MOVIES
"Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle"
Check out the movie poster for this second installment, and you'll see the focus of this film: hot girls' rear ends.
Yes, there will be hundreds of cutesy undercover outfits (think nuns, motorcycle drivers, plumbers and the ever-popular cabaret dancers), several surprising and some predictable cameos (you'll see original angels Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith, ) and a plot somewhere in there (something about a witness protection program 'databa'--what's that? Cameron and Demi are going to kiss? Where?).
All of these are just distractions from Cameron Diaz', Drew Barrymore's, Lucy Liu's and Demi Moore's tight booties. Let's just hope Bernie Mac keeps his under wraps.
Who should see it: Those who think the key ingredients to a good movie are hot girls' rear ends, explosions and hot girls' rear ends.
"28 Days Later"
A psychological virus turns almost all English men, women and children into enraged, fast-moving zombies. The survivors band together in an effort to save humanity.
This is the setting for this intense film by "Trainspotting" director Danny Boyle. Shot on digital film, this movie got glowing reviews after it screened at the Sundance Film Festival.
Who should see it: Those who have no interest in Cameron's, Drew's, Lucy's or Demi's booties.
"The Hard Word"
Strolling out of jail in a tuxedo to meet Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt, George Clooney made high crime and jail time look sexy and classy in "Ocean's Eleven."
In this Australian crime caper, Guy Pearce wears prison tattoos, dirty stubble and a scowl while he ponders how to get out of jail, do another job, and avenge his unfaithful wife (Rachel Griffiths) and double-crossing lawyer (Robert Taylor). First-time director Scott Roberts tries to give films like "Ocean's Eleven" a Tarantino twist.
Who should see it: Movie watchers who saw "Memento" and agree that Pearce is the best actor to emerge from Down Under since Heath Ledger.
DVDs
"Gangs of New York"
Thirty years ago, reigning king of crime dramas Martin Scorsese had a brainchild, and it was this film. Anytime a child stays in your basement for 30 years, something's going to be a little off.
Critics said the film had too much vision and not enough plot, too much homage to Manhattan's Five Points and not enough respect for character development. In any case, this film delivered a phenomenal performance from Daniel Day-Lewis, average ones from Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz and two hours and 45 minutes of long-broiling revenge. The DVD includes a director commentary and plenty of making-of footage.
Who should see it: Students whose summer history classes require a thorough knowledge of late-1800s New York.
"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"
What do you get when you combine two people who ooze charm, deception and ambition? True love, of course! This crowd-pleasing romantic comedy stars the prince and princess of the genre (Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson) and is directed by Donald Petrie, who also helmed "Miss Congeniality" and "Mystic Pizza". This combination makes for a mildly fun film that won the hearts of the masses and elicited groans from the critics. Deleted scenes and a director commentary come on the DVD.
Who should see it: Any couple in which the man has found himself shopping at Bath & Body Works and/or painting his girlfriend's toenails.
"Super Troopers"
Here's a little pop quiz to determine whether or not you'll find this movie funny. True or false: Cops initiate rookies by making them wear a bulletproof cup and shooting at them. If you didn't answer true or false and are instead laughing hysterically (or chuckling behind your newspaper), then you disagree with most critics and side with many college students who thought this flick about slacker cops was as funny as the "Police Academy" movies. The DVD offers more bonehead humor with an alternate ending, deleted scenes and outtakes.
Who should see it: People who, when a police officer asks for license and registration, have said, "Only if you meow first."
MUSIC
Ashanti, "Chapter II"
Ja Rule dubbed her the princess of R&B and hip-hop, so it must be true, right?
Regardless of what that gravelly-voiced Kermit the Frog said, Ashanti sold over 2 million copies of her self-titled debut and won a Grammy and a slew of American Music Awards for it. With a title that is almost identical to the penniless situation in which some artists find themselves after a serious sophomore slump, this songbird is hoping her sweet vocals and heavy beats will fly her past bankruptcy and to the top of the charts.
Who should hear it: Those who don't want to see poor Ashanti file for Chapter 11.
By the Tree, "Root"
Rock music seems to be fueled by angry guitar riffs, shouted lyrics and substance-ridden band members. This band lets love fuel all its riffs, lyrics and behavior, like so many Christian rock bands popping up these days. With the radio hit "Invade My Soul" and two Dove Awards, By the Tree now hopes to bash stereotypes that Christian musicians can't play instruments or write music as well as their mainstream counterparts.
Who should hear it: People who have caught themselves defending their music choice with the statement, "I don't listen to the lyrics."
GAME & BOOK
"Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided"
Gamers have been filling message boards (thousands on the official Web site alone) and twitching their callused thumbs anxiously ever since LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment delayed the highly anticipated release of this online role-playing game.
Set in the Star Wars universe, gamers can choose from one of eight races, including the well-rounded humans and thus would-be Jedi Knights; the Wookiee race, which includes Chewbacca, and the formidable Zabrak race, of which Darth Maul of "The Phantom Menace" is a member.
Who should play it: Gamers who shake and twitch when they haven't played "Everquest" in three hours.
"Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism," by Ann Coulter
Even if you've no idea what unilateralism is and only watch CNN while channel surfing, you've probably seen Coulter before.
In the political world of neckties and gray hair, Coulter's long blond hair separates her from the crowd. Once she opens her mouth, however, her staunch conservative, or more accurately, anti-liberal, views overshadow her appearance.
In this follow-up to her No. 1 bestseller "Slander," Coulter tracks liberal misjudgments and mistakes through the past 60 years, contending that much of history has been slanted because it was written with a liberal bias.
Who should read it: Anyone who agrees with Coulter in thinking that Bill Clinton is the spawn of the devil.
hello there & you too