My week according to twitter - Week 4

Plug. Yes! Been far too long!

— Matt Fazakerley (@mfaz) January 27, 2012

Finished my exams on Thursday so had a long over due night out at Plug. Jump Around at Plug on a Thursday night was one of our regular nights out in first year. We occasionally went in second year. I went once in third year and hadn't been at all this year. Even in fourth year I can confirm that it is still one of my favorite nights out in Sheffield.

The Artist - a feel good look at 1930s cinema

The Artist (2011):

Hollywood, 1927: As silent movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller, a young dancer set for a big break.(IMDb)

I was a bit unsure what I would think of The Artist. It is by a relatively unknown French director (Michel Hazanavicius), the trailer didn't give much away and it is very different to the types of films I usually watch. But I had only heard positive things about it, so I made sure I went in with an open mind. And I'm glad I did.

My week according to twitter - Week 3

Only got my @grazedotcom box on Wednesday but I have already finished it all! This is what revision does to me.

— Matt Fazakerley (@mfaz) January 20, 2012

That sums up most my week. I've not really done much as I'm in the middle of my exams now so have mainly been stuck in the flat doing revision and eating.

Shame - a hard hitting, thought provoking masterpiece

Shame (2011):

Brandon is a 30-something man living in New York who is unable to manage his sex life. After his wayward younger sister moves into his apartment, Brandon's world spirals out of control. From director Steve McQueen (Hunger), Shame is a compelling and timely examination of the nature of need, how we live our lives and the experiences that shape us.
Written by Momentum Pictures (IMDB)  

I've just got back from watching Shame at the Showroom cinema in Sheffield. It's really a 5 star film but my rating method has resulted in it me giving it only 4 stars (One to buy on DVD). This is because of the girls who happened to be sitting in our seats. If that was all they had done then I wouldn't have minded, but no, there was more. Throughout the film they insisted on giggling at inappropriate moments and chatting with each other while there was silence on screen. To enjoy this film fully I feel you need to be able to watch it without any distractions, i.e. on DVD.

But now I'm torn.

My week according to twitter- Week 2

This week I've mainly been revising for my final year chemistry exams which I have got coming up over the next couple of weeks. I've decided I'm going to write my review of 2011 in the week off I have between exams finishing and uni starting again. Along with watching some DVDs I've had for a while and making a runny yolk scotch egg.

The Tweets:

My week according to twitter- Week 1

So its the end of the first week of 2012 and I still haven't got round to writing my review of 2011, but I am about to write a summary of my week according to twitter (@mfaz).

#thebankjob and #millionpounddrop. Two programmes that are only watchable with the ability to fast forward through the slow, boring parts

— Matt Fazakerley (@mfaz) January 2, 2012

On Monday a new show started on Channel 4 called the Bank Job. A few weeks ago Channel 4 launched an online version of the game (The Bank Job online) to get people for the show. I got quite addicted to it, answering questions, winning 'money' and trying to beat my opponents for a good hour, so I thought I would watch it on TV. Unfortunately it was very much in the same category as The Million Pound Drop. I liked it but it was very slow with 2 minute rounds taking nearer 20 minutes. This is definitely a programme I will only be able to bare if I record it and fast forward through the pointless chat and attempts to build up tension.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - one to watch at the cinema

The second thing I want to write about while it is still fresh in my mind is Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol.

I went to see Mi4 at 10.30am today meaning me and my brother were the only 2 people in the cinema! I think this was only my second ever 'private' viewing. 

Lets start with my '140 Character Film Review' that I posted on Twitter straight after leaving the cinema:

"Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol: fun filled, action packed adventure across the world, with a brilliant Simon Pegg"

For me, Simon Pegg was definitely the star of the film. Even though he wasn't involved in as much action as the other characters he made it humorous throughout.

It was a fast paced film with lots of action and some great tension sequences, enhanced successfully with the choice of music. Every time I heard the well know Mission Impossible tune I started to tingle all over.

I thought the four main characters went well together and were all had something to give, helping the story line move along well. (I couldn't stop wondering where I had recently seen the actor who was playing the analyst William Brandt. Turns out Jeremy Renner was in The Hurt Locker- should have just got on IMDB while I was there!)


Once again lots of amazing gadgets were used, particularity an 'invisibility screen' that came out near the start of the film.

Overall I thought this was a great film that kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat for the full 133 minutes. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, especially if you liked the previous Mission Impossible films, the Bourne series or the recent James Bond films. 

My star rating: ***** (explanation below)