We Recommend

Cathleen's Pick: Nightmare Revisited

2009-11-09T07:00:00-06:00

Danny Elfman’s moody music for Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is reimagined on Nightmare Revisited with a diverse group of artists including Korn, Amy Lee, and the Yoshida Brothers. My favorite tracks are those with an international flair, such as Rodrigo y Gabriela’s take on "Oogie Boogie’s Song".

Larry's Pick: The Shawshank Redemption

2009-11-02T07:00:00-06:00

The Shawshank Redemption is a tale of courage in the face of adversity, hope in the midst of despair. Tim Robbins plays a convicted murderer, Andy Dufresne, who's efforts at maintaining a sense of self have a powerful impact on his fellow inmates, especially “Red” Redding, played by Morgan Freeman.

Cynthia's Pick: Waiting

2009-10-26T07:00:00-05:00

Ha Jin’s Waiting begins as a military doctor in 1960s China plans to divorce his wife – again. He is caught between old village ways and new China, and between his wife and the nurse he loves. This is a quiet, complicated story of patience, longing, doubt, resignation, loyalty and...waiting.

John M.'s Pick: Sacred Songs

2009-10-19T19:00:00-05:00

What happens when blue-eyed soul collides with progressive rock? The result is Sacred Songs, Daryl Hall's underappreciated avant-pop collaboration with ex-King Crimson leader Robert Fripp, in which Hall's catchy pop hooks are punctuated by Fripp's fascinating sonic experiments.

Patty's Pick: True Grit

2009-10-12T07:00:00-05:00

Mattie Ross is fourteen and has “never been one to flinch or crawfish when faced with an unpleasant task.” Her father was murdered. Mattie seeks the help of Deputy Marshal Rooster Cogburn, famously played by John Wayne in the movie, to avenge him in Charles Portis’ excellent western, True Grit.

Donna S.'s Pick: The Ultimate Most Relaxing New Age Music in the Universe

2009-10-05T07:00:00-05:00

The Ultimate Most Relaxing New Age Music in the Universe is the title, and a good description, of the music found on this two CD set by various artists. It contains twenty-four melodies intended to create positive feelings. You'll like listening to it any time of the day.

Diane's Pick: Generation Kill

2009-09-28T07:00:00-05:00

The brilliant HBO miniseries Generation Kill is based on journalist Evan Wright's book about his time with Recon Marines during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Created by The Wire's David Simon and starring True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard, this series is a fairly judgment-free look at modern warfare and its cost.

Donna C.'s Pick: Saving Grace

2009-09-21T07:00:00-05:00

Brenda Blethyn portrays Grace Trevethyn, a newly-widowed housewife who resorts to cultivating marijuana to make money. With the green thumb and street-savvy of her handyman, played by Craig Ferguson, Grace’s life becomes an exhilarating and madcap adventure in her picturesque British hometown. If you like Weeds, check out Saving Grace.

Barb's Pick: Appaloosa

2009-09-14T07:00:00-05:00

Appaloosa, a western directed by Ed Harris, takes place in a dusty town suffering under rancher Randall Bragg, played by Jeremy Irons. Appaloosa officials hire two friends, renegade lawmen Virgil Cole and Everette Hitch, to arrest Bragg. The arrival of a young widow complicates relationships between all the menfolk.

Rose's Pick: How Starbucks Saved My Life

2009-09-07T07:00:00-05:00

Michael Gill, a downsized corporate executive, unexpectedly becomes a member of the minority – the only older white guy working with a team of African-Americans who are half his age. Grab a latte and enter Gill’s world of How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else.