To the lovely readers of this blog,

It's that time of the year again, and nearly time to say goodbye to 2012. It's been a huge year full of amazing landmarks, achievements and highlights - personally I'd say it's been the best year of my life so far, too. And one of the big highlights..Beview was born! In the mere 9 months we've been online (plus, I'd say we've actually only properly up and running since July), over 7000 of you have logged on and said hello, from over 50 different countries all over the world, so thank you. In fact, we only hit the 7000 mark last week so that deserves an even bigger THANK YOU.

Let's see...2012 was the year I met a whole new bunch of amazing, fantastically-funny, life-changing people (you know who you are), and was lucky enough to meet a bunch of people you may have heard of, too: Steven Spielberg, Benedict Cumberbatch, Carrie Underwood, Dara O'Briain, Dakota Fanning, Jeremy Irvine - no, no I'm not name-dropping at all... 2012 was also the year of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee - who didn't feel a little bit patriotic?! And of course, the magnificent Olympic Games in London. Being part of the torch relay, opening and closing ceremony experience (close to, but not actually in, the stadium), and victory parade made it very special and something I'll remember for the rest of my life. And Team GB definitely did us all proud too. In other, less optimistic, news, there have been a whopping load of controversies along the way this year too.

Film-wise, we've been in for a 2012 treat. Spielberg epic War Horse, The Avengers which made us all want superpowers (or at least be super-spies), the brilliant The Hunger Games, the final instalment of Twilight, saying goodbye to an incredible trilogy with The Dark Knight Rises, Prometheus, possibly the best Bond yet in the form of Skyfall, a spidey reboot of The Amazing Spiderman, and more recently, The Hobbit and Life of Pi. TV-wise, Sherlock was simply magnificent at the start of the year, stateside Girls has attracted a crowd of attention, Gossip Girl was finally unmasked (was anyone shocked?), Downton Abbey made people cry some more, a dancing dog won Britain's Got Talent, Strictly overtook X Factor in terms of ratings, New Girl became a firm favourite in my TV life (sadly I don't have much of one), and Jenna-Louise Coleman has started making waves as the new Doctor Who assistant, ahead of next year's 50th anniversary. Music-wise, we've all sung along to Call Me Maybe, We are Never Ever Getting Back Together, and danced along to Gangnam Style. Catchy pop has had its year, it seems. (And also, One Direction.)

Well, what can we look forward to in 2013? It's one of my new year's resolutions to blog even more regularly than I have done in the past, and I'll hopefully be reviewing/beviewing more things from both the past and present. The next 12 months will undoubtedly bring new adventures, excitement and challenges - and the one of the best things is that I get to share these with you, too!

Thank you again - so much - for all your support this past year. I would not keep writing if it were not for you reading, and I've honestly been blown away by the sheer number and cultural diversity of you all. 

There's not much else to say except...no matter where in the world you are, have a Happy New Year! 

See you in 2013,
Bev x

Out of all the films I've reviewed (or beviewed - let's be honest, it's catching on...) in 2012, this is possibly the one I am most excited to write about. I was a massive fan of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy and the hype preceding The Hobbit has been very difficult to miss.

In this 2 hour 46 minute extravaganza, where do I begin? Well, how about beginning at the beginning. We see a very different Middle Earth to the one we saw in LOTR, and a lengthy prequel about the land of the dwarves - and its fall. The Shire is as bright and bubbly as you remember it, and after a brief introduction you meet Mr Bilbo Baggins, played tremendously well by Martin Freeman. I quite like the series Sherlock, so it was interesting seeing him take on such a coveted role as this. He completely pulls it off as a tiny, hairy-footed hobbit and his cluelessness will make you laugh at least several times throughout the film. Freeman had no choice but to turn down the role at first, but director Peter Jackson rescheduled the filming times to suit him. It must have caused a lot of hassle, but it was definitely worth it. Those boots have been filled by a worthy and completely credible actor.

