FSF #17 - New Years Eve Special: How To Party Like Gatsby

Last week, I took the week off from Film School Friday because of family issues. The truth is, I'm always too busy with my job and I felt that I was constantly disappointing my son through neglect. The last straw came when I missed his karate exposition the other day. To make it up to him, I tried to buy his favourite action figure, Turbo Man, for Christmas. Stupidly though, I waited until Christmas Eve to get it and of course, the bloody thing was sold out. After a number of hilarious hijinks involving the police, an angry postman and Father Christmas, I finally managed to get hold of the last action figures left after accidentally becoming the 'real' Turbo Man in a Christmas parade. Man, life is never easy when you're Arnold Schwarzenegger.

A word of advice. Don't mix eggnog with a Jingle All The Way marathon. Awful things can happen.

The Drama Lama's Alphabet Movie Meme

It's two days before Christmas. There's presents to be wrapped, food to be prepared, friends to catch up with... so now's the perfect time to dive into another film blogathon! The Drama Lama has an awesome Alphabet Movie Meme going on right now where each blogger has to answer 26 film related questions which start with every letter in the alphabet. To read more entries, click here, but make sure you stick around to read my answers first. You're formally obliged now.

First Trailer For Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Those damn dirty apes are back!

After Tim Burton’s failed reboot, Rupert Wyatt revitalised the Planet of the Apes franchise back in 2011 with his prequel, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Both critics and audiences alike responded well to Wyatt’s effort, so it’s a shame to see him being replaced for the sequel, although I’m sure Matt Reeves, the director of Cloverfield and Let Me In, will do an excellent job continuing the series.  

Oscars 2014: Will Gravity Pave The Way For Science Fiction At The Academy Awards?

I just don’t get it.

For decades, the Academy Awards have claimed to celebrate the best cinematic achievements of the year but unfortunately, this only applies to the golden few. If your film is a historical drama based on real events and happens to feature a transformative performance from Meryl Streep, then you’re in luck. However, if you deviate from this tried and tested Academy formula in any way, your chances of even being nominated for an Oscar diminish greatly.

Be Careful! Your Hand! Top 10 Films of 2013

What's the best thing about Christmas? Mince pies are AWESOME but what I look forward to most in December is the end of year lists that you can find on every critic's site. My turn bitches!

Some people say 2013 was a poor year for cinema but I think that's an absurd thing to say. Sure there were some disappointing blockbusters out this summer, but with the sheer volume of movies created every month, it's impossible to ever claim one year is worse than another.

Before I count down my top 10 films of the year, it's worth noting that unfortunately, I missed some of the biggies. I'm still kicking myself every day for not seeing The World's End, Pacific Rim or Blue Is The Warmest Colour as I'm sure they would have had a fighting chance of making it into my top 10. Also, a couple of my choices may have been released in other territories the year before but I'm going with UK cinematic releases from 2013.

Finally, anyone who actually cares about this list may be surprised that Gravity hasn't been included and there's one simple reason for that; I didn't think it was good enough. I know that flies in the face of almost every other film critic out there but despite some impressive moments, Gravity left me feeling more disappointed than anything else. Don't hate and read on for my top 10 picks. 

FSF Lesson #16 - Xmas Special: How To Be The Best Grinch You Can Be

Last week, Film School Friday surprised readers with a little pop quiz to keep people on their toes. Congratulations to those who passed the test with high marks. For those who failed, years of shame and ridicule await you. Today, I thought I'd keep the surprises coming...WITH A TERRORIST ASSAULT ON YOUR FAMILY!!! ...Just kidding. Instead, I thought I'd mix things up towards the end of December with... a surprise Christmas special. Ok, I know what you're thinking. How left-field is this guy? How does he continue to dazzle us at every turn with his bizarre, almost schizophrenic approach to film writing?... What can I say? It's a gift.

