August 14, 2003

FILM
Pre-Teen or just-turned teen girls will probably enjoy The Lizzie McGuire Movie quite a bit. The only other group of people who should check this movie out are Mollywood producers looking for their next bit of “inspiration”. This is a Mollywood movie just waiting to happen — there are songs and dances, romances, look-alikes, mistaken identities, exotic foreign locales, comedy relief, you name it you’ve got it.

15-year-old Lizzie (Hillary Duff) goes on a class trip to Rome where she runs into Paolo (Yani Gellman), an Italian teen pop idol. It turns out Lizzie is a dead ringer for Isabella (also played by Duff), Paolo’s singing partner who has taken off to some remote island and Paolo needs to convince the world that Isabella is still around. He then convinces Lizzie to take Isabella’s place at the World Music Awards. Hillary Duff does have star power (Disney is building her up as the next Britney Spears) and The Lizzie McGuire Movie does a good job for its intended audience but the rest of us can safely give it a miss.— Khusro Mumtaz

 

OR
As much as I liked the first two Terminator movies I really thought that they had done about as much as they could with the original concept of the battle between humanity and machines and time-travelling cyborgs. And without writer/director James Cameron (the man in-charge of the first two movies) on board, I really didn’t have any expectations from the third installment in the series, Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines.

Surprisingly, however, I ended up enjoying myself — probably because my low expectations were easily exceeded. It’s not as inventive as the first two movies and is not a quantum leap forward in special effects the way the second movie was but it provides its fair share of thrills and action with some nice bits of comedy thrown in.

The story is also thinner and not as unique but it does push the Terminator story-line forward instead of just rehashing the same-old same-old. Overall, a fun summer action-flick. Directed by Jonatan Mostow and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Claire Danes, and Kristanna Loken (as the latest Terminator T-X).— K.M.

 

SINGLE
Never underestimate Madonna. When tons of critics were panning her latest album based solely on first and title single the avant garde American Life, I couldn’t help but think they were being too hasty. After all, this diva first became famous even before Britney Spears learned how to crawl, and she’s still going strong.

Her second release Hollywood, however, has been causing a buzz throughout tinsel town and making many eat their earlier words. Even the video, while typically raunchy, is savvy, addressing everything from celebrities having constant plastic surgery to superficialities of all sorts.

While American Life the single was political in a world politics way, Hollywood attacks politics in a more personal arena. Even the Queen of Pop’s worst critics have to admire her ability to slickly make her points and elevate her music to more than pure bubblegum, all to a great beat. That being said, while Hollywood is a fun single, it’s not one of Madonna’s career best. As a song, it is worth listening to, and you certainly won’t want to change the channel when it comes on. However, with a portfolio like this Material Girl has, Hollywood is not quite worthy of a spot on a Greatest Hits CD. On the American Life disc, however, it’s a gem.— T. U. Dawood

 

ALBUM
Once you’ve made a duet with Santana, you’re set for life. At just the tender age of 17, Michelle Branch went from 2001’s highly successful The Spirit Room straight to the worldwide Santana smash The Game of Love. Now, the teen is back with her latest album Hotel Paper. Although she is now recognized universally as a bona fide talent, she still has to constantly fight comparisons to Britney Spears (absurd) and Alanis Morrissette (if only!). The singer’s recordings to date lack the raw mountain-moving force of the tracks on Morrissette’s inspired Jagged Little Pill disc, yet Branch probably has a lot more staying power. Her talent is straight-forward, as is her sound.

This time around, Branch’s sound is more mature and favourably reflects her growth as an artist. The CD opens with Are You Happy Now?, which is clearly inspired by Avril Lavigne, an artist with a truly original sound. Tracks like Find Your Way Back and Empty Handed, however, will please fans of The Spirit Room. There’s a little bit of something for everyone on this new disc, as the highly precocious teenager seems to have strategized heavily when compiling this album. However, whether any of her noble efforts will actually help distinguish her from similar artists like Carlton still remains to be seen.— T.U.D.

 

OR
Beyonce Knowles of Destiny’s Child has always been a force to be reckoned with, but now, with the release of Dangerously In Love, her first solo effort, she’s becoming dangerously cool. With such promising beginnings, high expectations surround this solo disc. Unfortunately, while this CD allows Beyonce to reach exciting new heights, there are plenty of lows on Dangerously In Love as well. In fact, too many low points.

The Missy Elliot-produced Sirens is simply horrific, while Gift from Virgo begs you to ask the giver to take the present back. There are also a multitude of saccharine ballads that make you wish for the gutsy, tongue-in-cheek sound of Destiny’s Child.

Dangerously In Love could have been so much better than it is. Still, there are some fun numbers. Naughty Girl master mixes Holly Valance/Momo’s hit with a tight R&B groove. Another phat track is Be With You. Sounding very much like a Denice Williams (Let’s Hear It For The Boy) style song, and using the sweet melody of Strawberry Letter 23, this single has serious potential. Unfortunately, just like Jay-Z and Beyonce’s relationship, it’s debatable whether Dangerously In Love will have any staying power. — T.U.D.

 

WEBSITE
There are certain things in life, which cannot be taught through books and can be learned only through personal experience. If you want to learn things such as these then log onto www.soyouwanna.com where all kinds of subjects are discussed. From decorating your apartment to throwing a bachelor’s party to writing a sitcom or losing weight. The explanation is comprehensive and easy to grasp. Some important and some less significant wannas are being listed category wise. For example in the Work category you are being explained how to prepare for an interview and other things related with your job. In the Health section wannas like healthy lifestyle and proper eating habits are there. There is a very long list of different kinds of ‘wannas’ in each category. Log on to find the ‘wannas’ of your choice.— Azeem Haider

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