Bilbo is joined by a band of homeless, troublesome dwarves threatening to destroy the peaceful hobbit's life as they try and recruit him to be their "burgular". These are no ordinary dwarves; they are on a quest, or an adventure, to reclaim their homeland. The casting is spot on, with a mix of intriguing personalities played by actors such as Sylvester McCoy,  James Nesbitt and lesser known names such as Adam Brown who plays "Ori". They are clearly distinguished as individuals but, despite the long running time, I only knew the names of one or two dwarves by the end of the film and quite a few were unfortunately slightly forgettable (especially if you're comparing it to the Fellowship of LOTR). More screen time and character developing might have solved this, but it might have added unnecessary minutes. Another minor criticism I'd add is that some of their costume make-up is slightly, ever-so-slightly overdone. The leader of the dwarves, Thorin, is the only one I really remember but for good reason. In a career-defining role, Richard Armitage is brilliantly brilliant. There are moments where he reminded me of Aragorn, and his story as heir to the throne is one prominent to the plot. 

We get to see some new faces and alas, some familiar ones too. Cate Blanchett as the impossibly beautiful Galadriel, the seemingly ageless Hugo Weaving as elf Lord Elrond (well, they are elves after all) and Gandalf in his Grey but nonetheless still very wise and powerful form. Even young Frodo Baggins - before he turned to the dark side of the f...wait, wrong film. But the possible standout of the bunch is the wide, blue-eyed precious creature. With "precious" pronounced "precioussssss". I am, of course, talking about Andy Serkis's Gollum, to whom Simon Cowell would definitely and accurately say, "you made that your own." His character, so iconically known from LOTR, is the current ring-bearer before the actual significance of the ring is even known. His famous split-personality often sheds a comical light, rather than a sinister one, as he and Mr Baggins engage in a fight using the deadly weapons...of riddles. (You'll see.)

After a confusing turn of events regarding the director of the film, I am very glad Peter Jackson got to take the helm again. Joined by the same screenwriters and composer (Howard Shore) as before, it has a fresh but familiar feel to it. There's a new riff playing (and being sung) throughout, but also a lot of the original LOTR score. I really like that there is constantly instrumental music to accompany and embellish every mood of the film, but it's done in such a way that you don't even notice it. It all goes very well together. 

In terms of special effects, the standard is very high these days. Jackson made a controversial choice to film a High Frame Rate (48 frames per second I believe) which I personally don't think made a massive impact, but it has come under fire from a lot of critics. I found some of the camera swoops over Middle Earth a bit blurry in 3D, but that could quite possibly just be my eyes. Having watched it in 3D was a very cool experience too, but it's probably one of those films where it enhances, but isn't necessarily necessary. The gorgeous backdrop of New Zealand provides a spectacular scenery without the need of special effects, but for everything else, it still looks entirely believable. And not forgetting the king of special effects, Gollum; top marks again go to anyone involved in bringing my favourite love-to-hate character to life.

The actual plot of the book The Hobbit has been split into three films, so The Unexpected Journey covers the introduction and how it all came to be, and the journey to the Lonely Mountains. Whilst they don't even get to the point of meeting dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch), there is plenty of action once the film gets properly started. Sometimes-clumsy fight scenes and hilarious near-death experiences are very different to the LOTR trilogy and its experienced swordsmen/archers/axebearers, but the action is nonetheless entertaining to watch and there are enough encounters with evil goblins to keep every film fan satisfied.

In most reviews I've read, or where I've heard friends talk about the film, they've pretty much all said "yeah it's a good film, but it's no way near as good as Lord of the Rings." And I've found that in this review alone, I've drawn constant comparisons to the trilogy. But it must be known and acknowledged that The Hobbit is very different; it's more light-hearted in places, there is no one common enemy, and it's all about a different kind of journey. It is undoubtedly an incredible film - one of the best I have seen all year - and if you take away any expectation or comparison generated from LOTR, it is still undoubtedly an incredible film. Whether or not you choose to compare and be disappointed is up to you, but I for one was certainly not disappointed. I can't wait for the next two instalments and I think the future is very bright for The Hobbit trilogy and the brand new adventure it presents.

Bev x 
PS. Apologies for the lengthy review! It is, after all, a lengthy film...

Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas! This will be my official Beview Christmas letter to you, and I hope that as I write this, you are sipping on a nice cuppa hot chocolate, sitting against a radiator with Magic FM's Christmas tunes in the background. Or maybe that's just me...(but you should try it; it feels very nice.) Anyway, this is Beview's very first Christmas. This time last year, I was blogging from The Lollipop House, and I was rambling on about how I did not feel at all Christmasy...possibly the curse of age or otherwise. I'm now older and wiser - by one significant year - and I have to admit the Christmas spirit of TV adverts has still not struck me to the snow-encrusted floor. I have, however, indulged in the appropriate amount of chocolate/roast dinners/mulled wine, watched Love Actually, sung Christmas carols and tunes, attempted Christmas shopping, marvelled at Christmas lights, bought German Bratwurst from the Christmas markets, and smothered my head with an obscene number of hats. 

