Media

DVDS

A round up of this month’s hottest new releases

Shoot ‘Em Up
(New Line Home Entertainment)
Rated: R

Leaving logic and reality at the door in favor of tongue-in-cheek humor and excessive gunplay that borders on slapstick, Shoot ‘Em Up stars Clive Owen as a firearm-savvy wanderer charged with watching over a newborn in the midst of a government conspiracy. With the sultry Monica Bellucci in tow, he must outwit and outgun a maniacal hitman (Paul Giamatti) who is hunting them down. Fans of smart, over-the-top action in the vein of Pulp Fiction or Sin City need look no further for their adrenaline fix.

Extras: Making of; deleted scenes; director commentary

Daddy Day Camp
(Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Rated: PG

A sequel to 2003’s Daddy Day Care, starring Eddie Murphy, this film follows the misadventures of Cuba Gooding Jr. as he struggles to keep a group of ragtag summer campers together long enough to win an inter-camp olympiad. While the story may have been done to death (and a little bit better), it’s still entertaining for kids who enjoy humorous body noises and seeing other children outwit ill-prepared adults. Parents may appreciate the fact that the film provides an alternative to more violent fare.

Extras: Widescreen, making of, interactive quiz, bonus previews

GAMES

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
(Sega) • Wii / Nintendo DS
Rated: E

There was once a time when Nintendo’s Mario and Sega’s Sonic were bitter rivals, and it seemed that they would never in a million years appear in the same game together. As it turned out, it only took about 15 years, as they finally meet in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. Featuring multiplayer modes that allow for a whole host of other characters in games such as track and field, archery and gymnastics, Mario and Sonic may finally be able to bury the hatchet in the spirit of friendly, athletic competition.

Burnout Paradise
(EA) • Xbox 360/ PlayStation 3
Rated: E10+

One of the most popular driving series of all time returns with Burnout Paradise—though in this game, racing is only part of the fun, as causing mayhem takes precedence over keeping a two-car distance with your hands at 10 and two. Like the rest of the series, Paradise prides itself on being able to virtually recreate what equates to a big Hollywood stunt scene as you break the rules of the road in a huge open world. With no load times and online multiplayer support, Paradise is a lead-foot’s dream come true.

MUSIC

Jukebox
Cat Power • Matador

Cat Power’s (aka Chan Marshall) eighth full-length album sees the dusky-voiced songstress paying tribute to many of music’s greats while remaining unmistakably Cat Power throughout. Such tunes as Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” and “Don’t Explain” by Billie Holiday get Marshall’s minimal treatment to great effect. With a couple of her own originals thrown in for good measure, the whole album comes together with such style and panache that it’s almost difficult to face the reality that the bulk of these songs (Hank Williams, Janis Joplin and James Brown included) were hits before she came along. A stunning release.