Welcome to HNGN's biweekly top picks, where we gather the best and brightest releases in music, fashion, beauty, tech and pop culture. Come back every other week for more of-the-moment goodness. - Edited by Michael Lello.
[Want to be considered for Coveted? Send your product information, with photos, to m.bullerdick@hngn.com or send product samples to Michael Q. Bullerdick HNGN/33 Universal, 33 Whitehall Street - 7th Floor, New York, NY 10004.]
MUSIC
By Michael Lello
Prince: HITnRUN Phase Two (NPG)
The prolific purple one is back with his whopping 39th studio album, a surprise release that came Saturday via the Tidal music-streaming site. The follow-up to September's "HITnRun Phase One," the 12-song album features a mix of brand-new songs as well as some selections Prince had recently released, like "Baltimore," featuring Eryn Ellen Kane, which you can hear below.
John Williams: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Walt Disney Records)
Legendary composer John Williams – known primarily as the sound of "Star Wars" but boasting a resume that includes "Jaws," "E.T.," "Indiana Jones," "Schindler's List" and the "Harry Potter" films – returns to score the hotly anticipated "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." The soundtrack is available for purchase this week.
Watch Williams conducting the music for the opening scene of "The Force Awakens" in the "60 Minutes Overtime" clip below.
Jennylee: right on! (Rough Trade)
There's significant buzz accompanying the debut album from Jennylee – who by day is Jenny Lee Lindberg, the bassist for indie rock outfit Warpaint – and it's well-deserved. On "right on!," she builds compelling, atmospheric songs that recall the iciness of '80s and '90s British shoegaze and synthpop, enveloping the listener with her reverb-drenched voice, propellant bass playing and hazy instrumentals. It's a dark and eerie trip, but it's somehow weirdly warm and inviting.
Watch her perform "Boom Boom" live at Fordham University's WFUV below.
Cage The Elephant: Tell Me I'm Pretty (RCA)
Kentucky-bred Cage The Elephant is one of the more consistent and tuneful bands working in alt rock, with a catalog of dark yet catchy songs like 2013's "Come A Little Closer." The latest from CTE, with help from producer Dan Auerbach of Black Keys fame, is this week's "Tell Me I'm Pretty," the group's fourth album.
You can hear some of Auerbach's influence in the song "Mess Around." Check out the quirky video below.
And don't miss HNGN's roundup of the 25 best Christmas albums of 2015!
MOVIES
By Cal Setar
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Walt Disney Pictures)
On Dec. 18, the force will reawaken. Director J.J. Abrams ("Star Trek," "Lost") and Disney breathe new life into the "Star Wars" franchise, as an entirely new cast of characters struggle to overcome the power of the dark side. Thirty years after the fight that brought down the Galactic Empire, a downed stormtrooper joins an aging smuggler and his wookie companion in a battle for the universe.
In The Heart Of The Sea (Warner Bros. Pictures)
In this epic tale of a ship crew's battle with a mammoth whale, Herman Melville finds the inspiration that will later spur him to write his incredible novel, "Moby Dick." In 1820, the New England vessel Essex is beset by a gargantuan whale that leaves the ship crippled. The captain and his crew struggle for survival as storms, starvation and the whale push them to the brink.
Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Road Chip (Twentieth Century Fox)
Alvin, Theodore and Simon become convinced, through a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, that Dave is going to propose to his new girlfriend while in Miami and leave them. The trio of rambunctious chipmunks set out on a mission to stop the proposal in three days or less.
Sisters (Universal Pictures)
SNL alums Tina Fey and Amy Poehler team up with "Pitch Perfect" director Jason Moore for this comedy romp centering on a pair of thirty-something sisters who return home to clean out their bedrooms when the house in which they grew up is placed on the market. The two women, hoping to recapture some of that high school magic, plan one last bawdy blowout.
