The Fab Five

By Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas

May 18–1

‘I’m Not There’ on DVD

Todd Haynes’ tricky cinematic paean to Bob Dylan plays much better at home, where you can digest it more fully. The director stuffed I’m Not There so full of cryptic allusions, layered performances and deft visual homages that multiple viewings are practically essential to extract all that Haynes intended. The dense two-disc set, in stores now, furthers Haynes’ quasi-academic aspirations by including numerous contextual essays about the various periods of Dylan’s life, deleted scenes, a captivating commentary track and plenty of peeks behind the scenes. With a bit of room to breathe, I’m Not There reveals itself as an electrifying portraiture and a misjudged masterpiece.

— Preston Jones

2 ‘Syrup & Honey,’ Duffy

It’s a verse that would sound cliched coming from anyone else (“Don’t you be wasting all your money on syrup and honey/Because I’m sweet enough”), but somehow 23-year-old Welsh vocalist Duffy imbues it with palpable weariness and a casual carnality that betrays her youth. The smoldering, lived-in centerpiece of her impressive debut album Rockferry, Syrup & Honey comes on like a vintage Northern soul B-side, powered by little more than her mighty pipes and a laconic guitar lick. A revivifying tonic for those tired of pin-up pop retreads.

— Preston Jones

3 Spritle in ‘Speed Racer’

Despite the junk heap of bad reviews it earned from critics, Speed Racer still crosses the finish line as a visually dazzling, wildly entertaining romp. That is, if you actually go see it. One of the many reasons you should is Paulie Litt, whose rambunctious and very funny turn as Speed’s younger brother, Spritle, has him pulling off the near-impossible: holding his own alongside a chimp wearing funny outfits. Now that’s acting.

— Todd Camp

4

Flight of the Conchords, ‘Ladies of the World’ video

The absurdist pop duo gives it up for the lay-dayyys in this roller-boogie, ’70s-California-funk-inspired clip, which debuted on YouTube last week. Of course, ’70s Cal-funk never included lyrics like “Oh you sexy hermaphrodite lady-man-ladies. … Even you must be into you, oo oo.” Check it out on YouTube (search for “Ladies of the World”).

— Robert Philpot

5

‘This American Life’

It didn’t seem like it could work, but it does: Ira Glass’ quirky public-radio storytelling series makes the transition to Showtime. Now in its second season, it’s just as compelling as the radio version because its visual style is just as arresting and off-the-wall as Glass’ mild-mannered, off-hand delivery. Catch this season at 9 p.m. Sundays on Showtime, or pick up the first season on DVD.

— Robert Philpot

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