US – Tuesday, February 9
The Grid
The week's releases
Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.
 
The Word
Stern: I’d do ‘Idol’ for $100M
Howard Stern took to his radio show yesterday to address the rumors that he’s a possible replacement for Simon Cowell for the next season of “American Idol.” To sum it up? He’s not going for it.
 
New York Arts
Dancing while the skinny lady sings
You’ve heard of the jukebox musical? David Parsons and singers AnnMarie Milazzo and Tyley Ross of the East Village Opera Co. offer a jukebox opera, playing nightly at the Joyce. Eleven Parsons dancers share the stage with Milazzo and Ross, who clutch microphones cranked to 11 and stroll through the action. On the recorded soundtrack, three drummers create a wall of sound so loud you — well, I — want to hide under the seat. Digital video of abstract patterns, natural landscapes and stunning architecture change for each song.
 
My Books
The facets of Anne Frank and her diary
Generations of schoolchildren have read and recognized their own experiences in the words of Anne Frank, finding surprising commonalities with this young girl despite the passage of generations and the unique horror of  her situation. But according to Francine Prose’s fascinating new account of the writing of Frank’s diary, our veneration of her outpourings has eclipsed a proper assessment of Anne Frank — conscientious author.

 
Movies
Channing Tatum on love and war
Channing Tatum has worked in his fair share of genres, from indie films (“A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”) to dance flicks (“Step Up”) to blockbusters (“G.I. Joe”). In his latest, “Dear John,” the Alabama native takes on a heavy Nicholas Sparks love story about a soldier in love while at war. He talks with us about true love and blowing stuff up.
 
Updated 20:41, November the 10th, 2008
Send
 

Aston DBS: Licensed to thrill

Our Global Motoring Editor takes 007’s ride for a spin

Roger Moore on the diving Lotus

 007 VETERAN. Pilot of the underwater Lotus Esprit, Sir Roger Moore ­reveals his fave James Bond car moments.

Favorite Bond car scene?
The Lotus Esprit diving into the ocean, because the audience thought we were goners. But it converted into the wonderful underwater car, Wet Nellie, and became one of the most famous sequences in any of my Bond films.

Favorite Bond car?
The 2CV in “For Your Eyes Only.” It seemed like such an unlikely Bond car.

How much driving did you do?
Not a great deal. The insurance companies insisted on having stunt drivers as they couldn’t afford for me to get injured — or more close to the truth, they thought I might smash up the cars!

 

 The only thing close to James Bond gadgets in the Aston Martin DBS that 007 drives in “Quantum of Solace” are the B&O speakers that emerge from the dash when you start the ignition.

Even the Jaeger-LeCoultre watch that remotely turns on the lights and unlocks the car is available to all
real-world DBS owners.

Still, you can live without an ejector seat when the car is this fabulous. Several stunt Astons were trashed during the chase sequences for “Quantum,” but this DBS is one of just three “hero” cars that were kept intact.

With its menacing face and athletic rear haunches, this elegant car looks both macho and sophisticated, and the performance is the same.

A gentle nudge and James Bond’s car is launching me through the country roads around Aston’s factory in central England. This car might look and feel heavy, but it’s agile, like a panther ready to go in for the kill.

Which is basically what the car does on command. With acceleration like this, it’s easy to see why one of the “Quantum of Solace” stuntmen ended up taking off into Lake Garda in one of these cars.    

3 coolest-ever Bond cars, with gadgets by Q

 Aston Martin DB5 ‘Goldfinger’
1964. Features ejector seat, revolving
license plates, slasher hubcaps and machine guns behind the headlights.

Lotus Esprit
‘The Spy Who Loved Me’
1977. Features missiles, torpedoes and underwater ­driving mode.

Aston Martin V8 Volante
‘Living Daylights’ 1987. Takes on the Russians with missile launcher, rockets, hubcap-concealed laser and retractable tire spikes.

 
Emma E. Forrest
Global Motoring Editor
 
 
Share
 
Music
MMMpod
The February MMMpod features conversation from Ozzy Osbourne. Michael Emerson from "Lost" tells us about his days enjoying punk rock in Boston. We also dig up an old interview from the late great Howard Zinn. We have a song from Delta Spirit and The Soft Pack, who tell us where they got their name.

 
 
 
Metro Life Panel
Read more