PETS AND PET LOVERS
By Kimberly M. Aquilina
Memorable Pets – Big Life Dogs ($51.97-$150.97)
Whether your loved one with Alzheimer's had to give up care of their pet due to disease or just loves to hold something soft, Memorable Pets has great life-like plush pets that can engage, calm and help pass the time for a dementia patient. Children and those suffering from psychological distress can also benefit from Memorable Pets, said Bettina Dickson Rusher, co-founder of the company.
Some of the newest products in the Memorable Pets line are the Big Life Dogs. "These are larger special order dogs," Rusher told HNGN in an email. "Our standard dogs are 16-18 inches long and these are 24-34 inches in size, and also very realistic looking."
Memorable Pets was developed with input from licensed experts, according to the company's website, and 10 percent of all retail proceeds (from web purchases) are donated to help support Alzheimer's care and research.
To shop for Big Life Dogs and other products, like Comfy Cats, Cutest Kittens, Believable Babies, Passionate Puppies or Pet Shop Kits, hop over to Memorable Pets' website.
The Kitty Convict Project ($10-$14 + free shipping)
The folks who brought the "Exploding Kittens" game to the world are trying to make things right with cats and cat lovers, so they have concocted the brilliant Kitty Convict Project. "It's our form of cat atonement. Catonement," the company wrote on its website.
According to the project's webpage, more than 7 million pets go missing every year. Lost dogs fare better, with 26 percent being returned to their homes, but cats don't have that kind of luck. Less than 5 percent of lost cats are returned to their owners. Why? If a dog is loose, people often assume he is an escaped canine, but when a cat is spotted outdoors, many aren't sure if the free feline is a feral cat, a stray or an indoor escapee.
To end this problem (and to "end the cat nudity"), the Kitty Convict Project suggests dressing your little cat burglar in orange as a bright, reflective sign that he or she just busted out and belongs back in the Clink Sweet Clink. You can dress your flirty ninja in an orange bow tie, orange underpants or – more practical – an orange collar, like one of these offered by Exploding Kittens and GoTags on Amazon. You have two styles to choose from: collar with a tag or embroidered collar.
To learn more, check out this Pets Happy Zone article on the Kitty Convict Project.
PetBot ($189)
If you or your pets suffer from separation anxiety while you're out of the house, PetBot can help ease some of that stress by allowing you to interact with your stay-at-home furry lovebugs while you're on the go!
PetBot, the "smart pet monitor that keeps you connected," boasts a live "petcam," treat dispenser, two-way microphone and speaker, bark recognition and is iOS and Android compatible.
So, if you want a puppy selfie sent to your phone while you're at work, check out PetBot's Indiegogo site. Right now, you can get the whole package (white PetBot, wall mount, cover, power adaptor, different gears for various treat sizes and the PetBot apps) at 20 percent off. Full disclosure, you might not get it until May 2016, but you only have a limited time to take advantage of the discount.
FASHION & BEAUTY
By Gina Masilotti
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lustrous Lip Gloss Set ($40)
This lip gloss set is the perfect holiday gift for the makeup lover in your life who'll want to rock every shade from metallic champagne gold to a moody plum purple. The box includes eight of Anastasia Beverly Hills' bestselling colors from its ultra-smooth weightless formulas for the perfect long-lasting shine. Oprah even had a little something to do with the contents of this box and included them on her 2015 Favorite Things List. "My eyebrow guru, Anastasia, launched a collection of lip glosses this year and I love how bold and rich they are," Oprah wrote on her site. "Did I mention they stay on forever? I personally curated this set's colors, all perfect basics that go from day to night." This set is an incredible deal, too, because these full-size lip glosses are typically $16 each and with this, you're getting eight of them for only $40!
Ugg Toscana Tech Earmuff ($75)
Ugg is famous for its insanely warm boot sand amazing winter accessories so it's no surprise that these these suede and sheepskin earmuffs are as warm as they are chic and stylish. The best part is that they also double as headphones so you can listen to your music no matter where you are. They come in four different colors –black, chestnut, chocolate and peacoat (navy blue) – and will become the one winter item you'll never want to leave home without.
