Week in Review: January 7 - 12

Awards - This was an award filled week.  First up was the People's Choice Awards, followed by the Critic's Choice Awards.  Most importantly, though, were this years Academy Award nominations.

Birthdays -  Birthdays this week included David Bowie - who announced the release of new music - the Duchess of Cambridge, and Diana Gabaldon.

Movies - Three movies this week; Judd Apatow's Knocked Up and it's sort-of-sequel This is 40 and the teen party film Project X.  The best is, by far, This is 40, and the worst is, also by far, Project X.

Books - Continuing with the Terry Pratchett novels, this week we did the City Watch Discworld novel Men at Arms which was awesome.

TV - No TV this week, sorry. Life got a bit in the way.

Recommendations - Two limited releases this week, Quartet and Struck by Lightning, both of which look great, and the wider release Gangster Squad.  I want to see all of these.

Next Week - Tomorrow we'll continue the Harry Potter-a-thon with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and a review of this year's Golden Globes. Movie of the week will be Gangster Squad which I've been anxious to see for months now.  Not sure about the rest of the week, but there'll be something.

Requests - Anything I should watch? Let me know!

Birthday: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

Today is the 31st birthday of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

As is kind of common among Royals, the Duchess is best known for her marriage in this case to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and second-in-line to the British throne (plus that of the other fifteen Commonwealth Realms).

She is also one of the Patrons of the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, which focuses on young people, armed forces, and sustainable development.  At the time of their marriage, the Duke and Duchess actually set up a gift fund, directing people to donate to one of twenty-six charities instead of giving wedding presents to the Royal couple.

Her rags-to-riches type story (that doesn't actually involve any rags, but definitely involves riches) has been the subject of several films, notably William & Kate, When Kate Met William, Meet the Middletons, and William & Catherine: A Royal Romance.   Oh, and she's also the vessel through which the next heir to the throne will be born, and her pregnancy was announced just last month.

Happy birthday, ma'am!