Movies
Can “State of Play” stand up to the fantastic BBC series on which it’s based? Hard to say, but Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Helen Mirren step into this story about journalists investigating the murder of a woman who was romantically involved with a congressman. And, hey, if you like it, you can always rent the miniseries. (Opens April 17)
Do you suffer from ADHD? Or maybe you just drink too much Mountain Dew. If so, Jason Statham’s “Crank: High Voltage” is the perfect movie for you. If you saw the first one, you know that there are more quick cuts in this movie than at the sushi bar. In this sequel Statham must give himself electric shocks to stay alive while trying to track down his missing heart. (Opens April 17)
TVThink your job is tough? Watch just one episode of Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" and you may change your mind. The crab fishermen on "Deadliest Catch" risk their lives daily out on the treacherous seas off the coast of Alaska, and viewers get to settle into their warm living rooms and watch, risk-free. The fifth season starts this week. (April 14, 9 p.m., Discovery.)
A fascinating new five-part series begins this week on PBS. "We Shall Remain: America Through Native Eyes" is an "American Experience" offering, taking a look a look at history from a Native American perspective. The show moves from the arrival of the Mayflower to the siege of Wounded Knee in 1973. (April 13, check local listings for times, PBS)
DVDIn his humorous musical number at the Oscars, host Hugh Jackman sang about the various nominated films, and when it came to "The Reader," admitted "'The Reader,' 'The Reader,' I ... didn't see 'The Reader.'" Now Jackman, and the rest of us, have a chance to remedy that via DVD. Kate Winslet picked up the best actress Oscar for her role as a concentration camp guard with a personal secret she believes is worse than her Nazi past. (On DVD April 14)
MusicUnless you don’t own a TV, you have heard the Silversun Pickups. Their song “Lazy Eye” was featured on shows from “CSI” to “One Tree Hill.” The band, who is often compared to the Smashing Pumpkins is back with a new album, “Swoon,” and those songs are probably coming soon to a moody network drama near you. Hear them now, before you forever associate them with a TV cop show. (On sale April 14).
If you watch “Grey’s Anatomy,” you’ve already heard the new single of Canadian indie rock band Metric’s latest album, “Fantasies.” On the band’s web site, singer Emily Haines described the new album by writing, “The function of music in my life is to help me understand what the hell is happening. This new record was about ending the fragmentation of my existence.” (On sale April 14)