Working my way through Michael Palin’s first collection of diaries, and stumbled across this paragraph – a dream of utopia that is still relevant today, even though we’re further away than ever. I’m glad that there are cars and planes and television and washing machines, and I think we cannot suddenly pretend that they have not been invented – but I feel we must control their use, and that they should be used not to dictate but to stimulate.

This is a really good, classic album. They have a different sound to most, with that missing guitar element, and that makes it a more maudlin effort than I remembered. Great collection of songs though, really a staple for any music library.

Mmm, love this album! I was so excited for it to arrive, which hasn’t happened with many albums so far. It lived up the expectation, great tunes, intensely eighties from start to finish and just a lovely mix of honest emotions, hopeful optimism and realistic sadness. Love it, have and will listen many times.

The Eurovision Song Competition this weekend was a fun evening of drinking wine and watching a variety of singing acts doing their thing, but despite the enjoyment of the evening, it left me a little flat. I thought at first it was because a serious song had won the whole thing. Portugal’s guy was clearly very talented but it didn’t really feel in the spirit of Eurovision – this is a competition about sassy gorillas and yodelling rappers after all.

It is too arty, there’s plenty about it I’m sure I don’t get, but even so, you can’t argue that it’s not well made. Every shot is clearly thought about and measured, not a hair out of place. It’s an odd story and a dissatisfactory ending, but I thought the way the narratives weaved in and out of each other was well done, and Amy Adams did a good job in a role not to her usual style.

Every time I finish watching a Netflix original show, I keep thinking I should write about it and then I never do. So gathered here are some thoughts on the things I have watched over the last few months, probably in reverse order. 13 Reasons Why Lots of fuss about this one and I can see why. It is surprisingly graphic in content, and tells a depressing story from start to finish. It’s well made and gradually grabs your attention, but I’m not sure it’s the best TV I’ve ever witnessed. I’m not sure which side of the debate I fall on, but I guess I’m glad that it’s raised awareness of topics like teen suicide. That can only be a good thing. Not sure how a second series would work, aside from the loose threads, this feels like a self-contained story.

So, I bought a new car. I know what you’re thinking, “when I read on this blog that the new car buying process was starting, it sounded like we were going to enjoy tales from every step along the journey.” Well, yea, except that was five years ago. My old car kept on keeping on for longer than expected, and then of course, life got in the way, and I didn’t buy a new car. Then life got in the way again, forced my hand, and now I do have a new car.

Incredible film. Somehow, I’ve managed to read the book twice without ever seeing the film to go with it. But I loved it. Everyone was so good within it, and the tension, oh boy, you are drawn in every single step of the way. Foster is brilliant, and considering that Hopkins doesn’t truly get that much screen time, he’s also fantastic - a disturbing villain through and through.

Wow, this is an incredible novella. It’s stacked with ideas, which you wouldn’t have thought possible in a short story about the Queen taking up reading as a hobby. Love some of the concepts in here, such as the Queen treating all of her books the same as she does her subjects, with an equal attitude. Or that once the public get wind of her reading, they are suddenly presenting her with books as presents or their own works for a royal opinion.

Love this TV programme so was curious to see what the book would be like. It’s in the same style, with the same dry humour, and does exactly what it says on the tin - runs through a list of 100 or so lies that you have probably told, or heard, or are in some way very much aware of.

I really liked this album. I only knew a couple of the songs going in, but it’s a lot of good guitar pop and you can occasionally here the echoes of why Darius Rucker went into country in the end. Great songs, beautifully 90s, top addition to the collection. Interesting note: huge amount of lyrics referencing crying and tears.

Lovely to have Texas back, with Sharlene’s silky smooth vocals guiding us through a love song or two. It’s a good album, probably not groundbreaking in any way, but it’s like having a warm hug with a friend.

This is such a bizarre book. It’s top and tailed with explanatory chapters, firstly from the ghost writer who tells how the book was written. At the end, there are additional chapters from the Goldman family who fought tooth and nail to get the book published, and a couple of additional paragraphs from others close to the situation.

I’ve seen this one before, perhaps a couple of times, but still couldn’t quite remember the finer details when watching it. It’s the perfect film to squeeze in when you’re short on time, because the actual action is only about 70 minutes, and the rest is all credits.

Mixed feelings about this one. Firstly, the space ship was amazing. Great set, impressive technology, fantastic CGI to make it a totally immersive experience. Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence were both brilliant, good chemistry between them, and the perfect reactions to their situation, guilt, horror, loneliness, togetherness, all of the above. The bar and Michael Sheen’s stint as an android bartender were particular highlights of the whole film. He had some of the best lines and delivered them perfectly.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this is a terrible film. It’s crude from start to finish, some of the jokes are pretty rubbish, the acting isn’t top notch, and the story is obvious and, you know, a bit stupid. Having said that, I secretly loved it. Laughed a lot, so many nerd jokes and brilliant references. Elon Musk showed up, for crying out loud!

