The Book or the Film?

Or both and for free!!!!

Hubby and I went to see the film "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" this morning for free - courtesy of See Film First via Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert website. I was thrilled when we got to the cinema to discover that we also received the book of the film for free too! Brilliant!

The film (due for release on the 20th April in the UK) is wonderful - go see it, you will just love it. Its sort of a romantic comedy with a totally feel good factor attached. All the actors play brilliant parts, the styling and scenery is draw dropping and Ewan McGregor is just divine. Kristin Scott Thomas is my new role model! I aim to look like her by Christmas!

The audience loved it too - there were a lot of laugh out loud moments. I'll be letting you know how the book compares.

The screening was at 10.30am, and so afterwards we decided to treat ourselves to brunch.
One of my fave little cafes is 22a on Norfolk Row in Sheffield. Hubby chose the Potato Rosti topped with bacon, cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes, whilst I picked the cheese and onion toastie with a cup of home made potato and leek soup - both delish.
I savoured my cheese toastie as I am starting a "diet" of sorts tomorrow for 2 weeks (i'll be telling you but not boring you - dieters are the dullest people on the planet!) and there is no wheat or dairy on it.

Mystery solved

Ive had 2 cinema freebies this week. On Tuesday, I took the kids and the young mans girlfriend to see "Win Win" (free tickets courtesy of showfilmfirst). I hadn't read what this film was about, and it took me a while to suss it out, but I have to say I really like it. The story is basically about an American lawyer who's business is in trouble. He makes a decision - which he knows is wrong - and the film is all about the impact that this decision has on his family. It is very touching in parts, and very funny in parts. It features no really huge "stars" and it is better for it. It is very well written and each actor and actress plays their part superbly. It does have a feel good factor. We all loved it.

My 2nd cinema freebie was tonight.

Ages ago, I signed up to the newsletter for "Off the Shelf" - the literary festival that we have in Sheffield. If you remember, I won the tickets to see "Germaine sodding Greer" from this newsletter. Well, I must have entered another competition because they emailed me at the beginning of the week to say that I could choose any film from the children's film festival "Showcomotion" at the lovely Showroom Cinema. The kids didn't want to go, so hubby and I went along.

As well as the free tickets, they also had a bit of a party going on, so we got free cake too!!!! Fab Freebie!!!
The film we chose to see, was "Red Dog". A true story written by Louis de Bernieres (he of Captain Corelli fame). We were also introduced to the young producer of the film who had flown all the way from Australia to be at the festival. The film was absolutely brilliant and although we were possibly the only ones in the whole cinema without kids, we enjoyed the whole atmosphere too. If you get chance to go see it, do.
We had chosen to park the car and travel into town on the tram. I was thrilled that whilst we were waiting for the tram home Jack Sparrow turned up again! This time I was braver and asked if I could take his photo. It turns out that he is busking outside cinema's that are showing the new "Pirates of the Carribean " Film.
He really has the mannerisms of Jack Sparrow and he entertained everybody that he met. He got his guitar out for me while we were waiting for the tram.
And the very kind tram conductor let him continue to entertain us on the tram.
Mystery solved.

A full weeks entertainment

Ive hardly been in this week. I have had a full weeks entertainment - and it only cost me £15!
First up was a trip to the cinema to see the remake of "True Grit" . I managed to get 4 free tickets for us (from www.seefilmfirst.co.uk via Moneysavingexpert sight). Usually the free tickets are for chickflick/romcom type movies, so the boys were highly delighted when this weeks tickets were for a Western. Hubby didn't think it would be any where near as good as the original, but he was wrong. It was really good. The acting is superb, the cinematography is great and Matt Damon looks so tasty!


Next up was a trip to my very local theatre - The Academy Theatre - at Birdwell. This is a great little theatre that they made out of a frozen food warehouse. It has taken off big style. The level of acting and singing that the company produce is equally as good as any I have seen at larger theatres. I went with my WI group to see "La Cage aux Folles" which was a superb play about a transvestite night club in Cannes. All the male actors were from the Barnsley area and had to be waxed to within an inch of their lives!!! They were superb and I really struggled to tell the boys from the girls! Cost £10

And last but by no means least was my sons schools production of "Grease" (he wasnt in it, but I knew a lot of the ones that were). The school has produced some great musicals over the years and this was up there with them. The acting and singing was spot on, and they had their own orchestra made up of very talented pupils and members of staff. School concerts still bring a tear to my eye! I am such a Jess. Cost £5

All in all a very lovely weeks entertainment.


Don't forget to leave your name on the Dolly Dimple post if you want to win her - I will draw the winner tomorrow. xxx