Hot Sheet: Clay Aiken, and Popcorn Flicks

Movies

Prince of Persia: Prince of Persia is angering a lot of critics because instead of casting a Persian actor in the title role, producers cast Jake Gyllenhaal. The decision will probably do little to hurt box office -- and let's face it, there are worse ways to spend two hours than watching Jake Gyllenhaal run around without a shirt on -- but the fact that there are no actors of Middle Eastern descent in lead roles has caused a bit of a backlash among critics.

Sex and the City 2: The continuing adventures of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Samantha take them first to a gay wedding and then clear across the globe to Abu Dhabi. Reviews haven't been too terribly strong, mostly with the complaint that the movie is not sexy and has lost a crucial fifth character (New York). Still, the actresses are all getting strong reviews, particularly Kristin Davis. And in this latest film we finally get to see Stanford and Anthony happy.

Music

To the Sea by Jack Johnson: The handsome Hawaiian releases his sixth album Tuesday. Led by the single "You and Your Heart," which rolls by like a North Shore breeze, the album is the perfect soundtrack to summer soirees.

Tried & True by Clay Aiken: Clay's fifth album, and his first on the Decca label, is his take on mid-century standards like "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "Unchained Melody," "Crying," and "Suspicious Minds."

DVDs

Drop Dead Diva: The Complete First Season:The Lifetime smash about a dim-witted model reincarnated into the body of a recently deceased plus-size attorney (the engaging Brooke Elliott) is a hoot, thanks in no small part to costar Margaret Cho. Guest stars such as Rosie O'Donnell, Delta Burke, and Liza Minnelli make this a must-see for gay viewers.

True Blood: The Complete Second Season:As put-upon heroine Sookie Stackhouse, Anna Paquin anchors one of television's strongest (and most aesthetically pleasing) casts in Alan Ball's lively series about the undead. The sophomore season of the HBO hit amps up the already-excessive camp, gore, and gay metaphors that made the first season such a sensation and provides a stereotype-shattering workout for Nelsan Ellis as gay fry cook Lafayette.

The Wolfman: Top-notch actors (Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, and Benicio Del Toro as the title character) try hard but can't quite breathe new life into this sleek yet ultimately unsatisfying remake of the classic horror tale about the haunted nobleman with lycanthropic tendencies.