|
|
|
February 16, 2006
Eight Days a Week
FILM
Memoirs Of A Geisha tells the tale of Sayuri (Ziyi Zhang) as she is sold to a Geisha house as a child in pre-World War II Tokyo. She harbours a lifelong love for the “the Chairman” (Ken Watanabe) while being used as a pawn in a power-struggle between two powerful Geishas, Hatsumomo (Gong Li) who fears her as a potential rival and Mameha (Michelle Yeoh) who takes her under her wing as a protégé. Along the way, Sayuri gathers many admirers like the Chairman’s partner, Nobu (Koji Yakusho), a rich doctor (Randall Duk Kim), and The Baron (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa).
Sure, Geisha looks dazzling and the lush colours and gorgeous cinematography may convince you that it’s “Art” (with a capital ‘A’) that you’re witnessing. But director Rob Marshall’s (Chicago) adaptation of Arthur Golden’s best-seller is really nothing more than a vapid Mills & Boon romance all gussied up in exotica. The seedier side of a Geisha’s life are skimmed over and though it’s repeatedly said that Geishas are not mere prostitutes or courtesans but actually social entertainers and the ideal of Japanese femininity, there is still sex being exchanged for money. The quantity of both (the sex and the money) is really not the issue. A Geisha’s world is complex and this hardly dips below the surface. Though all three main female leads are played by Chinese actresses and acting in English does limit the cast, the performances are all fine. Gong Li’s smouldering presence, in particular, lifts the movie above the ordinary every time she’s onscreen but even she can only do so much with basically superficial material.—Khusro Mumtaz
classic movie
Director Nazarul Islam was on a real roll in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s with films like Aina and Bandish. Nahin Abhi Nahin (1980) was his attempt to leverage that success and stretch the boundaries of Pakistani films. Partly inspired by Summer Of ’42 (in fact, a scene in the movie shows a clip from that Hollywood favourite), Nahin tells the tale of a teenager’s (Faisal Rehman in his debut film) crush on an older woman (Shabnam). Faisal is egged on his amorous attempts by his room-mate (fellow debutante Ayaz Naik,) while a young girl (Arzoo, of Pan Masala ad fame, also in her first film role) vies for his attentions.
Nahin Abhi Nahin did middling business when it was released but it has worn well with age. Boasting a tight script by Syed Noor, catchy music by Robin Ghosh, and some very good performances by the newcomers (Ayaz is particularly impressive), Nazarul Islam’s film still makes for entertaining viewing. Shabnam’s melodramatic histrionics may be the only real weakness of the movie. Available on VCD.—K.M.
Single
Oh, no! It really does look like the Material Girl and her big, blond hunky, English director husband Guy Ritchie’s marriage is on the rocks. With her Rolling Stone and multi-magazine covers and the buzz that fans and critics alike are hung up on the Material Girl’s platinum No 1 new album Confessions on a dance floor, it’s the first time since the London estate-residing, children’s book authoring, domesticated mother of two has been truly in the spotlight with such wholehearted praise since her marriage and it seems Mr. Madge is having trouble handling it.
Second single Sorry is only adding fuel to the fire. It is simply too good. Although she repeatedly sings on the track I’ve heard it all before, the single is actually very fresh and original. A progressive, perhaps even avant garde creation, the song is a maddeningly addictive combination of varying layers of pulsating beats combined with a hip vocal, and is destined to inspire new directions in music! If that wasn’t in itself worth talking about, there is a killer relaxed remix with added vocals by the Pet Shop Boys (West End Girls, What Have I Done to Deserve This?).
Don’t apologize Maddy, the release of this song is one thing you have nothing to feel sorry about …—T. U. Dawood
Album
Ryan Cabrera has had a hard time being taken seriously as a music artist because of his poster boy good looks. On his debut album Take It All Away, comments and reviews consistently used language like “better than it should be” and “surprisingly good,” and reiterated that although Cabrera is a talented songwriter, singer and musician, it is his handsome looks and renowned charisma that make him a true star.
Now, Cabrera has released his sophomore effort You Stand Watching and it’s even better than Take It All Away and placing the attention back where it should be: on his music. On most tracks, he sings ruefully about lost love — usually with plenty of clichés — but his songs are full of brilliant hooks and unexpected chord changes that make the melodies distinctive and memorable.
This CD highlights Cabrera’s growth and maturity as both a composer and a lyricist. Whether it is on the beat-driven Hit Me With Your Light or the tender It’s You, the artist’s voice and production stands out and its inevitable that while he sings about his own heartache, he will break a few hearts of his own.
Hearing Cabrera’s music today, it’s hard to believe the artist began his high school musical career in a punk band, and only later, after being inspired by Dave Mathews, switched to acoustic guitar and a more mainstream sound. However, every once in a while, his alternative roots subtly pop up in his music. It is those special moments that actually ensure that his sound is distinctive and remind fans and critics that he is not just another pretty face.—T. U. D
Seminar
The German ambassador will give a talk on ‘The West and the Muslim World in Dialogue’ on February 16 at 6.30pm at Avari. 21st Century’s S. Haider will give the opening speech.—A.S.
Meeting
The Jinnah Society is holding a meeting on February 18 for the selection of the recipients of the Jinnah Award.
Film Festival
Movies about families in Germany titled ‘Family Portraits’ are being shown at the Goethe-Institut at 6pm up to March. The film Lea Will be screened on February 16 with English subtitles. Directed by Ivan Fila the duration of the film is 100 minutes.—A.S
TV
An informative programme is being hosted by Taufeeq Pasha, Baghbani for garden enthusiasts who want to learn more about plants and maintaining a well manicured garden, without employing professional expertise. Divided into different segments the show focuses on various aspects of gardening — tree plantation, vegetable plantation, courtyards and grass revamping to name a few — by garnering the services of volunteers who demonstrate how they can improve the look of the garden without professional help. Expert opinion is sought, and different gardens are also visited. This week’s guest is Zahra Nasir. On HUM TV on Sunday, February 19 at 6.30pm.—S.R.
|
|
|
|
