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.
[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
Florence and the Machine: How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (Island)
The ethereal-voiced Florence Welch and her band The Machine return for their first new album in more than three years. One of the most adventurous bands to break into the mainstream in recent years, the U.K.-based group, now three years into its recording career, has achieved a level of consistency that positions it to be in the game for as long as it would like to be.
Check out Florence and the Machine’s video for “Ship To Wreck.”
Willie Nelson/ Merle Haggard: Django And Jimmie (Legacy)
Two of the founders of outlaw country music are back in business. Following the success of “Pancho & Lefty” in 1983, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard have continued to collaborate, and their latest is the new album “Django and Jimmie.” The title refers to Gypsy jazz guitar pioneer Django Reinhardt and Jimmie Rodgers, the early country-era singer.
Below, check out Willie and Merle singing their slyly titled “It’s All Going To Pot.”
Dawes: All Your Favorite Bands (Hub Records)
Neo-folk rock band Dawes has built up a considerable fan base – including David Letterman, who personally requested they perform on his show in April, and Bob Dylan, who took them on a recent tour as his opening act. Lead singer and primary writer Taylor Goldsmith puts a premium on smart, deeply personal lyrics, as you’ll hear in the video for “Things Happen” below.
Armored Saint: Win Hands Down (Metal Blade Records)
Bay Area thrash metal group Armored Saint have been around for three decades but have never gotten the credit it deserves, besides some glances when singer John Bush joined Anthrax in the early 1990s. Nevertheless, Armored Saint has put together a stellar catalog of hard-charging and often catchy heavy metal, and its new album, “Win Hands Down,” is no exception.
You can watch the video for the title track below.
MOVIES
By Jordan Webb
Entourage (Warner Bros.)
The boys are back in town. “Entourage” gets the big-screen treatment, with movie star Vince Chase, Eric, Turtle and Johnny all returning. This time Vince is set to make his directorial debut on a risky project backed by agent-turned-studio head Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven).
Spy (Twentieth Century Fox)
Melissa McCarthy stars as Susan Cooper, a CIA analyst who’s spent her career behind a desk. When her partner goes missing and another agent is compromised, the unassuming Cooper goes deep undercover to spy on an arms dealer and prevent a global catastrophe. Director Paul Feig (“Bridesmaids,” “The Heat”) teams up with McCarthy for a third time in this action-comedy adventure.
Insidious: Chapter 3 (Gramercy Pictures)
This prequel follows Elise Rainier, a gifted psychic, who no longer wants anything to do with the supernatural. She eventually agrees, albeit reluctantly, to use her gifts to commune with the dead in an effort to save a teenage girl from a demon.
FASHION & BEAUTY
By Oulimata Ba
Designer spotlight: Betsey Johnson
Congratulations to Betsey Johnson for winning the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award this week. Long before she received the prestigious honor, I was (and will always be) a "Betsey Babe." In high school my heart ached for her iconic tulle dresses, and my heart ached even more when she filed for Chapter 11.
As a homage to the iconic American designer, I've put together this Coveted-worthy Betsey ensemble for you: a tangerine A-line dress paired with floral-printed ankle strap sandals topped off with Betsey's dramatic cat eye shades.
What2WearWhere.com
I've really been into magazine-style shopping websites lately, like Gilt.com or more notably NET-A-PORTER. With What2WearWhere, (See, kids, grammar can be fun!) shoppers can search for a polished look for upcoming events, such as a graduations, parties, luncheons or vacations. If you're in a work wardrobe slump and want to burn everything in your closet, What2WearWhere's blog offers inspiration along with fashion tips, such as job-appropriate pantsuits for the spring.
The company also donates 25 percent of retail commissions to charity, guaranteeing a guilt-free shopping experience.
Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Nourishing & Conditioning Styling Foam
A recent trip to Carol's Daughter hair salon in Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood (It's called Mirror, and I highly recommend a visit if you're in the area) introduced me to the new Nourishing & Conditioning Styling Foam for women with coily, curly hair. Not as heavy as a curling cream but more effective than mousse, the styling foam is a perfect balance of the two it you still want to shape your curls and waves without weighing your hair down with so much gunk.
I was skeptical when the hairstylist slathered and massaged it into my hair before twisting it into individual sections. But three days later my twist-out was still fresh, and the curls increased in volume with each day.
Shop Carol's Daughter $12 styling foam here.
The ‘Tiffy’ Wrap
This is a lightweight, utilitarian wrap that can be worn at least 20 ways. Tried on and sampled by yours truly, I found that it can be used as a scarf, a shawl, a belted low-cut vest (it has designated cutouts for the arms) a trendy head wrap, a sarong for the beach and more than a dozen other ways. The fabric is soft and airy, so it's perfect for summer, and it comes in different prints and colors. I fell in love with the one with the flowers.
