MoviesWill your kids really be able to resist a team of adorable guinea pigs trained as government secret agents? “G-Force” combines the action sensibility of producer Jerry Bruckheimer with the furry sweetness of a kids’ flick. It also features the voices of “Hangover” star Zach Galifianakis, “30 Rock’s” Tracy Morgan and Bruckheimer regular Nicolas Cage. Just don’t be surprised if after the movie your kids start begging you for a furry spy to call their own. (Opens July 24)
“In the Loop” tells the story of a series of misunderstandings that occur before the invasion of Iraq and is shot faux-documentary style like “The Office.” The Film Journal International wrote: “‘In the Loop’ is one of those rare movie comedies that actually lives up to the phrase ‘laugh a minute.’” (Opens July 24)
Music Brother and sister Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger are the heart of The Fiery Furnaces. This Brooklyn-based indie rock band puts out an album a year and the new one, “I’m Going Away,” is already garnering high praise from critics. Spin magazine gave the album four out of five stars, called it the band’s “most instantly accessible effort,” and added that “the music flows with the laid-back élan of late-period Pavement.” (On sale July 21)
Former Bangles singer Susanna Hoffs has re-teamed with pal Matthew Sweet for “Under the Covers, Vol. 2.” This second collection of cover songs features tunes from Big Star, John Lennon, Rod Stewart and even Carly Simon — the duo, who call themselves Sid & Sue, cover Simon’s “You’re So Vain.” The album also features guest appearances from Lindsay Buckingham, Steve Howe of Yes, and George Harrison’s son, Dhani. (On sale July 21)
TV
"The Bachelorette: The Men Tell All" should be especially juicy this season if host Chris Harrison can get Wes ("I had a No.1 hit in Chihuahua, Mexico") to tell the truth about whether he went on the show simply to further his musical career. (July 20, 8 p.m., ABC.)
It was 40 years ago this week that Neil Armstrong took that one small step for man ( or "a man," depending on whether we heard him correctly). "Moonshot," a dramatization of the journey of Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, premieres on that anniversary. (July 20, 9 p.m., History Channel.)
Supposedly, even those of us who didn't tune in to "Torchwood," the British sci-fi show that spun off from “Doctor Who,” can follow along with "Torchwood: Children of Earth," a new five-hour miniseries. TV Guide calls it "the TV event of the summer, a cosmic action-mystery that chills to the core." Star John Barrowman told TV Guide "what happens to the children is shocking. It may be difficult for some people to watch." (July 20, 9 p.m., BBC America)
DVD"Coraline" just came out in February, but the Philadelphia Inquirer already asked if it's premature to "assign it classic status." Leonard Maltin called it the "best 3-D movie I've ever seen." Warning: Although it's aimed at kids, sensitive ones might find the story, in which Coraline discovers another world with doubles of her real parents, disturbing. Still, it's not to be missed. (Out on DVD July 20.)