Media
MEDIA MIX
A round up of this month’s hottest new releases. —Ryan Rayhill
DVDS
Disturbia: Widescreen Edition • PG-13 • (Paramount Home Video)
Rear Window for a new generation, Disturbia puts a YouTube-era spin on Alfred Hitchcock’s classic voyeur thriller as Shia LaBeouf takes on the role of a troubled, though likeable, teen whose recent run-in with a callous teacher earns him a summer under house arrest. Unable to interact with the world beyond his yard, thanks to an ankle monitor, he counteracts boredom by benignly spying on his neighbors, soon realizing that the creepy guy next door, the quietly menacing Mr. Turner (played by David Morse), might just be a serial killer. While you will likely be able to see plot twists coming as easily as LaBeouf’s binocular-sporting sleuth, the film’s energetic pace offsets any predictability by injecting its moments of suspense with slick jolts of humor and charm.
Extras: Director commentary, deleted scenes, making of, trivia quiz, outtakes, photo gallery, theatrical trailer, previews
MUSIC
Interpol Our Love To Admire (Capitol Records)
If first jagged single “The Heinrich Maneuver” is any indication, not a lot has changed for these esoteric, indie tunesmiths since their past minor hits “PDA” and “Slow Hands.” But listen closer. In addition to singer Paul Banks’ keener vocal approach, icy guitars and throbbing rhythms enveloped by lush orchestrations are, for the first time, part of the songwriting process instead of an afterthought. While remaining patently Interpol, this album turns a corner that broadens their appeal among more than just the denizens of dark big-city bars.
Suzanne Vega Beauty & Crime (Blue Note Records)
Influenced more by streetwise bards like Bob Dylan and Lou Reed than her contemporaries, Suzanne Vega’s first album since 2001 reveals what is perhaps her true muse, New York City. Tracks like the affected “Ludlow Street” and “Zephyr & I” successfully recapture feelings lost in time from the city she calls home. Beauty can be uneven, however, covering a lot of ground—folk, jazz, electronic pop—but Vega’s haunting voice and passionate lyricism soulfully bind it together, reigniting our two- decade-long love affair.
GAMES
Brain Age 2: More Training In Minutes A Day Nintendo DS Rated: Everyone
The original Brain Age proved the innovative Nintendo DS was capable of going beyond gaming, and could be used as a tool for those young and old to sharpen their mental acumen with a series of addictive, daily tests. Brain Age 2 expands on the first’s success, with 17 all-new activities that use both the device’s touch screen and voice recognition abilities to examine the status of your grey matter with everything from piano playing exercises to a new twist on “rock, paper, scissors.”
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 (EA Sports) • All Systems Rated: Everyone
Tiger returns with his annual PGA offering, and while the game remains largely the same, some new features on the high-end versions make this year’s course particularly inspiring. Using EA Sports’ own GamerNet system, players can post their scores online and even record footage of their best shots for all to see. Better still, snap a picture of yourself with your webcam and put yourself directly on the fairway for that hole-in-one you’ve always dreamt about.