This is one of my favourite books ever, and I am going to give Luhrmann the benefit of the doubt and look forward to this movie with great excitement. It kind of seems the logical choice for him really, as aside from Australia and Strictly Ballroom Luhrmann seems very fascinated with narratives where…

Yeah, one of my big concerns with this is that Baz & Co will miss the point and try to present Daisy as a trapped bird in a golden cage who is actually REALLY DEEP AND COMPLEX AND MULTILAYERED. Yes, that is an interesting character trope and one I enjoy seeing presented. But it's not Daisy Buchanan. One of the…

I think the trick is to find the balance between Female Action Hero Does Action Stuff, and Overtly Sexualised Female Action Hero Does Sexy Action Stuff, Sexily. Some filmmakers seem to, um, struggle with this.

I recoiled in horror when I first heard about this. Then I figured, I get to see Catherine Martin Jazz Age production design in 3D on the big screen, and I can live with that.

When an American explained to me that a lot of the problems with the health care thing come down to politicians fanning panic about "IT'S THE FIRST STEP ON THE SLIPPERY SLOPE INTO COMMUNISM!!" I just laughed until they were all "No, seriously, way too many Americans are actually thinking like this".

There's a comedian (can't remember who, I think he's British) who has a whole routine about his campaign to reclaim the phrase "I'm not a racist but" for people who aren't about to say something racist. "I'm not a racist but would you like another cup of coffee?" "I'm not a racist but did you see the game last night?"

I don't know about anyone else, but I've always found it helpful not to think of internet dating as literally "dating on the internet". It's just a way of being able to meet people you might not come across in your day to day life, and just communicate enough to determine whether you're interested in meeting face to…

I honestly expected Jackman to be cast as Javert, as he seems to fit that role better. But I'm warming to the idea of him as Valjean.

I thought the point of 'Phantom of the Opera' was that the Phantom became obsessed with this young girl's beauty despite her not having an amazing voice, and pushing insanely to make her a star so she would fall in love with him and generally acting like a psycho stalker. Then a friend explained that Christine is…

That really sucks. I can't give advice about improving your OKC profile, but as far as this is impacting on your friendship, are you close enough or have the kind of friendship where you can tell her that while what she blogs is her business and she's entitled to mock away to her heart's content, it's making you…

In your instance it does make sense, and your being the other person is totally okay, because it sounds like you're being positive with your contributions, and being productive. I have a sneaking suspicion - vaguely confirmed by the body language of more senior members on my team - that these two are just a little bit…

I'm collating data that is actually very important for my branch of my bit of the public service but actually feels like the Monty Python sketch about the AGM of the Society of Putting Things on Top of Other Things, and browsing on Jezebel, rejoicing that since Gawker did the new comment system thing, it must have…

Gah, why are some people so reticent when it comes to producing work of their own, but when other people have produced it to the group and say "Okay, now what do you think?" suddenly have LOTS AND LOTS to say about how it should have been done and how they could have done it better and what changes need to be made?

The one I've got is narrated by Nick Landrum, although I believe there are other versions. He's fantastic. Like I say, it's a virtuouso performance of asshole, so you have to be into that sort of thing (as well as into BEE) but it's up there amongst my favourite Audibles.

I remember being a bit confused and let down when I finally read American Psycho, because like you say it was ZOMG! cultural touchstone of our time and voice of our generation!1one!1. And I was like "Is this it? I thought it would be.... deeper, somehow."

Audio book recommendation: the unabridged reading of 'American Psycho'. I know, I know, it's an obnoxious book by a douchebag. But I've discovered I like it more/abhor it less as an audio experience. It feels more like a one-man play and less like spending time inside Brett's head. It's also one of the best audio book…

It helps me to remember that internet dating is not literally "dating on the net". It's just a tool to help you get organised to meet people face to face and decide if you want to date them or not.

Not the point of the story, but boneless wings, wtf? I just googled and it looks like they're actually bits of breast meat, just in kind of vague wing-like shapes. Where is the fun in that? Isn't the point of wings that they're fiddly and have bones and shit, and half the pleasure is in the process of eating the…

Well, god help me, I did like Charlie's Angels. True story.

I'll give the show a chance and if I hate it, it's not like another 'Sherlock' show has made Moffatt's go poof and cease to exist, and I will go back to that. And it is a pity that Sherlock is still a guy, and a female Sherlock and Watson would be cool, and there'll probably be stupid sexual tension, and it's stupid…