Published: October 05, 2009 08:38 am      

Entertainment Picks (October 2, 2009)

3 Things to check out this weekend

Lynyrd Skynyrd

God & Guns

CD ($18.98)

Amazon B002C6K7NU



Although the lineup has continued to evolve over the past 35 years, this legendary name-brand band of Southern rockers has never forgotten its swampin’ stompin’ roots. And as lead singer Johnny Van Zant leads his guitar-slinging crew through these 12 new barn-burners, you’ll never find yourself wondering where they stand, especially on tunes like “That’s Ain’t My America” and the title track, which doesn’t exactly seek the middle ground on a contentious subject. The closer, “Gifted Hands,” is a soaring, muscular anthem that pays homage to the late Billy Powell, a founding member whose own “gifted hands” provided the keyboard signatures to dozens of Skynyrd staples, including “Free Bird.”

—Neil Pond, American Profile





Bonanza: The Official First Season, Vols. 1 & 2

DVD ($69.98)

Amazon B001JAHPMG



Saddle up and ride again with Ben Cartwright, Hoss, Little Joe and Adam in this two-volume collection (also available separately) commemorating the 50th anniversary of the classic TV Western, the first ever broadcast in color. In addition to all 32 re-mastered episodes from 1959-1961, the combo set is loaded with extra features, including photo galleries, a documentary about the iconic Ponderosa map that “burned” at the beginning of every show, and a rare alternate pilot episode featuring the Cartwrights singing the rousing theme song—the only time it was ever used with words.

—Neil Pond, American Profile



Sunshine Cleaning

DVD ($29.98)

Amazon B001UV4XGU



Amy Adams and Emily Blunt are the heart of this bittersweet, quirky comedy-drama from the makers of “Little Miss Sunshine” about two sisters who launch a crime-scene-cleanup business. Likeably offbeat, multi-layered and ultimately uplifting, it won’t make you convulse in laughter. It will, though, remind you that in the process of cleaning up the messes of life, we can sometimes learn a lot about ourselves, discover some unexpected treasures…and maybe even laugh a little.

—Neil Pond, American Profile