STUFF WE DIG: ISSUE 2

Movies

“The Dictator”

We’ve seen Sacha Baron Cohen as the bumbling “Borat” and the flamboyant “Bruno” now let’s see what he can do as an outrageous Middle Eastern dictator. In “The Dictator,” Baron Cohen plays Admiral General Aladeen and goes less mockumentary and more scripted comedy. (Out May 11)

“The Avengers”

It’s like a superhero orgy. You take Ironman, The Hulk, Thor, Captain America and the rest of the Marvel crew, put them together and it’s like five comic book movies in one. There’s no shortage of action here. Bet on that. (Out May 4)

Music

Alabama Shakes

You know those bands that sound like they’ve been plucked out of another era? That’s Alabama Shakes -- a bluesy, soulful southern rock band whose young lead singer sounds like a Janis Joplin stand-in. Look for their major-label debut album, “Boys & Girls” and pretend it’s the late ’60s and early ’70s.

Kendrick Lamar

Is this the new heir to the Compton rap throne? Kendrick Lamar -- who has already built a nice underground following behind his laid-back, drug-fueled raps -- earned a powerful co-sign from rap king Dr. Dre, who, lest we forget, introduced us to Snoop Dogg, Eminem and The Game. Kendrick and Dre already dropped “The Recipe.” Find that and look out for more.

TV

“Magic City”

Seek out Starz on your cable box to find “Magic City,” which details the hotel and mobster scene of Miami Beach in 1959.  It’s like “Mad Men” meets “Boardwalk Empire” with a little bit of  “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” thrown into the mix.

“True Blood”

Look, we don’t like all that “Twilight” nonsense either. When it comes to vampires, we trust HBO. That’s why everybody will be happy to know that “True Blood” is returning for its fifth season starting June 10.

Video Games

“Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier”
What gamer doesn’t like to be a bad-ass in the battlefield? “Ghost Recon: Future Solider” will allow you do just that -- as one of four elite soldiers fighting a cross-continent secret war that will decide who rules the world. Better work on that aim, soldier.

Babes

Kate Upton

Even your mom knows Kate Upton is hot. Upton -- if you don’t know the name -- is the smoking hot blonde in the recent Carl’s Jr. TV ad. She was also the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue covergirl this year and she’s in that regrettable “Three Stooges” movie. She’s everywhere. And all men are happier for it.