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Top Score: Deconstructing Tomb Raider with Composer Jason Graves
All Tech Considered: Tomb Raider Makes The Case For Old-Fashioned Console Gaming
When the first ever Tomb Raider game launched in 1996 it was a revolution. Outstanding in terms of graphics, gameplay, and storyline, it changed the way that video games were played and developed forever. Fronting the games assault on the world was the central character, Lara Croft. Lara was also to have an incredible impact, quickly becoming the most recognized and celebrated female action heroine and an icon for the video games industry.
This newest rendition of Tomb Raider explores the intense and gritty origin story of Lara Croft and her ascent from a frightened young woman to the hardened survivor that she would become known as. Armed only with raw instincts and the ability to push beyond the limits of human endurance, Lara must fight to unravel the dark history of a forgotten island to escape its relentless hold.
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Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson
Morning Edition: Courtside Chemistry: How NBA’s Phil Jackson Won ‘Eleven Rings’
This is the story of a preacher’s kid from North Dakota who grew up to be one of the most innovative leaders of our time. In his quest to reinvent himself, Jackson explored everything from humanistic psychology and Native American philosophy to Zen meditation. In the process, he developed a new approach to leadership based on freedom, authenticity, and selfless teamwork that turned the hypercompetitive world of professional sports on its head.
In Eleven Rings, Jackson candidly describes how he:
- Learned the secrets of mindfulness and team chemistry while playing for the champion New York Knicks in the 1970s
- Managed Michael Jordan, the greatest player in the world, and got him to embrace selflessness, even if it meant losing a scoring title
- Forged successful teams out of players of varying abilities by getting them to trust one another and perform in sync
- Inspired Dennis Rodman and other “uncoachable” personalities to devote themselves to something larger than themselves
- Transformed Kobe Bryant from a rebellious teenager into a mature leader of a championship team.
Trouble Will Find Me by The National
The Current: Album Review: Trouble Will Find Me
Trouble Will Find Me is The National’s highly anticipated sixth album. Formed in 1999, the Ohio-raised, Brooklyn- based band consists of vocalist Matt Berninger fronting two pairs of brothers: Aaron (guitar, bass, piano) and Bryce Dessner (guitar), and Scott (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). The band s previous 4AD release, High Violet (May 2010), was met with critical acclaim.
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Random Access Memories by Daft Punk
All Things Considered: Daft Punk On ‘The Soul That A Musician Can Bring’
NPR’s The Record: Robots In Ecstasy: Daft Punk’s ‘Memories’ Embraces The Pleasure Principle
Random Access Memories is the fourth studio album from French electronic dance duo Daft Punk. The highly anticipated return of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Hoemm-Christo sees them collaborate with some legendary musical names. Nile Rodgers, Giorgio Moroder, Paul Williams, Todd Edwards, and many more contribute to an intrinsic and retro-influenced record that heralds another fascinating chapter in the group’s influential history.
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Morning Edition: This Thriller is Deliciously Complex
NPR: ‘Side-Effects’ May Include Eye-Rolling
MPR: Cube Critics - Side Effects
From Academy Awardr-winning director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic) comes this suspenseful and provocative tale of intrigue starring Channing Tatum, Academy Award-nominees Rooney Mara and Jude Law, and Academy Award-winner Catherine Zeta-Jones. After her husband (Tatum) is released from prison, Emily (Mara) begins suffering from terrifying anxiety and turns to psychiatrist Dr. Banks (Law) for help. But when Banks prescribes an experimental drug for her, the side effects have chilling and deadly consequences. Full of unexpected twists, Side Effects is a sexy psychological thriller that is wildly unpredictable.
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