Publicity poster, Strictly Ballroom. Image from IMDb

Music, dancing, romance, rivalries and political machinations — what’s not to like?

Strictly Ballroom (1992), is Australian film-maker Baz Lurhmann’s directoral debut. Set in the world of competitive ballroom dancing, it’s a story about love and friendship, about following your dreams, and about doing the right thing when it really matters.

It’s also incredibly funny. And tongue-in-cheek. And uplifting. All of which I need right now.

You can find out more about the film and see a trailer at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) here.

And hopefully you’ll be able to watch the video below of John Paul Young singing his 1977 hit Love is in the Air, which he re-recorded for the Strictly Ballroom soundtrack.

Now get up and dance.

Fun fact:

The hit British TV programme Strictly Come Dancing gets its name from this…

Poster: The Trip, 2011. Directed by Michael Winterbottom, and based on BBC series of the same name.

Confession: I have a really loud laugh.

And yes, I know that can be very annoying in the cinema. I really can’t help it (or the sometimes-accompanying snort), but (thankfully?) I don’t often see films that really, really make me laugh.

The Trip is an exception. Fortunately, the people around me in the cinema thought so to, and I was largely drowned out.

The Trip is a foodie comedy road movie shot through with a sort of wistfulness that perhaps comes from the two lead actors playing versions of themselves. The film is constructed from edited-together footage from a BBC TV series in which the two — Steve Coogan and Rob Bryden — visit a series of restaurants in the north of England which Coogan has (for the purposes of the story)…

The King of Crows

By: Libba Bray

With this book I’ve finished five series this year! Which considering how the rest of the year (crap) is going I’m taking that as reading win. I am a little torn on this one though because while I give high marks to the series overall and loved books 2 and 3 I hate to admit this one has some issues.

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #38 – Weathered or Worn

I have seen similar grinding tools in my grandma’s kitchen as a kid…. You can find these even today in remote villages in India and other Asian countries. These were the fitness tools of the bygone era and very eco – friendly too… The above pics were clicked during my trip to Bhutan.

Exercise well n stay fit!