Madonna

SHE may look well for her age but somehow Madonna has the ability to combine looking well with looking like a tube.

The cover of her new album, Hard Candy, is case in point.

There's no doubt Madge doesn't look 49, but it's hard to argue that she doesn't look like a tube as she poses in her thigh high boots, black undies and the ultimate in bling jewellery - a boxing style championship belt.

Not only does she look like a tube, but on the opening couple of tracks on the album she gets on like one as well.

Her attempt to get down with the kids on opener 'Candy Shop', a track far more suited to her collaborator on this album, Timberland, than herself is cringeworthy.

Just for the record in her one-stop candy shop Madonna has got Turkish Delight and raw sugar - sounds appetising.

'4 Minutes' featuring Justin Timberlake again sees Madonna punching below her age.

She turns things round with a trio of funky disco numbers - Miles Away, She's Not Me and Incredible.

This is more the Madonna we've become accustomed to, albeit sounding very like a resurgent Kylie Minogue. What is it with ageing divas and disco beats? 6/10

And the rest

GOOD to Be Bad is the eleventh studio album by Whitesnake, who play Belfast's Odyssey Arena in June. Rumour has it the band's most famous fan - Lois Griffin from Family Guy - may be there... Most recognised for providing the theme tune to The Sopranos, Alabama 3 have a lot more in their locker as demonstrated by their greatest hits album - Hits And Exit Wounds. Their acid country rock shines through best on Speed Of Sound Of Loneliness, REHAB and How Can I Protect You.

Cinema

In Bruges

THERE could be worse places to be than Bruges.

But not for hitman Ray. He's stuck there with his partner Ken after a botched job in London waiting on a call from their boss Harry.

Wait a minute - I've just written the sort of spiel you hear as a voiceover or read on the back of a DVD box.

All you really need to know about this film is it's fantastic. So simple, yet so effective.

Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson shine as loveable Irish rogues Ray and Ken in the beautiful medieval setting of Bruges in Belgium.

The pair have some hilarious encounters with a dwarf, a Canadian, a jobsworth kiosk attendant and an obese tourist.

But it's their dialogues, scripted by director and screenwriter Martin McDonagh, that are the film's highlight.

Also pitching in with some memorable lines is Ralph Fiennes as Harry - the man who's been calling the shots until now. His arrival in Bruges heralds a memorable finale.

The movie balances humour with tragedy brilliantly making this one of the best black comedies you'll see this side of the Cosby Show. 9/10

Reviews by Graeme Cousins

Albums from discs, Lurgan and Craigavon