Top Picks: 'Jesus Christ Superstar' in movie theaters, Neil Young's memoir, and more
Rocca the vote
In Electoral Dysfunction, Mo Rocca, a former correspondent for Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," hosts a 90-minute traipse through the complicated maze known as America's voting laws. Surprisingly, the US Constitution does not spell out a right to vote. Instead, it leaves details of voting rights and regulations to the states – a process now run through some 13,000 voting districts, each with its own set of rules. Airs Oct. 30 on PBS. Check local listings.
Of biblical proportions
On the heels of its triumphant updated London production, Jesus Christ Superstar UK Rock Spectacular comes to select US movie theaters Oct. 29 and Nov. 1. This satellite event comes from NC Fathom Live, and includes a retrospective on the iconic Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber musical as well as interviews with cast members. Check for local theaters at FathomEvents.com.
Maverick in mutton chops
Look up "maverick" in the dictionary and you might see a photo of Neil Young, grinning mischievously, 1970s mutton chops and all. Has anyone ever been less predictable or more mercurial? Now the alternately unapologetic rocker and sensitive folkie has written his memoir, Waging Heavy Peace: A Hippie Dream. It reads like an unstructured, rambling Young guitar solo. It jumps around in time, revealing less about the musicmaking and a bit too much about the man. But like Young's messy and fascinating style, it's ultimately appealing. The dude abides.
Hidden world
The Unfinished Swan begins with a blank screen. At first, the video game gives you little indication that your character is standing in a perfectly white room. You navigate the 3-D world by firing black paint balls that reveal walls, doorways, and stairs. Each chapter builds on this premise in clever and unexpected ways. Available Oct. 23 from the PlayStation 3's online store.
Music nice guys make
You may have heard of the "five dads from Utah," also known as The Piano Guys, for their classical/pop music video mash-ups. "What Makes You Beautiful" went viral on YouTube with more than 11 million views. Now they've come out with their first album on Sony Masterworks, "The Piano Guys." Listening isn't nearly as fun as watching their effusive and sometimes humorous videos set against stunning landscapes. But if you like athletic arpeggios, modern takes on classical works, and pop hits morphed into classical interpretations, you'll like their sound. Check them out at http://bit.ly/thepianoguys.
New era of bubble gum hits
For a quick introduction to K-Pop, head to YouTube. As PSY's hyperbolic "Gangnam Style" demonstrates, Korean bands produce some of the most fun and polished music videos in the world. Girls' Generation has a heap of cotton candy-like hits, such as "Gee" and "Oh!" For a harder edge, check out BIGBANG's "Fantastic Baby" or its rap remix of Maroon 5's "This Love." And for a second dose of PSY's comic charm, search for "Right Now."
