Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

Champagne fizz with friends this Christmas. {Food & Drink}

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Christmas is the perfect excuse to open a bottle of Champagne and celebrate the year in style with loved ones. The Champagne Information Bureau has compiled a list of top tips and dispelled some myths on how to serve and enjoy the ultimate luxurious drink this festive season:

Quantity – a bottle of Champagne serves about seven Champagne flutes. When served as an aperitif, allow one bottle for every three or four guests, but at a meal, serve one bottle for every two or three.

Temperature – Champagne takes around three hours to chill in the fridge. For a quicker result, place the bottle in a bucket filled with equal parts ice and water. This takes about thirty minutes. Never put Champagne bottles in the freezer as it will dumb down the aroma and flavours.

Open – Be brave! Slant the bottle at a 45 degree angle away from guests. Untwist (exactly six half turns) and remove the wire muzzle. Grasp the cork firmly with thumb and forefinger and twist the bottle slowly letting the pressure help to push the cork out. It should sigh rather than pop.

Serve – Champagne is best served in a tulip-shaped glass or a flute. Do not serve in a saucer-shaped glass as the aroma and bubbles will disperse. Serve by holding the glass upright. Pour a small quantity of Champagne in the glass and allow it to settle before filling two-thirds full.

Enjoy – hold the glass by the stem or even better at the base to avoid warming the drink. Between glasses, store the opened bottle of Champagne in an ice bucket for no more than three hours. Contrary to popular belief, a silver spoon placed in the neck of an open bottle does not prevent the Champagne going flat.

Store – keep un-opened Champagne horizontally in a cool, dark place away from heat, light and severe temperature variations.

Francoise Peretti, Director of the Champagne Information Bureau, says:

“Don’t be Champagne shy this Christmas! Make sure you look around for different styles and brands – there is a wide diversity of Champagne which will suit your occasion. Year-end celebrations are a great time to experiment and explore.”

ZAC EFRON IS THE VOICE OF ANAKIN SKYWALKER. {Film}

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ZAC EFRON IS THE VOICE OF ANAKIN SKYWALKER IN THE PREMIERE OF ROBOT CHICKEN: STAR WARS EPISODE III

From 27th December 2010 on www.adultswim.co.uk

Adult Swim is bringing the force a bit closer to home on 27th December with the European premiere of the third Star Wars special of its Emmy award-winning stop-motion animated series Robot Chicken. The 45 minute long episode, starring Zac Efron will be available to view on adultswim.co.uk for 1 week until 3rd January 2011.

The legendary story of the intergalactic struggle between good vs. evil gets a unique make-over in Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III with full endorsement from Lucasfilm. The episode brazenly combines the satirical touch of the show’s creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich’s series Robot Chicken, with the Star Wars universe. Four key characters (Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, Boba Fett and Gary the Stormtrooper) reveal the untold stories of what went on behind the scenes throughout all six Star Wars films from Phantom Menace to Return of the Jedi. Witness Palpatine’s real struggle with ruling a ruthless Empire, see Gary the Stormtrooper knock over an Ewok on his first joyride, Hans Solo gets to meet Chewbacca’s family and a disco dancing Darth Vader is revealed as a clumsy fool.

Among the favourite characters of the Star Wars universe is the creator George Lucas himself voicing his stop-motion animated likeness. Other noteworthy voice actors include Zac Efron as Anakin Skywalker and Star Wars veterans Anthony Daniels as C3PO, Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian and Ahmed Best as Jar Jar Binks, along with returning favourites Green, Senreich, Rachael Leigh Cook, Breckin Meyer and Seth MacFarlane.

The first two instalments in the Robot Chicken: Star Wars trilogy resulted in multiple award nominations and numerous Annie Awards and fast became the highest-rated original program on Adult Swim in the US.

Matthew Senreich says, “We wanted to take the Star Wars universe and see it through the eyes of Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, Boba Fett and Gary the Stormtrooper. We still flip around the universe but we get a unique perspective from the bad guy side, from people who just want to rule the universe.”

LONDON IRISH GANGSTER MOVIE SET FOR FILMING NEXT YEAR. {Film}

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Dark and Gritty Movie Reaches into the Bloody Heart of London’s Underworld

Written and produced by Londoner Andrew Nolan, Clan London will be filmed in London and Boston next year. Starring Jay Giannone (The Departed, Three Kings) former World boxing champion Steve Collins and former bank robber now best selling author Noel ‘Razor’ Smith – the movie introduces today’s world to a dark corner of the city when extreme lawlessness and chaos comes under the control of the most ruthless crime family this country has ever seen.

