Journeyman

JOURNEYMAN (NBC)
The best part of this time-travel tale (aside from its female lead) is the delicate (and tricky) balance of sci-fi, drama and comedy. The San Francisco setting also adds character to a series that I’m happy to say gets better with each episode.

The Pretenders: Learning to Crawl reissue

the Pretenders, LEARNING TO CRAWL Reissue (Rhino / Sire)
Last year’s fantastic bonus-laden 2-disc reissues of PRETENDERS I & II make this first post-original-lineup slab feel even more tepid than it did in 1984. A mere handful of mostly middling bonus tracks can’t raise this disc above just okay (and what came after was just bad).

I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With

I WANT SOMEONE TO EAT CHEESE WITH
Slight, yes, but refreshingly bittersweet and charming auteur work from CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM’s hilarious Jeff Garlin. Tons of great cameos (Amy Sedaris is amazing) are the icing on this lingering cupcake, an antidote to predictable stupid mainstream rom-coms starring the OC blonde and someone shaggy Kutcheresque lad.

Matt Pond PA, Last Light

Matt Pond PA, LAST LIGHT (Altitude Records)
Sigh. I miss the strings. Not a bad record by any means, but the first time I’ve felt that this band has passed its peak. Time will tell.

Superman: Doomsday

SUPERMAN: DOOMSDAY
More emotionally resonant, action packed and true to the character than SUPERMAN RETURNS, this loose adaptation of the “Death of Superman” juggernaut of the early ‘90s is a worthy addition to the Man of Steel’s pantheon (altho’ Anne Heche’s rough Lois takes some adjusting). Remember: “adaptation” is the key word.

Halloween

HALLOWEEN
“Hey, I know! Let’s remake one of the most iconic horror movies ever made, one of the most groundbreaking films in any genre, and take out everything that made it work: suspense, style, mystery and simplicity. We’ll go balls out!” Not scary and more superfluous than Gus Van Sant’s PSYCHO.

Helvetica

HELVETICA
For anyone even slightly aware of design, this documentary about the ubiquitous font is engaging and eye-opening, forcing a fresh look at everyday surroundings. Those who don’t give a poop about such matters, however, will fall asleep about ten minutes in.

Flash: The Greatest Stories Ever Told

FLASH: THE GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD (DC Comics)
Not bad for anyone who’s ever encountered DC’s speedster in other media and wondered about his comic book origins, but for the learned fanboy, this is another collection with tangible holes and a frustrating lack of historical perspective. A second volume is necessary (and a third?).