US – Friday, March 19
The Grid
The week's releases
Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.
 
My Entertainment
THE WEEK THAT WAS
This week, the news community ate up the story of world’s fattest mom Donna Simpson — who, reports claim, actually hopes to increase her already ample girth to claim a new record.
 
My Entertainment
THE WEEK THAT WAS
This week, the news community ate up the story of world’s fattest mom Donna Simpson — who, reports claim, actually hopes to increase her already ample girth to claim a new record.
 
The Word
James admits to ‘poor judgment’
Sandra Bullock is having quite a week with her dogs. On Thursday, husband Jesse James released a statement to People magazine about the affair rumors swirling around the couple, stating that a “vast majority” of the allegations are “untrue and unfounded,” but says, “It’s because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way.
 
Movies
Taking on a blockbuster
If the name Stieg Larsson isn’t familiar, the cover of his globally best-selling book may provide instant recognition, considering the novel is reaching Harry Potter-level ubiquity. The film adaptation follows suit, blowing box office records all over Europe for its roundly praised, faithful rendition of the story of two detectives (of sorts) who uncover family scandals in search of a woman who has been missing for 40 years. We sat down with director Niels Arden Oplev to chat about his version of the tale.
 

Music
Letting ‘Freedom’ ring
Frederic Chopin wrote a piano sonata in A minor; Alicia Keys’ debut album  was called “Songs in A Minor.”
 
Music
‘The age of the freak is almost here’
For the past few years the tourist shops near where the SXSW Music Conference takes place have been selling goods emblazoned with the axiom “Keep Austin Weird.” And if the first night of live music was any indication, visitors, revelers and performers are taking the sentiment to heart. Here are a few of the highlights from Wednesday
Music
‘A fun night of music, a little shindig’ with STP
For the first time in nearly a decade, Stone Temple Pilots will be premiering material from a new album, kicking off a tour with a show tonight at the 3,000-capacity Austin Music Hall at the SXSW Music Conference in Texas. But as guitarist Dean DeLeo says, size doesn’t matter.
 

Music
‘Going to get an earful’
The SXSW Music Conference, in which thousands of bands from all over the world cram themselves into every venue possible in Austin, TX, begins today. It is five days of beautiful musical mayhem and Metro will be reporting each day about our finds there. There are so many choices of what to see and hear that it can become daunting, but one way to maintain your own quality control while there is to check out the showcases put together by such esteemed musical tastemakers as National Public Radio, Pitchfork.com, Rolling Stone and Spin Magazine.
 

Photo: JOERG KOCH/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
My Music New York
Quite the bright, Buble personality
For three very successful records, Michael Buble has reinterpreted standards. But when it came to last fall’s hit album, “Crazy Love,” the pop/jazz singer decided it was time to start telling his own stories and included two originals, including the Sinatra-esque “Haven’t Met You Yet.”
 
Music
Get to know ... KIDZ IN THE HALL
Like Kid Cudi and the Cool Kids, hip-hop group Kidz in the Hall are often labeled hipsters. They don’t necessarily take issue with that.
Music
Run this town
No living man but Jay-Z could get a sold out Boston arena so excited about New York City. But for two hours last night, the sold out crowd at the Garden was in an Empire State of Mind, as “The Blueprint 3” tour rolled into town.
 
 
 

Photo: GETTY IMAGES
New York Music
Ain’t wastin’ time no more
For nearly 20 years, the Allman Brothers Band have made the Beacon Theatre their home away from Georgia for the month of March. But this year they’ve moved their residency over to the United Palace Theatre. Why?

 
Music
… and he’ll scratch yours
Finding a bit of Shade in the spotlight
Riding the wave of neverending youth
How to get totally Wild
Cash back, guaranteed
Editors take a red pen to their songwriting process
Taking the jam to a whole new level
Rufus, will you be our Valentine?
Elly Jackson: ‘We all like catchy hooks’
Magnetism of another variety here
Music
Best friends and aural illusionists
Fixing a broken record
Now that’s the Spirit
Carving out a Soft spot in your heart
Ladysmith in waiting
Scoring ‘Fierce’ Grammy victory
Scottish tastemaker still mixing it up
Hey Grammy, ‘You Belong with Me’
‘We all like catchy hooks’
Rise and Shinedown