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September 8, 2005
Eight days a week
FILM
Directed by Softley (Wings Of The Dove) and written by Ehren Kruger (The Ring), The Skeleton Key is the most enjoyable suspense-horror film since, well, The Ring. It’s not as disturbing as the earlier movie and it’s not a great film or even necessarily a good one but it does keep you watching and guessing right till the end. And the final plot twist is a real doozy.
Key has all the standard clichés associated with Southern Gothic romances and horror movies –– ramshackle ghostly mansion, old secrets, weird families, locked rooms, dark and stormy nights, lights going off and on, things jumping out of the shadows etc. etc. –– but uses them to good effect. The movie is also ably served by its cast –– Kate Hudson as our damsel-in-distress and Nancy Drew-like investigator rolled into one and Peter Sarsgaard as the kindly family lawyer who play it straight and bring credibility to the proceedings, while Gena Rowlands and John Hurt chew up the scenery in their own unique fashions and make the movie deliciously fun.
What I liked most about the movie was the consistency of its internal logic. Sure, looking back, there are certain bits which don’t quite hold up under closer scrutiny but the movie keeps rattling along at a healthy pace so you aren’t asking too many questions as you are watching it and, overall, things fall appropriately into place. The Skeleton Key is an enjoyable little escapist ride which might make you jump a few times and sometimes you aren’t looking for anything more. — Khusro Mumtaz
OR
The better sex comedies aren’t just about raunchy jokes and outrageous scenes involving body parts and bodily fluids. They also have heart and a little romance. Take There’s Something About Mary or American Pie, for example. And now you can add The 40-Year-Old Virgin to that list.
Steve Carell (who played the weird weatherman in last year’s Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy) stars as Andy, the eponymous character. Some early defeats in the battlefield of love had him beating a hasty retreat from which he has never recovered. And now he’s a full-fledged geek –– collecting toys and comic-books, action-figures, and video games –– with not a hope of ever finding or landing a woman.
But when his colleagues at work –– the motley crew of David (Paul Rudd), Jay (Romany Malco) and Cal (Seth Rogen) –– discover Andy’s “condition” they make it their mission for him to meet different women and be “de-flowered”. Andy’s subsequent dating adventures lead to some hilarious bits –– watch out in particular for the “waxing” parlour scene and the speed-dating sequence. However, eventually, Andy meets Trish (played by the wonderful Catherine Keener) and things start looking up. But Andy’s virginity keeps getting in the way –– he’s too afraid of disappointing a woman obviously more experienced than him (she’s got three children) –– and that nearly sabotages a burgeoning relationship.
And it is this relationship between Andy and Trish that gives the movie its heart because it feels real and because you feel that these are two genuinely nice people who deserve to find happiness in each other. However, the laughs don’t stop because of the potential romance and pretty much keep coming till the end. And we also find out more about David, Jay and Cal who, in their own way, are as clueless about women as Andy. The movie ends on a satisfying note and an outrageous musical sequence which is thoroughly enjoyable for its audaciousness.
Virgin was directed by Judd Apatow (who also directed Anchorman) and co-written by Carell and Apatow.— K.M.
SINGLE
Ciara’s Goodies CD is still releasing hits as consistently as a dispenser. Her latest gem is the soft, slow and sweet ballad And I. Produced by Adonis, this track is about appreciating and loving someone for their true self and not their material wealth.
The lyrics say it all: I don’t need me a basketball player/All I need is somebody that’s down for me.
The vocals are drawn out and the background music arranged to match. The chorus lingers with just the right emphasize on the title lyrics And I … A fantastic arrangement on what could otherwise have been a rather ordinary song.
At just 18, Ciara’s talents continue to impress. Not only did the sensational singer with her sexy looks co-write this track, but her look and style have started to gather quite a following. She may be in the spotlight now, but it seems certain her best work is yet to come.—T. U. Dawood
ALBUM
We have an incredible music scene here in Pakistan with some of the most original and exciting music being produced anywhere. Every couple of years, however, something phenomenal happens. An act arrives that is a cut above the norm and even more excitingly, is a leader, a band that is poised to start new trends rather than simply follow and join with whatever the popular sound is. EP (an acronym for Entity Paradigm) is this kind of band.
With the release of their highly anticipated debut album Irtiqa, the band has put together a quintessential concept album. Do believe the buzz. The songs work and gel together in a cohesive effort in which the sum is actually greater than the parts. The singles enhance and feed off one another in a visionary effort. EP may have come from Battle of the Bands, but after this impressive debut where they go is limitless.
The album opener is the eerie Irtiqa I (the first of three Irtiqa songs) which features innovative samples and powerful emotions and is a perfect lead into the rest of the album. The build-up crescendos until renowned single Hamein Aazma, which is a harmonious and intense rock track with an infectious chorus and some poignant lyrics.
There is a dark current underlying this CD and the band does not shy away from deeper issues. Their music and lyrics delve into the angst of Kaun Hoon Main, the anti-materialism track Fitrat, the defiant tones of Waqt and the turmoil of Rahguzar. This all builds up to the climactic finale of Irtiqa III, which ties the whole album together in an emotional and thematic way that is brilliant and powerful.
However, not everything with the band or even this debut album gels. Ahmed’s rapping at times is unnecessary and even vacant and should be more selectively used. On stage, his rapping has been very effective, but somehow on the record, it lacks that razer-sharp punch that is necessary in a rapper.
While there is great fear that EP is catering to the upper-class elite, I think this is both pessimistic and misplaced because with satellite television and our people’s love of both western and eastern movies, the band is simply creating a niche for themselves. At the end of the day, Pakistanis love music, and good music in particular, and with that being the case, EP is sure to experience much success.—T. U. D
CONFERENCE
Society of Pakistan English Language Teachers (SPELT) is holding its 21st International ELT Conference. The conference has been organized in five cities of Pakistan from Sept 9 to 18. It will be inaugurated in Karachi (9-11 Sept).The theme of the conference is “Teaching learning, learning teaching.” It aims to improve the quality of the English language teaching in Pakistan by narrowing the gap between teachers and researchers.
For further details contact SPELT office at 021-5214531 and 021-5676307.
CIRCUS
Ritz Entertainment presents an international circus for the first time in Karachi. The performers are from America, England, China, and Canada are performing from 2nd to 18th Sept at Bahria Auditorium daily at 4 pm, 6.30 pm and 9 pm. For further information please contact 0300 8229669 or www.ritzentertainment.com.
TV
Justice — the most precious commodity, yet so scare is what this group of determined, conscientious and persuasive lawyers aim at because they feel that justice should be served, not denied! Crime in any form is punishable lest it should lead to degeneration of society.
Insaf is a drama series based on true stories existing in our society. Shown on Thursday at 8pm on ARY Digital, the serial is produced by Iqbal Ansari; duration time 25 minutes.—A.S.
ART
A painting exhibition titled Womanhood by Masuma Halai, is taking place at Canvas Gallery on September 8 from 5pm. Masuma is a graduate of NCA. For her art is one way of speaking the truth. Her paintings are allegories of the feminine experience.
The exhibition remains open daily from 11am to 8pm (excluding Sundays) till Sept 17.—A.S.
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