MOVIE ALERT: The Girl Who Played With Fire & The Girl That Kicked The Hornet's Nest

“Lesbian Satanist sought in double murder”

 

 

Fans of the Millenium Trilogy – written by Swedish journalist Stieg Larson - will be excited to hear that the gritty movie sequels to the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo are coming to their small screen this week.  DSTV subscribers get to see the remaining two instalments, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl That Kicked The Hornet’s Nest this week Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Originally a Swedish mini series based on the books by Larson, it was later edited into three different movies.  The trilogy chronicles the adventures of investigative journalist  Mikail Blomqvist and the tough as nails anti-heroine Lisbeth Salander. Not afraid to explore sensitive subjects, it features graphic scenes of sexual abuse and violence.

Continue watching with The Girl Who Played With Fire on M-Net Movies 2 on Wednesday, 4 April 2012 at 21h40

And finish up with The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest on M-Net Movies 2 on Thursday, 5 April 2012 at 22h15

Why would you watch Mzansi Magic on a Monday?

A good reason not to...

Inkaba is a stillborn production that proves that there is life after death, even though it is not very pleasant.

This nasty low budget affair somehow manages to bring out the worst in everyone involved. Accomplished actors chew on scenery, whilst their inexperienced co-stars either bumble through the akward dialogue or have their expressions completely obscured by random shadows. The camera frequently seems oblivious to the unfolding scenes, as if the lone camera man is slipping into a coma or perhaps subtly trying to avoid drawing attention to the imminent collapse of the necrotic set. Worst of all - for a show that supposedly revolves around a fashion house - the outfits are so laughably cheap and absurd, they bring tears to the eyes. 

A dreary and depressing melodrama, Inkaba is about as entertaining as overdosing on Disprin.

Inkaba flatlines on Mzansi Magic from Mondays to Thursdays at 20h30.



But why you probably should...

With a cheeky opening sequence, gorgeous soft lighting and an earthy pastel kitchen, Cooking with Siba oozes charm and sophistication. So too does the host, Sibahle Mtongana, who is the Food Editor for Drum Magazine - although she shines brighest when she is unscripted and her bubbly self. Each week she invites a celebrity guest into her kitchen and helps them to zoot up their favourite dishes, whilst dispensing some useful tips to the viewers along the way.

Apart from the occassional magical reveal, where pre-prepared dishes are whipped out of a cold oven, Siba's food looks authentic, home made and totally delicious.

A delight for all the senses, Cooking with Siba does sexy and sassy stylishly, without resorting to the food prostitution practised by her who we shall not mention.

Cooking with Siba sparkles on Mzansi Magic on Mondays at 19h30.

See also    Inkaba - Episode 1 Review

               
                 What Nigella has in store for us

American Idol - Top 9 Results

Tonight Steven Tyler proved that despite the hippie hair, make up, nail polish, tight pants and aberrant sexual behaviour, he is actually just an old fart. Harshly critical of Heejun Han the week before, this time around, upon Han's elimination, he just couldn't stop himself from trying to take another shot at the Asian jokester.

Tyler revelled in his role as the bearer of bad news, and upon declining to exercise the vote to keep Han - who received the lowest amount of votes this week - in the competition, he just had to comment smugly that Han must have seen it coming.

Really? Han did not get eliminated because he wasn't taking the show seriously. He lost votes because he suddenly tried to distance himself from his previous antics, leaving his fan base stranded and confused - a move no doubt forced on him by the ever present Idol dictator Nigel Lythgoe. And let's face it, even at his worst he was considerably more entertaining than these boring judges and their terminally confusing and contradictory comments: slamming one contestant for not showcasing her upper register and praising the very next one for holding back on the high notes.

It's now wonder this show is in a spiralling ratings decline back home in America.


American Idol airs on M-Net on Saturdays at 18h00, with results on Sunday evenings at 18h00.

Game of Thrones - Season 2 Preview

"Your joy will turn to ashes."

Game of Thrones was arguably the biggest break out hit of 2011.  With the highly anticipated second season starting in America on 1 April 2012, M-Net will be bringing us the next season of this knock out fantasy drama on 13 April 2012.

Stay tuned to M-Net next Sunday, because after the Sunday night movie they will be bringing us a sneak preview and hopefully an introduction to all the new characters.

If you've forgotten who is who or what is where in this complicated drama, then also don't forget to catch up on our review of the final episode of Season 1 here.

The Graham Norton Show - Season 10 Episode 19

Hugh Grant entertains Graham's other guests with an anecdote of how he got busted in the toilet of a French train whilst checking for hemorrhoids in the mirror. And reminds us why we should never miss The Graham Norton Show!

The Graham Norton Show airs on BBC Entertainment on Fridays at 20h30.

WARNING: Not for the faint of heart.

 See also   The Graham Norton Show - Season 10 Episode 8

ARE YOU WATCHING: The Bachelor - Season 15

He's back!  After rejecting both of his final choices in season 11, Brad Womack was labelled a bit of a bad boy, much to the delight of the producers and the female population of America in particular. And more so now, since he returns to The Bachelor in season 15 for another try at love and a happily ever after.

 

Clearly a great health and fitness aficionado, 37 year old Brad bulges in all the right places.  And yes, that bulge you are noticing in his pants is probably his wallet, because apart from being drop dead gorgeous and charming he is also touted to be a successful businessman who owns  four bars. No wonder he is still single.

