Jacqueline Smith's week of it

A scene from Love and Other Drugs. Photo / Supplied

Movies

It's a slow week for releases but if the heat is getting too much, there are at least one or two very good reasons to enjoy the air-conditioning at the cinema for a hour or two. Romantic comedy Love & Other Drugs stars two of the most attractive actors around, Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway, whose "no strings" romance turns into something neither of them were expecting. The title gives it away somewhat.

Music

"Happy New Year" cheers will punctuate parties around the country tomorrow night. If you're still looking for people to party with on Friday night, there's something to satisfy most musical tastes - Head Like a Hole play to those with stronger necks than mine at the Kings
Arms, there's Highlife for the clubbing fraternity on Waiheke, and the Turnaround's Cian, Manual Bundy and Submariner at the the Leigh Sawmill Cafe. Raglan's the place to head for reggae, and for a rootsy country, blues and rock party, head to The Gunslingers Ball at the Wine Cellar on K Rd.

TV

Maria Sharapova is the epitome of summer - tanned, healthy and wearing white on the tennis court. She's here for the ASB Classic, screening on TV One from Monday. Many of your favourite shows will be repeating on the networks for your escapist pleasure - like Miss Marple on Prime and America's Next Top Model on TV3 - as well as a healthy line-up of TV movies for those looking to pad out the hours before the New Year countdown - see the TV
highlights on page 20 for details.

Or

In Auckland for New Year's Eve? Head to high ground, or to a clear coastal vantage point to see the city erupt in fireworks from the Sky Tower and a barge just off Queens Wharf.