Coveted: The Decemberists, Cooking Essentials and 'Dear White People' Edition – HNGN's Music, Gadgets, Movies, Fashion & Beauty, Tech and DVD Picks Of The Week

Welcome to HNGN's weekly top picks, where we cull the best and brightest releases in music, fashion, beauty, tech and pop culture. Come back each week for more of-the-moment goodness. -Editing by Nicholas Parco.

[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

Marilyn Manson: The Pale Emperor (Loma Vista Recordings)
Marilyn Manson's shock-rock shtick is still intact, but on "The Pale Emperor," his ninth studio album, he strips away much of the musical artifice, exposing the songs at their core. What's revealed is, for the most part, tuneful guitar rock in the grunge vein. Case in point: the layered, ominous and melodic earworm "Third Day of a Seven Day Binge."

Hear for yourself below.

The Decemberists: What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World (Capitol)
Literary-minded lyricist and frontman Colin Meloy and company are back with "What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World," The Decemberists' seventh album. The Portland, Ore., indie-folk outfit hasn't lost its knack for English major phrase-turning, but there's a certain directness and simplicity at work here, too.

Check out a lyric video for "A Beginning Song" below.

Fall Out Boy: American Beauty/American Psycho (Island/ Virgin EMI)
Pop-punk/emo superstars Fall Out Boy are now two albums deep into a comeback, following up 2013's "Save Rock and Roll" with this week's similarly high-minded title "American Beauty/American Psycho." As expected, it's chock full of radio and arena-ready anthems, like the title track. Check it out below.

Sleater-Kinney: No Cities to Love (Sub Pop)
As Sleater-Kinney, Corin Tucker, Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss were one of the key players in the "riot grrrl" feminist punk movement. Following a decade-long hiatus, the trio is back with "No Cities to Love." Taut and rambunctious, the album finds a band that seems to be recharged by its break – which has included Brownstein's co-starring role alongside Fred Armisen in the IFC comedy series "Portlandia."

FASHION & BEAUTY
By Oulimata Ba

Gerard Cosmetics

I'm all abuzz about this new California-based cosmetics company designed to upgrade your makeup regimen with pure, classic colors and a twist of glamour for everyday wear.

Some of my fellow HNGN makeup enthusiasts – Ashley Helms and Amanda Bernocco – and I had a mini lipstick/lip gloss party in the office, and we were not disappointed. The Wild Orchid lip gloss I tried on delivered a coat of shiny yet subtle violet gloss. I increased the pigmentation by adding more coats, making it perfect to bring along for a day-to-night look that promises added pizazz. The gloss applicator also lights up. How's that for a glamorous and ingenius twist?

I also recommend the Cherry Cordial lipstick for a smooth, semi-matte look in a bold berry tone.

Gerard Cosmetics come in lipsticks, glosses, brow powders and a BB cream ranging from $19 to $88 beauty kits.

Shawl wraps
I've always been obsessed with wraps. To me, they're a sophisticated alternative to coats I rarely see in public but would love to see more of – like that office crush you see for only a few glorious hours a day before he heads home. One reason that are not yet ubiquitous may originate with the fear of stepping out looking like you're wearing a blanket.

But when worn right – such as wearing a collared wrap or creating a more defined silhouette using a belt – shawl wraps can make any outfit look chic. So I challenge readers to cast aside their oppressive winter coats, if only for a day, in favor of this Echo shawl wrap on sale for $58.50, or this leopard print mix between a coat and wrap on sale for $159.

BLO & GO
You can't beat a beauty accesory like BLO & GO which functions as an extra arm as you style your hair. The adjustable device attaches to doors and mirrors, holding your hair dryer in place while you brush.

The BLO & GO, newly redesigned with improvements, is available for $39.95 at Bloandgo.com.

Winter dresses

It can be surprisingly hard to find weather-suitable dresses – ones that actually have sleeves – this time of year. In fact, designers have suffered more than a bit of consumer backlash for making sleeveless winter dresses. Nevertheless, here are a few to keep you stylish and warm (but not as warm as sweater dresses, which often makes me feel like a walking sauna).

