TOP PICK – TV
Falling Skies
(TNT)
After Skyline and Battle: Los Angeles, we could use some kick-ass alien invaders around here. This new eight-week series (which premieres at 9 p.m. Sunday) is executive produced by Steven Spielberg, who knows a thing or two about the subject. The aliens have already attacked and taken over the world when things start. It's now up to the survivors (like Noah Wyle) to take it back.
DVD
Barry Lyndon
(Warner)
With all the buzz surrounding A Clockwork Orange's recent 40th-anniversary special edition, this other great Stanley Kubrick movie also making its Blu-ray debut got lost in the shuffle. Even though this 1975 epic is rarely mentioned with the director's best films, it should be. Ryan O'Neal plays an 18th century scoundrel who climbs his way to the top by lying, fighting, and fucking. Just like the Jersey Shore kids.
BOOK
The Indie Rock Poster Book
(Chronicle)
Thirty illustrators — working from a list of classic indie-rock songs by Beach House, Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, New Pornographers, Of Montreal, TV on the Radio, and others — designed original posters based on the tunes. They also wrote about their work. Best of all, the full-color posters are big enough to be pulled out of the book and slapped on your wall. You'll be the envy of all your PBR-sipping hipster friends.
CD
Playlist: The Very Best of Teena Marie
(Epic/Legacy)
This white R&B singer — who got her big break in 1979, when Rick James took control of her debut album — died in December at the age of 54. This 14-song compilation gathers some of her greatest work. "Lovergirl" (from 1984) was her big hit and the only time she reached the Top 10. But there's lots to love here, especially 1981's "Square Biz," which she also wrote, produced, and arranged. She'll be missed.
DVD
Spectacle: Elvis Costello With ... Season Two
(VSC/MVD)
During the second season of his Sundance talk show, Costello hosted programs starring the better-known half of U2, Neko Case, and — best of all — Bruce Springsteen, whose appearance was stretched to two parts. Costello chats with his guests in every episode, then they get around to singing together, and that's when Spectacle becomes something special. All seven episodes from the second season are included, as are some cool bonus songs.
