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 every other week for more of-the-moment goodness. -Editing by Michael Lello and Nicholas Parco.
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MUSIC
By Michael Lello
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds: Chasing Yesterday (SourMash)
As the chief songwriter in Oasis, Noel Gallagher wrote some of the most memorable songs of the 1990s. Since the demise of the Britpop giants amid his acrimonious split with frontman brother Liam, Gallagher has turned his attention to his own group, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. “Chasing Yesterday,” his second album under the avian-inspired moniker, is roughly what we’ve come to expect from him: big, brash songs with melody for miles.
Check out the video for the propulsive “Ballad Of The Mighty I”:
Madonna: Rebel Heart (Boy Toy/Live Nation/Interscope)
More than 30 years since Madonna launched her career, she continues to provoke. On “Rebel Heart,” she explores topics ranging from Armageddon to the Illuminati while bringing in musical themes that go beyond the dance-floor vibe of her previous record, 2012’s “MDNA.”
Will Butler: Policy (Merge)
In Arcade Fire, Will Butler is the lesser-known Butler, standing in the shadow of his brother Win Butler’s imposing figure. On “Policy,” the younger sibling makes a first solo statement that doesn’t veer too far from the Arcade Fire blueprint, especially on “Anna” (see the video below). However, “Policy” employs less grandiosity than your average Arcade Fire album, and Butler’s own voice as a New Age and punk acolyte shines emerges.
Steven Wilson: Hand.Cannot.Erase (Kscope)
As the driving force behind Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson has established himself as the brightest star in the neo-progressive rock world. He’s also carved out a niche for himself as a solo artist. On “Hand.Cannot.Erase,” his fourth solo foray, he continues to combine his mastery of atmospherics and soundscapes that provide eerie backdrops for his characteristically dark lyrics.
See for yourself in this video for “Perfect Life,” taken from the new album:
MOVIES
By Jordan Webb
Cinderella (Disney)
This live-action adaptation of the classic fairytale stars Lily James as Cinderella, with Cate Blanchett as her cruel stepmother and Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother. Famed director and thespian Kenneth Branagh (“Hamlet,” “Thor”) directs.
Run All Night (Warner Bros.)
A hit man (Liam Neeson) must decide between family and friends when his estranged son kills the child of his longtime mob boss (Ed Harris). Neeson reteams with director Jaume Collet-Serra (“Unknown,” “Non-Stop”) for their third action flick together.
It Follows (RADiUS-TWC)
A teenage girl begins to see strange visions after a sexual encounter. The visions continue, and soon she begins to feel something – or someone – is following her.
TATTOO ESSENTIALS
By Sandra Weyant
Tattoo enthusiasts who love ink but care about their job security can fear no more. TatJacket’s wide array of tattoo products will help conceal your ink while you’re on the clock but won’t damage your skin or the beautiful artwork. Professional by day, hardcore by night.
Tattoo Covers
Ever thought about covering up your tattoo with another tattoo? TatJacket’s Eclipse tattoo covers work in a similar fashion as the temporary tattoos you applied with a warm washcloth. Eclipse tattoo covers are flesh colored and come in different-sized sheets so you can cut them to fit the size of your tattoo. The sheets are available in six unique colors - Ivory, Lite, Fair, Olive, Pale and Tan – and they last for three or more days. Like other temporary tattoos, these sheets are “waterproof, smudge and smear-proof,” and are your best option for a quick application that requires little work and little spending money. The combination pack costs $9.95.
Cover-Up Sleeves
TatJacket’s cover-up sleeves are a best-seller among ink addicts. These “sleeves” are available in a range of colors and sizes suited to each individual’s needs. The TatJacket JR Sleeves are designed for hiding tattoos on the wrist or ankle. TatJacket “Ike Jacket” half-sleeves are used on the upper arm or lower leg, and the TatJacket Full Tattoo Cover Up Sleeves are used to conceal full-sleeve arm tattoos.
Sleeves are sold in pairs and are available in tan, black, brown and white hues, TatJacket’s site says. The sleeves are made from a matte fabric that’s breathable, flexible and comfortable for all-day wear (plus, it’s silky-smooth)! Full sleeves are $19.95, Ike Jackets are $17.95, TatJacket Jr’s are $15.95 and wrist covers are $13.95.
