TOP PICK
Heart: Strange Euphoria
(Epic/Legacy)
Three CDs and one DVD tell the story of the most kick-ass sister band to ever come out of Seattle. The box is arranged like a history lesson -- from “Magic Man” (taken from an early demo) to “These Dreams” (their first No. 1) to a couple of cuts from 2010's Red Velvet Car. Best is the DVD, which features an intimate 1976 concert. Their performance of “Crazy on You” is all kinds of awesome.
VIDEO
Being John Malkovich
(Criterion)
Spike Jonze's 1999 mind-fucking classic gets the special Criterion treatment on this new Blu-ray, which is stuffed with terrific extras, like the full versions of the two short films that are excerpted in the movie, a documentary about puppeteering, and a hilarious conversation with the real-life Malkovich. The movie – about a guy who literally enters the Con Air actor's skull – remains a twisty marvel of writing and direction.
MUSIC
David Bowie: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars: 40th Anniversary Edition
(EMI)
Bowie's breakthrough album, and one of rock's all-time best, celebrates its 40th anniversary with a couple of new versions. You'll decide which one's for you based on how much spare cash you have sitting around. Audiophiles will go for the surround remasters, old-schoolers and hipsters will dig the vinyl, and hardcore fans will want the DVD, which includes some previously unreleased mixes.
VIDEO
Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Eighth Season
(HBO)
Larry David has gotten a little tamer since he launched his show a dozen years ago, but he's still one of the biggest dicks on TV. And we mean that as a compliment. This two-disc set collects all 10 episodes from the latest season, in which a newly divorced Larry lands in New York. It's like Woody Allen's Annie Hall culture clash in Los Angeles, only reversed. The exchange with a shaking Michael J. Fox is priceless.
VIDEO GAME
Max Payne 3
(Rockstar)
The third game in the series is also the best, as our anti-hero, addicted to booze and pills, leaves New York and heads to Brazil to forget about the shit that went down in the other two games and to pick up some work. Things go from bad to worse from there. The intense third-person shooter never lets up once it gets going, and the great multiplayer mode makes sure you'll be playing this one for months to come.
