MEDIA

BY RYAN RAYHILL

Check out our picks of this month’s page-turners.

DVD’S

The Golden Compass

(2-disc set, standard or Blu-ray) New Line Cinema Rated PG-13

The Golden Compass is filled with complex characters, spectacular effects and a controversially dark story line. It revolves around an orphan, Lyra, who battles a mysterious organization bent on ruling the universe. The settings and creatures she encounters are nothing short of stunning, and performances by Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards are undeniably powerful. The movie suffers from trying to fit too much story into too little time, making it a bit scattered. Even so, it’s an ambitious film that earns its place among top adventure movies. Extras: Director commentary, making-of, enhanced visual commentary (Blu-ray only)

MUSIC

The B52s

Funplex (Astralwerks)

With their first allnew collection of material in 16 years, The B52s have worked an electronic dance sound into their repertoire while maintaining the quirky pop sensibilities that made them famous. The album’s best song, the sexy “Juliet of the Spirits,” may be unlike anything they’ve ever done before, playing like a Fleetwood Mac song set to a modern disco beat. Funplex lives up to its name.

The Breeders

Mountain Battles (4AD)

The Breeders first gained notoriety with 1993’s Last Splash, and here they return to peak form, although it may not be for everyone. Stripped down, the album runs the gamut from the hopeful psychedelia of “Overglazed” to the gospel-y “Here No More.” Perhaps the most accessible tracks aren’t in English: “German Studies” and “Regalame Esta Noche.”

GAMES

Grand Theft Auto IV

(Rockstar Games) • PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 Rated: Mature

The first in the series for the next-gen systems, this game utterly blows the series’ earlier offerings out of the water. Taking place in Liberty City (a near pixel-perfect version of NYC), it follows Niko Bellic, who quickly finds himself thrust into a seedy underworld. The dozens of missions, vehicles and weapons will keep gamers busy for years to come.

Wii Fit

(Nintendo) • Wii Rated: Everyone

This series of exercise games includes such total-body workout activities as yoga, aerobics and ski jumping. It includes a “balance board” that measures weight and center of balance and tracks body mass index over time. While this isn’t a “traditional” game, it’s certainly exciting—and healthy.