And there is still time. Time to reflect upon the birth of Jesus and the real reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Time to actually get myself an advent calendar. Time to find the perfect Christmas jumper. Time to watch Elf and Miracle on 34th Street and belt out Mariah Carey songs until my lungs start hurting...

But at the end of the day, Christmas is all about making a difference to others, and spreading that special Christmas cheer even if you aren't necessarily feeling it yourself. Whether it's the simple "Merry Christmas" to the driver as you exit the bus or taxi, or to the cashier after you spend ages dancing to and fro the different shelves of the shop as you ponder which gift your friend will like more. And it's being with the people you love and letting them know you love them. Don't worry if you haven't done it yet; there is still time.

Merry Christmas everyone! 
Bev xxx 
PS. If you're feeling all Christmasy and nice, and want to give me a brilliant Christmas present (who doesn't!?), like the official Beview Facebook page :D http://www.facebook.com/beviewblog 

I don't know if it's because Christmas is a reflective time, or a time to dwell on emotions, but I came across Bon Iver's cover of "I Can't Make You Love Me" this morning. Cue Beview philosophy. It got me thinking two things: 1) Justin Vernon (Bon Iver dude) has a super-impressive falsetto. And 2), you can't please everyone or make them like you. Even if you try really, really hard to. 

Back in the high school days, I had the privilege of accompanying my friend Steph on the piano whilst she sent shivers down every spine with a stunning vocal performance of the said song during a charity concert. The song and it's meaning were beautiful, but it never struck a chord with me until now. So thinking of point 2), I could spend hours thinking of ways to impress someone, or simply spending time with them, but if they don't like you then that's that. It's impossible to make some people like you. Even if you try really, really hard to.

Bev x

I'm recapping this concert nearly 3 weeks after it happened, but I can literally still remember everything vividly like it was just yesterday. Jason Mraz at London's o2 Arena. Amazing. Expect slight (and hopefully subtle) elements of fangirling in this post, as he is my all-time favourite music artist and I have wanted to see him live for at least the past 5 years. With Jason Mraz, clever lyrics and melodies, combined with his flawless soulful but acoustic but reggae (and therefore very difficult to categorise, genre-wise) sound, is exactly what I'd be looking for in a live music experience. And when he announced his one and only tour date in the UK earlier this year, I jumped straight onto Ticketmaster to make sure I was part of it. 

Managing to secure seats in the front block of the arena meant that I didn't need to watch the gig on the big screens behind, and the buzz in the seating area meant that there was mainly standing (and therefore, dancing) involved. Basically, they were very, very good seats - especially for such a giant venue. That said, I think the whole experience would have been extraordinary for every single ticketholder, even the ones at the very top which you can't buy if you have a fear of heights. I'm not even exaggerating; it was that good. It was also really nice to see such a wide demographic in the audience - children and their parents, teenagers, young couples, old couples, and everyone else in between.

Jason Mraz and his band delivered an intimate yet explosive set. I say "intimate" because the connection and chemistry within the musicians in the band meant they could play and bounce off each other (not literally speaking of course) and you got a sense that they, and the several thousand in the crowd, were all part of a close-knit show. This was shown by the performance of "I'm Coming Over", the hidden track on the latest album "Love is a four letter word", where the entire band joined a corner of the stage one by one until they were all huddled like a family with instruments so that if you really tried to block everything out, you could believe that they were sheltered in a barn simply jamming music. (See the last photo). 

In particular, over the course of the evening, the female percussionist who can apparently play a million different instruments stood out playing a box-shaped drum with the most energy I have ever seen anyone with, and the instruments included to also a weird necklace-type bell thing...but hey, that's multi-talented creativity like I've never seen it before. There was also a support act in the form of the very man who encouraged him to pursue a music career which introduced the evening in a special and meaningful manner.