For our Christmas special, I considered celebrating the joys of the festive season, explaining to readers how to make the perfect Christmas film or how to be the best Santa Claus you could be, but then I thought better of it. Everywhere I look, there's Christmas advertising, annoying jingles and too many damn reindeer jumpers so forget It's A Wonderful Life, bin your copy of Elf and throw Love Actually in the fire... 2013 is the year of The Grinch! 

Disney's Frozen Review (2013) Has Disney Finally Reclaimed Its Crown?

Home On The Range, Treasure Planet, Atlantis: The Lost Empire... all is finally forgiven Disney.

Since the 1940s, the world's most iconic animation studio has tried it darndest to adapt Hans Christian Andersen's classic fable The Snow Queen, but not even the great Walt Disney could get it right. Finally, in 2013, the Magical Kingdom has nailed it with their 53rd animated classic Frozen, which had the largest ever opening weekend for a Disney animation in the studio's history.  

Film School Friday Lesson #15 - End of Term Quiz!

Last week, Film School Friday taught loyal readers how to invade the planet earth in a misguided attempt to defend the human race from invasion. Fingers crossed, angry alien forces didn't read that feature because if they did, then we're screwed. Oh and by the way, my alien overlords wanted me to let you know that you shouldn't worry. Enforced slavery won't begin until at least 2015 as they need to work out some kinks in their mind control technology. Reassuring news I'm sure you'll agree....

It's coming towards the end of our first term together here at Film School Friday, so I thought it was time to give all my loyal readers (hey Mum!) a treat. A film themed party would be great right?... except I'm not dealing with the clean up. What about a M Night Shyamalan marathon?... The first few hours would be awesome but then I'd have to mercy kill each and every one of you by the time The Happening comes on. Now what does everyone love most about the end of term? It can't be the holidays... I got it, a pop quiz! So sharpen your pencils, pick holes in your rubbers and get your paper airplanes ready for today's lesson.

Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) Review - Does It Live Up To The Hype

Why is it that all the best blockbusters are being released now in the run up to Christmas? Thor: The Dark World, The Hobbit: Desolation Of Smaug, Hunger Games: Catching Fire... And since when did the number 2 get replaced by the almighty colon? It's hard to say but what is clear is that The Hunger Games franchise is quickly shaping up to be one of the most successful book adaptations of the past decade. My question though is this (hello colon!): does Catching Fire live up to the hype or is it coasting on the success of the first film?

The Butler Review (2013) Has Lee Daniels Sold Out?

After dividing critics with his previous two outings, Lee Daniels has returned with The Butler, a mainstream historical drama that features more stars than the American flag. Fans of the seedy Paperboy or the hard-hitting Precious may leave cinemas somewhat disappointed but what about the commercial crowd Daniels is aiming for?

Film School Friday Lesson #14 - How To Invade The Planet Earth

Last week, Film School Friday taught our loyal readers how to survive an awkward family gathering but in the real world, there are far more dangerous things we must learn to survive if we're going to make it to 2014. Global warming. Terrorism. Miley Cyrus...But all of these threats to civilization mean nothing if we don't survive as a species. Movies have taught me literally everything I know and so I can guarantee that even if we survive these other threats, aliens will invade the planet Earth. Game over man, GAME OVER!

Now I don't know why alien species want our planet so badly. Maybe their own planet is dying out or maybe it's for the twinkies, but whatever the reason, we need to prepare, so let's get inside the mind of our enemy and pretend for just a few minutes that we are the invading force. That way, we'll know best how to defend ourselves, so polish your laser guns, wash your spaceships and lube up your probes as we read today's lesson.

Breaking Emotions Blogathon Week #4 - Hate & Love

Blogathons are awesome. They're a great way for film bloggers to stumble upon sites that they may not have come across before and they're always fun to tackle. Lucky for me then, that I recently discovered a brand new blogathon titled 'Breaking Emotions' on the Mettel Ray site. Each week, bloggers are asked to pick three movie scenes that best sum up a particular emotion for them. Last week, the two emotions chosen were 'smiles' and 'thrills'. Today, for the last week, we're tackling 'hate' and 'love'. To find out more about the blogathon, click here and to see which scenes I've chosen, read on after the jump. Go on. You know you wanna!

