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movies

	Galaxy Quest Has-been TV space cowboys are drafted to save the galaxy (for real) in this consistently pleasing, wickedly spot-on sci-fi spoof. The gags primarily prick the original Star Trek, and familiarity with the source material is helpful, though not essential - the humor is there even for those who've never experienced the real McCoy.
	Amélie Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who made the fascinating Delicatessen and The City of Lost Children, tells a somewhat more down-to-earth story in much the same whimsical style. Amélie is a lonely woman with very funny fantasies who decides to work behind the scenes to make the world better for the people around her in the Montmartre district of Paris. An undeniably light-hearted souffle of fun.
	China Syndrome Even though it was released over twenty years ago, this film remains a potent thriller about the cooling system in a nuclear reactor failing and the core superheating, thus threatening to burn a hole to China. Along with a tight script, the super-'70s cast of Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas and Jack Lemmon delivers the goods.
	Casino In every way - from the fantastic sets, rich dialogue, and unapologetic violence, to the well-portrayed characters and themes of loyalty and betrayal - Casino is pure Scorsese. Although the plot (and ensemble cast) is sometimes derivative of the gangster exploits in Goodfellas, this is nevertheless compelling filmmaking.

music

	Badly Drawn Boy - About a Boy soundtrack The latest British comedy based on a Nick Hornby novel is as musically informed as the author's previous High Fidelity. This time, Badly Drawn Boy (aka Damon Gough), another phenomenon to recently emerge from the UK, provides a score split between complete songs and fleeting instrumentals, all of it laced with that big-screen vibe.
	Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head Although this album would be the ideal soundtrack for waving goodbye to a true love from a bus window before disappearing forever, there is a cavernous beauty to the melodic depression of many tracks that can't be denied. A welcome second dose of Chris Martin's heart-breaking ballads.
	Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information R&B and soul man Shuggie Otis was a guitar prodigy who played with his father Johnny Otis, Frank Zappa, Al Kooper and others. His path led him through the world of the psychedelic '60s and the soul-powered '70s, resulting in a unique musical vision. Otis' fourth album is as warm and soulful as anything by Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye or Bill Withers, yet with a distinct Beatles influence as well.
	Man Ray - Various artists A compilation for the down-tempo groove lover everywhere, featuring tracks from international artists like dZihan & Kamien, Esthero, Sven Van Hees, Lemonjelly and more. If you enjoy this array, the good news is that there's already a "volume 2" available.

CDs and DVDs available at www.albumcity.cz (www.i90.com).