PICKS & PANS

This week's reviews: 'CQ,' Ferry's 'Frantic,' 'Military Diaries'

(PEOPLE) -- This week, PEOPLE.COM looks at film "CQ," Bryan Ferry's new album, "Frantic," and VH1's "Military Diaries."

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Movie review: 'CQ'

Angela Lindvall and Jeremy Davies star in "CQ."

Roman Coppola, the 37-year-old son of Francis Ford Coppola, makes his writing and directing debut with this playful but muddled homage to other giants of cinema -- especially the French new wave, whose films were giddy with an elegant disregard for old rules. Working in Paris in 1969, an American film editor (the squirmily observant Jeremy Davies) is put in charge of a campy futuristic adventure that looks like "Barbarella." He must cook up a new ending for this romp while shooting his own home movie, which documents his affair with a flight attendant. He: "I just want to capture what's real and honest." She: "What if it's boring?" Ah! "CQ" is a movie so into movies, the audience feels superfluous, the third wheel on a hot date. (R)

Bottom Line: New wave bye-bye

Music review: 'Frantic'

Bryan Ferry (Virgin)

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Like a classic motorcycle or vintage Wayfarers, Bryan Ferry is enduringly cool. On his first album of mostly original material since 1994, the former Roxy Music frontman remains the Sultan of Style, delivering a cocktail-party-ready collection of arty sophisto-pop. Incorporating blues, country and folk into his richly textured rock, Ferry creates a dreamy place where Avalon meets the heartland. Although Ferry has found a kindred songwriting partner in former Eurythmic Dave Stewart -- with whom he composed four tunes, including the gorgeous "Goddess of Love" -- he hasn't forgotten his Roxy mates: He cowrote the lilting closer "I Thought" with Brian Eno, who also supplies backing vocals and keyboards, and brings in drummer Paul Thompson for a few good licks. Ultimately, though, this disc belongs to Ferry and his haunting tremolo.

Bottom Line: Ferry good

TV review: 'Military Diaries'

VH1 (Mondays, 10 p.m. ET)

Nothing against VH1, but I almost wish this new series were on another network. Executive producer R.J. Cutler ("American High") has a timely and promising concept: Servicemen and women, many of them overseas as part of the war against terrorism, tell their stories through video diaries. Since this is a VH1 show, however, there's an obligatory overemphasis on the diarists' musical tastes. In the first of the back-to-back episodes that make up the May 27 premiere, a captain in the Army's Special Forces treats us to a brief Billy Joel imitation, declares Bob Dylan his "absolute favorite" and confides that the sound of Smashing Pumpkins fits his wartime mood. Thanks for the report, Captain, but I'd much prefer to hear what you've been up to in Afghanistan.

The second episode is a big improvement. After fulfilling her VH1 service obligation by discussing the lyrics of "You've Got a Friend," an Army lieutenant speaks from the heart about her efforts to help Afghan children. The chords she strikes make "Military Diaries" worth tuning into.

Bottom Line: Needs more mission, less music