FSF #13 - Thanksgiving: How To Survive An Awkward Family Gathering

Last week, Film School Friday taught loyal readers how to become anime heroes. While doing my research for the article, one thing really stood out to me. Why are there no turkey pokemon? The first Pokemon film featured a psychic killer cat for God's sake and there are plenty of bird pokemon in the games yet godammit there isn't a single turkey to be found. Let's pay respect to the turkey this week then, that most noble of birds, in a feature inspired by the Thanksgiving season... Phew! That was a pretty tenuous link, even for me!

Lesson #13 - How To Survive An Awkward Family Gathering

Families are awkward. They just are and unfortunately, Thanksgiving is one of those times when you're forced to put aside your differences and join annoying relatives to celebrate the genocide of an indigenous race. But what do you do if your son-in-law starts talking about milking cat nipples like Ben Stiller did in Meet The Parents? Think that's awkward? The Danish film Festen featured a man accuse his father of sexually abusing him at his 60th birthday. Now that's awkward. If you want to learn how to avoid such mishaps at your Thanksgiving, roast the yams, switch the football on and stuff the turkey as we learn how to survive an awkward family gathering.

Breaking Emotions Blogathon Week #3 - Smiles & Thrills

Blogathons are awesome. They're a great way for film bloggers to stumble upon sites that they may not have come across before and they're always fun to tackle. Lucky for me then, that I recently discovered a brand new blogathon titled 'Breaking Emotions' on the Mettel Ray site. Each week, bloggers are asked to pick three movie scenes that best sum up a particular emotion for them. Last week, the two emotions chosen were 'fear' and 'awkward'. This week, we're tackling tears and surprise. To find out more about the blogathon, click here and to see which scenes I've chosen, read on after the jump. Go on. You know you wanna!

Film School Friday Lesson #12 - How To Become An Anime Hero

Last week, Film School Friday taught readers how to make their very own version of a Hitchcock movie. If you did take my advice, then quite frankly, I'm surprised you're still reading this feature. Shouldn't you be promoting your film for the upcoming Razzies? I hear McG has a new film out so there's stiff competition ahead! Oh, and if you've been sued by Hitchcock's estate, we never spoke.

Now where was I? Ah yes. Mistaken identity has always been a strong theme in Hitchcock's work so bizarrely, this got me thinking about anime. I've never seen more confused looking characters than I have in Japanese animation. Am I a boy? Am I a girl? Am I a about to be sexually assaulted by an octopus? I thought it might be best to try and clear the air with today's lesson so grab some hair gel, sharpen your sword and brush up on your Japanese as you read on. This one's for the fan boys.

Breaking Emotions Blogathon Week #2 - Tears & Surprise

Blogathons are awesome. They're a great way for film bloggers to stumble upon sites that they may not have come across before and they're always fun to tackle. Lucky for me then, that I recently discovered a brand new blogathon titled 'Breaking Emotions' on the Mettel Ray site. Each week, bloggers are asked to pick three movie scenes that best sum up a particular emotion for them. Last week, the two emotions chosen were 'fear' and 'awkward'. This week, we're tackling tears and surprise. To find out more about the blogathon, click here and to see which scenes I've chosen, read on after the jump. Go on. You know you wanna!

Thor: The Dark World Review

Marvel is on top of the world right now, on top of the Nine Realms in fact, but even just ten years ago, it was hard to imagine that the prolific studios would have two of the five most successful movies of all time under their belt. Now, at the brink of Marvel's plan for Phase Three, the studio is back with the third cinematic outing from the God of Thunder himself, Thor (Chris Hemsworth). Yes, there is a colon in the title and yes, the word 'dark' is prominent, but does Thor: The Dark World deliver or should it be called something more condemning like Thor: The Lame World but you know, actually clever?

