Up and Down

It's going to be a huge year for Twilight star Kristen Stewart (right), who stars in two upcoming, left-of-centre delights: Welcome to the Rileys, in which she plays a young prostitute; and The Runaways, where she's cast as Joan Jett, who played guitar in the '70s all-girl group.

As a result, expect some interest in The Runaways' music, especially Cherry Bomb.

Pass the piggie

Organic chocolate, coconut, gluten-free products, citrus fruit, smoked fish, spicy snacks and, would you believe, bacon sweets? According to the annual Winter Fancy Food Show in the US, the biggest convention of its sort in the world, these are the hot new eating trends for 2010.

Hit me, again

Massive Attack are back. Seven years after 100th Window, the trip-hop pioneers return with Heligoland, which features original members Daddy G and 3D, with long-time collaborator Horace Andy and others. Will it be another Mezzanine? We hope so.

Quivering in my boots

Check out Mr Shivers, the debut novel from Robert Jackson Bennett. Set in the Great Depression, it's a horror story of bloodlust and revenge that rivals anything Stephen King may have done. It'll keep you up for hours.

Too foul?

Remember Brit gangster flick Sexy Beast? The makers of that terrific sleeper have come up with a new gem, 44 Inch Chest, starring Ray Winstone, John Hurt and Ian McShane. Foul-mouthed geezer fun - but we'll have to wait for the DVD as there seems to be no plans to show it in our cinemas.

New low for Manilow

Why bother? Take one. This week, Barry Manilow (below) releases a new album, The Greatest Love Songs Of All Time.

More hard work

Why bother? Take two. This week, UB40 release yet another of their reggae cover-version collections, Labour of Love IV. Laboured, more like.

Strange love

Listed on Amazon.com's Valentine's Day: Bad Gift Ideas page: a container of wolf urine and a Belgian gas mask with a standard Nato filter. It's the thought that counts, apparently.