Busta RhymesBack on My B.S.Universal Motown Records
A+Destroy every record. Burn every book. Because you straight-up don’t need them anymore. Busta Rhymes’ latest release “Back on My B.S.” proves, if anything, that he is in fact back on his bullshit. The momentous album opener “Arab Money,” which is about being as rich as an Arabic person, boasts lyrical gems such as “Sitting in casinos while I’m gambling with Arafat/Money long, watch me purchase pieces of the Almanac.” The song’s Auto-Tuned hook isn’t technically in Arabic, but it doesn’t have to be when it’s this good.B.Bourgeois—-Dan AuerbachKeep It HidNonesuch RecordsAThe Black Keys singer and guitarist’s first solo album is a bit tamer than the Keys’ 2008 offering, “Attack and Release,” but delivers with a variety of songs touched with hints of psychedelia, gospel, country and of course blues. The layered guitar riffs seem as easy as breathing for Auerbach, as he is able to tone down the Keys’ nastiness without sacrificing his signature analog sound. The result is a complete and coherent album that sounds more like something recorded in 1966 than 2009. “Keep It Hid” will be anything but hidden.J. LeBlanc—-Mos DefThe EcstaticDowntown RecordsALately it seems as if Mos Def was focusing more on his acting career than music. But with his new album “The Ecstatic,” Mos Def returns to his longtime Brooklyn rap roots. Featuring guest appearances by Slick Rick and Black Star partner Talib Kweli, “The Ecstatic” features Mos Def blending his sociopolitical rhymes using beats by producers J Dilla and brothers Madlib and Oh No. Along with Q-Tip’s release of “The Renaissance” late last year, Mos Def is helping to bring real hip-hop back into the mainstream. And it couldn’t come at a better time.J. Chenier—-He’s Just Not That Into YouFlower FilmsAAre you the rule or the exception? That’s what every person wants to know when looking for his or her significant other. “He’s Just Not That Into You” follows nine people trying to answer that question as they figure out what love really is. Based on the self-help book of the same name, it is a witty, comedic, thought-provoking and touching movie featuring an exceptionally believable cast and plot line that make you feel good about yourself without being a “chick flick.”C. Vogels—-Pink Panther 2Columbia PicturesC+Steve Martin returns as bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau in “The Pink Panther 2.” When renowned treasures are stolen, Inspector Clouseau is on the case. While the first installment in the series received worldwide success, the second film did not deliver as expected. Martin is charming, but the outrageous accent and poor plot do little for the actor. The script is predictable and fluffy. There are some funny moments, but audiences may not laugh out loud.A. Norsworthy—-PushSummit EntertainmentC-This sci-fi action movie stars Dakota Fanning as a psychic, Chris Evans as a telekinetic and Camilla Belle as a mind controller.  The three have spent their lives hiding from Division, a U.S. government agency that captures the supernaturally gifted and tries to harness their powers. Fanning has a plan to bring down Division and recruits the others to help.  The special effects are impressive, and the plot keeps the audience in suspense. But viewers are in a constant state of confusion and are left with many unanswered questions.L. Nunez—-Editor’s PickCoraline Focus FeaturesFOR FANS OF:”The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Alice in Wonderland””Coraline,” the 3-D animated film based on the Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, tells the tale of a young girl who walks through a mysterious door in her house and discovers a world eerily similar to the one in which she lives. Coraline is fascinated with the new world at first but then learns something is amiss. She must escape and get back to her real life. Shot in stop motion, the movie is an incredible undertaking and well worth the effort of everyone involved. The visuals are fascinating, and director Henry Selick does an amazing job of creating Coraline’s alternate universe. This movie is a must-see.S. Aycock