FSF #11 - Directing Masterclass: Alfred Hitchcock

After our mammoth Halloween two-parter, Film School Friday took a break for the holidays. I'm sure the worldwide increase in suicide rates was purely coincidental but just in case, don't fret; school is back in session and what's more, we've returned with a brand new feature. Our acting masterclass with Matthew McConaughey was a huge hit - one whole comment! - so I've decided to open the feature out to film makers.

For our first directing masterclass, I knew I had to pick one of the greats and who better than the Master of Suspense, the King of Cameos, the Patron Saint of Diabetes? That's right kids. We're talking Hitchcock, so shave your head, stock up on cakes and get your binoculars out as we learn how to direct the perfect Hitchcock film.

FSF #11 - Directing Masterclass: Alfred Hitchcock

As one of the most famous directors of all time, Hitchcock made over fifty films throughout his career, so if you want to attain his level of fame, then file the divorce papers and put the kids up for adoption. Time is no longer your friend and neither are salty treats.

Breaking Emotions Blogathon Week #1 - Fear/Awkward

Blogathons are awesome. They're a great way for film bloggers to stumble upon sites that they may not have come across before and they're always fun to tackle. Lucky for me then, that I just discovered a brand new blogathon titled 'Breaking Emotions' on the Mettel Ray site. Each week, bloggers are asked to pick three movie scenes that best sum up a particular emotion for them. The first two emotions chosen this week are 'fear' and 'awkward'. To find out more about the blogathon, click here and to see which scenes I've chosen, read on after the jump. Go on. You know you wanna!

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa - The Review

With Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, director Jeff Tremaine continued his winning streak, helming his fourth consecutive Jackass film to #1 in the US with help from fellow screenwriters Knoxville and Spike Jonze, the co-creators of the Jackass show. Success is one thing, but have the boys still got it or is Bad Grandpa as dated as its octogenarian star?

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 Review - "There's A Leek In The Boat!"

Never have I ever been so hungry watching a film.

Chance Of Meatballs 2 (CWACOM2... just rolls off the tongue) is executive produced by the original film makers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who have since moved on to the 21 Jump Street franchise. In their stead, we have Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn, the promising directors behind...Open Season 3. Don't worry though Cloudy fans; director Cody Cameron is the voice behind Pinocchio and the three little pigs in the original Shrek... and they were funny right? With such a strong creative team, surely CWACOM2 will best the inevitable decline in quality that most sequels fall prey to, right?

Film School Friday Lesson #10 - How To Survive A Serial Killer

It's Halloween bitches! Last week, Film School Friday celebrated this fun but most pointless of holidays by teaching you how to spot a serial killer. Everyone needs a hobby right? That's all well and good but what happens when you find this serial killer? Do you a) Scream as loud as you can? b) Wet your pants? Or c) throw the nearest elderly person onto their knife? Human shields are great and all but sometimes they're hard to come by and some people are just too damn heavy to throw, so what then? Stand around waiting to get decapitated? I don't think so. Film School Friday cannot stand idly by while innocent serial killer spotters are violently murdered doing the thing they love most, so put down your homework, swallow some pro-plus and take up self-defense as we read on for today's lesson.

Lesson #10 - How To Survive A Serial Killer

Anyone can become just another statistic on a police report so regardless of age, gender or weight, today's advice is essential for all. Some of the following tips may not sound like fun, but you'll have even less fun floating face down in a river with all your limbs removed. Most importantly, how will you be able to trick and treat if you're dead? Let's start with the serial killers favourite demographic - teenagers.

Film School Friday Lesson #9 - How To Spot A Serial Killer

Last week, Film School Friday gave a 101 on the mechanics on time travel. If you're reading this from the future then be quick - the giant flying lizard monkeys will be back to check on you at any moment! If you're still reading this from the present though, then what the hell is wrong with you? Right now, you could be off flirting with Marie Antoinette or enjoying a relaxing cruise on the Titanic with Leo. What could possibly go wrong? Go, there's still time!

