Movies and music we're into this week

The UK doesn't celebrate July 4th, but we can celebrate this classic movie charting the world's struggle for independence against a different kind of threat. Critics may have been salty towards Independence Day when it released, but this movie was one of my favorites as a kid and remains such today. Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, incredible special effects and all round 'badassery.' What's not to like?

I don't watch a lot of anime because I only prefer specific genres, but Dimension W ticks most of what I need. Taking place on 2072 the world is powered by energy harvested from a fourth-dimensional axis called Dimension W through "cross-dimensional electromagnetic induction devices" referred to as Coils. From there, conspiracies rage on as a collector – people who hunt down illegal coils – discovers there is a lot more going on that what is believed.

This is a quiet, bleak downer of a bank-robbery flick. All of those things are usually bad qualities, and you definitely have to be in the right mood for this film. But if you are, it's a hell of an experience. The acting is first-class. The movie is visually stunning. And it captures the unique landscape of desolate West Texas perfectly. (I have family in that area and visit once a year, so I know.) It's more cerebral than exciting, better looking than fast paced, but Hell or High Water really stuck in my head. And I highly recommend it.

Dan Auerbach is one half of the blues-rock duo known as The Black Keys. I'm a huge Black Keys fan and have been for years. But even as a fan, I can say without hesitation that all their albums sound very similar. If you like that sound, that's a good thing. But it can get repetitive. Auerbach's new solo album moves way away from the traditional Black Keys feel and toward a more California-surfer, I'm-happy-and-laidback-but-not-too-happy-to-write-moving-music feel. If that makes sense. The album is different than what I expected, but I'm still really digging it. And I think you will too.

I've been a fan of Disturbed since the very beginning. The only thing better is some live Disturbed, and Red Rocks is the band's latest that throws out hits from across their musical life. And frankly, it's worth listening to just to hear David Draiman power through The Sound of Silence.So. Good.

I find gospel music soothing, encouraging and inspiring, and it brings my thoughts toward a place of worship and honor of God. The smooth soulful tones of the Winans are particularly touching.

I've been making an effort lately to go back through some of the stuff I used to jam out to, but fell out of for some reason over the past few years. On the top of that list was Scottish band We Were Promised Jetpacks. whose most recent release was 2014's "Unravelling." I've always loved these guys for the way they play with dynamics, going from a tentative whisper to a wall of sound throughout the course of a song — oftentimes more than once. Plus I love Scottish accents.Recommended cut from this album: Peaks and Troughs.