“Only unique TatJacket gives you the ability to wear the most comfortable work clothing for the season without violating any company rules,” the product description reads.
Concealer
Yes, there is makeup specifically for your tattoos. For women, it’s just like applying your everyday foundation or trying desperately to cover up a hickey . . . this could be your new remedy? TatJacket’s tattoo concealer is made with chamomile extract and minerals for a silky touch and flawless look that provides the ultimate coverage. Like the tattoo covers, the concealer comes in six shades – Light Tan, Light Bronze, Light, Dark Tan, Medium Bronze and Dark Bronze. Feel free to mix colors to match your skin tone. The water-resistant concealer costs $19.95 per jar, but there are discounts when you purchase more than one.
Daily Maintenance
If you’re not trying to cover up and you’re looking for something to liven up your tattoos and refresh their colors, TatJacket’s Tattoo Science maintenance kit is just what you need. TatJacket sells the kit on its site for $24.99, and it’s worth every penny. The kit comes with tattoo cleanser, shine spray, sunscreen and lotion. These products keep your skin hydrated without causing irritation and work to protect your tattoos from exposure to UV rays. The Tattoo Science maintenance kit can be used on all skin types and the products are oil and fragrance-free to avoid reactions to chemicals.
Aftercare
TatJacket’s Tattoo Science aftercare kit is awesome for new tattoos. If you’ve been tattooed, you know what it feels like when your session is over – sun-burnt sensations and throbbing beneath the skin that not even a bag of frozen strawberries and an aspirin can cure. The aftercare kit contains a life-changing ingredient that will make you not want to wait a few more months before scheduling your next appointment. The tattoo balm is an antibacterial pain reliever that works to promote faster healing and alleviate discomfort. Apply the balm two to three times daily and massage it into your new tattoo to restore elasticity in order to avoid skin breakage and lesions. You can get this aftercare kit for $14.99.
Visit TatJacket’s website to learn more.
DVD/BLU-RAY
By Emily Morgan
Foxcatcher (Sony Pictures)
Steve Carell makes a phenomenal transformation in his Oscar-nominated role as John du Pont, the multimillionaire sponsor of the 1988 Olympic Wrestling Team. He goes almost unrecognizable with the addition of a prosthetic nose, but the character’s intense demeanor stands in stark contrast to Carell’s more humorous roles.
Du Pont teams up with the Schultz brothers, two world-class wrestlers, and invites them to train at his new state-of-art facility. Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) jumps at the chance, but his brother, David (Mark Ruffalo), is skeptical of du Pont.
Based on a true story, the quest for glory leads to tragic circumstances. The film also stars Sienna Miller, as David’s wife Nancy, and Vanessa Redgrave, as du Pont’s mother.
Special features on the Blu-ray/DVD include two deleted scenes and a making-of featurette that looks at the true story, casting, Carell’s makeup and the music, and Nancy Schultz shares what she thought of the movie.
Night at the Museum 3: Secret of the Tomb (20th Century Fox)
In one of his final films, Robin Williams reprises the role of Theodore Roosevelt to complete the trilogy of history-comes-to-life movies, starring Ben Stiller. The two actors head up another adventure that takes them across the pond to The British Museum in order to save the magic that keeps them coming to life every night.
Many favorite characters return in the third movie, including cowboy Jedediah (Owen Wilson), Roman leader Octavius (Steve Coogan), Egyptian Pharaoh Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek), Attila the Hun (Patrick Gallagher) and Sacajawea (Mizou Peck). The film also introduces new historical figures such as Ahkmenrah’s father Merenkahre (Ben Kingsley) and Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens).
Special features on the Blu-ray/DVD include deleted and extended scenes, audio commentary with director Shawn Levy, and a behind-the-scenes look at the actors’ improvisation on set. Other features include a piece on how Stiller acted against himself as Laaa, a tour of The British Museum, and a closer look at certain set pieces such as the M.C. Escher set.
