It’s another spectacular week of August filled with more chances for GetGlue to help you find your new favorite thing — be it a movie, book, album, or video game.
Two very different blockbusters dominate the big screen this week. On one end, Edgar Wright portends to be the perfect choice to bring the Scott Pilgrim series to life, while Sylvester Stallone gathers a breathtaking collection of fellow action icons.
Meanwhile, the summer onslaught of fiction continues, as well as the unveiling of the 2011 edition of Madden (and if you have to ask what that is, you definitely are not ready for some football). Without further ado, here’s some ideas for stuff you might just enjoy.
Editor’s Pick:
In Patterns of Paper Monsters, a debut novel brimming with sparkling prose, Emma Rathbone creates one of the most memorable characters of the year in 17-year-old juvy-incarcerated cynic Jacob Higgins. Recommended for fans of off-kilter, character-driven literature in the vein of Michael Chabon and Joshua Ferris.
Other Fiction Suggestions:
If you take to the exotic locales and oddball detectives in the thrillers of Martin Cruz Smith and Anne Zouroudi, you might like Zoe Ferraris’ City of Veils.
If you enjoy graphic novels with a wry sense of fable and fantasy in the vein of Bill Willingham and Neil Gaiman, you might like Chris Roberson’s Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love.
New Nonfiction
Editor’s Pick:
Rosanne Cash, daughter of Johnny (but not June), discusses her life as both scion of a musical legend and feted performer in Composed, a captivating memoir. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly calls Cash “a terrific writer in her own right.” For fans of the Cash family as well as the music writing of Robert Christegau.
More Nonfiction Suggestions:
If you are a dog lover, you might like Jennifer Arnold’s Through a Dog’s Eyes.
If your tastes stray to richly glowing memoirs about the power of friendship such as Tuesdays with Morrie or The Merry Recluse, you might like Gail Caldwell’s Let’s Take the Long Way Home.
New Movies in Theaters
Editor’s Pick:
Yes, Michael Cera may be typecast, but what a type it is. And it’s the perfect type for the youthful swashbuckler and hero of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (adapted from the popular comic series) who, to win the heart of his beloved, must fight and defeat her seven previous beaus (all evil). For fans of Kick-Ass and Youth In Revolt.
More Movie Suggestions:
If you’re a fan of pure guts’n'glory action films such as The Losers and The A-Team, you might like The Expendables.
If you tend towards wistful observations about love and life such as Under s Tuscan Sun and A Good Year, you might like Eat Pray Love.
New Music
Editor’s Pick:
Aussie Sarah Blasko journeyed up to Sweden to Peter, Bjorn & John’s recording studio for her third record, As Day Follows Night, a feast of ethereal folk recalling the quirky stylings of Regina Spektor and Rufus Wainwright.
More Music Suggestions:
If you like souled out nostalgic funk with a modern twist such as Mayer Hawthorne or Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, you might like Eli “Paperboy” Reed‘s Come and Get It.
If you go for highly politicized rock/hip-hop hybrids such as M.I.A. or Gorillaz, you might like Street Sweeper Social Club’s Ghetto Blaster.
New on DVD
Editor’s Pick:
While for those who saw the subtly brilliant British original, Death at a Funeral might have seemed an odd (even unnecessary) movie to remake. However, Chris Rock and Neil LaBute, with only a few changes and a bevy of comedic talents, found a new angle to this mannered comedy of errors. For fans of Nurse Betty and Meet the Parents.
More DVD Suggestions:
If wacky comedies where everything that can go wrong does — such as Pineapple Express and After Hours — are your thing, you might like Date Night.
If you enjoy sharp crime-solving shows in the vein of Bones and Criminal Minds, you might like Numb3rs.
Video Games
Editor’s Pick:
No football season is complete without the newest version of Madden and if you’ve checked out the samples on YouTube, you’ll probably know I’m not screaming Dixie when I say Madden NFL 2011 is the best Madden yet! For fans of football and Madden NFL 2010 (and all its versions).
More Video Game Suggestions:
If you grok colorful puzzle games like Chuzzle and, well, the whole Bejeweled series, you might like Bejeweled Blitz.
If you like one-on-one fighting games like Mortal Kombat and Tekken (or just love Scott Pilgrim — the Everything — you might like Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.
