Media

A round up of this month’s hottest new releases —Ryan Rayhill

DVDS

Spider-Man 3
(Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

Spider-Man 3 swings into homes this month as the titular web-head not only battles three new super-villains, but also himself. Struggling to balance his life as both Spider-Man and Peter Parker, the hero finds himself at odds with the woman he loves, Mary Jane, while the likes of Venom, Sandman and friend-turned-enemy Harry Osborn challenge him at every turn. With a veritable web of characters and story lines, Spider-Man 3 loses a bit of the punch and charm of the first two films, but remains an entertaining visual treat.

Jungle Book: 2-Disc Platinum Edition
(Walt Disney Home Entertainment)

The last film that Walt himself had a hand in is unquestionably one of his most beloved. To commemorate the movie’s 40th anniversary, Disney is releasing this limited-time only, two-disc edition. The story of Mowgli the man-cub and the host of creatures that surround him is always fun to revisit, but it’s the fascinating making-of footage, the unveiling of a “lost” character and animator interviews on the second disc that make this collection extra magical. Extras: Interviews, DVD game, art gallery, making-of.

MUSIC

Rilo Kiley
Under The Blacklight (Warner Bros.)

Former child actors Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett forge what could be their most alluring album yet. Fusing country-tinged vocals with a bit of breezy, ’70s-style AM radio sound and modern pop-sensibility, this major label debut is as poignant as it is sexy. At times, Lewis’ haunting voice recalls the spirit of Roy Orbison (albeit a female one). However, it’s her duet with Sennett on the atmospheric “Dreamworld” that truly is the centerpiece. The album loses a little steam at the end, but nothing this year beats it for cruising down the highway.

Culver City Dub Collective
Dos (Everloving Records)

Revolving around drummer/ songwriter Adam Topol and guitarist/engineer Franchot Tone, Culver City Dub Collective has not only assembled an impressive mix of jazz, reggae and Afro-Cuban soul, they may have created one of the best “lazy day” records ever. With help from talent like Ben Harper, Beastie Boys’ Money Mark and Jack Johnson, who voices the album’s dreamy “Crying Shame,” Dos takes familiar formulas down intoxicating new roads that should entice even the most diehard workaholic to enjoy life a little.

Halo 3
Xbox 360 (Microsoft) Rating: Mature

Halo 3 lives up to the space drama’s previous aspirations, sucking you into space-marine Master Chief’s battle to save Earth from an invading alien race. The amazing musical compositions once again underscore the intensity of battles fought with fantastical new weapons and vehicles like the one-shot killer and the monstrous alien motorcycle. Multiplayer online battles remain intact, but this time with more customizable options. Halo 3 is simply a must-own for action fans.

Jam Sessions
Nintendo DS (Ubisoft) Rating: Everyone

For musicians on the go, Jam Sessions offers more than just a pocket-Guitar Hero experience— this music simulator allows you to adjust the speed of several well-known songs and use the system’s touch screen to play along like you were plucking the strings of a (very small) guitar. Already a huge hit in Japan, Jam Sessions also allows you to record, play back and add effects to your own songs, making it a virtual notepad for those flashes of inspiration on the go.