Media

BY RYAN RAYHILL

MUSIC

Randy Travis - Around the Bend

Warner Bros Records

His fi rst pure country album in eight years, Around the Bend fi nds the smooth-voiced Randy Travis back at his roots with songs about love, faith and down-home living. From the folksy humor of “Every Head Bowed” to a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright,” Travis’ silky baritone has never been more clear or comforting. But it’s the uplifting, piano-kissed fi rst single “Faith in You” that really brings Around the Bend together and reminds us why country fans fell in love with Travis more than 20 years ago.

DVDs

Batman: Gotham Knight

Warner Home Video PG-13

Batman: Gotham Knight comprises six animated stories that take place between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, hitting theaters this month. Despite the episodes having been written and directed by different people, the anime style of each creates a coherent anthology rich in both storytelling and visuals. It’s a compelling addition to any Batman fan’s collection.

GAMES

Drillbit Taylor

Paramount Home Entertainment PG-13

Written by Superbad’s Seth Rogen, Drillbit Taylor stars Owen Wilson as a ne’er-do-well who poses as muscle-for-hire to a trio of high school teens who are being bullied. While Drillbit’s initial intentions are none too noble, he helps the boys gain confi dence. The “rascal makes good” aspect is a bit overdone, but Wilson pulls it off, making for a surprisingly fun, if sometimes clichéd, comedy.

Guitar Hero: On Tour

Activision Rated E10+ Nintendo DS

This wildly popular series makes its handheld debut this month on Nintendo’s DS, and though it lacks the “guitar” controller of its bigger brothers, On Tour has a clever “fret board” attachment that brings the experience to life; the system’s stylus and touchpad are used for picking at your virtual guitar strings. With WiFi multiplayer and dozens of songs from artists like No Doubt and Nirvana, On Tour ably brings Guitar Hero on the road.

Ninja Gaiden 2

Microsoft Rated M Xbox 360

From its arcade and early Nintendo roots, Ninja Gaiden has been all about addictive action. Ninja Gaiden 2 steps up the wow-factor as Ninja Ryu battles demons in places like Venice and New York. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, but the game is also quite brutal, as Ryu employs a wide arsenal of weapons and magic. The game is unapologetically challenging, but mature action fans will fi nd it rewarding.