Index

HOT: 'Never Let Me Go'A faithful, melancholic film take on Kazuo Ishiguro's novel with Carey Mulligan (left), Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield

Padraic DelaneyWe're (many of us) taken by the new actor in Raw. Don't miss the series finale tomorrow night

The new VW Darth Vader adRidiculously sweet and may introduce mild broodiness

Being 80 and productiveEdna O'Brien's new short story collection shows she's still got it

Upstart election postersA welcome creative antidote to the faces of irritating politicians on lamp-posts, see upstart.ie

RedWe want to reclaim it from the monochrome tsunami of Valentine's merch- er sorry, gifts

GongsThe season is upon us . . . Iftas, Baftas, Grammys and Brits next week, then the Oscars, Choice Awards, JDIFF awards, Irish TimesTheatre awards . . .

Anastasiashop.comThe popular and quirky Ranelagh boutique now has an online shop

Willow plates, revisitedThe Cake Cafe in Pleasants Street, Dublin, asked actor/writer Mark O'Halloran and the Pony design team to create unique, fine bone China plates. Check the blog for recipes and pictures

Meryl Streep as Margaret ThatcherOnce she doesn't make us warm to the Iron Lady

Steve McCurryThe outstanding Magnum photographer's work is at the Gallery of Photography in Dublin from Thursday

COLD

Christina Aguilera's National Anthem failSurely she has sung the words a gazillion times?

Tesco Express in Temple BarExactly how many convenience stores does one town need? But it could withstand the recession by selling plasters to stilettoed women in hen party herds

Nude shades in fashionSeriously, unless you're a supermodel or South American, don't even go there

Being unfollowed by someone you know on TwitterNow that is cold

Crying in publicJo Brand's new BBC4 show starts Monday and says it's time to put those tears away