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READ ... "Unaccustomed Earth" by Jhumpa Lahiri, the author of "The Namesake." In her second collection of short stories, Lahiri again addresses the challenges faced by young Indian Americans, specifically in dealing with their more conservative Indian parents.
Lahiri's writing centers around Bengalis, whom she portrays as over-achievers often unable to express themselves emotionally. In one story, a daughter attempts to connect to a distant father; in the next, a sister tries to halt her brother's downward spiral into alcoholism. The sister, Rahul, is the most moving character in the book - you might want to keep some Kleenex handy.
The romantics will especially enjoy the story about the couple who meet several times as children to eventually chance upon each other in Europe. The themes of the eight stories all resonate: despair, death, love and hope. This book is wonderful - simply written, full of culture and every single character is relatable.
RENT ... "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story." Although it looks pretty stupid, this film is actually really funny. You've seen "Walk the Line," right? This is a parody - sort of.
The beginning is almost the Johnny Cash story straight out, but then it takes several unique turns in telling the story of Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) and his rise to music fame. In fact, the music is one of the best parts, as the soundtrack includes songs that all poke fun at different musicians, from Johnny Cash to Bob Dylan.
Watch out for several great cameos, including Paul Rudd and Jack Black as John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Twisted and a little raunchy, this isn't a movie for kids, but since we're college students, go forth and enjoy the dirty jokes, corny music and horrible fashions.
LISTEN TO ... R.E.M.'s "Accelerate." R.E.M. might be old news for most of us, but this new album is a definite come-back from the weaker albums the group has produced in the last few years.
In fact, this is the band's first studio album in four years - and they've re-captured the guitar-heavy, alternative rock sound that made them so popular in the late '80s and early '90s. Several of the songs are pointedly political (against war), but songs like "Sing for the Submarine" offer a vision of hope for the future.
A short album, the eleven tunes last only about 35 minutes, which seems really short when you're getting into the idiosyncratic lyrics. Unlike in the last three albums, Peter Buck's guitar takes center stage on many of these tracks. Though these sounds are immediately recognizable as R.E.M, they are also markedly original and contemporary.
WATCH ... "The Leatherheads" because it's the only decent movie coming out this week. George Clooney and Renée Zellwegger try really hard to make this film more than just a generic sports comedy, and they almost succeed.
Set during the 1920s, Clooney (who also directs) plays Dodge Connelly, the owner of a professional football team about to be disbanded. To save the team, Dodge hires Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski), a war hero and college football star, to join the team. Zellwegger plays ardent journalist Lexie Littleton, who follows the team around trying to get dirt on Carter - while fighting off the affections of both Dodge and Carter.
Toward the end, the movie becomes more like a romantic comedy as the humor comes less from slapstick (though that runs through the whole film) and more from witty repartee. This movie won't win awards, but it tries hard and comes close to recalling the classic comedies of the 1930s. Plus, there's a good fistfight to fill the violence quota.
GO BUY ... The Black Keys' newest album, "Attack and Release." The Akron, Ohio-based duo has a concentrated, blues influenced sound that appeals to young hipsters as well as people old enough to have seen Muddy Waters live.
Although the Black Keys' previous six albums have been produced solely by vocalist-guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney, "Attack and Release" was produced by Brian Burton, better known as Danger Mouse. Although many die-hards feared the collaboration would leave the Keys sounding overproduced, Burton has managed to expand the bands rollicking sound without sacrificing Auerbach's raw vocals or Carney's solid beats.
Check out "Strange Times" and "Same Old Thing," which best showcase Burton's subtle, yet substantial, influence.
- MAUREEN INOUYE, SARAH LAPONTE