Set in the capital, Clan London centers on three second generation Irish brothers growing up in 1970’s London up to the present day. Against the backdrop of anti – Irish feeling the McDonagh clan refuse to keep their heads down and become heavily involved in organised crime. So much so they rise to the top of the British underworld.
The movie is primarily located in the Kilburn and Ladbroke Grove area of North West London where many of the Irish settled during the recent wave of immigration from the 1960’s onwards. London Irish artists such as Johnny Lydon were giving the World punk music whilst thousands of young Irishmen were the rock in the foundation of London’s construction boom. This movie will finally bring to life an accurate portrayal of what it was like to be Irish in a deeply suspicious city when the troubles of Northern Ireland often exploded onto the streets of the capital. For one family, the brutal criminal underworld provides a way out of poverty and an opportunity to confront the anti Irish sentiments of the day head on.

At the heart of the film is a story of Love, Honour and Loyalty set against the brutal criminal underworld of greed and corruption. Primarily aimed at the lucrative 18 – 30 ‘crime’ genre market, it has the potential to appeal to older audiences in the footsteps of The Godfather. With it’s fully realised and above all authentic characters, their seducing charm and unquenchable thirst for power, Clan London manages to be that rare beast; a truly original, high concept film that engages an audience emotionally but is still fresh, powerful and above all highly marketable.

Among the many artists who have agreed to feature on the soundtrack are Elvis Costello, The Dropkick Murphys (The Departed) and Spider Stacy from The Pogues (PS I Love You).

 

Misfits, Series 2: Behind the scenes. {Frost Exclusive TV}

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Frost has managed to get their hands on a fantastic behind the scenes featurette as well as exclusive interviews with the cast of Misfits. Add in some never before seen footage and we really are spoiling you. Season 2 has been fantastic and if you missed it the DVD is out on December the 27th. Enjoy!

DVD release of Misfits series 2 out on the 27th of December. Pre-order it now.

T’WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS…AND OVER TWO THIRDS OF BRITS WERE STILL SHOPPING

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Despite best intentions, 68% of Brits still search for gifts on Christmas Eve

· Brits set to waste £2 billion[1] on panic-bought gifts this Christmas

· A nation of last-minute Christmas shoppers – over three quarters (76%) of us panic-buy the night before Christmas to ensure stockings are filled

· Half (50%) of shoppers have deliberately bought something overly expensive or extravagant in a moment of panic

· Panic-buy Britain: 32% have bought on a whim because they couldn’t find what they are looking for and 32% because they unexpectedly received a present and felt obliged to return the gesture

· Almost half (48%) of consumers admit to avoiding the panic by recycling an unwanted gift they’ve already received

· Christmas shoppers urged to use InvisibleHand (www.getinvisiblehand.com) to grab the best festive bargains.

Ever woken up realising you’ve forgotten that all-important present the morning before Christmas Day? Well you’re not alone. According to new research[2] from InvisibleHand, the free online shopping tool, over two thirds of UK shoppers (68%) also end up buying last minute gifts from the shops on Christmas Eve, while over three quarters (76%) of us end up panic-buying to ensure Santa’s quota is met.

In fact, panic buying last year led to half (50%) of consumers deliberately purchasing something overly expensive or extravagant. Going by last year’s overspend, Brits could be set to waste a whopping £2 billion on last-minute, panic-bought gifts this year[1].

Not being able to find the ‘right’ gift (32%) and being unexpectedly given a present and having to return the gesture (32%) are among the main reasons why people end up panic-buying. However, consumers also put pressure on themselves with over a quarter (26%) leaving it until the last minute because they can’t actually decide whether to buy someone a gift or not. A forgetful 18% end up in a flap because they simply forget to buy a gift.

As a result of the panic, consumers cut corners with three in ten (31%) buying something the wrong size so that the recipient could return it after Christmas. Men are particularly bad at adopting this cunning ploy – 38% use this tactic. Two in ten people (19%) even buy something that they know the recipient won’t like. Again, men lead the way with 24% having used this ruse.

People even resort to ‘re-gifting’ – almost half (48%) admit to re-cycling an unwanted gift they’d already received. What’s more, women seem to be the best at this with almost half (48%) having recycled unwanted gifts in the past, compared to just 30% of men.

Robin Landy, founder of InvisibleHand, says: “As the carol goes: ‘‘tis the season to be jolly’, but for most of us the weeks leading up to the big day are often another story altogether. This is especially the case if you’ve left your Christmas shopping to the last minute. This often leads to panic-buying and consumers making extremely poor purchasing decisions, often forking out far more than necessary as a result.

“Purchasing Christmas gifts under pressure could see a staggering £2 billion wasted on panic–bought items this year alone. This is astonishing and could be easily avoided by shopping online. The key thing is for consumers to shop around to make sure they find the best prices available to avoid paying vast amounts. There are some great deals to be found by savvy shoppers looking to track down a Christmas bargain.”

