The Crash Kings, with Jet in concert at Varsity Theatre, March 16Jet did everything they could to transform the Varsity on March 16 into an arena show of 30 years ago, but the night belonged to the Crash Kings.Even though Jet had more direct crowd interaction, it seemed all too routine for the five-piece rock band from Australia. And the fact that they turned every one of their hits into a minutes-on-end breakdown with demands for applause didn’t steer the band any further from monotony.The Crash Kings, though, delivered a nonstop, searing set from the beginning. The band opened with a fiery rendition of the first single from their self-titled, debut album “Mountain Man” and never let up.Given little more than 40 minutes to make their impression, the three-piece band wasted no time in between songs on crowd banter or anything resembling rest. With roughly half the time and stage to work with, the Crash Kings made a far more stunning impression than Jet — not bad for a band without a guitar.But don’t think this band doesn’t rock. Drummer Jason Morris’ monstrous playing kept the crowd moving, and bassist Michael Beliveau made a plethora of sounds with his bi-amped, often distorted sound.Maybe the Crash Kings simply pulled an upset considering opening bands are typically considered the inferior of those on the bill. But the Kings didn’t waste a second and made an impression Baton Rouge won’t forget.Ben Bourgeous — AThe Runaways, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Atlantic RecordsThis retro compilation features classic music from The Runaways, plus Runaways covers performed by the film’s stars, Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart. Fanning’s voice is hardly recognizable. It’s hard to believe the sweet little girl who starred in “I Am Sam” is singing about being wild in “Cherry Bomb.” Fanning and Stewart are both surprisingly awesome — they manage to sound convincingly like 1970s rock ‘n’ roll stars. There are also original songs by Joan Jett, David Bowie, Sex Pistols, The Stooges and MC5. Elizabeth Clausen — AHot Tub Time Machine, MGM StudiosRather than focusing on the movie’s ridiculous and intentionally inane plot, credit has to be given to how the actors make the characters come alive and become truly interesting. Just like in 2008’s “What Happens in Vegas,” Rob Corddy proves to be the main reason to watch the film in his role as the drug-fueled party animal Lou. “Hot Tub” is also the first role for Craig Robinson that allows him to move beyond the typical stoic appearance and crazy one-liners he’s known for in “The Office” and “Pineapple Express.” But this movie is unfortunately less than the sum of its parts. John Cusack gives a virtually uninspiring performance as his character wanders aimlessly throughout the film with funny situations usually unfolding around him. Relative newcomer Clark Duke (“Sex Drive”) also has trouble deciding whether to imitate Michael Cera or Jonah Hill. His role in “Hot Tub” — a 20-something who travels to a time when he wasn’t born — hardly creates contrast to the other, older characters.Director Steve Pink, whose only other major directing experience was 2006’s “Accepted,” doesn’t seem to have a clue what to do with the tools in front of him. The film weaves back and forth between isolated incidents of the past with little cohesion.But “Hot Tub” is a great laugh despite its shortcomings. This movie is much funnier than any trailer gives it justice (likely because of many of the jokes’ vulgarity) and had viewers still laughing as they left the theater. It may be completely senseless, but “Hot Tub” is something you’ll have to judge for yourself.Ben Bourgeois — C+The White Stripes, Under Great White Northern Lights, Warner Bros.The White Stripes return from a three-year hiatus with the release of a live album and a documentary. The album showcases Jack and Meg White’s star power as rock ‘n’ roll pacesetters, but much of the music is lost to overstated instrumentals better-appreciated in a well-equipped arena. It’s nice to revisit favorites like “Seven Nation Army” and “Icky Thump,” but the duo should concern itself with recording new material instead of releasing a forgettable live album. The Stripes’ usual golden touch doesn’t quite work on this old material rehash.Matthew Jacobs — C+Gorillaz, Plastic Beach, Virgin Records”Plastic Beach,” the third album from Gorillaz — the cartoon-pop construct of former Blur frontman Damon Albarn — is the band’s crowning moment to date. “Beach” is sprawling in its ambition, spanning the sounds of early David Bowie, ’70s funk and modern hip-hop, sometimes within a single song. Downright eerie at times and gloriously melancholic in spurts, the album features hypnotic keyboard flourishes seamlessly complementing warped synthesizers and hyperactive drum loops. The album never feels overcooked and actually manages to feel uniquely cohesive despite the complex arrangements and varied emotions. With “Beach,” Gorillaz have created a genuinely affecting album of peerless, soulful pop.Chris Abshire — AJustified, FX StudiosFX’s newest series makes its mark in the appropriately titled pilot episode “Fire in the Hole.” The show follows rogue U.S. Marshal Raylan Givins and his forced transfer to his hometown Harlan, Ky., for shooting a suspect dead on site. His reasoning? “He pulled first, so I was justified.” And Givins has no problem shooting moonshine and Jim Beam with old friends-suspected killers before shooting them. The show’s developers do a great job creating tension and giving the outlaw lawman character a welcomed depth. Similarly, the acting is on par with the better original dramas on television right now. While the script has room for improvement — an antagonist mutters the phrase ‘Git ‘R Done’ in all seriousness — “Justified” is looking to be one of spring’s most compelling shows.Ben Bourgeois — A-She’s Out of My League, Paramount Pictures, DreamworksAfter 2007’s “Knocked Up,” it was hard to find Jay Baruchel in another role as memorable as Jay, the faux-hawk wearing, pot-smoking roommate. It’s about time he got a lead. And it couldn’t have come in a more unassuming comedy. “She’s Out of My League” didn’t carry the same pre-premiere comedic prowess as one of Judd Apatow’s film babies, but it’s surprisingly satisfying. Director Jim Field Smith’s presentation of the cliche blonde-bombshell-goes-for-gangly-nerd is fresh, and his characters, albeit corny, are endearing. It’s not especially hilarious, but there’s no funny dry spells and it’s nowhere near a chick flick. The seamless chemistry of Baruchel and Alice Eve erase the need for a plot or climax. Baruchel has never looked so good, and Eve is hot with two T’s. This comedy is natural, believable and completely down to earth — a surprising must-see.Sarah Lawson