Each Thursday (or Friday, since some weeks we seem to be running behind on everything), Needcoffee.com's staff of whackos will wrack our brains to give you interesting and new things to do over the weekend. Books, movies, whatever. We'll throw them out, you do with them what you will. And hey...if you have something you want to recommend--whatever it is--drop us a line.
Incidentally, we've provided links where we can for you to buy the stuff or find out more if you're interested, courtesy of those Amazon types. Hey, come on, we can't be totally selfless in this, can we?
September 12, 2003
Book of the Week:
by Lisa Jardine. Head back to the 17th Century and take a look at the scientific revolution from the ground
level. Jardine puts you there and lets you see how multiple people spanning multiple scientific disciplines helped bring
the revolution about, laying the groundwork for the progress that's being made up till this day. This Doubleday book
is a fascinating read for anybody who wants to see the foundations of what we now take for granted.
Audiobook of the Week:
by William Shakespeare, presented by BBC Radio. Sweet mother of God--portrait of a cast to die for. Branagh,
Jacobi, Richard Briers, Ian Holm, Simon Callow, Iain Glen, Judi Dench, Sir John Gielgud...do I really need to say anything
else? This Renaissance Theatre production for the BBC is an amazing interp of the play and you'll be grateful they captured
it on audio for you with Random House Audio putting it on the market. Definitely worth your time.
Graphic Novel of the Week:
by Warren Ellis & Tom Raney. Enjoying the new Team Achilles series? Well, who isn't? But if you need
the backstory--and you know you do--check out this first trade of Ellis' run on the original Stormwatch, where he
began the discombobulation that would lead to The Authority. Nice and harsh, in the wake of a terrible betrayal,
Stormwatch tries to pick up the pieces with some new members and a new direction. Highly recommended.
Comic Book of The Week:
Fables #17
by Bill Willingham & Mark Buckingham. Freaking love this title. Granted, seeing as how this is the last issue of a
particular story arc, you might not want to start here. But otherwise, if you have been following the book, discover the
fate of Goldilocks and see what happens to our potential lovebirds with an ending that will truly make you say "WTF?" and
crave the next issue. What you've got here is the comic book equivalent of crack cocaine, people.
DVD Boxed Set of the Week:
. Yet another entry that speaks for itself. I mean, this show demands that you spend some time with it--but
the DVD from Fox practically signs it into law. You've got commentary on every single damn episode, for one thing--that's a weekend
endeavor in itself. Plus you've got ads, pop-ups, audio outtakes and more. Forget just using it to supplement your weekend,
this thing needs to be on your shelf.
DVD of the Week:
. For the first time on DVD, it's the original series from Jim Henson. Perhaps we'll get the Michael Gambon/Greek
myths iteration a little later. But regardless, we're just happy to see the stuff hit digital. You get all nine episodes
from the first series, including "Hans the Hedgehog" (which won an Emmy) and "The True Bride." Written by Anthony Minghella,
it's a nice Henson bit for those who miss the old days.
CD of the Week:
by Jimi Hendrix. I think Hendrix and "Blues" are about all you need to know, really. Sure, you've got
"Red House," of course, but you've also got Jimi taking on "Mannish Boy" and "Born Under a Bad Sign," for just a couple of
examples. It's all a tremendous experience and an excellent compilation to cart around with you for the weekend.
Magazine of the Week:
. If you are at all interested in living a healthy lifestyle and not sacrificing the
"style" part, this is a great read. It has lots of articles and information on health (including recipes), organic
food and clothing, and just all-around life-enriching fun stuff, from vacations in New Zealand to a profile on Kristanna
Loken (the new Terminator). It’s geared a little more toward women than men, but both sexes should find something
interesting, granola-munchers or not.