Now I've finished trying to dissuade you from reading today's lesson, it's probably time to introduce today's lesson. Halloween is coming up, so Film School Friday is celebrating with a two-part horror special. Original, I know. This week, I'll be teaching you how to spot a serial killer. There's plenty of them out there in the concrete jungle and with so many different types to avoid, I thought it best to give you the heads up, so dust off your knife collection, prepare the embalming fluid and slip on your favorite clown costume as you read today's advice.

How I Live Now (2013) - Film Review

After the success of the documentary Marley, Kevin Macdonald has returned with an unusual narrative film based on the award winning sci-fi novel How I Live Now. The original book came packaged with two different covers, one aimed at adults and one aimed at teenagers, but will the film adaptation split its audience in a similar way, limiting its success in the box office?

Film School Friday Lesson #8 - Time Travel 101

Last week, Film School Friday taught us all how to bag a Disney bride. Unfortunately, most of the people who took my advice are now in prison for stealing, kidnapping or sexual assault. Good news inmates! This week's lesson is a 101 on the mechanics of time travel, for those who wish that they could turn back the clock to a time before they read my last article. Let's just hope these prisoners can access the internet. I'd hate for my readership to be halved but hey; 3 readers is better than nothing right?

Lesson #8 - Time Travel 101

The movies make time travel look easy, but like buying a VHS or sitting through a M. Night Shyamalan movie, some things can be far more difficult than they first appear. In some time travel films, none of the characters even make it out of their time line and instead, are forced to just communicate with the past using a radio or even letters. Not only is that the lamest form of time travel going, but it also results in some horrendously poor movies like Frequency or The Lake House. URGH! What you guys really want is a time machine, so pick up the wrench, buy some super glue and listen up as I give you the 101 on time travel.

Film School Friday Lesson #7 - How To Bag A Disney Bride

Last week, Film School Friday went a slightly different route, teaching us all how to revive a dying career with the help of Southern charmer Matthew McConaughey. As king of the bad Rom Com, McConaughey had a lot to answer for but now, with a series of critically acclaimed films under his belt, we can look back at this dark period of cinema and rejoice in its demise. However, there's always a lesson to be learnt from cinema and as I researched McConaughey's crappy old films, one thing did occur to me. That man sure does know how to talk to the ladies...

I've decided that I need to give out more realistic advice that will help readers in their daily lives. No more 'How To Be The Best Zombie You Can Be' or 'How To Become A Successful Super Villain'. What do people want most of all? To be happy in love. Let's take a page out of McConaughey's book then and pursue only the most beautiful partners to spend the rest of our lives with. Want someone with an incredible singing voice, flawless hair and eyes so huge that they must have been born at Chernobyl? Go Disney. So dust off your song book, saddle your loyal horse and throw away your morals once more as we begin today's lesson.

FSF #6 - Acting Masterclass: Matthew McConaughey

Last week, Film School Friday taught the living dead how to survive as zombies in an apocalyptic future... what do you mean that was a pointless lesson? You won't be saying that when some moron drops a test tube and infects the whole planet...you're welcome! This got me thinking though. Have you ever met someone who is just going through the motions? Even rich successful people can become complacent, coasting from day to day, taking the easy options. There was a time in the mid-noughties when Matthew McConaughey actually became a zombie, lurching from rom-com to rom-com like a lovesick Romero extra, devouring Kate Hudson's face at every opportunity...See what I did there?

This week, I thought we could try something a bit different. Instead of one of our regular lessons, today we're going to take an acting masterclass from the King of the Comeback, Matthew McConaughey. The Texan star knows better than most what it's like to be at the bottom of the casting call sheet, but things are now looking up for McConaughey, with even talk of a potential Oscar nomination in the near future. And no, Most Frequently Topless is not an actual category. Anyway, if you want to follow McConaughey's example, then dust off the suntan lotion, grab a surfboard and grate some cheese on those abs as we help revive your dying career.

