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Top Picks: 'The White Helmets' on Netflix, Jacob Collier's album 'In My Room,' and more

The movie 'The Measure of a Man' is powerful, a Houston PBS interview with Gene Wilder offers insight into Wilder's acting and the origin of his movies with Mel Brooks, and more top picks.

  • By Staff

Joyful noise

If someone had never had ice cream, you’d think, “My goodness, you have to have some!” That’s how we feel about the ebullient and delicious music made by precocious Londoner Jacob Collier, whose first major release is In My Room. His jazzy/funky do-it-yourself concoction is something you simply have to sample, and chances are you’ll be as taken with it as the millions of adoring fans who have watched his one-man-band recordings unfold on YouTube since he was 16. The album’s title song is the perfect vehicle for the young virtuoso who creates all this joyful noise in his room.

Hopeful message

The new documentary The White Helmets follows those who are trying to make a difference in war-torn Syria. “Helmets” highlights the efforts of rescue workers and the dangers they face as they attempt to aid those affected by the fighting. The documentary, which is directed by Oscar nominee Orlando von Einsiedel, is now available on Netflix.

AP

Comedic talent

Following the death of versatile comedic actor Gene Wilder, a wide-ranging interview by Ernie Manouse for Houston PBS in 2006 offers insight into what made Wilder try acting and how his films with Mel Brooks came about. Find the segment at http://bit.ly/genewilderinterview.

Powerful story

The Measure of a Man, now available on DVD and Blu-ray, stars Vincent Lindon as a man looking for employment. When he finds work as a security guard at a supermarket, he has to collar shoplifters who are mostly in the same dire economic straits he recently escaped. The film is powerful.  

Intriguing listening

Comedian Adam Buxton has appeared in such films as “Stardust” and now he’s turned his talents to the podcast format with The Adam Buxton Podcast. A recent episode in which he chats with actor Bill Hader about Hader’s time on “Saturday Night Live” and work on recent hit movies including “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Inside Out” is particularly interesting. Listeners should be aware there’s some adult language. Check it out at https://soundcloud.com/adam-buxton.

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