Top Picks: Band of Horses' 'Why Are You OK,' 'Hail Caesar!' on DVD and Blu-ray, and more
America鈥檚 famous residence
Check out the history behind the most well-known house in the United States with PBS鈥檚 . Interviews with presidents and first ladies as well as other inhabitants reveal the unique place the White House holds in popular culture and behind-the-scenes tales of what it鈥檚 really like to live there. The program airs on July 12 at 8 p.m.
A true album
Band of Horses鈥� fifth album, , is the kind of record that should be played on a turntable between spins of the Byrds and Neil Young. 鈥漌hatever, Wherever鈥� and 鈥淐ountry Teen鈥� will rotate you back to the amiable California country rock of the Eagles and 鈥淲ild Horses鈥�-era Stones. 鈥淲hy Are You OK鈥� is an album in the best sense 鈥� unspooling stories, emotions, and sounds that are easy on the ears but impactful on the heart.
Coens on Hollywood
The Coen brothers turn to the long-ago days of Hollywood with , which depicts the life of a man who solves and conceals the problems of movie stars. The film, which features a star-studded cast that includes George Clooney, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, and Tilda Swinton, is sharp and amusing. It鈥檚 now available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Relearn history
Malcolm Gladwell鈥檚 books have always been a pleasure to read, and now he鈥檚 trying out the podcast with Revisionist History, which, according to Gladwell, looks at 鈥渟omething that I think has been overlooked or misunderstood鈥� in history. The first episode tells of a painting that became a sensation, but the painting鈥檚 eventual success sheds light on how society sometimes treats women. Find the podcast at .听听
Thrilling theater
The cultural phenomenon Hamilton is, in the words of President Obama, 鈥渁 civics lesson our kids can鈥檛 get enough of,鈥� and the public got a peek at the musical about Alexander Hamilton at the recent Tony Awards 鈥� no mean feat considering the price of tickets. Check out the cast in a stellar performance of the songs 鈥淗istory Has Its Eyes On You鈥� and 鈥淵orktown (The World Turned Upside Down)鈥� at .听
