Beth Orton @ Acadamy Oxford

Disapointed, some good moments mainly centred around songs from Central Reservation. Venue was packed with hardcore of fans, but did not light mine and our party's fire.
The problem for me is that I wanted the band to have a bit more funk, taking the songs towards their folk roots and away from a dance orientated 'folktronica' sound. Or maybe I was just imaging something that she does not deliver. 

5/10

Trance

Grave, grave dissapointment. Having seen by accident Memento the previous evening which has a similar theme running through, this Boyle film was not a patch on the Nolan. Pumped up music obscuring dialogue, a plot full of holes. It was as if he gave it a junior to handle whilst he was concentrating on the Olympics.

5/10

This House @ The National Theatre

With the best seats in the theatre, front row, goverment benches, this was one thouroughly enjoyable experience from start to its finish some two and a half hours later. Missed Paul Daniels presence after he was caught backing Michael Foot as replacement for Wilson in the later stages but that is nit picking. A hot seat in town indeed.

9/10

The Architects

First exursion into immersive theatre in Shunt's production at the Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey.
Enjoyable, but it promised more than it delivered.

7 / 10

Life of Pi

Faithfull reproduction of book and being in 3D a trully amazing visual experience. This was my first 3D film and having to wear the glasses over my glasses not a good thing to say the least but soon got used to it. After the 3D trailers, the film had a natural approach to its use of the third dimension which thankfully greatly enhanced the experience.
Strong performance from Suraj Sharma as Pi, a film debut no less and the cgi work that created the tiger. The alternative version of the events somehow takes away the impact of the magical story.

9 / 10

Argo

Surprisingly excellent thriller which makes Skyfall's second half look especially pathetic. Always had the impression that Ben Affleck was somewhat light weight but in directing and starring in this film was an impressive achievement. Co produced by Clooney who can do no wrong, this should be up for an Oscar nomination.

9/10

Skyfall

Not bad, first half was rather good, but then it disintergrated into the set piece, meglomaniac goes wild with big shoot them up ending.
Chase over the roof tops very good during the opening sequence.

Two mistakes at least. The tube crash in rush hour would have been crowded with bodies flying everywhere, however not a person in sight.
The reflection of the filming helicopter was caught in the landrover's door window. Blink and you miss it, but should have been picked up in post production, very naughty.

8.5/10 First half
5/10 Second half.