The Tiffy Wrap, the darling of nascent fashion designer FashionAngelWarrior, is available at the MultiChic store on Etsy starting at $44.99.
See all of the items featured in this week's Coveted on Pinterest.
TECH
By John Nassivera
GE Bright Stik LED Bulb
General Electric has released its own low-cost light bulb called the Bright Stik LED. The 10W bulb provides a 760 lumen light output at 2,850 K and will add only $1.20 per year to your electric bill. You can get the Bright Stik now in a 3-pack for $10, but GE hasn’t said when it will make the LEDs available individually.
Logitech MX Anywhere 2 Wireless Mobile Mouse
Logitech has introduced a new, cheaper version of its high-tech MX Master Wireless Mouse called the MX Anywhere 2 Wireless Mobile Mouse. The new mouse can work on any surface and can connect to up to three devices thanks to Logitech’s Easy-Switch button. Users can switch between desktops, laptops and tablets, and the device’s battery will last for up to 60 days on a single charge. Logitech will start selling the MX Anywhere 2 this month in the U.S. for $80.
Samsung Activewash Washer
Samsung seeks to provide customers with a new clothes washing experience with its Activewash washer. The appliance comes with a built-in sink and jet and boasts 5.2-cubic-feet of capacity. Users have the option to hand wash, prewash and target tough stains. Settings include Heavy Duty, Activewear, Bedding, Deep Steam, Sanitize, Eco Plus and Super Speed, the last of which Samsung says will do a full cycle in less than 40 minutes.
Samsung is currently selling the Activewash only in the U.S., and the it's available in four models ranging from the $899 (white) to $1,199 (silver).
ACCESSORIES FOR BOOK LOVERS
By Amanda Bernocco
Grammar Geek Coffee Mug (Geek Details)
Book lovers tend to have love grammar, which makes this mug perfect for tehm. Think of it as a friendly reminder for everyone to get their “theres” right.
Get it here for $15.89.
‘The Book Was Better’ iPhone Case (Red Bubble)
This durable, snap-on case makes the argument for readers so they can avoid such well-word arguments and spend more time reading.
Get it here for $23.91.
Your favorite book as a shirt (Litographs)
Here's a novel way to get a discussion started about your favorite book. These amazing, hand-pressed book shirts can be custom ordered with text from your favorite classic novel. About 40,000 words cover the front and back of the shirt, which come in several different colors.
Get it here for $34.
‘Obsessed With Fictional Characters’ Throw Pillow (Red Bubble)
Nothing says “I love to read” like this adorable throw pillow! The very relatable text is printed on both sides of the polyester pillow that comes in three different sizes (16x16, 18x18 and 20x20).
Get it here for $19.84
Avid Reader Wall Clock (Mighty Flighty)
Since there’s no bad time of day to read a book or buy a new one, this clock makes the perfect addition to a book lover’s home or work space.
Get it here for $24.99
DVD & BLU-RAY RELEASES
By Emily Morgan
McFarland, USA (Walt Disney Studios)
Kevin Costner once again returns to the sports genre, this time starring as a high school cross country coach. The film is based on the real life story of Coach Jim White and the 1987 McFarland High School cross country team.
Costner stars as White, who is coaching and teaching in the small, poor town of McFarland, Calif. He discovers a group of boys with great potential and turns them into a competitive team of cross country runners.
Special features on the Blu-ray/DVD include deleted and extended scenes and a discussion between Costner and the real Jim White as well as a few members of his original teams, and a music video for “Juntos” by Juanes.
Focus (Warner Home Video)
“Suicide Squad” stars Will Smith and Margot Robbie hone their criminal skills in this film about competing con artists.
Smith stars as Nicky, who trains a young woman, Jess (Robbie), in the art of the con. He soon realizes his reputation to lie and cheat can never bear an actual relationship with her, so they split. Three years later, in the midst of pulling his latest con is interrupted, Jess returns to spoil his plans.
Special features on the Blu-ray/DVD include deleted scenes, an alternate opening, a closer look at Smith and Robbie’s characters and a behind-the-scenes look at the actors learning how to con people.
Parks & Recreation: Season 7 (Universal Studios)
NBC never gave the Amy Poehler comedy that much support during its run, but the series did still manage to rack up seven seasons.
