By Tricia Alcid

Staff Writer

“The Master”
Starring the talented Joaquin Phoenix, “The Master” focuses on the story of Freddie Quell (Phoenix), a World War II naval veteran struggling through his PTSD and his inability to fit into the world. By a stroke of luck, he stumbles upon Lancaster Dodd (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman), the leader of an organization known as The Cause. As Quell steadily submerges himself deeper within the group’s system, his own philosophy and lifestyle choices are challenged, and his life is forever changed.

“How to Survive a Plague”
Based on a powerful true story, “How to Survive a Plague” is the inspirational documentary tracking the stories of young men and women who fought against the tide of AIDS prejudice to lay down the first steps to AIDS awareness and treatment. They fight tooth-and-nail for scientific research and penetrate pharmaceutical and governmental industries. This underdog group of grass-root activists battled against high risks to gain revolutionary medication to treat an epidemic no other group would support, changing the world as we know it today.
“Zion” by Hillsong United
As the third studio album by the highly popular Hillsong United, “Zion” contains the fuses the elements of modern rock and contemporary Christian music to reinvent not only the modern worship music, but also recreate their sound. Such songs included in this album will be “Relentless” and “Oceans,” songs that will undoubtedly draw in new listeners for their exquisite elements of rock, worship, and even subtle modern pop.

“Hagar’s Song” by Charles Lloyd and Jason Moran
As an established jazz musician of over fifty years, Charles Lloyd has come once again to release a joint album with the talented Jason Moran. With mixtures of Lloyd’s pensive flutes and Moran’s dark-toned accompaniment, the five-part dedication to Lloyd’s great-great grandmother’s life heads this masterpiece of an album with beautifully composed and heart-wrenching songs.