One of the greatest sitcoms of the last few years has to be The Think Of It, so when the creator (Armando Iannucci, also of On the Hour fame) announced a feature length version I was pretty darn excited and I'm happy to say the film didn't at all disappoint. Peter Capaldi's character Malcolm Tucker is perhaps the greatest comedy character creation since Alan Partridge (who Armando also helped create) and he's on great form here, a purely cynical and angry individual that you can't help love. He's supported by a cracking support cast including Tom Hollander playing a politician in a continual state of confusion (a trend here?!) and James Gandolfini playing Tony Soprano (legend) in an officer's uniform. The list of quality performances goes on too. However, and not to take away from the acting, the most impressive aspect of the film is the script. Although part ad lib the banter in this film is quality and it will no doubt be one of those films that people will quote moving forth - although they are definitely too crass to republish here! I loved this film, but then again I'm fascinated by the Westminster and wider political bubble. Well worth a watch I say, despite me having missed out on the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi final between two of England's finest football clubs. Second halves are generally better anyhow.

I've just presented an internal Weber Shandwick session on Twitter and how it can be used for PR. Suitable for an external audience, here it is for your consumption. Any comments welcome! [slideshare id=1361956&doc=twitterpresentationfinalforslideshare-090429041824-phpapp02]

My colleague just spent some money at Marks & Spencer. Check out the second item down.

Gordon Brown on the Damian McBride smear story... "I take full responsibility for what happened. That's why the person who was responsible went immediately." Hmmm, if GB was responsible then why hasn't he gone immediately? He's still there isn't he? Or am I very much mistaken? More here at the beeb.

Despite Michael Jackson's demise over the years it seems he still has a following. The announcement of his gigs at London's O2 is all over the web, just check out this Twitter craziness from Twist. Register for ticket interest at this site.

This film is going to rock, no doubt.

I'm increasingly loving films based on reality or events that have happened in recent history, so you can learn about the subject matter as you watch it. Frost/Nixon, one such film, is a retelling of the famous interviews between Richard Nixon and David Frost, which I've seen clips off time and time again as I've grown up. This is a very good film and the success is mainly driven by the quality acting of the men in the leading roles, Michael Sheen and especially Frank Langella. Rather like a boxing match, you are intrigued by the two of them trading blows and you wonder which one is going to snap first - so Ron Howard, the film's director, should also get credit for creating that ambiance. Straight after the film and back home I went directly to Wikipedia to learn more on the subject, another sign of a great film is that it drives intrigue. Watching the film and from what I've learnt from my limited research after, I actually feel quite sorry for Nixon and the way his presidency turned sour after some initial promise.

I'm a big advocate and watcher of University Challenge, but have for some years thought the programme needs a bit of a refresh so it comes as no surprise to me that rules have been broken and on more than one occasion. My opinion is that the programme should only be available to first-time students, and by that I actually mean undergraduate students. That way there will be no unfair advantage to universities that populate their teams with people who have 10 Degrees, 5 Masters and 2 PHDs. By stating a rule that entrants must be full-time undergraduate students you simplify the process and actually make it more engaging. I also think the format of the quiz should be moved on slightly; I'm not keen for dumbing the programme down completely but you could increase the amount of questions that are asked about contemporary culture, history etc, that way you would also give the non-redbrick universities a chance, again making it more engaging for the audience. Is there also an argument for a combined University of Oxford (made up of all the colleges) team? And the same for Cambridge too?

Film makers tend to have a habit of bringing my dreams to reality, and Scarlett Johansson together on screen with Penelope Cruz definitely fits the bill. These amazingly delightful women are arguably two of cinema's most iconic women of the last decade so it is terrific to see them both on such great form in a cracking Woody Allen film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, his best for a while. The film is a great tale of both sexual tension and freedom and is shot beautifully around Barcelona and surrounding areas - perfect timing to get me exited about a trip to the area in May, despite it being for a stag do with 24 other men. Penelope Cruz's portrail of a highly creative but wacky and irrational Spaniard very much deserves the Best Supporting Actress Oscar she got on the weekend, and two other highlights must be Javier Bardem's suave womanising performance and the soundtrack. If you haven't seen Slumdog Millionaire already (and why not) this is worth a visit, especially as all the other films that are currently out seem to be typical run-of-the-mill romantic comedies staring Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock or whoever.

It is 2009 so perhaps it is a good time to reflect on those people that have had a big impact on me in the last decade (Naughty because we are in the Naughties, duh). Over the coming months I'll be highlighting the unique and interesting individuals that I think have been highly influential to me, to others or whom have made a big impact to the world in general. First up, LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad, the drum and base producers,  DJ and MC. Some might view my first choice in the series as perhaps a bizarre one but the fact is that I've probably listened to their work more than any other musician or band. Their live set is something I've been privileged to experience and cherish on a number of times, but most importantly their sound has been the motivational music for my two marathons, one little walk around Ireland I'm about to do, as well as countless gym sessions. In their own words, music is energetic poetry to get you going and touch your soul. Guys I salute you...now, any chance of releasing a retrospective?