Decidedly out of place in a shirt, expect Brad to be flaunting his stuff at every opportunity he gets, right up to the explosive climax shot on location in Cape Town.  Cheesy and outrageously gratuitous to the very end, don't miss Brad being pursued by 30 lustful ladies, biting and clawing for that one chance to have his babies.

The Bachelor Season 15 errupts onto Vuzu on Friday, 30 March 2012, at 20h30.


See also  The Bachelorette - Season 6  After the Rose

South Park - Spot those hidden aliens!

Preachy social commentary has never been so delightfully offensive. Ever since Madonna donned her cone bra and stirred up a religious froth with her music video for "Like A Virgin", the sensitivity of the general public has been in steady decline to the point where the violent and obscene have become, if not common place, at least tolerable. Even so, the 16th season of South Park still manages to push the envelope of what is acceptable to be beamed to your small screen.

Frequently misunderstood as being offensive purely for the sake of being offensive, as its core South Park has always been surprisingly preachy, delivering a message of tolerance and moderation. Aimed exclusively at adults, the events are usually viewed through the eyes of four foul mouthed and very self aware eight year olds. Whilst the stories are patently outrageous - featuring religious figures as super heroes or jolly singing feces - the adults are without fail ignorant and narrow minded and it is usually left to the young boys and their friends to save the day and deliver a very relevant little lesson in the process.

Whilst Comedy Central did broadcast the 15th season of South Park on Sunday nights, they have now switched back to season 13, instead of continuing with season 16 which is currently being broadcast in America. South Park Season 13 currently airs on Comedy Central on Sundays at 21h45. Earlier seasons are broadcast late night on a daily basis.

FAN FACT: Watch out for those aliens! Ever since Cartman got abducted and probed by aliens in the pilot episode 16 years ago, an alien observer has been hidden in every single episode. In fact, there is even one hidden on this page!

Hidden alien revealed after the jump.

MasterChef South Africa - Episode 2

After the fantastic buzz created by the first episode, MasterChef South Africa really had to deliver in episode 2 to prove to us that the show is as good as promised. Sadly - just like the contestants - it did not.

Whilst the boot camp produced some fun moments (notably when Fortune got a head full of egg whites), over all the episode was bogged down by the dreary and robotic delivery of the judges. Andrew Atkinson in particular, with his grating drill sergeant act, positively peadophilic stares, horrible dress sense and general over the top behaviour is fast becoming an unbearable irritation. 

The contestants are also starting to leave much to be desired.  After chopping and whisking their way through the first two challenges, they finally had an opportunity to cook and treat us to a display of some of the amazing skills we would expect from the so called best amateur cooks in the country. We certainly did not expect to see a demonstration of how to transform the humble potato into slop you wouldn't even feed your dog.  

Whilst we haven't lost faith yet, we are certainly no longer excited. And that's a pity, because MasterChef South Africa has a lot of potential.

MasterChef South Africa fizzles on M-Net on Tuesdays at 19h30.

see also      MasterChef South Africa - Episode 1 Review
                   What does Modern Family have to do with MasterChef South Africa?

Alphas - Pilot Review

Alphas tries to put a new spin on an old concept: the superhero series, and tries to succeed where few have before.

As a rule, superheroes don't translate too well onto the small screen.  Firstly, because super abilities require decent special effects, which in turn requires a decent budget, that TV shows simply just don't have.  Secondly, super abilities tend to limit story options dramatically.  Just look at Superman: if only kryptonite can stop the Man of Steel, then those glowing green rocks tend to become a pretty lame plot device round about episode 3. Alphas tries to overcome both these problems by limiting the powers of our heroes from the super to the almost-possible and by also burdening them with significant weaknesses.  The end result is a show about troubled not-so-super heroes, some of whom even stay with their parents, drive lift club and carry a packed lunch.  Perhaps too wholesome and tame for a modern TV audience, Alphas features some clever concepts, an excellent cast  and even something for the eye.  On the whole, it is almost as good as the first 11 episodes of Heroes, definitely better than the rest of it and miles ahead of the horrible old Mutant X.

Alphas does not burden us with the events that led up to formation of their team. Instead, it gets us right into the action and amazes us with how well these squabbling comrades supplement and protect each other.  The Alphas battle other rogue Alphas under the influence of the supposedly sinister Red Flag.  Charming and fun entertainment, it's a good alternative to your Sunday night movie.

Alphas airs on Universal Channel on Sundays at 20h00.

Meet the Alphas after the jump.

American Idol - Top 10 Results

A first year marketing student could tell you that the complete overhaul of a brand is a dangerous thing.  Remember what happened when the star of Felicity, Keri Russel, chopped off her signature long curls? And Erika van Pelt did just that when she cut off her blond hair and dyed it black. 

Unsuccessful and jarring make-over = elimination.

Even though Heejun definitely crossed the line with his Top 10 send up of a Billy Joel song and ended up in the bottom three as a result, he survived.  Maybe it was the Vote for the Worst support or maybe it's just simply the fact that he was actually originally voted into the top 13, whilst Erika was dragged back in by the judges.  Either way, we will have to wait and see what happens next week to discover if Heejun's promised knock-out performance will be a good or a bad thing.