Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 picks up three years after the first movie of the same name. The four friends are still close but they’re setting out on separate paths for their first year of college. The young women discover their individual strengths, fears and talents and if you loved the first movie you’ll no doubt be a fan of the latest instalment.

ALEXIS BLEDEL (27)
Known for her role as Rory Gilmore in the popular TV show Gilmore Girls.
She plays shy, sweet Lena Kaligaris. Lena is the introverted artist who avoids conflict and has the annoying habit of excessively contemplating everything. In the movie her relationship with her gorgeous Greek boyfriend, Kostos (Michael Rady), takes strain as she struggles for independence. Meeting another hottie who sets her pulse racing doesn’t help!

AMERICA FERRERA (24)
Known for her role as the lovable lead character in the TV comedy Ugly Betty.
She plays passionate Carmen Lowell. Carmen (Carma) is wonderfully caring and loyal - if you remain in her good books. While trying to cope with her mother’s new love-life she starts dating a guy who gets nothing but the run-around from the distracted beauty. To make matters worse her friends just aren’t as caring as before.

BLAKE LIVELY (21)
Known for her role as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl.
She plays free-spirited Bridget Vreeland. Bridget (Bee) is the most daring of the friends but growing up has had a mellowing effect on her. She’s more aware of the consequences of rash actions and has to face her issues at home once and for all to be happy. She starts off thinking a trip will do the trick but then discovers the opposite is true.

AMBER TAMBLYN (25)
Known for her roles in the TV series Joan of Arcadia and movies such as The Ring and The Grudge 2.
She plays feisty Tibby Tomko-Rollins. When we first met Tibby she was oh so emo, constantly draped in black, introspective and rebelling against everything and everyone. Life now takes a new turn when her relationship with the yummy Brian McBrian (Leonardo Nam) goes to the next level - but will the outcome be what she expected?

WIN!
Hey YOU! and Nu Metro are giving away six Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 DVDs. SMS the word SISTERHOOD, your name and street address to 34923 before 18 December. Each SMS costs R2.

A week in the life of Goldfish

Electro-jazz sensation Goldfish are set to share the stage with international bands Maroon 5 and OneRepublic this month. The Cape Town-based duo, David Poole and Dominic Peters, tell YOU about their busy lives.

MONDAY
We return from shows in Moscow and Amsterdam. The Dutch crowd blew us away, singing along to our songs and making all the other DJs jealous! Moscow was amazing, cruising around Red Square, checking out the Kremlin.

TUESDAY
Time to relax with friends and family. Dave and I sneak off for a surfing session at Long Beach in Kommetjie. Cape Town rocks!

WEDNESDAY
It’s up early for an interview about our MTV Africa award nomination. We’re really proud to have been nominated in the best alternative category. The competition is fierce: Coldplay, Seether and The Parlotones are up for the same award.

THURSDAY
We head for Port Elizabeth to support some of the finalists in the Road to V competition for a slot at the V-Fest.

FRIDAY
Back to Cape Town to meet with our manager. We’re planning a regular Sunday gig at Clifton beach this summer and there are all sorts of things to be done beforehand.

SATURDAY
We’re off to Durban to play a great gig with 5FM’s Roger Goode to celebrate the launch of his new album. We have a huge crowd and our set is being broadcast live on 5FM.

SUNDAY
Off to Jozi to perform at Emmarentia Dam. We have an amazing gig. We catch a 9 pm flight back to Cape Town and by midnight are asleep in our own beds. Just another week in the life of the Fishies.

CD reviews

NOW 50 by various artists
Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Jared Orline

The NOW folks have produced 41 of the hottest current songs on two discs. From Katy Perry’s I Kissed a Girl to Coldplay’s Viva La Vida it has the best of pop, rock, R&B and local hits. Other artists include Ne-Yo, Jonas Brothers, Rihanna, Pussycat Dolls, Keri Hilson, Adele, Goldfish, The Parlotones, Jody Williams, Loyiso, Britney Spears and Jordin Sparks. Wow!

25 by Simply Red
Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Sulaiman Philip

Twenty years ago Simply Red released Holding Back the Years. The band built on that great start and this two-disc CD set showcases the best of two decades. Mick Hucknall’s expressive voice on hits such as Stars and Fairground will remind fans why they love Simply Red. And if you’re a new fan this is a great place to start.

WIN!
We’re giving away five CDs and five DVDs of Simply Red’s greatest hits album, 25. To enter SMS the word SIMPLY CD for the CD and SIMPLY DVD for the DVD with your name, surname and address to 34922 before 18 December. Each SMS costs R2.

YES WE CAN: VOICES OF A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT by Various Artists
Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Jared Orlin

With Obama fever in the air an album of Barack-inspired music was inevitable. Most of the songs contain excerpts of speeches by Obama and Martin Luther King. They enhance such hits as Waiting on the World to Change (John Mayer), Signed, Sealed, Delivered (Stevie Wonder) and Pride, In the Name of Love (Legend).

DVD of the week: Hancock

Action comedy. 2008. 95 min. With Will Smith, Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman. Director: Peter Berg. 13VL.
Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Kim Van Reizig

He’s rude, arrogant and an alcoholic. Oh, and he’s a superhero. Hancock (Smith) uses his super-strength to save lives. Trouble is, no one respects him because whenever he saves a life he also destroys millions of dollars worth of infrastructure.

Then he meets an image consultant, Ray Embrey (Bateman), who helps him work on his people skills so he can earn admiration. Hancock meets Ray’s wife, Mary (Theron), and it’s immediately clear the two have a connection - but it’s not worth spoiling the surprise here.