Then onto Jason Mraz, the leading man. In between songs, his observations on things and just life in general made you smile. He sung barefoot, drank from some mysterious brown bottle, and even featured the Youtube sensation Sexy Sax Man. (Youtube his numerous "Careless Whisper" covers if you dare...). There were crazy riffs and melodic introductions and dramatic outros, songs from earlier on in his career such as "The Remedy" and "Plane", and tracks from his latest offering including "Frank D. Fixer" and "The Woman I Love" which featured an actual proposal from one nervous audience member and a "yes" from the most emotional audience member. I think one half of the audience may have shed a tear ( - the females).

Other songs included "Make it Mine", "Butterfly", "Live High", "Only Human", and a heartfelt duet of "Lucky". Of course, he made a big fuss over the track which really put his name all over the global music - "I'm Yours" - merging it with a bit of Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds". And the big finale was "I Won't Give Up" (what else?). Arms swaying, couples embracing (boy were there a lot of couples in that crowd...), and phone lights in the air... it was a perfect end to a perfect night. Speaking of perfect too, every single note was pitch perfect. Every. Single. Note. 

So, to wrap it all up, it was quite simply the best concert I have ever been to. I've been to a fair few and I usually enjoy the smaller lesser-known artists in the smaller venues, but there was just nothing I could complain about even if I wanted to. One of my favourite songs of Mraz's is called "Life is Wonderful" and my-oh-my was the tour simply...wonderful.

Bev x 

All photos featured in this post are copyright to Bev at Beview.blogspot.com and are not to be reproduced without permission.

-          I went to see Jason Mraz at the o2 Arena and it was simply quite epic. I’ve been trying to get hold of any Jason Mraz-related tickets for years and it definitely exceeded my expectations; I’ll be putting a gig review up here at some point.
-          There was a sense of Twilight closure as I watched Breaking Dawn Part 2 at the cinema. Again, there’ll be a review of that up soon too. I highly doubt it’ll be the last time you see Taylor Lautner’s ripped abs but there’ll be no more glittering skin after this.
-          Christmas fever is starting, and to make up for completely not feeling “Christmasy” at all last year, I’m starting early. With decorations and of course, shopping.
-          I bought a nice black lace dress from Asos under the pretence that it is my “Christmas party” dress. And totally justified it too because I bought it on sale.
-          There have been a lot of visits to Virgos Lounge on my computer, with their stunning embellishments for the Christmas season. I’m a firm fan.
-          I’ve been doing quite a bit of experimenty cooking lately, with a high success rate and 0 cases of food poisoning. Following that sushi recipe, I’ll be posting more on that soon…
-          I am completely out of it in terms of the whole X Factor shebang.  Something about everyone voting for a certain Christopher Malloney just to piss Simon Cowell off? Is he really that bad?
-          Some people confuse me.
 


-          Christmas. Does it even need saying?
-          Cooking Christmas-related food. Time to tackle that turkey…
-          The Hobbit – I was/am a massive Lord of the Rings fan and I’m intrigued to find out what Mr Jackson and co. have done with this series. I have great expectations.
-          Speak of the devil, Great Expectations – the film adaptation. It stars Jeremy Irvine as Pip so that alone will get me into the cinema.
-          Other films. I may as well invest in an Odeon Card and start collecting points, as there’s a lot I want to see. Including the stellar-starstudded Les Miserables where surrounding cinema-goers may have to endure me trying to be Susan Boyle during “I Dreamed a Dream”.
-          Taking a break from hectic life, relaxing by non-existent fireplaces with a glass of mulled wine and catching up with my lovely friends and family.
-          More friends and family time.
-          Getting to wear my new black dress.
-          2013.
 

(Apologies for the delay guys! I wrote this weeks ago but somehow managed to forget to post it...)

The latest in the James Bond franchise has given everyone something to talk and buzz about. In a world where the fifth star is a stingily rewarded acclaim, we have a film which is making newspapers, magazines and film sites be littered with them. And in a world where action heroes and spies are cropping up at the cinema all the time, we have the slickest and coolest of the bunch. (I'm not just being biased because I still remember that Casino Royale scene.) No topless sea-strolling moments this time round, but there's an awful lot to make up for it! Filled to the brim with jaw-dropping stunts, wholesome acting, a backbone of emotion and a Bond perspective that feels fresh and new, and then some... Enter: Skyfall.

