Media
A round up of this month’s hottest new releases —Scott Steinberg
DVDS
Elvis Collection • G-PG
(Warner Home Video)
With a billion-plus records sold and 31 films to his credit, it’s no wonder he’s called “The King.”
On the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s passing, several of his performances are on DVD for the first time, including deluxe editions of Viva Las Vegas and Jailhouse Rock, each digitally remastered in 16:9 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Also pick up Elvis: The Hollywood Collection, featuring Charro!, Girl Happy and more, which’ll have you hopping out of your blue suede shoes.
Blades of Glory • PG-13
(Paramount Home Entertainment)
Avoid the summer heat and chill out with this hit-or-miss comedy, starring funnyman Will Ferrell as vapid figure skater Chazz Michael Michaels. Banned from the sport, only to be readmitted when paired with his nemesis Jimmy MacElroy (Napoleon Dynamite’s Jon Heder), the throwaway tale’s simply a vehicle for countless cheap laughs. Corny setup notwithstanding, the film manages to serve up more than a few chuckles. Enjoy its mindless fun, even if the picture won’t be skating off with any awards.
MUSIC
Crowded House Time On Earth
(Capitol)
The band behind the ’80s hit “Something So Strong” reunites for its first album since 1993. Vocalist Neil Finn proves he can still spin a catchy groove on the infectious single “Don’t Stop Now,” while collaborations with The Smiths’ Johnny Marr and the Dixie Chicks put the disc well above par for comeback releases.
LeAnn Rimes Family
(Curb Records)
She has been a pop and country chart fixture for so long that it’s hard to believe that this, her 10th studio album, Family, will ship out in October, only a few months after the artist’s 25th birthday. Then again, as evidenced by her past success, LeAnn Rimes’ powerful pipes have always been mature beyond her years.
GAMES
NCAA Football 08 • (EA Sports) PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360 • Rating: Everyone
Another season, another chance to shine for the virtual gridiron’s most slept-on performer, which continues to dazzle by offering the same great production values as elder sibling Madden Nfl coupled with real-world collegiate drama. Despite similarities to last year’s edition (you can pick dozens of teams with accompanying stunning audiovisuals), enhanced play mechanics ensure a solid victory—think athletes who move with greater fluidity, the option to turn a benchwarmer into a star player and more. You even get support for building a virtual shrine to your glory, where video replays can be saved and shared. By no means a must-buy if you’ve invested in previous installments, it’s nevertheless another win for the franchise.