TOP PICK
Pete Seeger:
American Favorite Ballads
(Smithsonian Folkways)
The veteran folkie recently celebrated his 90th birthday. What
better way to commemorate than with this terrific five-CD set, which
includes more than 125 songs Seeger recorded in the ’50s and ’60s.
You’ll recognize many of the tunes (“She’ll Be Comin’ Round the
Mountain,” “Goodnight, Irene,” “This Land Is Your Land”) —
they’re the heart of modern folk songs.
CD/DVD
Jeff Buckley:
Grace Around the
World: Deluxe Edition
(Columbia/Legacy)
Just in time for the 15th anniversary of Buckley’s debut, this
two-DVD, one-CD collection gathers various TV performances by the late
singer-songwriter. He traveled to Germany, Japan and France promoting
the album, so many of the songs are repeated from country to country
(hope you like “So Real”). A fitting document of an artist’s too-brief
career.
VIDEO
Children of Men
(Universal)
This futuristic thriller from 2006 finally comes to Blu-ray, and
Alfonso Cuarón’s terrifying vision has never looked more
menacing. Clive Owen has one of his best roles as an emotionally
scarred political activist trying to save a pregnant woman in an
Orwellian world without any babies. One of the best movies of the
decade now looks even better.
DVD
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance:
Paramount Centennial Collection
(Paramount)
One of John Ford’s last great westerns has gotten better over the
years. Jimmy Stewart stars as an idealistic lawyer who rolls into town
hoping to run out baddie Lee Marvin. He gets more than he bargained
for. Luckily, John Wayne is there to save the day. Critical and
historical commentaries, behind-the-scenes features and a tribute to
Wayne round out the extras.
VIDEOGAME
Patapon 2
(Sony)
Last year’s beat-driven Patapon is one of the best games ever
made for the PSP. This follow-up is almost as much fun. You still play
as a tribe of one-eyed warriors, but this time the adventures are
deeper and tougher. Best of all, the new multiplayer mode allows four
players to customize Patapons who must then drum and march their way
across hostile battlefields.
This article appears in Jun 3-9, 2009.