The final season jumps ahead a few years to 2017 to find Leslie Knope (Poehler) as the Midwest regional director of the National Park Service. She’s trying to acquire land to create a new national park, but she runs up against her old boss Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) and his partner from Gryzzl, a tech company, who want to build on the land.
The final 13 episodes also show how everyone else from the Pawnee Parks and Recreation department has fared as well as another time jump in the series finale.
Special features on the Blu-ray/DVD include deleted scenes, a gag reel, a behind-the-scenes look at the final season, The Story of Mouse Rat, commercials and The Wisdom of Mayor Gunderson.
Other Movies and TV Shows Available on Blu-Ray and DVD include:
- Seventh Son (Universal Studios); The Loft (Universal Studios); SpongeBob SquarePants Movie: Sponge Out of Water (Paramount); Jupiter Ascending (Warner Home Video); Spring (Anchor Bay); Camp X-Ray (MPI Home Video); Ballet 422 (Magnolia Home Entertainment); Assassin’s Game (Lions Gate); Cut Bank (Lions Gate); Nightlight (Lions Gate); See You in Valhalla (Arc Entertainment); Sword of Vengeance (Well Go USA); Monsters: Dark Continent (Anchor Bay); New Worlds (Acorn Media); Ray Donovan: Season 2 (Showtime Ent); Heartland: Season 5; Hello Ladies: Season 1 (HBO Studios); Major Crimes: Season 3 (Warner Home Video); Sons of Liberty (Lionsgate); True Blood: Season 7 (HBO Home Video); Falling Skies: Season 4 (Turner Home Ent); Justified: Season 6 (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment); Pretty Little Liars: Season 5 (Warner Home Video); Rizzoli & Isles: Season 5 (Warner Home Video); Top Gear 22 (BBC Home Entertainment)
Movies and TV Streaming Online
The Duff
A D.U.F.F. is a “designated ugly, fat friend,” and every group of friends has one.
When Bianca Piper (Mae Whitman) learns that she is the D.U.F.F. of her friend group, she asks her childhood friend Wes (Robbie Amell) to help her shed the insulting title. Making matters worse is the self-obsessed Madison (Bella Thorne) who only wants to make Bianca’s senior year of high school a living nightmare.
iTunes has the film available for purchase.
Apocalypse Now
Amazon adds a few classic films to its streaming service this month, including Francis Ford Coppola’s epic starring Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando.
Based on the Joseph Conrad book “Heart of Darkness,” Coppola’s film takes place during the Vietnam War and follows U.S. Army Captain Willard (Sheen) as he’s sent on a mission that “does not exist – nor will it ever exist.”
Willard must track down and kill the Green Beret Col. Kurtz, who has reportedly gone insane after leading his army into Cambodia. He must fight to keep his own sanity in the middle of such grotesque violence.
Amazon has the film available for streaming.
Sense8: Season 1
The latest original series delves into the science-fiction arena where all eight characters are mentally connected after experiencing a violent vision.
Although living in separate cities, "the eigh" can see and talk to each other as if they were in the same place at the same time. They also have access to each other’s secrets. Together they must figure out what caused themto become connected before a government agency tries to track down and eliminate them.
The new show features Daryl Hannah and “Lost” star Naveen Andrews. Netflix will have the first season available for streaming on June 5.
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
• The Duff
• Project Almanac
• Good Kill
• Unfinished Business
• Chappie
• McFarland, USA
• Run All Night
• Survivor
• Blindsided
• Justin Timberlake: Man of the Hour
•Almost Mercy
• All Yours
• Targeting
• Barely Lethal
• I’m All Right Jack
• Drunk Wedding
• Forbidden Empire
• The Dog Who Saved Summer
• Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman
• (Dis)Honesty – The Truth About Lies
• Born to Fly: Elizabeth Streb vs. Gravity
• Gun Woman
• Minuscule
• Ballet 422
• Tooken
• Back to the Jurassic
• Red Army
• Club Life
• The Bridge
• Know How
• Unfreedom
• Walking on Sunshine
• Say Ahh…
• Ned Rifle
• Fishing Naked
• The 10 Year Plan
• Valerie and Her Week of Wonders
• The Decline of Western Civilization: Collection
• Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
• She Must Be Seeing Things
• Marfa Girl
• An Honest Liar
• Police Story: Lockdown
Amazon
• Low Down
• Apocalypse Now
• Far From Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog
• The Island of Dr. Moreau
• Murder of a Cat
• Nine Months
• The Paper Chase
• People Will Talk
• Repo: The Genetic Opera
• Roman Holiday
• Seven Psychopaths
• The Shining
• Sid and Nancy
• Something Wild
• Sucker Punch
• Troll
• Troll 2
• Words and Pictures
