Top Picks: Fantastical 2 app, 'Tommy's Honour' on DVD and Blu-ray, and more
The app The Elements by Theodore Gray makes the periodic table interactive, musician Mondo Cozmo sounds like the grandson of Bob Dylan circa 'Like a Rolling Stone,' or the gifted offspring of 'The Spider from Mars'-era David Bowie, on 'Plastic Soul,' and more top picks.
Ascending star
Mondo Cozmo sounds like the grandson of Bob Dylan circa “Like a Rolling Stone,” or the gifted offspring of “The Spider from Mars”-era David Bowie. His music is big, anthemic, and exciting. Each song sounds as if he’s improvising it with his friends on the spot, recorder rolling, all hands on deck. Plastic Soul is the wildly inappropriate title of his album and the last way you’d ever describe this moving music as he belts out his much-streamed single “Shine.” You’ll be looking for a chair to stand on so you can wave your arms and sing along.
Beautiful calendar
Looking for an appealing way to keep track of your commitments? Calendar app Fantastical 2 allows you to add reminders and wish someone happy birthday, among other features. The impressive layout makes looking at the week enjoyable. Fantastical 2 is $4.99 for iOS.
Golf origin
Those who are curious about how golf came to be can find out more with Tommy’s Honour, which centers on two of the founders of the game. Tom (Peter Mullan), known as Old Tom, serves as an instructor at St. Andrews golf course, while his son Young Tom (Jack Lowden) dreams of something more. The movie is available on DVD and Blu-ray and is rated PG for thematic elements, some suggestive material, language, and smoking.
Elements of learning
Do you know a child learning the chemical elements, or are you looking for a refresher? The app The Elements by Theodore Gray makes the periodic table interactive and uses an object to depict each element; a tin soldier, for example, represents tin. Various facts about each element are also included. It’s $14.99 for iOS.
Hustling the PM
Richard Gere stars as the title character in Norman, which tells the story of a businessman who, looking to get ahead, becomes acquainted with the Israeli prime minister (Lior Ashkenazi). Monitor film critic Peter Rainer writes, “Gere has always been at his best when cast as a species of con artist.” The movie is rated R for some language and is available on DVD and Blu-ray.