I finally got round to seeing Skyfall last night, and despite the film having been out for two weeks, the cinema was still absolutely packed. Even the very front seats, which demonstrates very clearly how a film can be described as a "must-see".  As in, you must see it - even if it means you're in the front row craning your neck upwards for it all. I went in with high expectations, thanks to all the rave reviews out and about everywhere, and I'm happy to say that it did not disappoint in the slightest.

One of the ways I define what makes a "good" film is one which has a substantial running length, but where I don't actually notice time passing. And this criteria works too: The Dark Knight (and Rises), Inception, Lord of the Rings and now 2 hour 23 minute Skyfall. In fact, in the closing scene, I still thought there might possibly be more to come. I'll tell you why: you're transported to a setting which feels noticably more realistic than a lot of action blockbusters these days - so much so that you become fully a part of it; the transitions from scene to scene are flawless and unnoticeable; it's fast-paced but you can keep up. All of this takes you into a Bond experience, not simply a Bond movie. 

Without ruining too much, Skyfall sees the MI6 under attack and Daniel Craig being the key to saving it. Kind of like the typical "spy saves the world" plot but we knew that already. But there's more. 

Let's talk acting and characters. First off, Daniel Craig is effortlessly suave in a way only Bond men should be. We see a new, vulnerable side to a man more than "guns and girls", a glimpse into his childhood, actual Bond weaknesses, and a relationship with a woman who has not been placed on-screen purely to fulfil the role of Eye Candy. I'm talking about Dame Judi Dench's M. You will undoubtedly have heard that her role is central to the plot, more-so than any of her previous Bond films and I've even heard Oscar talk about it all. Basically it's a very good combination - then you throw in gadgetmaster Q (who weirdly reminds me of Gareth Malone) in the mix and the Bad Guy. 

Let's talk the Bad Guy of this Bond film - played by Javier Bardem, the blonde suited man with the sinister smile who is seemingly invincible, he is simply good at being bad. There's a backstory to it too, and he didn't just wake up one day and decide to become evil. He's out for revenge, and for me it just reminded me of a "good villain", almost reminiscent to Heath Ledger's Joker of The Dark Knight. (Some have also commented on the, ahem, tension between himself and Bond so that's for you to decide.)

Everything else..action sequences, script, special effects and music (kudos to Adele) met the high standards of all the top-grossing films of the year. It exceeds expectations and leaves you excited for the next instalment; after all, it took MGM and co. long enough since Quantum of Solace to deliver this one. I think though, after you watch it, you will agree that it was worth the wait.

Bev x

Never to be forgotten.

Hot off the press, and you saw it here first: The First Sign That Christmas Is Officially Nearby And The Whole Of 2012 Has Officially Flown By. Otherwise known as the John Lewis Christmas advert. I know, I know, it's usually jolly Red Santa courtesy of Coke and co.. but since the ad that year Ellie Goulding covered "Your Song", and more importantly last year's, I look forward to the John Lewis ads as a signpost that Christmas is fast approaching. I can't help but still feel it's way, way, way too early for shops to be selling their hampers and gift sets and mince pies, but I'll give up my Scrooge-like tendencies if I continue to keep seeing this on TV. It's quite simply another heartwarmer.

You must know the 2011 John Lewis ad by now - you know, the one where the little boy (with the wizard hat) simply cannot wait til Christmas just because he wants to give his family their presents; I think I pretty much welled up a little every time that aired. Which was a lot. And a whole year has passed, with another soppy John Lewis ad (the timeless love story one) along the way, and now it's time for snowmen to take centre stage. 

Aptly titled "The Journey", it also involves an adorable child (but there are two this time), Christmas traditions, a spine-tingling song provided by up-and-comer Gabrielle Aplin, and your heartstrings. 

 
We all know the feeling of going the extra mile (get it?) to find the perfect present for those lovely people in our lives, so I'm giving this year's ad a big thumbs up. I'm feeling a "The Snowman" moment all over again, and it's making me wish snowmen were huggable with ever-changing faces. I may or may not have even welled up a teeny tiny tiny bit. (I blame the music. And the facial expressions.) Actually, I think the real discovery of me writing this is that John Lewis ads make me regress to a little girl all over again. Or maybe Scrooge is melting away and I'm merely starting to look forward to Christmas now. 

Or maybe not. It's only November; it's still too soon!

