US – Sunday, July 5
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The week's releases
Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.
 
Movies
The gangster of Hollywood
FEATURE. Johnny Depp doesn’t know what time it is. Though he technically calls an adorable village in France home and owns an island in the Caribbean, the mercurial actor spends so much time working that his internal clock is all out of whack.
 
 
Movies
Directorial debut is a shot at the ‘Moon’
INTERVIEW. When directors are limited to a $5 million budget and a 33-day shooting schedule, they usually won’t do anything too arduous — especially for their first films. But director Duncan Jones, 37, tells us that he “wanted to do something with ambition” for his debut flick. So instead, Jones, who is the son of David Bowie, decided to make the sci-fi adventure “Moon,” which opens Friday. The affable Brit explains how.
 
The Word
The Beckhams’ island getaway
GOSSIP. According to the Sun, David Beckham is planning a trip to Necker Island, Richard Branson’s private island hideaway, to celebrate his 10th wedding anniversary with Victoria Beckham. And the best part? It only costs $51,000 a night to have the whole island to themselves.
 
Movies
Bale does light-lifting
 MOVIES. Christian Bale is more relaxed than usual, and with good reason. The heavy lifting in promoting his latest film, “Public Enemies,” falls to Johnny Depp. For once, the success or failure of the movie doesn’t rest on Bale’s shoulders. There’s no talk of on-set outbursts or franchise potential. And for that, he’s grateful — and cheerful.
 
Updated 21:23, July the 17th, 2008
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Donovan as Manson Family matriarch Squeaky Fromme and the cast of “Assassins”Donovan as Manson Family matriarch Squeaky Fromme and the cast of “Assassins”
 

A real killer play

 There’s been grumbling about the timing of Company One’s staging of “Assassins,” Stephen Sondheim’s creepy musical about people who have shot presidents.

Some argue that given the current political climate and the upcoming election, the show might be seen as a glorification of the actions of these world-changing killers.

The likelihood of anyone taking a shot at a president after seeing Company One’s impressive production is about as great as somebody painting themselves blue after seeing “Blue Man Group.” It’s a musical; a really strange, weird, wonderful musical that attempts to find a reason behind these murderous efforts.

Director Shawn LeCount has assembled a stellar ensemble to bring everyone from John Wilkes Booth to John Hinckley Jr. to the stage for a brief yet intense look at the inner-workings of the minds of assassins.

Elizabeth Rimar (Sara Jane Moore) and McCaela Donovan (Squeaky Fromme) mine every bit of humor from their characters’ failed attempt to assassinate President Ford, and Nathaniel Shea is so good as John Hinckley even Jodie Foster would be impressed. Not only does he capture the frightening insanity of Reagan’s would-be assassin, he also turns in the finest musical performance, “Unworthy of Your Love,” which, of course, is a  duet with Donovan about their undying love for Foster and Manson.

‘Assassins’
Through August 9
BCA Plaza Theatre
MBTA: Orange Line to Back Bay
$15-$38, 617-933-8600
www.bostontheatrescene.com

 
 
Music
MMMpod
The June edition of MMMpod features an interview with Perry Farrell on getting Jane's Addiction back together, as well as a talk with actor Ed Helms about his love/hate relationship with a capella music. We also have new music from Phoenix, Magic Magic, Lady Sovereign, and a classic from Booker T. & the MGs. As always, there's a chance to win a whole lot of free music.
 
 
Metro Life Panel
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