I found this one a bit of a disappointment, if I’m honest, but only because I couldn’t follow the twists and turns, the who’s who of spies and secret agents and super villains. The trouble with having a protagonist that doesn’t know who he is, is that it becomes quite an ungrounded story, with wild theories flying around. I found it difficult to know where I was at any given time.

I’m so gutted by the news that Peter Kay isn’t planning on any more Car Share. Plans change and things have a habit of being resurrected when you least expect it, but for the moment, Kay suggests the show is done. There’s not going to be a series three so it won’t ever happen. You’ve got to get out while the going’s good. No Christmas special, no… There’s only so much you can do in a car and the last thing you want to do is ruin it because I think it’s a lovely thing.

Ah, love this, it’s totally random and quirky. The songs veer from well-known catchy classics to the more oddball instrumentals, but it is so refreshing to have songs that aren’t just about love! A really entertaining album.

Surprisingly good, actually, although you have to really be in the mood for some soul-searching, slow-warbling, meaningful stuff. Interestingly found this better than Emeli Sandé, where it’s the same kind of genre.

I’ve seen the original before, but a long time ago, and all I really recall of it was a fond feeling that it was good, if with a sad ending. This new version seemed to continue that trend. It was a really well made film, good to look at, great acting, lots of tension, strong directing. I’m not sure if it particularly added anything over and above the original, but will have to revisit that version to make sure.

After the misery that was the Twilight series, we wanted to watch a proper film, and this is one that Mr C has fond memories of from years gone by. It’s one of those where the pressure was slightly on me to not hate it, but how could I? Tony Scott directing, Quentin Tarantino writing, and such an incredible cast?

So look, the only three things worth watching in this whole saga are Alice, Charlie and Jessica. Jessica wasn’t in this one at all, they were constantly mean to Charlie, and Alice disappeared for a good chunk of it. And when she returned, she treated us to the most pointless ten minutes of cinema ever - an epic battle that’s supposed to be moving and emotional and your favourite characters getting bumped off, only for none of it to have happened.

Ahhhh, what a let down after the previous film. This one was just… a nightmare from start to finish. None of it made any sense, I had so many questions during and after the film, so. many. questions. The characters made decisions that were bonkers, the story itself wrapped itself up in nonsense knots, and really, it was just dull.

So, you know that feeling when you’ve loved the soundtrack to a movie for years and years, and then you start listening to more albums and catch up with one that you probably should have already known about, that quickly becomes one of your top ten, and then you realise that one of the artists actually sings on that original soundtrack, one of your favourite songs? Happens to us all, right?

New trailer released for The Golden Circle, the sequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service (which I can’t believe I watched two whole years ago!). I actually ended viewing this trailer with my mouth agape. The first film garnered a 5 out of 5 stars rave review from me, and this second one looks just as good. It’s also a great excuse to have to re-watch the first one again… just to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything.

Really enjoyed this album, it’s definitely an indication of what music will be like when the robots officially inherit the earth. Lots of good beats and repeated lyrics to get right into your head. The only one I didn’t like was Giorgio with far too much chatting.

This is just classic Steps. After 15 years, you’d think their sound has changed, and maybe it’s marginally more grown up but for the most part, it’s still that Abba pop sound that they do so well. I really enjoyed it, partly because I loved Steps before but also because there isn’t a lot of pop like this around anymore.

This film is a lot better than the previous two, the characters are starting to develop a little bit, although it’s all still way over-the-top dramatic. I like the love triangle going on, developing more and more, although the relationships are all intensely unhealthy and the boys are a little bit too happy to force themselves around.

Hmm, bit of a dip in form for the second Twilight installment. It was all just a bit over-emotional and dramatic, bad acting and poor dialogue, with not a lot to endear you to the characters. Particularly Bella. I have no sympathy for this girl at all, she’s an absolute nitwit. She’s scared of getting old so decided living a hideous dead life would be better? Sitting around for literally months on end because her boyfriend left town. Jumping off cliffs to get a glimpse of him? I can’t even.

It’s crazy how emotionally charged this film is, considering that it’s a true story and we all know how it’s going to end. I didn’t enjoy the beginning, where it was all a little Hollywood, and there were proper plane crashes that freaked me out and never actually happened. Also the drama with the family on either side of the wing, moving but slightly out of place, I felt.

Like this album. It’s very 80s, and many of the songs all have that similar Dignity vibe about them, but that’s a good vibe, so why not? Has a lot of re-listenability though, kind of gentle easy listening but also with some strong and catchy moments to keep you paying attention.

The format of rapping and inviting a guest in to complete the chorus works very well to me. Tinie Tempah has great beats, although his lyrics can be hit and miss. Some of the references are perfect, others are a little cringey. But overall a good album.

