Sept 06, Picks O the Month

Music Picks
Feels Like Home, Norah Jones

I actually stayed away from her album when she first came out because it seemed too trendy and Karri didn't quite like her voice. After listening to this sophomore album, we admit we really like it. We were hasty in our judgment and after all she did win multiple Grammys. After overlooking our opinions from before, we have actually gotten a hold of the first album "Come Away with Me." All and all we still like this album better. Kind of Pop/Jazz/Country all rolled into one. "Those Sweet Words" is Karri's favorite and "The Long Way Home" is my favorite on the album.


Norah Jones (samples)
"Those Sweet Words" Track 1
"The Long Way Home" Track 2
"Humble Me" Track 3

Book Picks
Brian's Pick
Superman/ Batman Vol. 2: Supergirl by Jeph Loeb, Michael Turner

The new origin story of Supergirl with the trinity of DC's most recognizable icons Superman, Batman, and Wonderwoman, what’s not to love! I've been hooked on Michael Turner's art ever since he was doing "Witchblade" with Mark Silvestri and then "Tomb Raider" and "Fathom." He is in my list favorite comic book artists along with Jim Lee, Mark Silvestri, and J. Scott Campbell. I've read a bunch of Jeph Loeb's stuff on Batman and he tends to throw the whole gallery of rogues in. He pretty much does the same here and writes in a whole range of good and bad guys, not that I am complaining. The way Jeph juxtaposes the inner thoughts of Batman and Superman is reveling if not hilarious in the way they see themselves and those around them. Although this story introduces Supergirl back into the DC universe, it is still primarily about Superman and Batman. The highlight of this comic is when Batman fights Darkseid (One of the most powerful villains in the DC universe) to a stalemate. Sure physically he got the pulp beaten out of him but his ruthlessness and cunning saved the day.

TV/Movie Picks
Brian's Pick
Heroes

Looks like this superhero theme is not going away anytime soon. What if everyday people all of a sudden had super powers how would they cope with their old life and would they forge a new life bettering or getting back at the world? This has been done in comics already but it is still an interesting concept. Especially since comic book movies have been flooding the movies lately, it is interesting to see this genre come across in a live action series format where time can be taken to really flesh out the characters and motivations. The first 2 episodes which set the tone for the series hint towards things getting darker before they get better. With a superhuman serial killer on the loose all the involving cop scenes almost made me think we were watching CSI or something like that. I kind of have qualms with them showing so many corpses and graphic scenes already. It has only been 2 episodes and the body count is already at 5. Sure it is shown later in the night so the kiddies should be in bed but they don't need to do graphic shots to let people know how horrible it is. Suspense and details can be built in the minds of the viewers i.e. "Psycho" So other than that I really love the characters and how you can see their lives beginning to intersect. On a side note NBC is doing a great job building an online presence for their network. You can find the full episodes on most shows that they air on the website soon after it is shown on TV. Minimal commercials too, I almost prefer it :P Another interesing side note is that the first issue of the Heroes graphic novel (comic book) they have online is drawn by none other than the forementioned Michael Turner while Jeph Loeb happens to be a writer for the actual show.

Karri's Pick
The Office

Everyone has had a boss or someone they know that is just like the boss, Michael, in this show. The lack of political correctness is the best part of this show. Karri loves and cringes at the faux pas that happen left and right. It’s like watching a bad car wreck, you will try but you can’t look away. The way they film the series adds to the illusion that you are watching a reality TV show. Most of the characters are also hilarious since they are so polarized and have their own idiosyncrasies. Some of the many issues the characters have include paranoia, hyper-cleanliness, and compulsive stealing. -Brian