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Top Picks: Smithsonian Channel's 'America’s Badlands,' the movie 'Marjorie Prime,' and more top picks

The Radiolab podcast 'More Perfect' is a compelling and educational look at the US Supreme Court, 'Tajmo' is the inspired pairing of blues circuit vets Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’, and more top picks.

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COURTESY OF FILMRISE
  • By Staff

Exploring badlands

The Badlands in the United States are the site of visually stunning scenery and quintessentially American animals such as the bison and the prairie dog. The new Smithsonian Channel program America’s Badlands looks at the difficult conditions of the area and how the animals who live there manage to do so. “America’s Badlands” airs Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.

Lounging around

Looking for a place to relax while waiting for your holiday flight home? The LoungeBuddy app can tell you which lounges are nearby and which features each has. If you read about one you like and it’s worth it to you to shell out some cash, you can book through the app as well. It’s free for iOS.

Compelling principals

In the movie Marjorie Prime, Marjorie (Lois Smith) is given a hologram that resembles her husband (Jon Hamm). “All the principals in this extraordinarily well-acted film are intensely compelling,” Monitor film critic Peter Rainer writes. “Marjorie Prime” is available on DVD and Blu-ray and is not rated.

Supreme court exploration

Take off your biases and put on your black robes – the Radiolab podcast More Perfect is a compelling and educational look at the US Supreme Court. Well-edited audio and top-notch storytelling bring much-needed light to the highest court in the land. Check out “The Gun Show” and “Citizens United” episodes for starters at www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolabmoreperfect.

Blues duo

If you like your blues music with a spoonful of sugar, do we have an album for you. In the tradition of blues duos such as Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee comes Tajmo, the inspired pairing of blues circuit vets Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’. Casting a wide net, their charming duets cover contemporary tunes (John Mayer’s “Waiting On the World to Change”), blues chestnuts (Mahal’s funky “Diving Duck Blues”), a rollicking take on the Who’s “Squeezebox,” and some fine Keb’ Mo’ originals. It is nominated for a Grammy Award as the best contemporary blues album.

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