Ken Tucker

Critic Ken Tucker revisits the classic Jack Nicholson film, now on home video. He says the movie is idiosyncratic, but fizzles out by the end, after Nicholson's character has killed off so many of his emotions.

Rock critic Ken Tucker says that the band's new album lives up to its name: 'Til Tuesday is now no longer a band, but a vehicle for singer and songwriter Aimee Man. Tucker says the heartbreak-riddled record has an elegantly formal structure.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews his favorite songs of the moment, performed by Annie Lennox and Al Green, Lucinda Williams, Shinehead, Billy Bragg, and Fairground Attraction

Critic Ken Tucker reviews the direct-to-video documentary Cover-Up, which alleges that a shadow government conspired to shape foreign policy throughout the 1980s, which led to the Iran-Contra affair. The film has been an unexpected commercial success. Other recent releases include 3 Men and a Baby and She's Having a Baby.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums by two British bands. He says the Pet Shop Boys' Introspective lives up to its name, with tight, understated songs. Eighth Wonder's Fearless is commercial and accessible, yet emotionally distant.

The Traveling Wilburys comprises Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Jeff Lynn, and Tom Petty. Rock critic Ken Tucker says their first album, Volume 1, is a true collaboration. Unlike the self-indulgent supergroups of the 1960s and 1970s, he says the Wilburys' music is an unexpected pleasure.

Ken Tucker reviews the home video release of the highest grossing film of all time. He says the movie doesn't transfer well to the smaller dimensions of a TV screen, but its heart is still there. Conversely, Cinderella is perfect for home viewing, but it still suffers from Disney's sentimental revisions of the original tale. The Three Caballeros, another recent Disney release, is also worth watching.

Rock critic Ken Tucker steps out of his comfort zone and reviews three recent best-sellers he otherwise wouldn't have listened to. He says Anita Baker's Giving You the Best That I Got is lush but soulless, while the Bangles' Everything is an excellent ripoff of a 1960s rock album. Duran Duran's Big Thing is the band's attempt to prove they're serious musicians -- but it's a hapless bummer.

Hal Wilner produced the compilation album Stay Awake, which features contemporary artists performing songs from Disney movies. Rock critic Ken Tucker says it's uneven but has unexpected moments of beauty and inspiration. It's more of a baby-boom curiosity than an essential recording.

Critic Ken Tucker reviews Alysssa Milano's exercise video Teen Steam, which is geared toward teenage girls; adults caught watching it can't help feeling faintly unclean, he says. He also recommends new releases of Withnail and I and Rambo III.