Media

A roundup of this month’s hottest new releases.

words by > Scott Steinberg

>MUSIC

Neil Sedaka
The Definitive Collection (Razor & Tie)

If nothing else, this prolific retrospective— which celebrates the musician’s half century-long stint in the record business—leaves little doubt that the man behind “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” is one of the most influential songwriters in pop music history. The album is a catchy nostalgia trip par excellence. Highlights include two of the Brooklyn native’s first Top 10 hits, “Oh! Carol” and “Stairway to Heaven,” as well as “Bad Blood,” “Laughter in the Rain,” “Love Will Keep Us Together” and a live version of “Solitaire.”

Joss Stone
Introducing Joss Stone (S-Curve/Virgin)

Meet today’s best soul singer… a teenager from England who got her breakthrough on a BBC talent show. Already a three-time Grammy nominee, Stone continues to grow on her third album, experimenting with songwriting and incorporating touches of R&B and hip-hop. Slickest track? The Lauryn Hill-assisted “Music,” a self-described “love letter” to the power of song.

>GAMES

Forza Motorsport 2
(Microsoft) Xbox 360 Rating: Everyone

Pop the clutch on 300-plus exotic autos from the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini, then squeal around real-world locales including Rio de Janeiro, Laguna Seca and Silverstone Circuit in jaw-dropping high-definition. In-depth tuning lets grease monkeys tweak rims, tires, brakes, engines, suspensions and more.

The Lord of the Rings Online
(Midway) PC Rating: Pending

Tolkien groupies unsatisfied with the special-edition DVDs, board games, lunchboxes, toys and trading cards can now enjoy a new treasure trove of 24/7 fandom. With this online 3-D virtual rendition of Middle-earth, you can choose a man, dwarf, elf or hobbit and simultaneously adventure alongside thousands of fellow enthusiasts.

>DVD

Rocky Balboa
(Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) PG

One of America’s greatest cinematic heroes is back. The always unflappable Sylvester Stallone comes out of retirement swinging in another depiction of everyone’s favorite mush-mouthed boxer. Despite its inherent kitsch value—the plain-as-day plot and occasionally heartwarming musical montage, a throwback to ’80s stalwarts—our star’s latest saga still finds the champ at the top of his game. Battling both personal demons and the younger, flashier contender, Mason “The Line” Dixon, an aging Balboa defies the odds, turning in equally engaging in-ring and out-of-the-gym performances. While it’s hardly a high-brow cinema classic, for longtime fans, this puppy’s a technical knockout.

Extras: Deleted scenes, bloopers, making-of, boxing lesson, audio commentary