August 7, 2003

FILM
Identity starts off with the visual equivalent of one of the hoariest of literary cliches: it was a dark and stormy night. After that you move into Agatha Christie land as 10 strangers find themselves trapped in a lonely motel and slowly start getting killed off one by one. The gruesome manner of their deaths then recalls a number of horror movies from Scream to Friday The 13th.

But from all these familiar elements director James Mangold (Cop Land) and writer Michael Cooney craft an intense, exciting thriller which pulls out the rug from under you just when you think you have it all figured out. Unlike many thrillers/mysteries which pluck a solution out of thin air, Identity plays fair with you till the very end — it’s just that you have to be paying close attention. Starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, Rebecca DeMornay, Alfred Molina and Jake Busey. Recommended. — Khusro Mumtaz

 

OR
Fair warning — you will either love Old School or hate it. You’ll love it if you’re a guy between 25 and 40 and you’ll hate it if you’re anyone else. That being said, I laughed out loud quite a bit during the course of this movie (so I suppose that says something about me and my state of mind). Three thirty-something guys — Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn — decide to re-live their glory days and start a frat house close to a college campus and all that follows is pretty much what you expect. But the reason why the humour works (at least for its intended audience) is that the stupidest of comedy scenes are played out with the straightest of faces (Will Ferrell absolutely steals the show). — K.M.

 

OR
Qayamat is a bad, sad copy of that Sean Connery/Nicholas Cage starrer The Rock. Terrorists take over an abandoned prison, threatening the closest city with weapons of mass destruction so an elite commando squad is sent in to take the terrorists out with the help of a convict, the only man to have successfully broken out of the same prison. The basic storyline is the same as the original but the action scenes are actually boring and many times you find yourself giggling at the screen instead of getting excited because director Harry Baweja feels he has to Mollywood-ise the movie (and insult the viewers’ intelligence in the process).

Overall nothing much to recommend here unless you want to see some more Pakistan-bashing or Isha Koppikar, Neha Dhupia and Riya Sen in various states of undress. Ajay Devgan, Sunil Shetty and Aashish Chowdry play the good guys while Sanjay Kapoor, Arbaaz Khan, Ayub Khan and Chunkey Panday are the evil terrorists. If you really feel you must watch this movie just go rent The Rock again instead. — K.M.

 

SINGLE
UK trio Sugababes is more babe than sweet. Far from a guilty pleasure, their music is one of the most exciting products of a girl band in ages. Their hit-bound sophomore album Angels with Dirty Faces lives up to expectations, and current single Shape is a strong, temperamental piece of pop that generously samples Sting’s Ten Summoner’s Tales.

The trio — Keisha Buchana, Mutya Buena and Heidi Range — have a knack for smart sampling and a savvy about everything from their own song selection to their marketing. Rarely putting a foot wrong, the trio works its sorcery here. Shape is moody yet magical as it stays in your head, blowing the competition away. The familiar background of Ten Summoner’s Tales gives the track a comforting feel, and elevates the song. Fortunately, the final product far exceeds the original, which was not one of Sting’s better efforts. Shape, on the other hand, is one of the coolest things the Sugababes have done. — T. U. Dawood

 

ALBUM
From the very blonde blonde on the album cover to some of the track’s tacky titles, every which way you look D. J. Aqeel’s fifth remix CD The Return of Daddy Mix is pure camp. Still, without a doubt, it’s also a cut above similar albums out. A collection of Kishore remixes, The Return of Daddy Mix is both fun and funky. Opening number Keh Doon Tumhen is so groovy, it’ll have you moving very quickly to buy this disc. Featuring VJ Ramona, rapper Blazee and Vaishali Samant, this single kicks.

Other noteworthy remixes include the “psycho mix” of Koi Shama Sheeshe Ki Laya, the mischievous Bachke Rehna Re Baba and Janu Meri Jann. Although the rest of the tracks are so-so, they are still very listenable. In fact, the entire CD is made for cruising in your car or jivin’ up a summer G.T. While other artists are remixing simply to make a quick buck, D. J. Aqeel is proving to have some real talent. Can’t wait for his next disc. — T. U. D.

 

OR
When Manic Street Preachers announced they were going to release a compilation album of B-sides, rarities and covers as a follow up to their greatest hits album, it seemed like a pure money-driven venture and not an exciting one at that. However, the band shrewdly and coolly decided to compile the disc based on help from an online fan poll. There’s nothing better then when a band genuinely cares what its fans want and then actually delivers.

Lipstick Traces, as they amusingly named the collection, actually has more than its share of gems. It’s a two-disc compilation with Disc One the far superior. It includes two previously unreleased tracks — the anthemic 4 Ever Delayed and the punk number Judge Yr’self. The latter single is actually quite poignant and noteworthy for being the last thing the group recorded before rhythm guitarist Richey James Edwards’s disappearance in 1995.

The best tracks are when the band is at its punkiest. Their cover of Guns N’ Roses It’s So Easy and The Clash’s Train In Vain are far superior to their version of Wham!’s Last Christmas. While this disc should please die-hard fans and groupies, it’s not really essential for the masses. There is great rumour and hope that the Preachers’ next disc will actually be fresh and possibly fantastic. Something that is long overdue. I don’t mean to preach here, but the band could use a new hit. — T. U. D.

 

WEBSITE
Sitting in your offices or homes for hours in front of a computer may not only leave you tired but may also cause short-term discomfort of headaches to potentially serious conditions like Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Discover the science of Ergonomics on www.healthycomputing.com where experts provide you with unbiased information on computer-related health and safety. There is plenty of information which focuses on the problems caused mainly by the constant use of computer. Solutions on the long-term health effects of computer use like discomfort in neck and back pain are also provided. Also if you are a laptop, PDA or a cell phone user then the section of “Mobile Ergonomics” would help you greatly. You can also sign up for newsletters to receive updates on latest tips and articles through email. All in all, a must check for those who work mainly on computers.— Azeem Haider

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