H&M has a fitted beige-and-black winter dress for $49.50, as does Nasty Gal for $39.

January is also perfect timing to purchase winter dresses because many labels, like Armani Exchange, are still offering post-holiday sales.

MOVIES
By Jordan Webb

The Boy Next Door (Universal Pictures)
Jennifer Lopez stars as Claire Peterson, a recently divorced mother who gives into temptation with the teenaged boy next door. When she tries to end the relationship, things turn violent.

Watch the trailer below.

Mortdecai (Lionsgate)
Charlie Mortdecai (Johnny Depp), an art dealer, must use his handsome looks and seductive charm as he travels the world in search of a stolen painting that supposedly contains the code to a bank account filled with Nazi gold. Standing in his way? Angry Russians, his wife, the British MI5 and a terrorist.

Watch the trailer below.

Strange Magic (Touchstone Pictures)
Lucasfilm's latest animated feature is a family-friendly musical inspired by Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The film follows goblins, elves, fairies and imps as they encounter mishap after mishap while pursuing a magical potion.

Watch the trailer below.

COOKING ESSENTIALS
By Amanda Bernocco

Nordic Ware Rolled Omelet Pan ($49.95)
Williams-Sonoma

If you find making omelets a difficult chore, you need to get your hands on a rolled omelet pan. It's built-in divider provides a perfect guide for placing fillingsand the included spatula is designed for easy roll and flip. You will never eat a torn or messy omelet again.

Fruit and Vegetable Cube Cutter ($47.99)
Gefu
Can you imagine a world where chopping and slicing onions was a pleasant, tear-free experience? The Gefu fruit and vegetable cube cutter is designed for just that goal in mind, reducing the time it takes to make your favorite salads and salsas.

Chef Design Ceramic Pot Minder ($5.89)
JBKPottery
It seems like we wait for ever for water to boil and just when it does we get distracted. Then the water boils over and we're left with dangerous cleanup. Say goodbye to that unpleasantness thanks to this tiny piece of ceramic. The Pot Minder is designed to chatter at the bottom of the pot to get your attention. But even if you can't rush back to the stove, the Pot Minder will make an adjustment, modifying the formation, size and number of bubbles rising from the bottom of the pot to avoid an overflow.

Automatic Home Canning System ($299.95)
FreshTECH

With this system you will finally be able to can and preserve mom's homemade jams, jellies, sauces, tomatoes and salsas. With the push of a button, the system will seal the jar for you, so there is absolutely no guesswork involved. Foods can stay shelf-stable in the jars for up to one year.

Pasta Maker ($299.95)
Philips Avance
This maker creates pasta with the same texture and authentic flavor you remember from grandma's kitchen. The machine mixes and kneads the dough to the perfect texture before extruding it. Whether you're looking to make a hearty Italian meal, healthy whole-wheat pasta or an Asian entrée, this pasta maker will save you precious time.

TECH
By John Nassivera

Piper Smart Home Security Camera
The Piper Smart Home Security Camera is available now with a major upgrade. The new version comes with a collection of night vision (nv) sensors that allows users to view what's going on in their homes even when it's pitch black. Additional improvements include a high-resolution camera and sharp video. You can get the original Piper on Amazon in black or white for $200 and the Piper nv for $270.

BlackBerry Black and Gold Passport

BlackBerry is currently selling a limited edition black and gold version of its Passport smartphone. There are currently only 50 gold Passports available, each with a frame made of stainless steel. The new Passports are available on BlackBerry's online store for $899 and the company is offering a leather case with each phone.

Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor
Athletes and people looking to get in better shape can make sure they meet their goals with the Polar FT7 heart rate monitor. The watch will show real-time information while you exercise so you know how much fat and calories you're burning and how much you're improving in your workouts. The FT7 is available on Amazon in different color options: black/silver for $70, black/red for $70, blue/lilac for $64, red/orange for $75 and lilac/pink for $77.