Longmire: Season 3 (Warner Home Video)
The A&E series ended on a cliffhanger as a shot rang out before the final episode ended. That could have been the end when the network decided to cancel the show, but Netflix came to its rescue to give it a fourth season.
The modern day Western stars Robert Taylor as the recently widowed Wyoming sheriff Walt Longmire and Katee Sackhoff as one of his deputies. The season finale left audiences wondering what happened when disgraced ex-deputy Branch Connally (Bailey Chase) confronted the killer of Walt’s wife and a shotgun went off.
Special features on the Blu-ray/DVD include an interview with the executive producers and cast about the overall themes of the third season.
Other Movies and TV Shows Available on Blu-Ray and DVD include:
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 1 (Lionsgate); Life Partners (Magnolia Home Entertainment); Ask Me Anything (Phase 4 Films); Believe Me (Virgil Films and Entertainment); Barbie in Princess Power (Universal Studios); Da Vinci’s Demons: Season 2 (Anchor Bay); Innocence (Cinedigm); Let’s Kill Ward’s Wife (Well Go USA); State of Affairs: Season 1 (Universal); Outlander: Season 1 (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment); The Better Angels (Anchor Bay); Captive (Lionsgate); The Humbling (Millennium Entertainment); The Last of Robin Hood (Universal Studio); Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Neverbeast (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment); Transporter: Season 1 (20th Century Fox); Listen Up Philip (Cinedigm); Pioneer (Magnolia Home Entertainment); Alpha & Omega: The Great Wolf Games (Lionsgate); Dark Haul (Shout! Factory); Devil May Call (Lionsgate); Red Sky (Inception Media Group); Legend of Korra – Book Four: Balance (Nickelodeon); The Red Tent (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment); Wolfcop (Image Entertainment)
Movies and TV Streaming Online
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Season 1
"30 Rock" creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock almost saw their quirky comedy cut down before it could air one episode. NBC passed on the series, starring Ellie Kemper, but Netflix quickly swooped in to save the show.
Kemper stars as a woman rescued from an apocalyptic cult after living underground in a bunker for 15 years with three other women. She decides to start anew in New York City and rediscover who she is since having gone underground as an eighth-grader.
Trying to escape her past, she makes several new friends, including her gay black roommate Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess), her boss Jacqueline Voorhees (Jane Krakowski) and her landlord Lillian Kaushtupper (Carol Kane).
The entire season is available for streaming exclusively at Netflix.
Top Five
Chris Rock wrote, directed and starred in this film about a comedian who wants to play more dramatic roles. But his reputation and a reality star fiancée (Gabrielle Union) bent on broadcasting their wedding on TV may stand in his way.
A reporter (Rosario Dawson) follows Rock’s character Andre to document his transition and learn why he decided to do something other than comedy. Cameos come from Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Whoopi Golberg, Charlie Rose, Gabourey Sidibe and Taraji P. Henson.
iTunes has the movie available for purchase.
Taxi Driver
Robert De Niro and a young Jodie Foster both received Oscar nominations for their roles in the gritty Martin Scorsese film that launched a hairstyle and an often imitated mirror scene. The film also featured one of the most iconic quotes and touched something extremely disturbing in John Hinckley's brain. He mimicked a theme in the film and attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in order to gain actress Foster's attention.
De Niro stars as a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran suffering from insomnia who becomes obsessed with saving a 12-year-old prostitute (Foster). His obsession extends to cleaning up the cesspool that New York City has become – all in an attempt to impress a presidential campaign worker.