InvisibleHand’s top five tips for online Christmas shopping:

§ Search online to make sure you have the best price available to avoid spending more than you need to

§ Ensure you read the terms and conditions regarding postage and packaging to avoid any unnecessary costs

§ Be sure to read up on delivery times to ensure gifts arrive in good time

§ Take advantage of discount vouchers on offer by searching online and entering a promotional code before clicking the ‘buy’ button

§ Check whether the retailer offers a gift-wrapping service, which could save you time in the long run.

Guinness World Records Announce Largest Santa Claus Collection.

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Retired Canadian teacher enters the Guinness World Records™ 2011 edition with world’s ‘Largest Collection of Santa Claus Memorabilia’

Jean-Guy’s 25,000-piece collection fills his entire house!

74-year-old Jean-Guy Laquerre from Boucherville, Quebec, today celebrates being officially recognised as the biggest collector of Santa Claus-themed memorabilia in the world, having accumulated an incredible 25,189 items from 33 countries over the past 22 years. His record-breaking collection, which is still growing in size, has earned him a place in the Guinness World Records 2011 edition and will also feature as part of the new Guinness World Records iPad app Guinness World Records: At Your Fingertips, which launches today on the iTunes store.

Jean-Guy began his collection in 1988 after being left a Santa Claus statuette from the early 1900s by a deceased relative. This touching gesture inspired him to start hunting for everything Santa-related, from postcards and brooches to toys and posters. And just like Santa, in his bid to keep expanding his collection, Jean-Guy has his own band of helpers – friends rather than elves! – that send him gifts from antique shops and garage sales, to help boost his assortment of Father Christmas merchandise.

Now the enthusiast has been rewarded with a certificate, a place in the 2011 edition book and will also feature in the new Guinness World Records app which launches today. Commenting on his record-breaking collection, Jean-Guy said: “To be included in the Guinness World Records book is a big honour. It’s the best of the best, the top of the top – like being an Olympic gold medal winner! Being part of the iPad app gives me even more joy as it will help spread the happiness my collection brings to people.”

Guinness World Records Editor-in-chief Craig Glenday says: “Jean-Guy personifies the magic of Christmas ­ his collection is a joy to behold and brings a smile to the face of even the most hardened of cynics. He’s the kind of grandfather that every child would want!”

An ideal Christmas gift for both knowledge-seekers and aspiring record-breakers of all ages, Guinness World Records 2011 edition is available now from all good book retailers (RRP £20).

The Guinness World Records app Guinness World Records: At Your Fingertips launches today, delivering more than 150 photographs, 140 records, 20 stunning video clips, and three exclusive games that enable iPad users – for the first time ever – to be able to attempt and set real Guinness World Records straight from their iPad.

Guinness World Records: At Your Fingertips is available now at the iTunes Store for £2.99. For more information visit http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/ipad.aspx

True Blood. {TV Preview}

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Vampires might be ubiquitous at the moment, but that doesn’t mean that viewers are sick of them yet. The return of the sexy, slick True Blood is most welcome. Mostly so due to the casting of the gorgeous ( and mostly naked ) Alexander Skarsgård.

Bill proposed to Sookie and promptly goes missing. Where is he, and has he been kidnapped? Overly fertile Arlene is also in for a surprise.

In it’s third series, True Blood is still coming up with the goods. The writing is on top form and there is enough twists and turns to keep viewers happy. Due to the nudity and violence, probably not one to watch with your parents.

Fridays at 10pm from Jan 14th. Only on FX

JACK THE RIPPER: THE GERMAN SUSPECT {TV Preview}

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Arguably , no serial Killer has been scrutinized more than Jack the Ripper. It is thought that he was responsible for 5 brutal murders of prostitutes.

For more than 120 years, the identity of the infamous Whitechapel murderer has remained unknown. Now, astonishing new evidence revealed after decades of meticulous research, by retired UK police detective Trevor Marriot claims to have finally discovered the killer’s true identity – a German merchant sailor.

Teaming up with criminal psychologist Thomas Muller and a team of international experts, Marriott applies modern detective techniques to this century-old crime in an attempt to solve the apparently unsolvable case, and what he uncovers is truly remarkable. On a trail that takes him through Europe and into New York’s Lower East Side, Marriott claims not only to have uncovered the identity of the Ripper but also the nature of his own grisly end. Could Britain’s most notorious serial killer also have been responsible for a spate of similar murders across the pond?

The programme is good, but it is hard to believe that any human being could be capable of such crimes. I learned more about Jack the Ripper than from anything else I have watched. I highly recommend it. Just don’t watch it alone.

JACK THE RIPPER: THE GERMAN SUSPECT, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL MONDAY 3RD JANUARY AT 9PM.