TOP PICK
42
(Warner Bros.)
There’s very little gray area in this biopic about Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson, the first African American on a major league team. As played by Chadwick Boseman, Robinson, who wore #42, is a guy who elicits our sympathy after Dodgers owner Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) decides to recruit him for his minor league team, taking him out of the Negro Leagues and stirring up a good deal of controversy. The film comes off a bit like it was made-for-TV, but Boseman is so good in the role, he makes the movie worthwhile.
Mayer Hawthorne
Where Does This Door Go
(Universal)
Crooner Mayer Hawthorne has made a name for himself by evoking ‘70s R&B soul and R&B and his latest studio album, which features contributions from Kendrick Lamar and Jessie Ware, again delivers the goods.
Ezra Furman
The Year of No Returning
(Bar/Nonel)
Starting with the woozy, Tom Waits-like opening song, “Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde,” the songs on the latest studio effort from this Chicago-based singer-songwriter have a manic energy to them. Great stuff.