Drybar Peace on Earth Good Hair to All ($199)
While going to places like Drybar to get a blowout can be fun, sometimes all you need are the right tools to do it yourself at home. This amazing grooming set that's straight from Drybar itself contains everything you need for the perfect DIY blowout: a Buttercup Blow-Dryer, which is the same one used in the salons to increase shine and reduces frizz; Hold Me Hair Clips, which are strong and let you section your hair without any falling out during styling; a Morning After Shower Cap that absorbs steam and prevents frizz so you can still shower without having to worry about ruining your blowout; Triple Sec 3-in-1, a hair spray product that texturizes, amplifies and refreshes your hair to improve volume; the Double Pint Large Round Ceramic Brush, the perfect blowout brush because its vented barrel decreases drying time, smooths and straightens all hair lengths as well as creates soft waves for longer hair; and – finally – the Hot Toddy Heat & UV Protectant Lotion, a lightweight product that works as a heat protectant to prevent dryness, damage and breakage. This set, which is a $290 value, is only $199 and is only available at Drybar or Sephora.
NARS Steven Klein Collaboration One Shocking Moment Cheek Palette ($69)
This limited-edition cheek palette includes everything you need for the perfect contour and glow all in one. NARS and famous fashion photographer Steven Klein got together to create this seven-shade palette to make your face always look like it's in the best lighting. The set includes four blushes, a contouring duo and a glowing bronzer for alluring cheeks and an emphasized look. The palette is available for $69 at Sephora and is a $165 value.
STAR WARS MERCHANDISE
By Brandon Katz
Clothes
No matter how old you get, it's still perfectly OK to pretend to be an iconic character from a galaxy far, far away. But now, instead of just pretending, you can actually dress the part. Top-tier fashion designers such as Diane von Furstenberg have created chic new outfits based on characters from the highly anticipated new film "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." The above outfit is based on Daisy Ridley's scavenger character Rey and is described as a "rag and bone" design.
Beauty Products
CoverGirl is rolling out a massive new line of "Star Wars"-themed products starting with its spirited new nail polishes, mascaras and lipsticks. Colors range from "Droid," which borrows C-3PO's sleek golden metallic look, to "Dark Apprentice," a deep and powerful red, and "Natural," which channels the white serenity of your inner Jedi. The Force is strong with these products.
Millennium Falcon Bed
Who didn't grow up wanting to be Han Solo? Unfortunately, the restraints of modern technology kept us away from intergalactic smuggling rings. But you can still pass that lifelong affinity on to your children with this epic Millennium Falcon-themed children's bed. Available only in twin size at Pottery Barn Kids, sleeping soundly in a bed like this is a dream come true for any real "Star Wars" fan.
TECH
By John Nassivera
JBL Pulse 2
JBL's Pulse 2 is available now for anyone looking for a Bluetooth Speaker that can also project a cool LED light show. Features include drivers, an LED system underneath, a 360-degree waterproof grille, passive radiators that increase audio quality with an improved bass and a battery that powers the device for 10 hours on a single charge. Use Connect Mode to pair two Pulse speakers to play music from your phone. You can get the JBL Pulse 2 at Amazon, Dell or JBL's website for $199.95.
Belkin QODE Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2
iPad Air and Air 2 owners looking to up their user experience should get Belkin's QODE Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case. The keyboard comes with a back cover to keep the device safe whenever you're on the move, ta full keyboard that are backlit so work in lowlight. The keyboard comes with a Micro-USB cord for charging, and one charge will let you use the device for up to one year. Improve your iPad Air this holiday season with the QODE Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case, which goes for $149.99 at online retailers.