Amazon has the film 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
• Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Neverbeast
• Foxcatcher
• The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies
• Exodus: Gods and Kings
• Life Partners
• To Wrote Love on Her Arms
• Thomas & Friends: The Adventure Begins
• Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown
• After
• Thomas & Friends: Dinos & Discoveries
• NFL Super Bowl XLIX Champions: New England Patriots
• Ranma 1/2: Season 5
• Innocence
• Loitering with Intent
• Road Hard
• Bad Asses on the Bayou
• These Final Hours
• Tribe Cool Crew: Vol. 1
• Faults
• Buzzard
• Regular Show: Vol. 10
• Muck
• Kidnapping Mr. Heineken
• Liv and Maddie: Vol. 4
• Fairy Tale: Season 7, Part 1
• Night at the Museum 3: Secret of the Tomb
• R100
• Mysteries of the Unseen World
• Annie
• A Most Violent Year
• Unbroken
• Russell Madness
• Shania Twain: Still the One
• Age of the Dragons
• Halley
• Monster High: Haunted
• Capricorn One
• Jinn
Amazon
• The Nanny Diaries
• Center Stage: Turn It Up
• Donnie Brasco
• The Kill Team
• Listen Up Philip
• Back Issues
• The Angriest Man in Brooklyn
• Tyler Perry’s The Single Moms Club
FASHION & BEAUTY
By Oulimata Ba
Nailtiques Nail Protein Formula 2
Of all my “problem” areas, my weak, paper-thin nails are the worst. They haunt me. Even with a gel manicure, a week won't have gone by before I’ll notice the telltale signs of splitting nails.
But in comes Nailtiques Nail Protein Formula 2 – the first nail treatment I’ve ever used that did what it promised. It’s a crazy-effective formula with keratin, calcium and gelatin that fuses the nail’s layers together, making them tougher and sturdier over time.
Formula 2 works best for me, but Nailtique has others for hard, dry nails and for maintaining healthy ones.
LuxeFinds.com
LuxeFinds.com is the ultimate one-stop fashion search engine. A simple search for “watches” or “pumps” turns up only the best results from well-known, established designers – Tory Burch, Michael Kors and Kate Spade, to name a few.
The site filters results by clothing or accessory item, color and brand. If you find yourself wracking your brain over what to buy for a significant other’s birthday, you can sign up for a free gift concierge that offers personalized suggestions based on the person’s tastes and your budget.
Microderm360°
The Microderm360° is a powerful skincare tool which uses a suction method to cleanse the face and contains a stainless steel tip to collect dead skin cells. After using this device for a week I was left with brighter skin and my acne was reduced. I could even see the dead skin cells collected in the filter. The only negative is the nightly prep time that comes from changing the very tiny filters. In all, however, I recommend this $249 product to people who suffer from dryness or acne and want to achieve healthier skin.
- By Lindsey Bullerdick
Zara Bell Sleeve Coat
As spring fever creeps in for students everywhere, I’ll be dealing with chronic spending fever, when every designer releases their spring catalogs at the same time, beckoning me to purchase all spring things I covet, like this pastel yellow, button-down coat with bell sleeves from Zara for $169. And this striking A-line turquoise coat on sale now for $84.99 at Mango. Because retail therapy is a clinically proven cure, right?
Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Raver' Chronograph Bracelet Watch
No offense to the Apple Watch, but a sleek, sharp timepiece beats a blocky, digital watch any day. I've got my eye on a whimsical yet mature fuschia March by Marc Jacobs watch with rose gold trim around the dial. The $175 bracelet also comes in white, yellow and pink.
TECH
By John Nassivera
Myo Gesture Control Armband
Thalmic Labs has created a high-tech armband that you can control with hand gestures. The device, called Myo, reads the electrical activity in users’ muscles and the motion of their arms, and it comes with apps that let users control music and games. Bluetooth Smart allows the armband to work with Mac, Windows, Android and iOS. You can get Myo, available in black or white, on Amazon for $200.
FiLIP 2 Smart Locator
The new FiLIP smart locator comes in the form of a phone parents can wear and use to contact their kids in a way that lets their children play as they normally would. Users can call and text their kids and store up to five pre-programmed contacts, and the device works with Android 4.3 or higher and iOS 6 or higher. The FiLIP 2 is available on Amazon now in Superhero Blue and Watermelon Red for $150.
Wahoo TICKR Heart Rate Monitor
Wahoo Fitness has developed its own heart rate monitor for athletes that keeps track of factors like your heart rate and calories burned. The device, called TICKR, comes with an app and an eight-week training program for burning fat. The gadget will also work with up to 50 third-party apps like Nike+ Running, Runkeeper and MapMyFitness, and its coin cell battery will last up to 12 months. Fitness fanatics can buy TICKR now on Amazon for $59.95.
