Yeah, I know... the movie was pretty bad. But try not to let that experience ruin the novel for you. Alan Moore's still got it, and he rarely makes a miss. Kevin O'Neil's inking is simply superb.

Sandman: Endless Nights by Neil Gaiman  

Us poor Sandman fans have been waiting for seven years for Neil to make his promised return to comics and to the wonderful characters of his classic Sandman series and tie up some loose ends in the plot - and he does, only this time he's not confined to the twenty-something page, monthly comic format, so you get Gaiman at his best, with some of the finest artists around like P. Craig Russell and Milo Manara. If you're a Sandman fan and wanted to know more about Morpheus and the rest of the Endless, this one is well worth your time.

And in our obscure corner, here's a delicious little collection of short stories from DC Comics' always fine Vertigo line of publishing. Some lovely short stories about crime with very different approaches by greats like Brian Azzarello (Hellblazer), Grant Goleash (100 Bullets), Jamie Delano (Batman: Manbat), David Lloyd (V For Vendetta), Dave Gibbons (Watchmen) and Peter Kuper (The System). Not essential, but a terrific purchase with great art and great writing.

Reality by David Bowie

Without doubt one of the most consistent artists working in popular music, Mr. Bowie had kept his career going since the late 60s and he never ceases to amaze and astonish. His latest work, a very clear continuation of his previous release of last year, Heathen, is one of the best albums Bowie released in years. It's good to see Tony Visconti back on the production team, too. Thank god there are some folks from the golden age of rock who still have it.

Arthur by The Kinks

An underrated album that is gradually becoming one of my favorites. Of all the British Invasion bands not one was more defiantly British than The Kinks, and this album, while it's filled with fast, happy rock n' roll, makes some strong social commentary about the UK in the late 60s. No surprise, then, that it was a flop outside the UK, though it's a much more sophisticated work than the more successful Lola, which followed it one year later.

by Tom Waits  

Tom Waits is an acquired taste, that's for sure. God knows it took me some time to see the genius of the man and the beauty of the music. Swordfishtrombones is classic Waits at his best, and is a fantastic start in appreciating his music.

   The Fisher King, directed by Terry Gilliam

One of my all-time favorites, this is the first of two timeless masterpieces by former Monty Pythonist and animator Terry Gilliam, the other one being Twelve Monkeys. Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams supply brilliant and unforgettable performances in a film that's half heartfelt comedy and half surreal fantasy. A must see.

, directed by Bob Giraldi

Lovely little film, very unappreciated. A small film, taking place entirely on one evening in one busy restaurant, focusing on the various characters in the location and how their lives intertwine. Fantastic acting from everyone involved.

   Pi, directed by Darren Aronofsky

Darren Aronofsky - there's a guy who, if he keeps it up, can be the Stanley Kubrick of the 21st century, as far as I can see. If you enjoyed (or maybe that's not the right word?) his difficult and painful drama Requiem For A Dream, try his first movie. It's a low budget, sure, but it has one of the best directing jobs I've ever seen, and it's damn powerful. This is filmmaking at its best.