Garmin Forerunner 630 Bundle GPS Running Watch
This Christmas Garmin is treating athletes and fitness enthusiasts to a watch that provides an advanced running experience. Users are given a variety of dynamics for stride, cadence and ground contact time, and the battery can be replaced and lasts a long time. Capabilities include measuring heart rate, stress, performance condition and predicted race times, as well as providing notifications for texts, calls and calendar reminders. You can get the Forerunner 630 at Amazon for $449.99.
DVD/BLU-RAY/STREAMING RELEASES
By Emily Morgan
DVD/Blu-ray
He Named Me Malala (20th Century Fox)
Documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim explores the extraordinary life of Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and strong advocate for education across the globe, in his latest project.
Special features on the DVD were unavailable.
Ted 2 (Universal Studios)
Mark Wahlberg teams up with his favorite stuffed bear, Ted (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) for another outlandish adventure. Ted and his new wife Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) wish to adopt a child, but to qualify as a suitable parent, he must prove he's a person in the eyes of the law.
Special features on the Blu-ray DVD include deleted scenes and audio commentary with MacFarlane, Barth, Alec Sulkim and Wellesley Wild as well as a look at the big-name cameos, the making of the Comic-Con sequence and road trip sequence, a behind-the-scenes of the title sequence dance routine and much more.
Defiance: Season 3 (Universal Studios)
Syfy cancelled this post-apocalyptic series after its third season, but the show broke significant ground in its cross-platform experience between television and video games.
Special features on the Blu-ray DVD include deleted scenes.
Other movies and TV shows available on Blu-ray and DVD include:
- Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (Paramount); Maze Runner: Scorch Trials (20th Century Fox); Fantastic Four (20th Century Fox); War Room (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment); Pan (Warner Home Video); Time Out of Mind (MPI Home Video); Wolf Totem (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment); Nasty Baby (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment); Dragon Blade (Lionsgate); 12 Rounds 3: Lockdown (Lionsgate); CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Final Season (Paramount); Extant: Season 2 (Paramount); Marco Polo: Season 1 (Anchor Bay); Teen Wolf: Season 5 - Part 1 (MGM); Dominion: Season 2 (Universal Studios)
Movies and TV Streaming Online
F Is for Family
The new Netflix original series centers on a lower-middle class family living in the 1970s. The show is based on the childhood of comedian Bill Burr, who co-created the animated comedy with Michael Price.
Netflix has the first season available for streaming.
Meet the Patels
In this docu-comedy, the almost 30-year-old Ravi Patel gets help from his parents and extended family to find a wife in the traditional Indian way.
iTunes has the film available for purchase.
Transparent
Golden Globe-winner Jeffrey Tambor returns as the transgender woman Martha Phefferman in the critically acclaimed and award-winning Amazon original series. The second season continues to push the boundaries, further exploring Martha's transition and her family.
Amazon has the first season available for streaming.
Check out our complete list of movies available for streaming on Netflix this month and see below for more options on Amazon Prime and for purchase at iTunes.
iTunes
• American Hero
• Christmas Eve
• Close Range
• Dangerous Men
• Disney Original Movies
• Earthrise
• For Heaven's Sake
• Hannibal: The Complete Series
• Harold Lloyd Shorts: Vol. 1
• He Named Me Malala
• Hitman: Agent 47
• The Kid Brother
• The Kindergarten Teacher
• Knock Knock
• Life
• Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
• Night Owls
• One & Two
• Pan
• Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
• Pawn Sacrifice
• Phoenix
• Santa Who?
• Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse
• Seems Like Old Times
• Snervous Tyler Oakley
• Speedy
• Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation
• Uncle Nick
• The Visit
• The Wannabe
• War Room
• Why Worry?
• The Wiz Live!
• Zombie High
• 12 Rounds 3: Lockdown
Amazon
• Cutie and the Boxer
• Interstellar
• Meet Me in Montenegro
• Mozart in the Jungle: Season 2
• Selma
• Transparent: Season 2
• Tumble Leaf: Season 2
