|
|
|
November 6, 2003
EIGHT DAYS A WEEK
FILM
Considering the number of body-switching movies (Big, Vice Versa, etc. etc.) that have been made over the years, it’s surprising how funny and effective Freaky Friday turns out to be. The movie follows an arc which should be familiar to anybody who may have seen any of these earlier movies or the two previous versions of Freaky Friday, but writers Heather Hach / Leslie Dixon and director Mark Waters manage to infuse this latest adaptation of Mary Rodgers book with a lot of energy and inventive humour. They are more than wonderfully backed up by Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan as the mother and daughter respectively who switch bodies for a day. The two actresses are very convincing with their body language and mannerisms once the substitution takes place and help us to enjoy this very likeable comedy. Recommended viewing for the whole family. —Khusro Mumtaz
OR
The plot of the latest Hinglish production Boom goes something like this: to extricate themselves from a precarious situation three Indian super-models take on the Mumbai and Dubai underworlds. This may sound interesting and original on paper but as Amitabh Bachchan’s character says in the movie “the devil is in the details”. And when it comes to fleshing out the skeletal storyline writer/director Kaizad Gustad falls woefully short. The movie is slick looking but throwing in lots of sex and “colourful” (to put it politely) language doesn’t make up for a completely illogical narrative and awful dialogue (which I think Gustad wanted to be Tarantino-esque but he doesn’t come anywhere close). Certainly Mrs Salman Rushdie Padma Lakshmi (or Pashmina Lickme as she was so memorably dubbed by Taki in the weekly New York Press) and Katrina Kaif are easy on the eyes and it’s evident that Bachchan, Jackie Shroff and Javaid Jaffrey are having fun with their characters but it’s all a hopeless mess. Also starring Zeenat Aman, Gulshan Grover and Madhu Sapre with a cameo by Bo Derek. —KM
OR
Another dreadful Hinglish movie is Mumbai Matinee. Rahul Bose (Mr. & Mrs. Iyer) plays a 32-year old ad executive in Mumbai who cannot wait to somehow finally lose his virginity. This leads him into some embarrassing situations before he learns the lesson that sex cannot replace love. How original! Not! But despite its lack of originality the movie could still have worked if there had been something even remotely funny or characters even slightly believable. But no such luck. On top of all that the movie moves as fast as the Pakistani Army does in handing power back to civilians after a coup. Mumbai Matinee is a chore to sit through. —KM
SINGLE
Beyoncee’s runaway smash Crazy In Love off her Dangerously In Love debut CD stole the summer and ruled the charts and clubs this year. Her follow-up release Baby Boy, however, has none of the passion and heart of the first single. A pedantic joint, Baby Boy is rather ordinary at best. The chords are sleep-inducing, the lyrics unexciting and the beat simply tired. Even the enlisting of Diwali rhythm king Sean Paul fails to give this single some edge.
Produced by former Dr. Dre protege Scott Storch, the beat is a mix of dancehall bass arrangement, eastern strings and various synthesizer and drum maneuvers, all of which lightly accentuate Beyonce’s breathy, seductive vocals. Dancing in and out of the beat, the diva sings Baby boy you stay on my mind/fulfill my fantasies/I think about you all the time/I see you in my dreams. R.E.M. or even Erykah Badu clearly this is not.
In order to jazz up the sleepy single, the singer reveals more than ever in the video. Her Indian inspired embroidered bikinis and dance moves are an attempt to detract from the weakness of the song. Maybe it’s the lack of partner Jay-Z who vibed up Crazy In Love, but Baby Boy fails to do justice to Beyonce’s enormous talent. Beyonce may be sexier than ever, but her latest music just isn’t Bootylicious. —T. U. Dawood
ALBUM
Strings have just released their latest album Dhaani. The 10-track CD introduces a more mature sound for the band. Well-known over their thirteen-year career for their college kid image and sound, and such hits as Sar Kiyae Yae Phar, Duur, Anjaane and last year’s World Cup anthem Hai Koi Hum Jaisa, the group has now entered a more melodious domain.
Lyrics have been written by Anwar Maqsood and Zehra Nigah. Lead guitarist Bilal Maqsood is also responsible for the composition, while Faisal Kapadia provides the vocals. A great pop album, Dhaani is full of its share of future hits. Chaaye Chaaye, in particular, is sure to create a sensation. Another noteworthy single is Bolo, Bolo which is a duet between Kapadia and legendary performer Hari Haran. A true gem is the uplifting Sohniye. This single is just perfect for cruising in your car.
There is definitely a broadening of the band’s style on Dhanni. The songs are more rhythm-oriented, but without entering bhangra or dance-oriented territory (like Abrar or Jawad). The melody still remains the heart of Strings’ music.
Dhanni plays up on the band’s strengths, making full use of Kapadia’s deep bass voice and Bilal Maqsood’s infectious hooks. As a follow-up to their highly acclaimed last album Duur, Dhaani more than makes the grade. —T.U.Dawood
OR
Madonna’s last CD American Life bombed so the diva has just released a remix version of the same disc entitled American Life: Remixed and Revisited. This seven-track collection features the reworkings of seven singles from the original CD as well as the previously released Your Honesty. This latter track was written and recorded during the Bedtime Stories sessions in the mid-nineties between Madonna and Dallas Austin. The disc also features the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards medley between Madonna, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott.
The remixes are funkier and in some ways nicer than the singles on the original American Life CD, but Like a Virgin and Vogue they are not. American Life originally failed to connect with fans although it was progressive and solid music because it lacked that certain groove — the infectious vibe — that makes a Madonna single that certain cut above the competition. Whether it’s the new wave electronic Ray of Light or the pop-to-the-core Lucky Star, these singles rule the radio and stick in your mind. The original American Life tracks were missing that je ne sais quoi quality, and unfortunately, so are the remixes. —T. U. Dawood
WEBSITE
For those seeking valuable information regarding the holy month must log onto www.islam.com/ramadan. All the necessary information is endorsed by actual quotations from the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The month carries enormous blessings which are all categorized in the “Blessings of Ramadan” section. There is also a section, “Holy Quran on Ramadan” where actual quotations from the Holy Book regarding this month are found. Requirements and other details to be observed, which a Muslim should adhere to during fasting are also listed under “requirements of Ramadan” section. —Azeem Haider
|
|
|
|
