TOP PICK
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
(Warner Bros. Interactive)
Ambiance is everything in this spooky videogame shooter (for the
PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360) about a girl with deadly psychic skills.
Watch out for the vengeful poltergeists lurking in the abandoned
subways, hospitals and labs. And be sure to take advantage of the
special power that slows down time. It helps when a bunch of enemy
soldiers are heading your way.
DVD
Amadeus —
Director’s Cut
(Warner)
Milos Forman’s Oscar-hogging Mozart biopic celebrates its 25th
anniversary with a Blu-ray release that includes a half-hour’s worth of
deleted and extended scenes. The movie remains a near-perfect portrait
of obsession and how it destructively consumes two men — Mozart
and jealous rival Salieri. A bonus disc includes the composer’s
greatest hits.
CD
Golem
Citizen Boris
(JDub)
These Gypsy punks from New York sometimes sing in Yiddish, write
songs inspired by their great-grandmothers, and totally rock the
trombone and accordion. This mostly original collection sounds like an
old-country party, where horny and boozing relatives take over the
dance floor, leaving it a sticky, slippery mess.
DVD
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa: Move It! Move It! Double DVD Pack
(DreamWorks Animation)
Last year’s hit CGI talking-animal movie has its moments, especially
when Sacha Baron Cohen’s self-centered lemur is unchained. But the real
stars are the take-command, smartass penguins — who get an entire
second disc to themselves. Good news: It includes two episodes of the
upcoming Penguins of Madagascar TV show. Better news: no David
Schwimmer!
CD
Anya Marina
Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II
(Chop Shop)
This Grey’s Anatomy-approved singer — a San Diego-based
radio-station DJ — makes frisky, spiky indie-pop on her debut
album. No surprise, since Spoon’s Britt Daniel helps out. But the sexy
purrs are all Marina’s, especially the song inspired by Carl Jung and
the one where she sings “I like it out of control.”
This article appears in Dec 17-23, 2008.