Entertainment picks: Latexed brigade's new recruit

Charlize Theron plays the title character in the big-screen adaptation of cartoon series Aeon Flux

Music
Never mind that they look like footballers' wives. Girls Aloud are big business. Like TrueBliss but successful, they formed in 2002 as part of the British reality TV show Popstars: The Rivals which also, apparently, produced a rather bad boy band. More importantly, they sing things like, "I know what you're thinkin', you been thinkin' bout my butt." Girl power! Tonight they play a showcase at the Studio, and sorry, you're not invited. But if they can build a similar buzz to the one they've achieved in Britain - "the year's best superficial pop album" raves BBC - you'll probably get to see them at a schmancy pants gig soon. In the meantime, if you're over 16 and quick, you can be part of the studio audience when they film Top of the Pops at the Transmission Room tomorrow by emailing your name to the link below.   

AUT's Orientation kicks off this week, and you know what that means: steer clear of rubbish bins and public toilets around the city for your own safety. Music-wise, there's plenty to see at the AUT quad, starting with Pluto at midday today, Savage tomorrow, the Bleeders and Cobra Khan on Wednesday at 7pm, and Elemeno P, and Foamy Ed at the same time on Thursday. For those who prefer singing to such medically adventurous songs as Jaundice of Hookworm, Rancid Bowel Sarcoma and Boiling Vomit Through My Veins, death metallers Disgorge play the Kings Arms on Thursday with support from Dawn of Azazel and the politely named Intense Hammer Rage.

Movies
Just because you've won an Oscar doesn't mean you've made it in Hollywood. Just ask Mira Sorvino, Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry, who felt the need to follow up their big wins by appealing to teenage boys in The Replacement Killers, Tomb Raider and Catwoman, respectively. Next to join the latexed brigade is star of North Country, Charlize Theron, opposite Kiwi actor Marton Csokas in Aeon Flux. Adapted from the edgy MTV cartoon series and probably softened for the PG-13 rating, Theron plays the title character, and yes, this time she had a stylist.

Speaking of little gold trophies, King Kong never really had a chance to get any big nominations. What would all those poncy film buffs have talked about over the dinner table? It's far more self-serving to dissect the merits of Truman Capote's work after seeing Capote, or bang on about the importance of a film like George Clooney's Syriana, a tribute to America's love affair with power and oil. Both open this week.

But if the hoity-toity pre-awards hype has you singing that Robbie Williams song about being entertained, go and see Goal! Directed by CSI producer Danny Cannon, the first part of this trilogy is just the ticket if it's a feelgood rags-to-riches tale you're after.

Sexy Mexy Kuno Becker plays Santiago Munez, a kid from the LA barrio who finds fame, glory and mud playing for Newcastle. Knowing that he transfers to Real Madrid in the sequel and films the third film in the trilogy at the World Cup in July kinda spoils a few surprises. But hey, you know what's going to happen anyway. And if you can get David Beckham to do a little club-scene cameo (sans Victoria), it must be worth signing your name to.

Others, like Hostel, sound suspiciously like the horror genre's answer to porn. American backpackers Paxton (Jay Hernandez) and Josh (Derek Richardson) are partying through Amsterdam with their new friend Oli (Eythor Gudjonsson), getting all the sex and pot they can get their hands on.

Then they hear about a hostel in Slovakia where the babes and drugs are even easier. And this is where the chainsawing of body parts begins. Don't worry, it's supposed to teach us a lesson about the dangers of consumer culture. Because nothing stops a trip to the shopping mall like a missing finger.

Banana in a Nutshell, Roseanna Liang's doco about marriage, family and conflict of culture is back at the Rialto too.

TV
Maybe it's all the new year's resolutions. Maybe it's all the champagne. Whatever the reason for all the blimmin' awards they dish out at this time of year, there's a lot to remember.

Tonight, Prime has the Orange Bafta Awards (8.35pm), with the usual suspects: Brokeback Mountain, Capote, Heath, Ralph, Rachel and Michelle.

And on Friday, it has the Kaiser Chiefs' big night, the Brit Awards, with performances by two of England's um, hardest rocking artists, Coldplay and James Blunt.

Also this week: the New Zealand men's curling team competes with Canada at the Winter Olympics (tonight, TV One, 9.35pm), Joe Cotton and Oliver Driver survive a "terrifying emotional journey" in the South of France on Shock Treatment (Tuesday, TV2, 7.30pm), a secret about the hatch is revealed on Lost just as polar ice caps appear in hell, (Wednesday, TV2, 8.30pm), Bomber exposes the seedy side to modelling on Stake Out, and no, he's not the model (Thursday, TV3, 8.30pm). 20/20 returns (Thursday, TV2, 9.30pm), and Footballers' Wives gets a spin-off called Extra Time, (Friday, TV2, 9.55pm).

Theatre
Keen to feel the grass between your toes while soaking up some classic theatre? The Maidment's Outdoor Summer Shakespeare presents The Comedy of Errors until March 11, bookings at the Maidment.