Bev x

There's a common theme running along the tracks of my Spotify "Favourite Songs" playlist: Guys with Guitars. To be more specific, guys with guitars playing soppy love songs. Think James Blunt's "You're Beautiful", Nickelback's "Far Away", The Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" and Damien Rice's "Cannonball". But lately, thanks to the principle of caring and sharing, my musical repertoire has expanded to...more guys with guitars. But in the interest of sharing, I'm going to do just that. 

Matt Nathanson - Come On Get Higher

Josh Kumra - The Answer

I went to see Josh in concert a few weeks ago and absolutely fell in love with his voice. This is such a beautiful song, and if you spend a day with me and listen closely enough, you will hear me absentmindedly humming segments of the chorus. 

Tyrone Wells - More
This song isn't new to me, but I am a big fan of Tyrone Wells and this just always gives me goosebumps.

Justin James - Perfect Sometimes


5 words: Take. Me. Back. To. Summer


And what's this...a girl with a guitar?!

Nina Nesbitt - Babylon (cover)
Nina Nesbitt has been my musical One to Watch for quite some time now, and I saw her live a few weeks ago also. She has some really original tracks out (Boy, The Apple Tree, Noserings and Shoestrings) but it was hearing this acoustic cover of David Gray that really caught my attention.

And it's not just guitars...

Jason Walker - Kiss Me (cover)
 ...it's the keys too! I've been a big fan of Jason Walker's for many years, and no it's not because of The Vampire Diaries (I've sadly never even seen a full episode). His Midnight Starlight EP is highly recommended, and I love this song and his interpretation of it.

I'm now tempted to put a lame lovey-dovey guitar-related joke here but that'd just be stringing you along ;) 

Bev x

So last week made it official: Girls Aloud are back. I remember that, technically, they never broke up - but they were on a break. (Said in the Ross/Rachel tone.) Because they all went and did their own thing - Sarah becoming an actress and firm Daily Mail favourite no matter what she did ("Oh my God, Sarah Harding in Rehab!" "Sarah Harding buys a different cup of coffee!"*), Kimberley in Shrek: The Musical, Nicola and Nadine on their solo careers, and of course, Ms Cheryl Cole who became the supposed Nation's Sweetheart and whose face you will rarely get through a magazine without seeing. Ok, so they were never big on a Spice Girls level, but they brought the next generation and volume (get it?) of girl power and made it loud (now do you get it?). They offered a strong selection of "good" pop songs, and back in their prime was exactly when I was really into "good" pop music.

After the break, they are finally back with a single, Greatest Hits album, and arena tour. This has got all the tabloids screaming, "Do they all hate each other?", "Will they just break up again after the tour?", "Will they mime?", "Is Cheryl too big for the group?". But it has simply got me reminiscing about the music. Before they all became media personalities and tabloid victims in their own right. And to celebrate ten years of music, what better way than to get the BeView rundown of my favourite G.A tracks? 
The Top Ten

10. The Loving Kind - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFY4DxiHzTI
Nicola Roberts took centre stage and made an impact with this one.

9. Can't Speak French - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuPL_Bgmvvs
I can't speak French either, so I've sung the song in the past to demonstrate said fact. I did indeed let the funky music do the talking.

8. Biology - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBPtP4t2J1k
I like this song because it doesn't sound like any other song. And it's scientific (the album was called Chemistry, after all).
 
7. Something Kinda Oooooooh - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy3SV2fvoG8
Think leather jackets and motorbikes in a girlband track.

6. I'll Stand By You - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeEq2tlD6WY
So it was a cover, but they did a great job and proved that yes they could all sing. And it was for charity.

5. Call The Shots - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPWUyAZZfK0
This song marked Girls Aloud's venture into the soft, trancy electropop genre that was so prominent in their last album. The "no-ow-ow-ow-ow" bit is still catchy.  

4. Jump - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk7zhB_m4gc
Also a cover... Is it bad that I can't think of this song without seeing that Hugh Grant dance routine in Love Actually? That's not the reason Jump's one of my top though; it is such a solid pop song.

3. The Promise
I still remember the music video with those sparkling dresses. The song was pretty good, too. 

2. Love Machine
The opening riff is recognisable by a mile. I don't know what it is, but it never fails to make me want to dance, Hugh Grant style. 

