FRANCESCA RUDKIN: Movies

Blockbuster of the week, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets starring Cara Delevingne, Dane DeHaan, Ethan Hawke

Francesca’s verdict: 3 out of 5

 

And an Irish film called A Date for Mad Mary (was at the Film Festival now on release)

Francesca’s verdict: 4 out 5

 

NICI WICKES: Food

You can find the recipe, as well as audio and tips on our page. For more inspiration visit  http://www.niciwickes.com/  or her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/#!/niciwickes

 

TARA WARD: Screen Time

The return of Will and Grace

New to Lightbox: Scandinavian drama Jordskott

Love Island sails onto TV2 this week

 

MIKE YARDLEY: Travel

Feature destination - Sunshine Coast Hinterland. For more tips on self-driving the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Mike's article is on our website www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle

 

CATHERINE RAYNES: Books

The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club by  Sophie Green, Hachette $35

The Destroyers by Christopher Bollen, Simon and Schuster $38

 

ANDREW DICKENS: Music

George Thorogood 'Part of One' - Andrew's verdict: 7/10

 

George Thorogood is back but this time without his Destroyers.  Of course George Thorogood is from Delaware and his "high-energy boogie-blues" sound became a staple of 1980s rock radio, with hits like "Bad to the Bone" and "I Drink Alone”.  Now aged 67 he’s returned to his original record label and recorded an album called Party of One.  And that’s exactly what it is.  It’s just George singing the blues canon accompanying himself with a guitar or a dobro or an electric guitar.

 

Listen on headphones and it’s an intimate experience.  George sauntering through the blues playing you an exclusive concert.  There’s a whole heap of bum notes both from his voice and his guitar but that adds to the charm.  As time goes on he’s becoming a venerable bluesman but it is fair to say that his strength remains electric boogie woogie with a band.