1. Linger and learn the lingo

Ten days in Sicily and a weekend in Milan preceded my night in Mari e Monti so the grazies and per favores were flowing.

2. WALL-E (U)

After recent disappointing CGI animations from Pixar’s own Cars to Dreamworks’ Shrek the Third and Bee Movie, it’s a relief to see with WALL-E.

3. Why be kind when VHS no longer matters?

Be Kind Rewind has an interesting – albeit stupid – concept behind it.

4. Rogue redeemed

Imagine you could travel the world in a nano-second.

You are immortal and you have no responsibilities. You also have superhero powers, such as the ability to fly. What would you do?

5. Kung fu flick is fighting fit

With so many CGI animations these days, it is perhaps understandable that the majority stick to a tried and tested formula.

6. Blowing their own trumpet

When the Coombs family decided to entertain their village with a few tunes, little could they have known what they had started. 

7. The Escapist (15)

Frank Perry is a lifer; in prison for the rest of his natural born days.

8. Martha keeps it in the family

Martha Wainwright picks up the phone and goes through the “Hello, how are you?” etiquette in her sweet-tinged though sleepy voice.

9. 5 lunches at work – each for under £5

In today’s busy workplace the days of the legendary lunch break have gone hence the culture of eating at your desk. Speed and cost are crucial and here former Reading Borough Council transport boss John Howarth offers five lunches at your desk – all inside the IDR for less than a fiver (and not a baguette in sight).

10. Pssst! Pass it on!

Imagine marrying up the idea of pass the parcel with a chain letter. There’s no hundreds of layers of wrapping involved, but your parcel reaches thousands of people all over the country.