Entertainment picks: Funny man provides an entree

Former juggler Ross Noble's show Randomist is total improv

Comedy

English comic Ross Noble isn't performing at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival which starts on Friday. He wasn't invited this year, even though he was a bit of a hit last year.

But don't expect that to keep this funny man down, because he's performing anyway at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna on Wednesday.

I interviewed him last year and he used to be a juggler, don't you know?

"But I quickly realised being a juggler is not a good thing or something you should be proud of," he said.

The great thing about his show Randomist is that it is total improvisation. So check him out as an entree to the real comedy festival which starts with the Comedy Gala at the St James on Friday.

Plus, here are a few other acts worth considering over its three-week duration: local lad Benjamin Crellin (May 13-20, The Classic Studio) has been doing good things overseas; Juan Night Only (May 31-June 3, Comedy Underground) because it's a great name; and David O'Doherty (May 13, and 16-20, Herald Theatre) - this musical comedian could be the star of the festival.

And here's one for the ladies - check out Danny Bhoy (May 17, St James; May 25, Bruce Mason Centre).

And finally, Peter Helliar, better known as Rove's sidekick on Rove Live, may be worth a look. His rambling stand-up routine Frisky is at Sky City Theatre on May 18 and 19. Check out this Thursday's EG for an interview with him. He's a top chap, even for an Aussie.

For more information head to the Comedy Festival link below.

TV

The promise of even faster, not to mention cheaper, broadband has come just at the right time. It's a while away yet, but crank up that computer and jump online because it'll be more interesting than what's on television. There is nothing much on TV - well, free TV at least - until Dancing With the Stars on Sunday (TV One, 7.30pm).

I'm picking Rodney (I may not agree with his politics but what a talent), and the lovely Lorraine Downes. She's looking better than when she won Miss Universe.

Music

A colleague who is a music nutter said he saw Aussie punk rockers the Hard-Ons in Sydney once and "slammed himself stupid".

I've never seen them, but if their records are anything to go by, when you see them live you will have no choice but to do the same.

Head along to the Kings Arms on Thursday. These guys have been around for 22 years and, as they put it, "were doing Green Day before Green Day could talk". They're legends.

On Friday, 8 Foot Sativa, Subtract and New Way Home play at 4:20 and at Kelston Boys' High School Auditorium; the Rabble, My Life Story, Streetwise Scarlet and False Start play from 8pm.

Then on Saturday the latest Low Hum Tour rolls into town at the Kings Arms, with Disasterradio, Kill Surf City and Voom. Yes, Voom are back.

Film Festival

The Human Rights Film Festival starts at the Academy in Auckland on Thursday and many of the films are heartbreaking. But it's all about making a difference and if you want fluff movies, go to the next section of this column. Two to check out are: On the Spot, which recounts the life and work of journalist Miguel Gils, who died on assignment in Sierra Leone, and reveals his dedication to the job he loved.

Meanwhile, Ngatahi: Know the Links is a local production by Upper Hutt Posse member Dean Hapeta. Instead of a documentary, Hapeta calls it a rapumentary. It explores the links between minority cultures around the world.

For more information go to the link below.

Movies

With The Hills Have Eyes we finally have a grotty little horror movie that both scares you and grosses you out. The Carter family are on holiday and take a detour into the New Mexico desert where the US Government tested nuclear weapons. Some local mutants are not only hungry for human flesh but randy as well.

When I went to see it, people walked out after half an hour, not because it was bad, but because it was grotty. It was quite full-on, but leaving the cinema was a bit OTT, I thought.

They'd be better off checking out Imagine Me & You, a movie in the tradition of Four Weddings and a Funeral, apparently. Heck and Rachel are about to head out on their life together when an unexpected meeting puts Rachel in a tizz. Someone is gonna get hurt.

On a different note The Miracle of Bern is about the German soccer team's unlikely victory over the Hungarians at the 1954 World Cup in Bern, Switzerland. So what, you ask. Well, many believe this game was a turning point in the country's recovery from World War II.

This film focuses on the impact of the match on a football-crazed boy and his family.

Worth a look, especially since the World Cup 2006 starts in a month. Can't wait. Then there will really be something on TV.