Latest DVDs, CDs, books: Nov. 8, 2011
A look at some of the DVDs, CDs and books hitting stores this week:
DVDS
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2" (PG-13): After eight movies and 10 years, boy wizard Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his faithful wizarding companions Ron and Hermione (Rupert Grint, Emma Watson) battle villainous Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) one last time in the cinematic conclusion of J.K. Rowling's best-selling saga.
On a lighter note, Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds team up for the raunchy comedy "The Change-Up" (R), about a married attorney and a swinging bachelor who switch bodies. "Atlas Shrugged: Part 1" (PG-13) adapts Ayn Rand's 1957 novel, set in a dystopian U.S., about an executive (Taylor Schilling) struggling to keep her business going as society crumbles around her. And the collaborative documentary "Life in a Day" (PG-13) features video from around the world captured on July 24, 2010 -- including footage from local filmmaker Andrea Walter.
Turning to titles that never played local theaters, the coming-of-age tale "The River Why" (PG-13) features Zach Gilford, Amber Heard and William Hurt, while Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Ray Winstone and Sam Riley headline the thriller "13" (R). John Cleese and Tom Arnold team up with a certain St. Bernard for "Beethoven's Christmas Adventure" (PG). And "The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll" (R) focuses on a rising rock musician (Jason Ritter).
On the TV-transfer front (both unrated ), "Celine Dion: A New Day -- Live in Las Vegas" captures her Caesars Palace extravaganza, while "The King of Cool: The Best of Dean Martin Variety Show" salutes a Vegas legend from a previous era.
CDS
Etta James, "The Dreamer": "Welcome to the Jungle"?
Well, even though soul legend Etta James covers that Guns N' Roses classic on her latest disc, this one is more of a goodbye than a hello.
The final album of the singer's 50-year career, "The Dreamer" marks the end of an era.
Or does it?
After all, James' repertoire is timeless, even if her recording career isn't.
Also in stores: Chris Connelly, "Artificial Madness"; The Dear & Departed, "Every Waking Moment"; Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, "Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds"; Il Divo, "Wicked Game"; The Juan Maclean, "Everybody Get Close"; Kaskade, "Fire & Ice"; David Lynch, "Crazy Clown Time"; Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, "MSMW Live: In Case the World Changes Its Mind"; Meshell Ndegeocello, "Weather"; Joe Nichols, "It's All Good"; Rascal Flatts, "The Best of Rascal Flatts LIVE"; and Tech N9ne Collabos, "Welcome to Strangeland."
BOOKS
"11/22/63" by Stephen King: Jake Epping takes on a time-traveling mission after his friend, Al, reveals he's discovered a portal to the past. Al, obsessed with preventing the Kennedy assassination, convinces Jake to take up the effort, sending the Maine schoolteacher back in time on a hunt for Lee Harvey Oswald.
Also this week, Christopher Paolini wraps up his series featuring the rider Eragon and his dragon Saphira with "Inheritance."
Also hitting shelves: "The Alloy of Law: A Mistborn Novel" by Brandon Sanderson; "Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy" by Bill Clinton; "A Burial at Sea" by Charles Finch; "Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman" by Robert K. Massie; "Coffin Man" by James D. Doss; "A Dark and Lonely Place" by Edna Buchanan; "How to Break a Dragon's Heart" by Cressida Cowell; "The Prague Cemetery" by Umberto Eco; "SEAL Target Geronimo: The Inside Story of the Mission to Kill Osama bin Laden" by Chuck Pfarrer; "Simply Divine: A Guide to Easy, Elegant, and Affordable Entertaining" by Lisa Vanderpump; and "The Sisters" by Nancy Jensen.
