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April 17, 2003
EIGHT DAYS A WEEK
VIDEO
Okay, I admit it. I laughed more than I should have while watching Rob Schneider’s (The Animal, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo) latest bad-taste-fest, The Hot Chick. This is a movie which is a throwback to those old body-switching movies that they made a ton of back in the 80s such as Big (in fact it has a scene right out of Big — you’ll know when you see it) and Vice Versa. A young, beautiful but insensitive and self-centered high school cheerleader Jessica (Rachel McAdams) wakes up one morning to find herself in the body of a small-time loser and thief Clive (Rob Schneider). All that follows is quite predictable: jokes about bodily functions, romances with the wrong people, lessons to be learnt about caring for other people and being sensitive to their needs, yadda yadda yadda combined with lots of scenes in questionable taste. Yet somehow I laughed quite a bit. I realize this movie may not be for everybody but if you like juvenile humour movies or you’re in the mood to just switch your mind off for a while and have a chuckle or two, The Hot Chick could do the trick. Also starring Anna Faris as Jessica’s best friend, April. And as expected by now for a Schneider flick, Adam Sandler has an uncredited cameo though his scenes aren’t quite as funny as one would expect. — Khusro Mumtaz
OR
There have been quite a few movies (and teleplays) similar to Barbershop. You know the type where you experience a day in the life of a bunch of people from the neighbourhood with various personality quirks, who get together every day to shoot the breeze and philosophize about the world and its current state and where at the end everybody realizes what a special thing it is that they have each other. However, despite its familiarity, this workplace comedy set in a barbershop in a black Chicago neighbourhood is quite watchable because we like the people we meet here. The ensemble cast includes Ice Cube, Eve (the rapper making her movie debut), Cedric the Entertainer (wait till you hear what his character Eddie has to say about Jesse Jackson and Rosa Parks), Sean Patrick Thomas, and Troy Garity (he’s the real life son of Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden). There’s already a sequel on the way set for release at the end of the year and I won’t mind watching it at all. Recommended. — K.M.
WEBSITE
If as a parent you want your child to develop a life-long relationship with the written word then log on to http://abc-read.com. This web page contains valuable suggestions on teaching reading, and reinforcing reading skills and comprehension. Here you will also find interesting activities that can instill a love of reading in both younger and older children. You can also click this web-based resource if you are on a look out for material on monitoring your child’s progress in learning to read at school. The excellent checklists of different levels of school given on the site will not only help you to evaluate your child’s progress but will also help you to have a meaningful dialogue with your child’s teacher. — Bushra Ahmed-Khurram
SINGLE
No Doubt’s Rock Steady CD was released over a year ago, but recently got a boost in sales with the release of the catchy single Underneath It All. The album is filled with hip-hop beats, reggae, and a reunion of ‘80s keyboards and guitars, but this latest single has a softness and sweetness that the band hasn’t exhibited since Don’t Speak from their album Tragic Kingdom. Although Underneath it All is nowhere in the earlier single’s league, it is a hidden gem among the group’s more flashy tracks.
“There’s times when I want something more,” Stefani confesses on the song, “Someone more like me.” This yearning saturates the single more powerfully than her funky appearance dominates the video. Smoothly, the track transitions to soft romance. “You’re really lovely,” sings Stefani, her voice like a caress, “Underneath it all.”
After Stefani’s explosive duets with rapper Eve and techno God Moby, it’s nice to see she still has chemistry with “her boys.” Over time, their presence seems to have been fading slowly from the spotlight. This subtly, savvy single, however, underscores that Gwen and the boys have real talent and magic, underneath it all. — T. U. Dawood
OR
When Aussie soapster Holly Valance released the English version of the Arab smash Kiss Kiss to great success last year, the media labeled her the next Kylie Minogue. Having modeled, done commercials and played Flick on Neighbours, she had the right background and look to follow in that diva’s footsteps. However, the question remained did she have the staying power? When she followed Kiss Kiss with Downboy, she reaffirmed that she could sell records. Now, with the release of Naughty Girl, the third single off her debut album Footprints, she is proving that she’s a star in her own right.
Mischievous and fun, the catchy track features the stunning blonde ruing the mistakes she has made. “Been a naughty girl,” Valance admits, “Done too many things/a girl shouldn’t know/I swear I never knew/I could hurt you so.” Despite the somber lyrics, the track is actually meant to lure you onto the dance floor.
Since her album debuted, Valance has won acclamation after acclamation including the GQ Woman Of The Year Award, Wella Hot Look Of The Year at the Elle Style Awards and Best Female Artist at the Disney Awards. Only time will tell, however, if she really is the next Kylie Minogue. — T. U. DADU:
ALBUM
One thing the soundtrack for Kaante will be remembered for long after the film is forgotten is being a forerunner in the emerging trend of Hindi rock. Although the CD is a khichdi of various styles, some classic Indian, others East West masala, the smattering of Hindi rock songs including Shaan’s Sochan Nahin Tha and Sunidhi C’s Baby Baby stand out. Sochan Nahin Tha is a traditional “rock ballad” in the spirit of Def Leopard’s Love Bites or Aerosmith’s Cryin’, but with a basting of Eastern flavour and hint of Hindi style. Baby Baby, on the other hand complements soaring vocals with fiery lead guitar. Both these singles are wannabee rock at best, but represent the beginnings of a new genre of Indian music.
More traditional Bollywood tracks on the soundtrack include the two item numbers: Ishq Samundar, and Maahi Ve. Both songs are fun and will lead you to the dance floor. The latter also features Malaika Arora in the video.
Product placement is sadly taken to lower than ever levels with the Bagpiper remix and the Thumbs Up remix. Other noteworthy additions include the Lucky Ali produced Maut and Sanjay Dutt’s Rama Re. Unfortunately, Dutt’s part in Rama Re is almost a cameo, as the real singing seems to be left to Shaan and Zubin.
Kaante is saturated with stars, but is nothing more than a decent mix of Hindi rock, indipop, and tapori that actually works with the film’s storyline. —T. U. D
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