As part of his image remake - and to give him time to stop drinking - Hancock spends time in prison. He makes a comeback with a new attitude and lease of life and discovers his love could make the difference between life and death.

There’s a strong spark between the three leads and Smith, as always, doesn’t disappoint in this cocky, action-packed and hearty tale.

THE BANK JOB
Thriller. 2008. 105 min. With Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows and Richard Lintern. Director: Roger Donaldson. 16VSNL.
Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Willem Moller

Former petty crook Terry Leather (Statham) is trying to go straight but is so deep in debt that when an old flame, Martine Love (Burrows), asks him to help her rob a London bank of its safety deposit boxes he can’t refuse.

What he doesn’t know is that apart from money the boxes contain items various kinky politicians, protected criminals and corrupt cops would very much like to keep secret - and that Martine’s offer is part of a plot by secret agent Tim Everett (Lintern) to get hold of pornographic pictures of Princess Margaret that were being used to blackmail the police.

This British film about a 1971 robbery is based on true events and one of the best heist movies ever. With an intelligent script, tight direction and excellent performances it will keep you on the edge of your seat and the plot twists will keep you guessing to the end.

Summer hook-up rules

The holidays are here and you have your eye on someone special. Don’t fret. With our help you’ll have no problem flirting your way to romantic bliss.

Suss out your flirting mistakes and fix the damage with these tips from Andrea Lavinthal, co-author of The Hookup Handbook: A Single Girl’s Guide to Living it Up (R185, check availability at your book store).

MISTAKE: Playing hard to get.
QUICK FIX: Think you’re acting cool? She or he probably thinks you’re not interested. When you’re around them don’t play games such as talking to other guys or your friends in an attempt to make your crush jealous. It’s actually just plain rude.

MISTAKE: Not being yourself.
QUICK FIX: Girls, if you’re more of a tomboy than a girly-girl you don’t need to act coy, bat your eyelashes or pretend to be a vixen. Be your own fabulous self. Universal flirting moves are making eye contact, laughing and smiling.

MISTAKE: Talking only about yourself.
QUICK FIX: While you want to impress him or her make sure you take a breath and let them talk about themselves too. Keep in mind that conversation is a two-way street.

You’ve met that special person. You’re pretty sure it’s not just platonic and you’re ready to amp it up a notch to Relationshipville. But how do you do this without coming across as a stalker?

STEP 1
Talk to him/her more. While striking up a conversation may seem intimidating, summer doesn’t last forever and regrets are worse than the occasional awkward silence.

STEP 2
Keep it simple. Basic conversation starters will do the trick. Make a point of asking them questions about themselves.

STEP 3
Invite them along to the next outing with your friends - whether it’s a party or another fun activity that will allow you to interact, such as going to the beach. You’ll have the security of your friends being there but also a chance to talk to your crush one-on-one.

STEP 4
Use your tech know-how to make plans this summer. E-mails, SMSing and social networks such as Facebook will help you stay connected if used sparingly.

Kardinal Offishall on our radar

Canadian-born singer KARDINAL OFFISHALL, famous for the infectious track Dangerous, is being hailed as his birth country’s hip-hop ambassador and he has just released his fourth album, entitled Not 4 Sale.

- He was born Jason Harrow on 11 May 1976 in Ontario, Canada.

- He has been making up rap rhymes since he was eight years old.

- At 12 he performed live on stage for the first time during former SA president Nelson Mandela’s first visit to Toronto.

- The name Kardinal Offishall comes from 17th-century French politician Cardinal Richelieu, whose name Jason thought sounded cool. He used to be called KoolAid.

- You can catch a glimpse of him in these music videos: Rihanna’s Pon De Replay, Sean Paul’s Get Busy and Estelle’s American Boy.

- People consider him a newcomer but he has been around for a while. “I signed a record deal in 2000 and from there the ride has just been amazing. I got to work with some of the best artists in the world, everybody from Akon to Timbaland.”

Just gonna be Jody

Idols winner JODY WILLIAMS’ first single, Kiss of Life, off her debut album, Just Gonna Be Me, has been a favourite on local radio this year. The Hey YOU! teen panel had the chance to ask her any question they liked - here are some of her answers.

Q: What is the first thing you think of when you wake in the morning?
A: Food! Every morning I wake up hungry so it’s always food I think about first!

Q: Has singing always been a dream of yours? At what age did you realise you wanted to become a singer?
A: It has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. When I was 10 I joined a music school and trained for four years. I entered Idols in 2007 and winning the competition was more than I could ask for. I have really hectic days but I cope because I’m living my dream.

Q: How did you manage to juggle your singing career and a stressful matric year?
A: It was very challenging. On my days off I just made sure I got enough rest. Even though singing is my dream my education comes first because without that you can’t really do much.

Q: What is the most exciting place you’ve ever visited?
A: It has to be Kimberley (in the Northern Cape). Seeing the Big Hole and the diamonds was awesome!

Q: What do you like to wear?
A: I like funky items. The clothes I wear on stage are totally different to what I wear every day. I’m more of a sporty girl. My favourite items have to be shoes, especially my takkies.

Q: If you were stranded on an island with no food for three days what meal would you be happiest to see?
A: Definitely Alfredo pasta from Panarottis!

WIN!
Hey YOU! and Sony BMG are giving away 10 copies of Jody’s album, Just Gonna Be Me. To enter SMS the word JODY, your name and street address to 34923 before 11 December. Each SMS costs R2.