July 26
"Source Code" comes out on DVD -- if you missed it the first time around, it's time to make it a blockbuster night for this action thriller, featuring Jake Gyllenhaal as a soldier who wakes up on a train in the body of another man. As both a critical darling and box office hit, you can feel good about yourself for watching a thoughtful film, but still get your action-movie fix.
Last week, NPR had a first listen of Little Dragon's new album, "Ritual Union." This week, it's all yours. If you're looking for a new band to love, this little Swedish electro/soul outfit could be what you've been waiting for.
July 27
Here's the moment we've all (just us?) been waiting for. On Wednesday, all four seasons of "Mad Men" will be available to stream instantly on Netflix. We'll clearly be rewatching, and if you've never seen this show, there's literally no excuse now. Did we mention it was all four seasons?
July 29
This Friday, the alien showdown begins... on screen. Both "Cowboys and Aliens" and "Attack the Block" -- films that feature alien attacks in one form or another -- will be released on the same day. Both films have a promising group of people involved -- "Cowboys and Aliens" is directed by Jon Favreau and stars Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. But "Attack the Block" is brought to us by the same people who brought us "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz," and it has a cast of scrappy British children. "Cowboys and Aliens" may be the bigger blockbuster, but "Attack the Block" looks more likely to win the hearts and laughs.
Ongoing
Remember that movie, "Meet Joe Black," starring Brad Pitt as Death? And remember all those versions that preceded it, most notably the 1934 version with Fredic March? Well, those films were based on a play, "Death Takes a Holiday," and that play is now an off-Broadway production. The idea of death personified, lonely and craving love, is one that never fails to intrigue us, so needless to say we're thrilled to see it get another revival. "Death Takes a Holiday" runs through Sept. 4.