The Must List for January 22 – January 28, 2010

By our guest blogger, Spencer Morton

Editor's Note: Each week, guest blogger Spencer Morton will offer his new column, "The Must List," which will prime readers for all things worth viewing and hearing in the coming week. Look for it each Thursday.




Movie

“Legion”: This is the default winner of the week. It’s either this, “The Tooth Fairy” or “Extraordinary Measures.” “The Tooth Fairy” looks as if it has the potential to be worst movie this year. “Extraordinary Measures” looks like a really bad, melodramatic, made-for-TV movie.

So, congratulations “Legion.” The film actually looks kind of cool. At a remote diner, Archangel Michael [Paul Bettany] and a group of civilians must battle God’s legion of angels that he has sent to bring about the Apocalypse. God has lost faith in humanity, so he is sending his legion to clean up the world. These few civilians, and the Archangel, are mankind’s last hope.

Dennis Quaid, Lucas Black and Tyrese Gibson play a few of the civilians. Watch for the always maniacal Kevin Durand as he plays the angel Gabriel. The entire premise of the film seems a bit silly, but there will assuredly be a lot of action and cool visuals. Men, let the lady-friend go see Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford cry in “Extraordinary Measures,” than go check out “Legion.”

* Runner up: Go bowling?


DVD/Blu-ray

“Michael Jackson: This is it”: This behind the scenes film combines concert footage with rehearsal footage and some interview snippets. The film lets the viewer see just how passionate Jackson was about his music. It’s a very intimate portrayal. For Jackson fans, it’s a must see. “This is it” has the potential to win over some new Jackson fans, too. It offers an intimate portrayal of the man, which hardly was ever seen.

* Runner up: “Surrogates” - The film has an amazing premise, but the execution is a little off. The script is shaky at best, but it’s a Bruce Willis action movie. Does there need to be anything besides explosions? Again, rent this is a last resort.


CD

Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”: Lady Antebellum is the hottest band in the country band in the country right now. They’ve been nominated for two Grammys each of the last two years. In 2009, they were named vocal group of the year at the Country Music Awards. Their sophomore album, “Need You Now,” drops on Tuesday.

The first single, the title track, features beautiful harmonies between vocalists Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley. The guitar and piano work from Dave Haywood is haunting and beautiful. The second single, “American Honey,” displays wonderful violin and mandolin work. While “Need You Now” may sound a bit familiar, the songs are executed to perfection. Lady A’s latest record is soothing and intimate. Check it out!

Songs to download:
“Need You Now”
“Love This Pain”
“Read to Love Again”

* Runner up: Corinne Bailey Rae – “The Sea.” The smooth-singing Brit is back with her sophomore release. Look for deeply personal, extremely poetic lyrics as “The Sea” is Rae’s first album since the death of her husband in 2008.


Television

“The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”: Even if you’re more of a Letterman person, tune into NBC tomorrow [1/21] at 11:35 p.m. for what will reportedly be O’Brien’s last new episode as the host of “The Tonight Show.” After weeks of debate over ratings, time-slot conflicts and host issues, it appears O’Brien is out.

Reports say NBC is offering O’Brien $45 million to leave immediately. Guest stars on tomorrow’s episode include Tom Hanks and Will Ferrell. Watch to see what type of antics O’Brien, and maybe his guests, pull tomorrow night. It should be quite a spectacle.


*Runner up: “Spartacus: Blood and Sand”: The hype for this premiere has been immense. The show has already been signed for a second season, before the first season has even premiered. Sam Raimi produces this uber-violent, sexed-up Roman gladiator drama which airs tomorrow [1/21] at 10 p.m. on Starz


Music Video

Jay-Z: “On to the Next One”

For all the credit Lady GaGa gets for making visually stunning, innovative videos, people need to start taking a closer look at Jay-Z. The video for “On to the Next One” has some of the most mind-blowing shots in any recent music video. Shot completely in black and white, the video intertwines scenes of Jay-Z and Swizz Beats rapping with some intense imagery. The images range from being inexplicably strange to slightly demonic to wonderfully shocking. This video will blow you away.




Viral Video

Insane Cube Illusion

This viral video provides the audience with two things. 1) Knowledge that this guy has way too much time on his hands and has a devastatingly bland-looking apartment. 2) A new trick to play on friends who have been partaking in copious amounts of herbal remedies.


Insane Cube Illusion - Watch more Funny Videos