The popular author’s latest novel, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, carries on a long tradition of pointed musical references Earlier this month, Haruki Murakami’s latest novel, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, was published in the United States. Its title is a reference to Franz Liszt’s “Years of Pilgrimage” suite, which plays a central role in the novel’s narrative. The pointed reference isn’t exactly a major detour from Murakami. His favorite tropes are so omnipresent that a fan recently put together a Bingo card collecting them: “Speaking to Cats,” “Parallel Worlds,” “Weird Sex,” and — of course — “Old Jazz Record.” At times, reading Murakami’s work can feel like flipping through his legendarily expansive record collection. (In a 2011 New York Times article, Murakami estimated that he owns 10,000 records, but says he was afraid to count.) Almost without exception, Murakami’s musical references are confined to one of three genres: classical, jazz, and American pop. Many of his novels, including Norwegian Wood, Dance Dance Dance, and South of the Border, West of the Sun — derive their titles from songs, and his characters constantly reflect on the music they hear. If anything, Murakami’s reliance on music has become more pronounced over the years; his two most recent novels hinge on songs that literally have the power to change the world. Perhaps the strangest side effect of Murakami’s enormous popularity is his ability to single-handedly drive musical trends. Following the Japanese release of 1Q84, Leoš Janáček’s […]

“Star Wars” fans have more than just a new movie to look forward to next year. Disney says it will announce major plans for more “Star Wars” in the company’s theme parks. Disney CEO Bob Iger said during an earnings call on Tuesday that the company is “developing designs for a far greater ‘Star Wars’ presence in the parks,” according to multiple reports. “When we grow ‘Star Wars” presence, which we will do significantly, you will see better bets being made that will pay off for us than were made in the past,” Iger said, according to Variety. Details of the expansion will not be revealed until next year. Jay Rasulo, Disney’s finance chief and senior executive vice president, said attractions based on major franchises draw guests. “They pull people from, ‘Gee, I’m gonna go someday’ to ‘I’m gonna go this year,’” Rasulo said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “Star Wars” already has a significant presence in Disney parks around the world. The “Star Tours” simulator ride is in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, Disneyland in California, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. The Florida and California parks also have an interactive show called “Jedi Training Academy.” In addition, Disney’s Hollywood Studios plays host to “Star Wars Weekends,” an annual event featuring shows, parades and a massive store called “Darth’s Mall.” Read more: ‘Star Wars’ Expansion Coming To Disney Theme Parks

Megan Fox officially joined Instagram last month. But after posting a selfie of herself sans makeup, she says she’s at a loss for what to do next, or what to share. No one, she knows, wants to see photos of her gorgeous room-service breakfast. “I cannot keep up with it. I don’t understand it. I can’t get into it. I’m not comfortable enough taking my own photo,” says Fox. “I’d never survive onKeeping Up with the Kardashians. I’d be the forgotten Kardashian because I wouldn’t know how to be in front of the camera. I would not survive in their selfie culture. They’re brilliant at marketing themselves. I belong in the ’70s, I guess.” She has no ill will toward Kim Kardashian, whom she calls incredibly nice. But that being said, Fox, now starring in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, has no clue how to navigate the public’s mania for selfies. “When I walk press lines now, everyone is asking for a selfie. What is it going to do for your life? But I’ll do it. They post it right away. It’s a really bizarre life that we’re all living now,” she muses. What’s equally puzzling: her absolutely insane body, six months post-baby. Bodhi is 6 months old, while his older brother Noah is almost 2. Fox looks totally curvy yet slender. She says she’s been working for it. Read more: Why Megan Fox won’t be sharing topless selfies

Want to watch a movie with your man on Valentine’s Day? “But men don’t like romance movies,” say many women. Think again. They just have to be the right kind. Common threads of a romantic movie a man will watch: The screenplay is written by men, the film is told from the man’s perspective and the male lead behaves like a man would in real life and the ending of the film is redemptive. The male lead learns a valuable lesson from the experience. We men relate to these characters and stories. Here are seven. CASABLANCA: Plot: Rick (Humphrey Bogart), an owner of a trendy, upscale bar during World War II, turns cynical after being burned by his first love, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman). While sneaking heroes and patriots out of occupied territories, his love for Ilsa takes a new form. Why men like it: Choosing your comrades, your country and the survival of the entire world instead of the girl who left you… that’s a man’s man. A hero. Man Moment #1: When Ilsa pulls out that pistol. Why that’s a man’s moment: A woman holds a gun and knows how to use it. We men tend to think that’s hot. Especially when she’s screaming truth and putting him in his rightful place. He’s being dominated in the right kind of way. He’s not use to that. He likes it. Man Moment #2: Rick sees the gun and says, “Go ahead and shoot. You’ll be doing me a favor.” Why that’s a man’s moment: Because if […]

The essence of chaos theory, “Jurassic Park” fans, is that there is no predictability in complex systems. So when Jeff Goldblum attends a wedding (arguably a complex event), what we think will happen may not. The actor, who starred as cocky genius Dr. Ian Malcolm in the 1993 blockbuster, stars again in another dinosaur hit, this time as part of a viral image of a wedding party running away from a Tyrannosaurus rex. Actor Jeff Goldblum, center in lighter grey suit, runs with the wedding party from a superimposed T. rex. Goldblum and his fianceé, Emilie Livingston, were guests of the bride and groom, Pamela and Jesse Sargent, at the wedding in Toronto over the weekend. Photographer Adam Biesenthal shared his image with TODAY.com. The trend of Photoshopping something scary into an image of a seemingly terrified wedding party is now a thing, you should know. So, when Goldblum and Livingston tie the knot, we have a less chaotic theory for recommending what to do with their wedding pics: call up this story again. Read more: This is chaos: Jeff Goldblum runs from T. rex in wedding photo