1. Sound of The Underground
I think this will always remain my favourite G.A tune. After Popstars: The Rivals, it marked the start of a special - and pretty long as girlbands go - music career. I can clearly remember the dance routine my friends and I made up as kids, eager to perform it at our school karaoke disco night. It never happened.


And of course...
Something New
I'm not sure it would have made my top 10, but it's nice to see something new. Appropriate title.
 
Bev x

Ps. I realise this makes me sound like a Girls Aloud fanatic; I'm not, but 10 years does deserve a bit of recognition!

*Not really. But probably.

I love Japanese food. It's interesting, it's tasty, and no matter what you put into your mouth, you are totally convinced you are eating healthily. In particular, a firm favourite of mine is sushi - technically the Westernised California Roll. Every time I was in a big London station rushed for food, I headed straight to Wasabi, yet I can't stand the taste of supermarket sushi (the rice tastes like plastic toy food, no?). The solution, when you're needing your next sushi fix and can neither make it to Japan nor Wasabi? D-I-Y!

I am no sushi expert, but I have dabbled at making it in the past, and liked it. It's actually quite straight-forward to make, and has the ability of being relatively inexpensive if you pick your ingredients carefully. With much other food I cook, it consists a lot of guessing and experimenting and not following recipes whilst hoping for the best. I think that makes me an excellent and completely reliable chef... So here it is: 

The Beview method of making sushi. 

You will need:

• A bamboo sushi mat (these are very cheap and easy to get your hands on - there's one just £1.28 from Asda)
• Big square sheets of roasted seaweed - "sushi nori" (again, you can get a pack for just over a pound)
• Sushi rice (it is shorter grain and stickier, but there's nothing stopping you from experimenting with regular rice!)
• Sushi fillings (suggestions): tuna, salmon, crabsticks, cucumber, egg
• Saucepan (bigger's better than smaller as the rice likes to expand)
• Metal baking tray, but a simple plate will do 
• Salad cream or Japanese rice vinegar
• Knife and chopping board

Sushi step by step:
1. Wash 500g rice in a bowl or pan - rinse out several times but make sure you don't lose any rice in the process
2. Put the 500g rice in a saucepan and fill with 750ml of cold water. This feeds 5+ (but equally depends on how hungry those 5 are)
3. Bring to boil (that's when the water starts to bubble, for those who don't know but pretend otherwise)
4. Simmer on a low heat for about 20 minutes, or until most of the water has been absorbed - if in doubt, it's better for the rice to be sticky than dry
5. Leave to stand on a heatproof mat for 10 minutes. If you want to use rice vinegar, mix it in with the rice now
6. Cool the rice down by spreading it thinly on a plate; a metal baking tray tends to do the trick quicker. If you put it in the fridge, it should be cool within 10 minutes

7. Whilst waiting for the rice to cook or cool down, prepare the fillings:

Fillings:
Salmon: If fresh, cut into thin long strips. I went for canned salmon as a cheaper alternative; it's also very tasty, or canned tuna.
Egg: Whisk egg then cook on a frying pan - don't scramble it so the egg stays relatively flat
Crabsticks: Peel into strips
Cucumber: Cut into thin, long strips 
Anything else: Excuse the repetition, but cut into thin, long strips and you kind of get the picture...

8. Clean your surfaces and put the bamboo mat out. Place a piece of seaweed onto it with the shiny side facing downwards.
9. Spread the rice evenly over approximately 3/4 of the seaweed (leave the top riceless)
10. Place the filling(s) in a thin line from left to right. A drizzle of salad cream is super delicious too. 
11. Roll the mat tightly from the bottom upwards, ie. starting with the side closest to you - the more strength you put into it, the better the result will be. Think of it as a very productive form of stress relief!

12. Keep rolling and tucking the seaweed in so it all sticks together. Once it is a long roll, you could wrap it up in cling film and leave it into the fridge, or serve straight away.
13. To serve, simply cut into slices with a sharp knife. You can usually have about 8 sushi rolls from this. 
14. Dip sushi into soy sauce or wasabi (optional), or simply salad cream. 
15. Enjoy!

Sayonara,
Bev x

Ps. Disclaimer: I am not an actual chef. If you are looking for a professional recipe by a renowned chef to make delicious and fool-proof sushi at your special dinner party for your Michelin-starred guests, keep looking.