May 1, 2003

FILM
I know it isn’t really fashionable to say it anymore but I love Charles Dickens. Sure, his characters are usually either black or white with hardly any shades of gray but what characters they are! Sure, coincidences abound in densely plotted tales but the stories are so deftly told and details so skilfully rendered that Dickens easily captures you in his world and doesn’t really let you go until he has completed his story-telling.

Much of the same charm lies in screenplay writer and director Douglas McGrath’s adaptation of Dickens’ third novel, Nicholas Nickleby. While events are naturally condensed from the novel, the canvas still remains suitably large and the essence of the novel remains and the effect is that of spending an enjoyable afternoon being curled up with a big, thick book.

With the possible exception of Jaime Bell as Smike, the younger cast members, including Charles Hunnam in the title role, find it difficult to get under the surface of their characters but the seasoned senior actors are quite excellent and make Dickens’ work come alive. Christopher Plummer as Ralph Nickleby is the most riveting presence but also delightful are Tom Courtenay as Newman Noggs, Jim Broadbent as Wackford Squeers, Nathan Lane as Vincent Crummles, Juliet Stevenson as Mrs. Squeers, and Timothy Spall and Gerard Horan as the Cheeryble brothers. Worth your while.— Khusro Mumtaz

 

OR
In the wake of Farhan Akhtar’s Dil Chahta Hai, there have been a spate of urban Indian comedy-dramas which have all been a far cry quality-wise from the movie that inspired them. The latest movie to jump on the band-wagon is Bas Yun Hi, which stars the very charming Nandita Das along with a bunch of newcomers (mostly with VJ-ing experience and/or commercial ads acting experience). Unfortunately, Ms Das’ charm isn’t enough to compensate for a very slight script. The plot hangs on an extremely thin thread and all the characters are too faintly sketched to have any substance or to make us care for them in any way at all. Director Raja Menon does an adequate job but he doesn’t have much to work with in terms of script and he certainly doesn’t have the directorial flair of a Farhan Akhtar. Ultimately, you get the feeling that Bas Yun Hi was made bas yun hi. They needn’t have bothered.— K.M.

 

WEBSITE
Has office work gotten you down? Are you experiencing one of those true blue days? Is the frantic pace of life taking its toll on your nerves? If yes, then you definitely need to sit back and take a breather and what better way to lighten up your dismal day than logging onto www.chickenjoke.com. Now, why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side, silly! But this website features what the celebrities, philosophers, critics, leaders and other important personalities have to say about the chicken crossing the road. The statements by the famous figures have, of course, been made up to tickle your funny bone.

The replies by George Bush, Bill Gates, Ernest Hemingway, Jerry Seinfield, Aristotle, Saddam Hussein, Captain Kirk (Star-Trek), Fox Mulder and Scully (The X Files) are totally hilarious and simply out-of-this-world! Each statement by a particular personality has been written keeping that person’s typical mentality in mind and that is what makes it so wacky! The website is actually a part of the bored.com network, so you might care to surf that as well. I guarantee that it will have you laughing in no time. It’s definitely worth a quick look.— Taimur Saleem

 

SINGLE
Even now, Madonna and ex-husband Sean Penn have a lot in common. Penn recently visited Baghdad to try to push for a peaceful way to end the crisis, and Madonna has just released an anti-war video for her latest single, American Life.

The title track off her upcoming album, American Life was released as an internet single officially on March 24, 2003. Ever a trendsetter, the pop superstar chose this groundbreaking method of music sales — which she calls “The Madonna Project” — even though it meant the track would be ineligible for the charts.

Available as a download, American Life is accompanied by a special message from the diva’s official website, Madonna.com. Kazaa and other music exchange sites carried the single before this release date, so the savvy artist emailed the tune to fans early, determined to be a leader in the nascent market of downloadable music.

The accompanying video to American Life is brave, audacious and controversial. Like everything the legend does. Illuminating the potential consequences of a conflict, the film depicts the catastrophic repercussions and horror of war. Wearing military fatigues, Madonna throws grenades to an electronic beat, interspersed with shots of fashion models, soldiers and the victims of war, including bloodied babies. Although neither the video nor the song explicitly lambasts President Bush directly, it is one of the bolder anti-war statements currently being made.— T. U. Dawood

 

OR
Pakistan’s “It” band of the moment Fuzon is rising up the charts with its fun, exciting new single Akhiyan. The multi-talented trio charms on this up-beat number, which is the polar opposite of their heart-wrenching first release Aankhon Ke Saagar.

Although both songs are featured on their debut disc Saagar, the smash success of the first single gave the trio a pop-rock label with an edge. Now, with Akhiyan, lead singer Shafqat Amanat Ali’s voice simply mesmerizes in a more mainsteam pop way.

Guitarist Shallum Xavier’s riffs rule, and this funky, up-tempo piece is irresistible. The track transports the band to new heights. Catchy and up-beat, the single is modern yet very classical in its roots. The chorus rocks and the bridge is simply infectious.

The video, directed by Jami (Jamshed Mahmood) is on heavy rotation. Fuzon is spinning out hit after hit off their debut album Saagar. The magic continues.—T. U. D.

 

ALBUM
Ever since Matchbox 20’s lead singer Rob Thomas gave a star-making solo turn on Smooth — his savvy collaboration with Carlos Santana — critics have been awaiting his fall. Now, with More Than You Think You Are, the band’s third album, he proves his worth and the quintet’s staying power. Lead single Disease stands out on this CD. Co-written by Thomas and Mick Jagger, it has a disco-Latin-old rock kind of feel.

Other noteworthy tracks include Bright Lights and Unwell. The former recalls the Black Crowes in their prime. It begins with a beckoning solo piano followed by Thomas’s come-hither voice, before building to a stunning climax. The latter has a killer hook that sets the song on a brighter fire than the matches in their name: “I’m not crazy, I’m just a little unwell/I know right now you can’t tell,” reveals Thomas, “But stay awhile and maybe then you’ll see/A different side of me...”

More Than You Think You Are illustrates the growth of the band. In the spirit of their last disc Mad Season, this new album uses a vast array of instruments such as strings and horns. However, this time around, the band integrates a more exciting blend of instruments to accompany Rob’s comforting vocals. In fact, a gospel choir plays a pivotal role on the poignant and powerful Downfall. Matchbox 20 is a band full of possibility, with many more exciting things to come. Thomas and the boys are burning a slow, steady flame.—T. U. D.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT
The Art Gallery is holding an exhibition of water-colour paintings by G.N. Kazi. The earthy paintings capture the culture and urban heritage of Sindh and Punjab.

The exhibition is from 30th April to 7th May from 5:00 pm onwards. 8 Marine Galleria, Block 9, Clifton 021-5872489, 5872491, 5871625

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