I unashamedly adore Nigel Slater, dutifully saving his lovely recipies from his Observer column and firmly following his adage, established in his earlier book, Appetite, that a recipe is merely a guide - cooking is all about inventive improvisation. Now, when I haven’t been shopping for weeks and have only frozen peas and lentils to live off, but want to cook lasagne, I’m no longer afraid to ‘do a Nigel’ and experiment.

In a month when the Arctic Monkeys have made their just transition from download guerrillas to indie superstars; when Madonna has nicked an Abba sample in order to return to the sort of dazzling form not seen since her Danceteria days; when all screaming Sheffield stunners the Neon Plastix have a record out and could do with some well deserved recognition, I have to review an Enya CD.

If past greatest hits albums (yes, The Collection is just a mature, slightly more original and ‘arty’ way of calling it that) are anything to go by, then this may be dear old Alanis’ last offering to her fan base of organic juice bar goers and psychic excavators. Think ‘The Best of’ for the Corrs, Savage Garden, Enya and, erm, Steps for proof.

This is the first album by Glasgow’s answer to the Scissor Sisters, El Presidente, the proud owners of a shiny new contract with Sony BMG. Their music is also of the shiny, danceable variety, but its tales of lost love completely fail to engage emotionally with the listener.

Platinum lovers take notice! Danger Mouse (the part-time Gorillaz DJ famous for combining Jay-Z’s Black album with the Beetles’ White album) has collaborated with MF Doom (a lesser-known but equally innovative MC) to create an underground hip-hop album of a light-hearted nature but with the quality to be taken seriously.

Director: Terry Gilliam
With: Matt Damon, Heath Ledger

Runtime: 118 min

The brothers in question, Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm, are said to have travelled the greatest part of 18th century Germany collecting fairy tales off ordinary folk and then publishing them, first giving public recognition to Germanic folklore. In Terry Gilliam’s new film, Jake (bespectacled bookworm) and Will (ladies’ man) also roam the country, skillfully instigating supernatural hoaxes, then getting the people to pay them to exorcise their respective sheds, houses and whatnot.

Director: Cameron Crowe
With: Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst

Runtime: 123 min

Cameron Crowe is well known for his quirky, sleek, delicate and effortlessly humourous films, and Elizabethtown does not disappoint. This moving, sentimental but light and streamlined human drama falls well within the mould of what we have come to expect from Crowe, but is also one of the first films that both Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst have had to sell on their own acting ability, without the help of a more established actor or wigs and set pieces.

James Best collects campus’ political views

York students have a history of being politically active, and have been involved in national actions such as the march against the Iraq war and anti-fees rallies. We’ve spoken to these pro-active souls to find out more.

Director: Timur Bekmabetov
With: Konstantin Khabensky

Runtime: 114 min

As a film that has been raved about by the likes of Quentin Tarantino and managed to beat Return of the King at the box office in Russia last summer, Night Watch certainly has had a lot to live up to on its Western release, and let’s just say it didn’t disappoint.

Trick or treat? We know what you want. The thinking persons option will always be a treat, and where better to get a quality treat than York - the city of tea shops and dreams.

A man was killed and 35 others were hospitalised following the worst night of violence seen in Birmingham for 20 years. Cars were set ablaze and police in riot gear were attacked as the sound of gunfire echoed through the streets. The disorder involved members of the Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities.

We had a 9pm Saturday night booking and were forced to wait twenty minutes for our table. However, the management gave everybody a free drink and when we did sit down three complimentary garlic breads were also provided as an apology for the delay.

For most people the mention of the bar ‘Dusk’ brings confused and startled expressions, more so with the brief ‘its on New Street’ description. Only with the mention of “opposite Ha Ha bar” do people get a slight inkling of its existence. Just off Coney Street, it is located ideally en-route between Evil Eye (Stonegate) and Bar 38 and Orgasmic (near City Screen).

Gert & Henry’s is a family owned restaurant situated in the heart of York in a charming Tudor building. For great location in the centre of town, you’d expect the usual crap: pizza or pasta overcooked in a microwave served to you by students who obviously can’t be bothered in a distressing chain restaurant.

During your time at Uni, your main ‘night out’ concerns will consist of where you can go for the cheapest alcohol, which joint has the best dance floor, and which DJ in town is playing the best tunes. Now and again, however, the occasion may arise when you need to find a nice restaurant to wine and dine in.