A week of it

Jacqueline Smith. Photo / Supplied

TV

If, like me, the film festival used up your going out fund for the next wee while, never fear as this week the TV networks have your viewing needs covered. On TV One tonight, there's a double episode premiere of This Is Not My Life, the new mystery drama that is already a New Zealand success story before going to air (see opposite), from 8.30 until 10.30pm. Then on Monday, TV2 has a 90-minute action-packed Shortland Street feature that goes all out and uses a bluescreen - a first in the show's 18 years; that's followed by the first episode of the second season of The Mentalist. Other favourite shows starting this week include Survivors, Lie to Me and Top Gear.

MUSIC

Well, it's one splendid week on the gig circuit in Auckland this week as the biggest names of the moment stop by on their way to Australia's massive festival Splendour in the Grass. Florence brings her Machine and special guests The Drums to Henderson's Trusts Stadium tonight; Passion Pit will pop into the Powerstation tomorrow; The Temper Tramp play there on Sunday, and Band of Horses are on Tuesday. It seems the only act not on their way to Splendour is Jared Leto's rock pop band 30 Seconds to Mars who also play at the Logan Campbell Centre on Tuesday.

FILM

Stieg Larsson's mystery thriller novels have developed almost as much of a cult following as Twilight - but these heroes have no superpowers and readers/viewers are actually left guessing the ending. The second film, The Girl Who Played With Fire, out today, follows pierced, boyish, bisexual computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, played by Noomi Rapace and investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvisk as they embark on another twisted, gruesome mystery. Meanwhile Monty Python fans who didn't make the live show can schedule in Not the Messiah, a recording of the performance at the Royal Albert Hall last year for the comedy group's 40th birthday. Or if you are just after some chick-flick action, there's Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl's Killers from the director of Legally Blonde.

OR...

Get tasting. The annual food show puts on a spread of gourmet food and drink from today until Sunday at the ASB showgrounds. Learn from the masters - Gordon Ramsay and Rick Stein are in town - shop till you drop, or just loosen your belt and eat till you pop.