Film School Friday Lesson #5 - How To Be The Best Zombie You Can Be

If you ignored my advice last week and tried to attain immortality through the dubious means of becoming a zombie, then shame on you. Unless you're Nicholas Hoult, you just make it work somehow. However, if you are a zombie and your name isn't Hoult, then congratulations at least for taking the time out from eating brains to read our latest edition of Film School Friday. That's real commitment, especially considering how tough it is these days to be one of the walking dead.  The movies have given away most of the zombie weaknesses and every human left right and center has devised their own survival plan, so I figure it's time to level the playing field. Today's lesson is designed to help the zombies among us who are struggling in today's harsh apocalyptic society, so shuffle on over, check your face hasn't fallen off and read on to be the best zombie you can be.

Rush Review; Formula 1 Finally Got Interesting!

The critical success of the documentary Senna proved that audiences can enjoy films about motor racing, but with disappointments like The Dilemma and Angels and Demons still in recent memory, the real question is; can Ron Howard still make a good movie?

Insidious 2: My Favourite Horror Sequel of All Time

After the surprise success of The Conjuring this summer, horror fans worldwide have been clamoring to see the latest release from James Wan. However, the first Insidious divided fans and critics alike with a tonal shift midway that some found to be too absurd.  Furthermore, the sequel has been receiving mixed reviews, so I was worried that  Insidious 2: Chapter 2 would fall victim to the inevitable drop in quality that all horror franchises suffer. Could Wan's latest ever hope to match the scares of the first film?

Britney Spears Work Bitch - It's Finally Here!

After weeks of speculation surrounding a mysterious social media countdown, Britney's big announcement was leaked a day early and yep, you guessed it. New single alert. Work Bitch is the lead track from Britney's eighth studio album and it's a scorcher. With writing credits from Will.I.Am and Swedish House Mafia's Sebastian Ingrosso, the song was always going to be a dance floor filler but does it match up to the huge expectations of Britney's ginormous fanbase? Click below to find out.

Film School Friday Lesson #4 - How To Live Forever

Hello again faithful pupils. Last week, we learnt how to become one of the popular kids at school. If you're still reading this feature instead of nursing a kegger hangover, then things probably didn't work out like you hoped. Never mind. Today's lesson will give you another shot at getting things right. And another... And another... And another...

Lesson #4 - How To Live Forever

To anyone who says that immortality would get boring or that it'd be sad to see loved ones grow old around them, I say shut the hell up! Who are you trying to kid? No one wants to get wrinkly and live on a mobility scooter when they could stay young and go to high school forever! Think of all the films you'd miss it if you snuffed it. Transformers 12, Scary Movie 17, Pirates 42...Wait wait, come back!

North Sea Texas (2011) A Flemish Coming Of Age Drama

Over at www.myfilmviews.com, a new event has begun, titled the 5 Obstructions Blogathon. Each month a challenge is set which is designed to test writers in ways they may not have encountered before. In June, I completed obstruction 1 by writing a negative review for a film I love; Avengers Assemble. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to complete Obstruction 2 but I did successfully write Obstruction 3, a jigsaw review for The Conjuring which you can read here. Next up, Obstruction 4.

At first, I figured that this challenge would be pretty easy to complete but the trick here is to keep the review interesting throughout the entire 1250 word length. Today I'm going to review North Sea Texas, a Flemish coming of age drama which is close to my heart. Click below to read my views on the film and to read more about the blogathon, click here.

Film School Friday Lesson #3 - How To Be One Of The Popular Kids

Last week, Film School Friday taught us all how to become a successful super 

supreme leader... Great job on that death ray! But if you haven't achieved global domination yet, then what gives? Do you blame your parents? Maybe you had a rough time at school. If so, then it's too late for you oldies but if you're young and aspiring towards evil, then today's lesson is just for you. Following this weeks advice will not only improve your self esteem, but could also result in you developing some kind of eating disorder.

