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May 18, 2006
Eight Days a Week
FILM
One can see why Johnny Depp would sign up for The Libertine, adapted by Stephen Jeffreys (from his own stage play) and directed by Laurence Dunmore. Depp has a love of the outrageous, the bizarre, and the weird and here he gets a chance to indulge all his fancies. He has a whale of a time playing the poet and hedonist John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester and courtier to Charles II in 17th century England. Not only does he get to say and do unspeakable things but also disappear into the makeup box (another Depp liking) as Wilmot’s face and body starts to suffer the consequences of his deeds of debauchery.
But while Depp bites into his role with relish and it is fun to see him at work the movie itself isn’t half as pleasurable. The film begins with Wilmot being brought back from exile to London by Charles II (John Malkovich, with an amateurish looking fake proboscis) and given a chance to redeem himself. The King commissions a play from Wilmot to be presented in front of the French ambassador. But the Earl is more interested in coaching a would-be London stage actress, Elizabeth Barry (Samantha Morton) to greatness than getting down to work producing the play. When the production is finally staged the movie reaches its (ahem!) climax and all that follows seems a mere afterthought. Unfortunately, that afterthought takes up as much time as what had preceded it and it becomes very difficult to remain interested. The movie also stars Rosamund Pike (Pride & Prejudice, Die Another Day) as Wilmot’s long-suffering wife.—Khusro Mumtaz
OR
Say whatever you will about the original Basic Instinct but it’s actually a stylish thriller albeit one laden with sex and violence. However, in the period since its release in 1992 it has become something of a camp touchstone with its (in)famous interrogation scene — where leading lady Sharon Stone’s lack of underwear was made apparent — being much copied and parodied, in particular.
So I don’t think there was any way that any sequel could have really worked because there was no way that anybody was going to take it seriously. But Stone sued the producers to have the sequel made (see what a dwindling career leads you to) and now she’s back as novelist/thrillseeker/possible serial-killer Catherine Trammel in Basic Instinct 2, a sequel that comes 14 years after the movie that made her a star.
The new film turns out to be not quite boring but it doesn’t offer anything new either, borrowing most of its beats from the first movie. Nor is it as shocking as the original — the sex and violence are tame by comparison and the leading lady’s much hyped full frontal scene turns out be not quite full and not quite frontal. As was expected, the movie only really works at a level of outrageousness.
Stone knows this and chews up the scenery with gusto, working the “dirty talk” for all its worth (her “Masters & Johnson” lines are a hoot, for example). Director Michael Caton-Jones also seems more interested in getting in on the joke and playing up phallic London skyscrapers than tightening up the pacing and heightening the tension. So, when the movie ends with a very predictable “twist” in the tale that might leave some viewers feeling cheated, the most likely reaction is a resounding “who cares?”
Basic Instinct 2 also stars David Morissey, Indira Varma, Hugh Dancy, David Thewliss and Charlotte Rampling as various possible murder victims/suspects.—K.M.
SINGLE
Kelly Clarkson seemed to be destined to go down in history as simply the first American Idol winner. One song has changed all that. Breakaway, written by mega-talented Avril Lavigne, is a poignant tale of strength, hope and destiny and has touched a chord with fans all over the world and ensured millions in record sales.
Although Clarkson’s sophomore album, also titled Breakaway, was originally released late 2004, the title track was until now officially released only in America. On June 12, it will be formally released in the UK and globally, and a fresh new video has been recorded for the song that is already on heavy video play.
By far the best track on the CD, Breakaway is an enchanting single that will have you humming along to its infectious, gentle chorus and the inspiring lyrics. Dreaming of leaving her small town world for a better life, Clarkson sings, I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly/Though it’s not easy to tell you goodbye, gotta/Take a risk, take a chance, make a change/And breakaway/Out of the darkness and into the sun/But I won’t forget the place I come from/I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change/And breakaway.
Clarkson’s husky, haunting vocals combined with the dreaminess of the single make for a magical combination and elevate the former pop singer into an artist of unlimited potential. —T. U. Dawood
ALBUM
Los Angeles based band Clear Static is channeling the eighties on their self-titled debut album. In the past, they have opened for Duran Duran and their sound is a clear disciple of The Cure, Depeche Mode, New Order and the entire new wave movement.
Although still in their teens, the members of the band exude a maturity in their canny ability to insert a modern quality and some more sophisticated electronic sounds to the eighties genre. This gives a fresh feel to their music and prevents it from being completely retro, although their sound is still very much full of bravado, drama and bold keyboards.
There are many gems on this CD including the sad tale of betrayal 97 Lies, heartache Careless Lies and the romantic Tuesday On My Mind. However, the most talked-about single is without a doubt the provocative MUS (Make Up Sex), which comes in seven different remix versions and is currently a club favourite.
Lead singer Tom Pederson summarizes modern-day relationships succinctly on MUS: For the girls in the back while they’re messing up their hair/and the boys breaking hearts pretending that they care.
Just like Madonna is dancing all the way to the bank with soaring sales of her latest hit the retro Sorry, Pederson and his boys seem destined for success with their eighties style, sound and showmanship.—T. U. D
TV
Saheli is a story of two friends, Raheela and Afsheen, who share a great bond of trust, but their parents disapprove of this friendship. Raheela fancies Raja Omair, a Casanova. The story takes a turn when Omair is introduced to Afsheen, and he declares his love for her. The play showcases how these two friends begin their lives separately, and the problems they face. Written by Nayyar Mukhtar Khan and directed by Abid Ali, the cast includes Nadeem Baig, Abid Ali, Mohsin Gilani, Jahan Ara Hai, Rabia Noreen, Akbar Subhani, Nisha, Dr Muzna and Sunny Tonio. On HUM TV every Monday to Wednesday at 8 pm.—Shanaz Ramzi
WORKSHOP
“Parenting with Love and Logic” a two-day interactive workshop for parents and interested individuals is being organised on May 23 and 24, 2006, from 2:30pm to 5:30 pm. Salman Asif Siddiqui, Director Educational Resource Development Centre (ERDC ) will conduct the two-day programme. The workshop will focus on understanding childhood, nurturing creativity and confidence in your child, dealing with behaviour problems and reflective parenting. For registration contact ERDC at 021-6640151.
VIDEO SCREENING
Sampurna presents video screening of a live performance by two great classical musicians of the subcontinent, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Ustad Rashid Khan with introductions by Ustad Vilayat Khan on May 19 at 8pm. For information, call 5850031.
QAWWALI
Qawwali came from Iran. The meaning of Qawwali is ‘word’, representing the divine voice. Linked to the sufic tradition it was developed by sufi scholars to achieve closeness to God. To celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi Pearl Continental has organised a qawwali evening with Qawwal Fareed Ayaz Al Hussaini on May 20 at 9pm. Performing in the traditional style the group usually sings qawwalis in Arabic and Persian apart from Urdu.—A.S.
EXHIBITION
An exhibition of Colin David’s paintings is taking place at Clifton Art Gallery from 18 to 23rd May. He is an artist committed to the idea of beauty and its finer sensibilities in its natural form and enjoys optical-play-creating space and depth.
OR
Artist Humaira, in her paintings has continued her search to find the perfect form that can convey multiple meanings. Her work is being exhibited at Canvas Gallery from 18-28 May.
TALK
Nilofur Farrukh, president of AICA Pakistan will talk about impressions of German art institutions in her presentation Dialogue and Discovery Through Art in Germany after having taken part in a field trip to Germany organised by the Goethe-Institut.—A.S
MILAD
First Women Bank Ltd is celebrating Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi on 22nd May at 3pm at PC, Karachi.
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