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.
 
Published 02:13, October the 13th, 2009
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The RZA’s new book is “The Tao of Wu.”The RZA’s new book is “The Tao of Wu.”
Photo: GETTY IMAGES
 

Life according to the Wu-Tang Clan

The RZA imparts the lessons he’s learned in his unique journey How you, too, can ‘see the signs’

Part memoir, part self-help, part philosophy, part religious text — the book “The Tao of Wu” is impossible to categorize, so we asked its author, the RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, to help us out.

“I’d say it’s a map,” he pontificates. “A map with road signs. It’s a path to wisdom.”

At just 40 years old, the RZA is hardly an ancient sage, bestowing his life lessons from a mountain top. But between being charged with murder, watching friend Ol’ Dirty Bastard continuing a crack binge on the day he died, and beating poverty and the projects to become the  producer and spiritual leader of one of the most critically and commercially successful hip-hop groups of all  time, he kind of knows his stuff.

“People pay for my songs. They get entertainment from them. And although I do think this book can be entertaining, I really hope that people obtain knowledge and information from it,” he says. “It just gives some common sense. Living in the earth, living in America — you might come across some things you can’t figure out how to bob and weave out of. This will help.”

DOROTHY ROBINSON
 
 
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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
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