Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Ian McShane. Need I say more?

The fact that the C word is used liberally makes me happy.. and I don't mean Christmas. There's something rather fabulous about gangsters shouting obscenities throughout a film. Although I'm not sure I'll ever get the image of a frazzled Ray Winstone out of my head for a while.. not as erotic as you may think.

I wouldn't say it's a laugh-out-loud type affair, or I didn't think so, but it is a rather splendid old gangster mashup. The cast are great, the acting is good and it's full of violence and old fashioned crime.

Maybe I just have a thing for bad boys, but this film gets my vote for being really rather good. 3/5.

So there you go.. another five down on my list.. and I've hit the half way mark. I wonder whether I'll hit jackpot with one of the remaining 25 ... guess you'll just have to watch this space..

All by myself...

Aloha,

So in the spirit of Valentine's I thought I'd write a blog entry. I'm currently sat in my PJs, eating pickled onions from the jar and watching Chinatown/Alien (two from the list, hurrah..) and talking to a couple of my single friends who are doing similar things in their flats (although probably with rom coms not old classics). Not quite as depressing as the Bridget scenario!


Today I sported my loveheart dress to embrace the love, but it did not find me the man of my dreams, alas. It was nice to see that romance isn't dead though, as half of the female staff at Frank PR received roses/chocolates/balloons and whatnot. Oh to be someone's better half on the biggest commercial day of the year! (NB: Working at Frank PR for three weeks experience, figured it would be a good chance to add to my CV whilst I'm not on a film.. and rather enjoying it!)

Back to Valentine's.. I've been thinking about romance lately, and settling down... I am so not ready for that yet. In the next six months, two of my friends are getting married which will give me a grand total of four married friends. This is fine because I get to celebrate their happiness and get free cake, which is never a bad thing! I can't even picture myself getting engaged, let alone married.. this could be down to the fact that I'm single, or just because I think I've got too many big ideas I worry I'll miss out on if I get too close to someone... how deep.

Anyway, with this in mind, I've decided that I want to travel. Properly. Next year. This means I'll hopefully be able to cross off number 3 (learn how to swim), 11 (visit Australia), 23 (write something - would write a travel blog), 29 (go up in a hot air balloon) and maybe even 30 (get a tattoo). All in one trip.. huzzah! I'm thinking of a six month type scenario on my own, across the world... so watch this space.

Anyhoo... this is what I thought of Chinatown / Alien...

Chinatown (1974)***

The film follows a private investigator who is hired to follow a woman's husband to see if he is having an affair. During this, he stumbles onto a scheme of murder as he realises that not everything is what it first seemed. The film features many elements of the film noir genre, including a multilayered story that is part mystery/party psychological drama.

It is a classic from it's decade and of the genre and was nominated for eleven Oscars amongst other awards. I love the costume design and the classic mystery element about the film. Can definitely see the Polanski effect on it, and the strange way in which he thinks.

I'll give it a 3/5 because of it's achievements, and because I do rather enjoy trying to solve a good mystery plot...!

Alien (1979)***

I would just like to say EWWWWWW.. I didn't really want to watch this when I saw it on the list, but had to be dutiful to it and pay the price. I can see why it's on the list, it was a huge success at the time and won several awards for it special effects amongst other things. I am not a huge fan of gore/horror so I'm not the best judge for a film like Alien... but if I was, I think I'd definitely enjoy it a lot more.

As a Trekkie though, I did like the scifi side of the film... including the ship and all the set dec, very cool. Wouldn't mind getting hold of a space suit either... and loved that the little cat thinks it is the ultimate match for the nasty alien.. good effort.

I'll give it 3/5 cause I'm not a gore fan, but I did like the acting and storyline.. I'm now quite intrigued by the latest Alien update, Prometheus. Maybe I'll have to take my cushion to the cinema to see it..!

So there we have it, my Valentine round up ... I'll hopefully be back soon to tell you some more updates from the list... xx