TV

Medium - Sci Fi Channel (Mondays, 9pm)

Patricia Arquette is completely believable as medium and mother-of-three Allison Dubois, who uses her talents working for the District Attorney's office. She sees and dreams about dead people, knowing in advance what mischief is afoot - you know the drill.

The best bit about this show is the excellent script and also the casting - Allison Dubois' middle child Bridgett, played by the adorable Maria Clark, is pure genius at work. A double bill on a Monday night makes the perfect start to the week and is tones better than 'Ghost Whisperer'.


STAG CHOICE



Film

Control (R, Anton Corbijn)

It seems incredibly timely that a film about Joy Division has just been released - due to the recent death of legendary Factory Records boss Tony Wilson.

Shot in black and white,'Control' is a biopic about enigmatic frontman Ian Curtis, who killed himself at the peek of the band's fame in 1980, on the eve of their US tour.

This movie is based on the book 'Touching From A Distance' written by Curtis' wife Deborah, who also co-produced the film.
Whether you were a Joy Division fan, or not, 'Control' is a deep and moving film about not being able to cope with the challenges life throws our way.


DOVE CHOICE


FILMS TO... GET YOU HYPED UP ABOUT SCHOOL

David 'E' Sugar is a pop maverick and remixer, having lent his magic touch to the Klaxons and the Rumblestrips. For 'Into Film', David 'Education' Sugar picks his top five films to get you hyped up about school. (By the way, his new single 'Chelsea Girls' is out now on Brikabrak Records.)


1. Weird Science (1985)

Anthony Michael Hall is in my top 5 '80s teen star list based purely on his performance in this geek-gets-the-girl romp.

After he and his equally awkward best buddy design a perfect woman on their crap home computer, lightening strikes and she comes to life in the form of super fox Kelly Le Brock.
She then shows them how to become awesome lovers and be super cool.

There's a great scene in a jazz bar when Michael Hall busts out some amazing 'street jive' chat. Amazing.


2. Rushmore (1988)

This is one of Wes Anderson's early offerings which centers on a school geek who has a serious skill at making things happen. He befriends Bill Murray, who's a disillusioned millionaire, and they build an aquarium.

Fascinating story, I could watch this film for hours.


3. She's All That (1999)

A controversial choice jumping in at number three. This film, loosely based on Pygmalion, sees Freddie Prinze Junior (coolest guy in school) date a geeky girl as a bet who then turns into a red hot scorcher of a babe.

I like rom coms and I really like Rachael Leigh Cook, who plays the arty girl - I reckon she's more gorgeous before her 'makeover'.

She makes angsty pictures in her basement and I love her for it. I secretly want to do the same.


4. Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)

This is a wicked high school movie with a totally duded-up Sean Penn wearing Hawaiian shirts. It's kind of like a prototype for later teen films like 'American Pie' or 'Dazed and Confused', but is actually better than both of them.

If I remember rightly the lead guitarist in the High School band at the prom is playing a Fender Jazzmaster. How cool is that?


5. Clueless (1995)

I love this movie for it's awkward teen romances but also because it's the closest a film has got to the movie version of 'Saved By The Bell'.

Alicia Silverstone is hot in this and it's great watching her snobby attitude go wobbly over her non-blood related brother. The verging-on-incest thing is slightly kinky which also gives it some points.

Someone told me that Silverstone got hit by a bus and that's why she isn't working anymore. But then again that might explain her dreadful acting on TV show Miss Match.

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