Orphan Black (TV)
Tagline: A streetwise hustler witnesses the suicide of a girl who looks just like her, and falls headlong into a deadly mystery.
This show is so much fun. It is an entertaining blend of super-cool sci-fi thrills, edgy comedy and incredibly well-developed relationships. The script is extraordinarily sharp and the attention to detail unfaltering. (As it should be, considering the plot.)
Tatiana Maslany is astounding in the multiple roles she portrays and Jordon Gavaris is adorable as Felix, the very camp sidekick / voice of reason. One of the best lines happens when he is made to go to soccer-mom-suburbia in support of a friend. Having had no sleep, he lies on the couch and grudgingly gives in by saying, “Alright. But I have to change first. Fetch me something gay.”
Top of the Lake (TV)
Tagline: A detective investigates the disappearance of a 12-year-old pregnant daughter of a local drug lord.
It’s certainly not easy Friday evening viewing with a simple plot and a schmaltzy ending. Top of the Lake is by far, though, one of the best series I’ve ever seen. Come on, Jane Champion (The Piano) co-wrote and co-directed it. It could only be beautifully shot, slow-moving and unnerving. Redemption is hard-earned and difficult to hold on to in this 7-episode miniseries.
Elizabeth Moss (Peggy in Mad Men) does impress with her perfectly understated acting and kick-ass Kiwi accent. Also watch out for Holly Hunter as the grumpy GJ. Her “exit” is hilarious.
Rectify (TV)
Tagline: Daniel Holden must put his life back together after serving 19 years on Georgia's Death Row before DNA evidence calls his conviction into question.
This is the first original series from the Sundance Channel and it’s blooming awesome. Please continue to create such awesome shows. (I should admit to having watched only the first episode so far, but the promise of brilliance is there.)
The dialogue is as disjointed as it should be and the threat of violence, of turmoil, lingers just under the surface. Noteworthy is the awesome sister-brother relationship between newly released convict Daniel and his (uberhot) sister, Amantha.
The role of Daniel’s mother, Janet, is skilfully portrayed by J Smith-Cameron (Spin City, True Blood). You might not know the name, but you will immediately recognise her face if you dig movies at all. She pulls off the coolest cameos (Spin City) and almost always steals the show.
Iron Man 3 (Movie)
Tagline: Marvel's Iron Man 3 pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark / Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds.
Yeah, yeah, it’s a cool action movie with lekker action, cool one-liners, the inimitable Robert Downey Jr (playing himself) and a hot blonde. But it all pales next to the few minutes that Ben Kingsley is on the screen. Don’t ask any questions, just go and check it out. You’ll be rolling in the aisles.
The Epicene Butcher And Other Stories For Consenting Adults (Joburg Theatre)
Tagline: Brought onto our shores is a 12th century old Japanese art of storytelling known as Kamishibai (directly translated as “paper story”), colourfully used to tell seven stories as far and wide as that of Nelson Mandela, to those with a bit of hentei, all in one show.
It’s fresh, raucous, delightfully naughty and on at the Market Theatre now!
You’d think you’d get bored with 50 minutes of Jemma Kahn telling you stories and showing you different illustrations. You’d be wrong. Kahn is simply brilliant and Annie Lennox agrees with me.
To buy totally cool and surprisingly affordable limited edition prints from the show visit www.epicenebutcher.com.
The Great Gatsby Soundtrack (Music)
Okay, so the movie bombed, but the soundtrack is a fab collection of all sorts of magic. Jack White just kills with his cover of “Love is Blindness”. When he screams the chorus at you, you will you get chills if you’re half alive.
Lana del Rey works her retro-gansta Nancy Sinatra-style on “Young and Beautiful”. It already has over 6,5 million views on YouTube. Florence goes big as usual with “Over the Love”. Gotye is cool, but The xx (whom I’ve never heard of before, I have to admit) just cleans up with “Together”.
Bryan Ferry I learnt only this week has started the Bryan Ferry Orchestra, which plays 1920s-style instrumental versions of his music! Luckily he charms us on this soundtrack with his delightful vocals on “Love is the Drug”.
I am forced to admit that I’m even fairly impressed with the Beyonce & Andre 3000 track. It is a gripping cover of “Back to Black”.
There are a couple of cool dance tracks, like “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody”. You’d probably need an early 2000 model Opel Corsa with a tailfin bigger than the car to justify pumping it up and cruising through the hood ...
Title: The Shining Girls
Author: Lauren Beukes
Publisher: Umuzi
ISBN: 1415202012
Buy The Shining Girls from Kalahari.com.
The Shining Girls (Book)
Tagline: A time-travelling serial killer is impossible to trace – until one of his victims survives.
I don’t usually talk to my Kobo e-reader. For obvious reasons – it does not talk back, and people would look at me funny, etc, etc. But while reading The Shining Girls I felt the need to part loudly with a few phrases. No, no, no! Don’t do it! No freaking way! Jissie.
Yes, it is a riveting, deliciously dark and surprisingly thrilling book to read. Lauren Beukes is clever, she researches her backdrop well and she has an uncanny ability to make her characters likeable and real. Well done.
Father (Joburg coffee)
For a decidedly dark roast and friendly service, pop over to Father Coffee in Braamfontein.