Youtube Faceoff - Nsync's Bye Bye Bye

Live Lounge is great and all but what I love most is searching through Youtube to find the best cover versions of my favourite songs by unsigned or small-time artists. If you put the time in, you'll find so many different and innovative interpretations of the biggest hits right now... but who has the time for that I hear you say? Have no fear for that's what our Youtube Faceoff is all about. Previous posts have looked at artists as diverse as Psy, Miguel and Katy Perry. Today it's Nsync's turn!

Film School Friday Lesson #2 - How To Become A Successful Super Villain

Last week, Film School Friday gave out key survival advice to help in the event that Kim Jong-un watches Team America and decides to turn the Western world into a barren nuclear wasteland. This got me thinking... Kim Jong-un is without a doubt the worlds most badass super villain. Like his father before him, Kim Jong-un has it all; a loyal army, a maniacal lust for power and a kickass haircut.

Now what would you do if I said that you too could be a world renowned super villain? Yes, my friends; power, respect and all the cute yellow minions you could ever ask for should be within your grasp if you just follow a few handy tips from yours truly. Well what are you waiting for? It's time to slip on the spandex, brush off that delirious cackle and take notes as I unveil the latest edition of Film School Friday.

Kick-Ass 2 Review (2013) Or Should I Say The Hit-Girl Movie Review?

Among all the superhero comics that have been adapted for the big screen recently, 2010′s Kick-Ass stood out more than most for its thrilling super heroics and shockingly infantile sense of humor. For the sequel, Matthew Vaughn stepped down to a co-producer role, handing over the directing reigns to Jeff Wadlow, whose previous credits consist of Cry Wolf and…Never Back Down. You can understand now the concern I felt walking into the cinema. Would Kick-Ass 2 be better than the first film? And would it do Mark Millar’s comic justice? 

Youtube Faceoff - Katy Perry's Roar

Live Lounge is great and all but what I love most is searching through Youtube to find the best cover versions of my favourite songs by unsigned or small-time artists. If you put the time in, you'll find so many different and innovative interpretations of the biggest hits right now... but who has the time for that I hear you say? Have no fear for that's what our Youtube Faceoff is all about. Previous posts have looked at artists as diverse as Bastille, Psy and Miguel. Today it's Katy Perry's' turn!

Film School Friday Lesson #1 - How To Survive An Atomic Blast

Stories prepare us for life. From a very young age, children are inundated with nursery rhymes and fairy tales that teach them the basic values necessary for navigating their daily lives. But it doesn't stop there. 

Even as adults, we're still learning every day and a big part of this is down to cinema. Some of the lessons are obvious; Robots will turn against humanity, kissing is sexier in the rain and Tim Burton should stop making films with Johnny Depp, but some are more subtle than that...and that's what Film School Fridays are all about.

Once a week, Film School Friday will guide you through some of the more ingenious messages provided by your local multiplex/DVD store/illegal download site. Upcoming lessons will teach you how to become a successful super villain and what you need to do to get by in a dystopian future but today, I wanted to give you some practical advice that can and will save your life one day. So sit up straight and take notes goddammit!

Lady Gaga's New Video For Applause - How Do We Feel About The Swan?

Well, after rush releasing the lead single from Artpop this week in a state of 'pop emergency', Lady Gaga has now unveiled the official video for Applause and frankly... it's a bit of a mess. 

The Wolverine Review (2013) Is It Better Than X-Men Origins: Wolverine?

After the embarrassment that was X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Logan's latest solo outing had a lot to make up for. In a determined effort to console the fans, James Mangold's take on the most popular X-Man is based on the classic Chris Claremont limited series from 1982, which transported Wolverine to the exotic setting of Japan. This all sounds promising but after being burned by Origins, I was sceptical that this would turn out any better. Is Mangold's take Ol' Canucklehead the definitive Wolverine film that everyone was hoping for?