DVD/BLU-RAY
By Emily Morgan

Lucy (Universal Studios)

Scarlett Johansson kicked serious butt in two movies last year, but only director Luc Besson gave her the opportunity to show off her impressive action skills without a male co-star "superhero" to share the frame.

Johansson plays a female drug mule who must move a synthetic drug by transporting it inside her stomach. When the drug leaks, it causes her intelligence to soar, giving her the capability to access 100 percent of her brain's functioning.

She chooses to employ her newfound abilities seeking revenge on the captors who turned her into a mule. Along the way she enlists the help of a professor (Morgan Freeman), an expert on the human mind, and a French police captain (Amr Waked).

Special features on the Blu-Ray/DVD include a making-of with Besson, Johansson and Freeman as well as a deeper dive into the science behind the movie, guided by Freeman.

The Boxtrolls (Universal Studios)
The Oscar-nominated Best Animated Feature Film takes its story from the children's novel "Here Be Monsters" by Alan Snow.

Isaac Hempstead Wright ("Game of Thrones") voices Eggs, an orphan boy raised by underground trolls known as Boxtrolls. The young boy devises a plan to help keep his adopted family safe from the exterminator and town's villain, Archibald Snatcher.

Other voice actors include Ben Kingsley, Elle Fanning, Jared Harris, Nick Frost, Toni Collette and Tracy Morgan.

Special features on the Blu-Ray/DVD include audio commentary with directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacci, a behind-the-scenes special and five featurettes that take viewers inside the movie.

The Drop (20th Century Fox)

The late James Gandolfini's final big-screen performance co-starring Tom Hardy revolves around a robbery gone wrong and the ensuing investigation will involves everyone Gandolfini's character's life – from close friends and family to neighborhood foes.

Special features on the Blu-Ray/DVD include deleted scenes and audio commentary with Michael R. Roskam and Dennis Lehane. The DVD also includes five behind-the-scenes featurettes plus a character profile on Gandolfini.

Other Movies and TV Shows Available on Blu-Ray and DVD include:

• Annabelle (Warner Home Video)

• The Green Prince (Music Box Films)

• The Zero Theorem (Well Go USA)

• White Bird in a Blizzard (Magnolia Home Entertainment)

• Rudderless (Paramount)

• The Internet's Own Boy (Alive Mind)

• Wolves (Ketchup)

Movies and TV Streaming Online

Ilizia Shlesinger: Freezing Hot
Netflix will premiere the exclusive one-hour comedy special filmed by the female comedian at the Gothic Theatre in Denver. She highlights the universal struggles between men and women and reveals women's best kept secrets.

She speaks about first date attire, fantasy break-ups and women's obsession with fall (autumn) in her follow up to her comedy special "War Paint."

Netflix will have it available for streaming on Jan. 23.

Dracula Untold

The film creates its own origin story for the Dracula instead of adapting the classic Bram Stoker novel and its character Count Dracula. Instead, Luke Evans stars as the ruler of Transylvania, known as Vlad Tepes.

Reluctantly, Vlad must seek the terrible power that turns him into a vampire monster, but it will give him the ability to defeat an army of Turks and keep his family and kingdom safe.

Universal Pictures plans to tie the film into a planned Universal Monsters franchise, which will include Frankenstein, The Wolfman, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein and a reboot of "The Mummy."

iTunes will have the film available for purchase on Feb. 3.

Dear White People
The satirical film highlights four black students attending an Ivy League school. Controversy arises when white students throw a black-face party. Overall, the movie explores racial identity in a world claiming to be post-racial.

Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson and Kyle Gallner star in the 2014 film.

iTunes has the film available for purchase.

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.

Amazon Prime:

• Repentance (available Jan. 25)

• Gloria (available Jan. 27)

iTunes:

• 23 Blast

• The Best of Me

• The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

• Drumline: A New Beat

• The Green Prince