Five things you must not miss this week, including Superchunk, Kids in the Hall, and a surprise new release from Brian Wilson.
MUSICBrian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin, Brian Wilson
It's great to know who your favorite artists listen to. The immortal Beach Boy, Brian Wilson, does us one better: the brilliantly odd musician has recorded an entire album reinterpreting the works of George Gershwin. According to Wilson, the nineteenth-century-born composer “invented the popular song.” Which is pretty amazing, since many people credit Wilson with reinventing American popular music himself, more than a century later. August 17
MOVIESThe Switch, Josh Gordon & Will Speck
At first glance, it looks like just another Aniston romcom: a single career woman wants a baby, she throws an insemination party, her best friend replaces the sperm sample with his own, and the resultant child unknowingly meets his real father years later — okay, so it's not totally typical. But, if you need more prodding, here are three more reasons to get over your Aniston-phobia: Jeffery Eugenides penned the story; Jason Bateman plays the best friend/absent father; and Jeff Goldblum plays Bateman’s best friend. (And he is watching you poop). August 20
MUSICNo Pocky For Kitty & On the Mouth, Superchunk
Warm lo-fi sound was one of ‘90s indie's defining strengths, but it can be a barrier in an age when people expect digital crispness from their pop music. Ever perceptive, Superchunk has graciously remastered two of their most beloved albums. New listeners will discover how this Chapel Hill band influenced the scene for years to come, and old fans will try not to get misty-eyed when “Throwing Things” and “Mower” remind them of the moment they discovered good music. August 17
MOVIESThe Tillman Story, Amir Bar-Lev
In the Internet age, war — however horrific — can seem like a distant phenomenon, and the long-lasting "War on Terror" is just about as abstract as they come. It could hardly be more concrete, though, for the friends and family of Patrick Tillman — the American soldier who left a professional football career to join the army in 2002 and was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. This emotional documentary about their experiences makes the war a little more real for the rest of us. August 20
TELEVISIONKids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town, IFC
This eight-part series shows that Kids in the Hall have matured since their heyday in the sketch comedy-friendly ‘90s. Luckily for us, maturity doesn't preclude getting into ridiculous costumes to play the alcoholic widow of a murdered mayor; a hermetic 600-pound former hockey star; and a pizza delivery driver with Alzheimer’s. Okay, so nothing’s changed for these five Canadians, who will be playing almost all of the miniseries' 20 characters. And if you’re wondering, Dave Foley is still the prettiest woman around. August 20