I recently got a chance to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the two part HP play that is currently featured in London’s West End. Around the same time, the play broke records for Olivier Award nominations and actual award success, so I was going in with some pretty high expectations. Naturally, I have to #keepthesecrets but it’s fair to say that I can fully endorse the awards for production, lighting and sound. The general production values of the entire five hour play are astonishing: incredible music, wonderful visuals and some astounding effects. We’re watching wizards, after all, so there’s some exciting stuff to behold.

So, here’s the thing about Twilight. I haven’t read the books and I really haven’t felt much of a desire to do so. All I’ve heard about them suggests that Bella isn’t really the kind of heroine I would appreciate, what with wanting to give up her life the very moment she meets a cute vampire.

I was having a bit of a panic over the last few weeks that I’ve listened to lots of albums but can’t remember them all. What do I like? What don’t I like? Why so manyyy? And then I took a step back and realised this project isn’t about learning every single song I listen to. I compared it to the Film Watch odyssey, which isn’t about remembering all 700+ films consumed. Both projects are about immersing yourself in a medium, soaking up the general love and enjoyment of the genre, learning, growing, and, dare I say it, being in the moment.

I have to start this with an explanation of the journey we went on watching this film. About twenty minutes in, I said ‘This is reminding me so much of another film, boarding school, bratty teen, learns her lesson.’ We thought, we couldn’t remember, we kept watching. As the movie continued, I just felt like it was so familiar, some scenes I recognised, some were totally new to me. Then just before the fire broke out, Mr C and I both knew what was going to happen and realised we had, in fact, seen the film before. How, when, where and why we don’t remember it better than we do is a mystery.

This audiobook is read by Zachary Quinto, who did a fantastic job. But he had great source material to work with. The great thing about Scalzi is that these situations are incredibly fantastical, and yet they are so gritty and grounded, you’re immediately invested in them.

I was worried about this one, after the endless reports about having to re-edit it and change the tone of the movie and stuff, but thankfully it delivered. It was a difficult challenge, I think, to create a story with just the guidance of ‘stealing the plans’, and knowing you have to fit in between two already existing films.

Gets off to a slow start, but picks up speed and the brilliant Somewhere In My Heart is the turning point. Great eighties pop, not sure it’s aged particularly well but is very of its time and therefore great for a bit of nostalgia.

This is not really my cup of tea at all. Good voice and superb musicality, it reminds me of modern day Elton John. But it doesn’t grab me, it’s all a bit of a drag, and when your single average is almost six minutes, I’m always going to struggle.

I’ve not seen this one before, but am always glad to catch up with Tom Hanks’ back catalogue. This one didn’t really stand up to the test of time so well, but it was a mixed bag of a film that was entertaining at the very least. I liked Hanks’ character, but found the dog far too drool-y to truly enjoy what was going on. Having said that, I did laugh a lot, and found the non-drooling sections surprisingly good - it’s fun to watch Tom wrestle with a giant dog.

Incredible film. Great story, both the intergalactic side of things, and the more drama-based human story too. The way they intermingle, the sudden twist when everything becomes clear, it’s all just incredibly well done.

Very interesting and unusual film this one. At first, it felt like it was really good, and it was certainly a bit weepy towards the end. I’ve got a new-found soft spot for Jason Sudekis, so seeing him as a grieving widow tugs on the heart strings. And Maisie Williams did a great job as the rough, tough kid with an attitude problem that covers a broken heart.

If you’ve watched tennis for any extended period of time, particularly outside of the main grand slam events, then you might have seen the moments when coaches come on court to have a chat to the players mid-match. It only happens on the women’s tour, and isn’t at every event, nor does every player choose to do such a thing, so it can be a blink and you’ll miss it type of event.

A beautiful piece of work this, highlighting what it is like to live with cancer in all its stages - terminal, in remission, and developing rapidly. The story follows Hazel as she finds friends at a Support Group and develops relationships that ebb and flow and change as the story goes on.

Loved this album. I knew the main Jam songs but anything outside that was lost to me. I was amazed at listening to a full album, the songs haven’t really aged at all. You can picture The Libertines or similar doing all these tracks and more. Great stuff.

I pre-judged this album, as many have, so was pleasantly surprised by it. It’s a good, modern, pop album, and you can really feel the influences from Ryan Tedder and Ed Sheeran – both on the songs they wrote and throughout. The lyric “I’d say you’re beautiful but I’ve used that line before,” is fab.

I’ve read this before but had to zip through it again as part of the Big Read list I’m working through. It’s a super quick read, aimed at adventurous young children, and it tells a pretty good story. It’s in the same vein as Enid Blyton - a group of kids end up on an adventure that they hadn’t really planned for, and often end up thinking how hungry they are along the way.

I genuinely don’t know how to feel about this one. One half of me really liked it - it’s unusual for a Hollywood movie to include chatter about profit and loss and cost accountants in this way, which was fun. It’s a good thriller in terms of structure, I like dipping back to see how Wolff became the person he is today, and I really liked the relationship with Kendrick’s character.