TOP PICK – TV
ThunderCats
(Cartoon Network)
The kick-ass '80s felines return with a brand-new series at 8 p.m. Friday. The hour-long premiere sets the stage with hero Lion-O starting his quest to reclaim the throne from the evil sorcerer Mumm-Ra. We know, it sounds silly as hell, especially when you throw in pals named Cheetara, WilyKat, and Snarf, but trust us: These cats have some sharp claws. Cool animation too.
DVD
The Man Who Would Be King
(Warner)
This 1975 epic directed by John Huston makes its Blu-ray debut in a special book packaging that suits all the royal action. Sean Connery and Michael Caine play British soldiers in India who proclaim themselves gods to the Kafiristan natives, who've never seen white guys before (especially one who likes like James Bond). Things go well … at first. Extras include a making-of doc from back in the day.
DVD
MGM Limited Edition Collection
(Twentieth Century Fox)
The latest batch of movies from the cool manufacturing-on-demand series includes some vintage crime pics. Best are 1956's Hot Cars (about a salesman who's tricked into selling stolen rides), 1963's Johnny Cool (a crime boss puts snitches in stitches), and, our favorite, 1959's Riot in Juvenile Prison, whose title pretty much tells you all you need to know about this taut teen-exploitation flick.
BOOK
Star Wars vs. Star Trek
(Adams)
Subtitled Could the Empire Kick the Federation's Ass? And Other Galaxy-Shaking Enigmas, this book hopes to settle all your heated geek arguments. It's a great time-killer, stuffed with trivia about both universes. Worlds collide in questions like “Could a Jedi knight use his lightsaber to deflect a beam from a phaser?” If you already know the answer, you'll love this quick read.
CD
Henry Wolfe: Linda Vista
(Undermountain)
Singer-songwriter Wolfe blends old-school twang, piano-driven pop, and American Songbook classicism on his debut album. Oh yeah, he's also Meryl Streep's son. Like his famous mom, Wolfe takes his work a little too seriously at times. Also like his mom, he channels various personas, recalling Paul McCartney, Randy Newman, and Paul Simon . “I used to be somebody, now I'm someone else,” he sings. Like mother, like son.
