Moving on up!

In the words of 90s sensation, M People - I'm movin' on up (in the world). I've been allowed to put pen to paper for another lovely blog - Best for Film (www.bestforfilm.com). Not only that, but they've now decided to put my ugly mug on there too. If you fancy taking a peak, the link is here:

http://bestforfilm.com/community/about-us/siobhan-burke/

I'm on page 2 of their community section - I think that's just about the best place to be. Well, it's better than being stuck on page 7 anyway. Click there to see some of my more recent reviews - including something involving Nick Clegg and a superhero gang (you know it'll be good).

They have lots of other cracking reviews and top notch film news stuff, so check em' out.

Someone wasn't paying attention in assembly...

Is it just me or is this the worst Christmas card ever made?

Not only is there a distinct lack of the three wise men and the donkey, but since when was there a rabbit in Bethlehem? Serious artistic fail.

Anyway, just thought I'd share this in the run up to the festive season.

Happy happy happy

So, recently Fate has dished me out 3 healthy doses of good luck.

Number 1 - my online Asda shop showed up late. Doesn't sound lucky? Well, they refunded my order AND delivered my goods. And free shopping definitely is.

Number 2 - I dropped my bagel on the floor and it landed butter side up! Maybe the toast rule doesn't apply to bagels?

Number 3 (and this is the best) - I won a prize!

Courtesy of Jameson Cult Film Club on Twitter (@JamesonCultFilm) I have won this:

Whiskey, hoodies and movies - what student wouldn't be happy? So, I'd just like to take this opportunity to share this with you, dear readers, and to thank Jameson Cult Film - I mean, Psycho on Blu-ray? You have seriously excelled yourself. So thank you on this blustery day for providing me with something to keep me warm and tingly - don't worry, I'll make sure I wait til midday before I take a sip with Hitchcock.

I think I died a bit...

So, on Thursday (yes, it's taken me this long to get over it) I saw actual Colin Firth in the flesh. Ok, so I was forced to remain behind a steel barrier for the duration of our meeting, but I still like to think we had a connection.

To put this meeting into context, I was in London for the 54th BFI London Film Festival to see Mike Leigh's new film, Another Year. There was a bit of Q&A with said director, enlightening, and then (like all good film/Firth lovers) I hung around Leicester Square to await the arrival of the stars.

It was the première of Tom Hooper's The King's Speech, a movie telling the touching tale of how King George VI overcame a crippling speech impediment. With the likes of Helena Bonham-Carter and Geoffrey Rush sharing the screen with Mr Firth, it was fair to say there was a decent crowd lining the edges of the red carpet. It was an awesome and an odd experience. It just feels a bit peculiar to find out those of the big screen are actually normal-sized humans and that they do in fact mingle with normal folk from time to time.

Naturally, I will be reviewing Another Year in the coming week, but unfortunately, The King's Speech isn't out til January. My good friend Colin looks set to be nominated for an Oscar for it, though, so it's well worth scheduling into your cinematic diary.

Just a little note to self: must remember not to be so star-struck when am hot-headed journalist allowed to mingle with popular people. Something I still maintain will happen in the future.

And that's why I love warm weather...

The shorts are out, the sunnies are on and everyone's just feeling generally jolly!

After those long, dreary (and snowy) winter months the sun is definitely more welcome than it's been in a long time... well, probably since last summer! But I just thought I'd blog my own personal appreciation to that big flaming ball in the sky. And, with the days feeling a bit warmer it's inspired me to grab life by the haunchbones (revising medieval literature permits me the odd archaic expression) and go for everything that's chucked at me.

So... in the last 5 days I've pretty much maxed out my overdraft and signed off every last penny of my student loan to a kick-ass summer. I now have an officially awesome reason to get through my exams - South Africa! 3 weeks in September will see me travelling across the country with my housemate taking us from Johannesburg to Durban and hopefully even Cape Town - that means my friend has plenty of travelling hours in which to trick/convince me into doing something life-threatening. On the agenda so far is bungee-jumping, swimming with sharks (er.. no thank you!) and deep-sea diving.

Ok, so maybe I don't want to grab everything by the haunchbones - but that's only because it carries the risk of being either mauled or splattered across a rock 100ft below me.

But it will be my last student summer and I want it to be a belter, so I fully intend to have fun. A lot. Plus, I saw the movie Cemetery Junction last night and there is no better inspiration for travelling (stayed tuned for the review). Brace yourself world, the warm weather's gone to my head and the fun times begin today.

Right, I'm off to do a Step, Butts and Guts class and then to watch the final leaders' debate in the pub. Mmmm... politics and beer.

Things To Do Before You Die.

I am trying to get together a list of things to do before I die. Sounds a bit odd, but at 17, I figured that the earlier I start, the more likely I am to complete the list! Life is just a big waiting game and I'd like some things to pass the time - especially as I've just finished my A Levels and have found myself with a heck of a lot of time on my hands.

Now I don't want any of you grumps out there telling me to get a job to fill the time - I already have four. Nothing wimpy like babysitting in four different houses - 1 in a pub, 1 doing generally slave work for my parents' business, 1 on a farm and another cleaning for a nice lady nearby. So, what I really want from you all is all the things that you've already done and why it is worthwhile that I should do the same!

Come on, give me the best you've got and if I get enough, I'll post the list on my blog.

Then, provided I survive the ordeal, I publish accounts of what I've done.

It can be as trivial as eat oysters (I've already done that) or something a bit more reckless if you prefer!

I look forward to the responses.