Top Picks: Charly Bliss's 'Guppy,' National Geographic's video of a feather star, and more

In PBS’s 'Ireland’s Wild Coast,' cameraman Colin Stafford-Johnson explores everything from the impressive Skellig Rocks to the various wildlife that can be seen in the beautiful area, the classic story of King Kong gets an interesting update with the movie 'Kong: Skull Island,' and more top picks.

Not your pop's pop

“You are what you like” might best sum up Charly Bliss’s punky pop record Guppy. The New York City band’s influences are the very bands they stood in line to see as teens, which means ’90s popsters like Veruca Salt, Letters to Cleo, and Weezer. The band sound less polished but every bit as energetic and tuneful as their inspirations, and “Guppy” is at once an ode to their elders and a totally modern take on pop, with plenty of vinegar to offset the bubblegum.

Intriguing creature

Can’t make it to the beach this week? Then check out this intriguing video from National Geographic of a feather star, a variety of crinoid that lives in the ocean. The feather star’s graceful movements through the water are mesmerizing! National Geographic provides more information about the creature in the video. See the clip at http://bit.ly/featherstar.

Wild land

In PBS’s Ireland’s Wild Coast, cameraman Colin Stafford-Johnson explores everything from the impressive Skellig Rocks to the various wildlife that can be seen in the beautiful area, including basking sharks, golden eagles, and humpback whales. The show will première on Aug. 2 at 8 p.m.

Carry the banner

Did you miss the story of determined newspaper sellers who changed the world when it first came to movie theaters? Fathom Events is bringing the hit musical Newsies back to the big screen on Aug. 5 and 9. The great songs and impressive dancing will win over the whole family, and the story shows
how everyone can make a difference. Check out www.fathomevents.com to see if there will be a showing near you.

New ‘Kong’

The classic story of King Kong gets an interesting update with the movie Kong: Skull Island, which is available on DVD and Blu-ray. Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, and Samuel L. Jackson star as members of a team that is exploring Kong’s island in 1973 during the Vietnam War, a choice of setting that Monitor film critic Peter Rainer calls “inspired.” “They look as if they had fun,” Rainer writes of the actors involved in the movie. “So will you.”