NEW MOVIES (in theaters Friday, Aug. 31)

“Balls of Fury” (Rated PG-13, dir. Robert Ben Garant)
Christopher Walken proves why he should no longer be entrusted with making his own career decisions as he stars alongside a virtually no-name cast in this presumably mind-numbing “teen comedy” in the vein of “Dodgeball” about underground extreme ping-pong. I don’t want to judge a book by its cover, but I give this 200:1 odds of being worth anybody’s time.

“Death Sentence” (Rated R, dir. James Wan)
Kevin Bacon is a mild-mannered fellow who, compelled by his grief and rage at the slaying of his son, seeks vengeance as a vigilante. If only all movie premises were this original!

“Halloween” (Rated R, dir. Rob Zombie)
Someone let Rob Zombie out of his cage and gave him a camera and the artistic license to remake one of the most revered horror flicks in the history of being scared. My prediction: Twice as violent, not even half as frightening. Oddly enough, this latest installment in the butchering of '70s horror classics is actually the least unnecessary-sounding film opening in wide release this week.

“No End In Sight” (Not Rated, dir. Charles Ferguson)
Coming to Boardman’s Art Theatre this weekend after “La Vie En Rose,” this critically lauded documentary takes Americans inside the White House, the Pentagon and Baghdad’s Green Zone for the first time, in order to delve into the frequency and magnitude of the Bush administration’s corruption and bungling as related to the Iraq War. This is how you make a documentary, Mr. Moore.

NEW CD RELEASES (in stores Tuesday, Aug. 28)

Aesop Rock, “None Shall Pass”
This renowned Jukie drops his fifth album, replete with production by long-time collaborator Blockhead. Fans can look forward to Aes’ standard collaborations with rappers like El-P, Cage, and Rob Sonic, as well as the more unexpected incorporation of The Mountain Goats vocalist John Darnielle.

VHS Or Beta, “Bring On The Comets”
A seasoned dance-rock group, VHS Or Beta returns with their third album. After shedding two members and gaining popularity from their 2004 single “Night On Fire,” the Louisville trio is ready to kick it up a notch, modifying their edgy, formulated sound with the help of David Bowie producer Brandon Mason.

Super Furry Animals, “Hey Venus!” (Digital and Vinyl only)
Psychedelic? Indie? Electro? Experimental? Whatever labels you want to slap on them, Super Furry Animals have a habit of turning out some pretty complex musical madness. Unfortunately, their physical CD (which will be released with bonus material) won’t be available until January, but you can get their latest album this week via Internet music vendors like iTunes, or in the form of an LP. “Hey Venus!” showcases the band’s wide variety of musical techniques, including resonant, troubled, '80s-style vocals, '60s harmonies, spacey guitar effects, and lush percussion.

Erin’s Pick: Hmm. This week’s a toughie, but I’m gonna have to go with Aesop Rock. Personally, when I come across a photo of an art student-turned-popular indie rapper with a caption that reads, “This is me thinking of some mad ill sh*t, like space or math,” my personality-o-meter goes berserk. Plus, thematically, the album is supposed to deal with life experience and the inevitability of social judgment, which is something everybody can relate to. I mean, it is inevitable, right?

ON DVD (in stores Tuesday, Aug. 28)

“Perfect Stranger” (Rated R, dir. James Foley) — Investigative reporter Halle Berry goes undercover (and under the covers) to sniff out big shot ad exec Bruce Willis’ homicidal tendencies. I haven’t seen this one, but it looks like a big fat stinker.

“Broken English” (Rated PG-13, dir. Zoe Cassavetes) — The always wonderful Parker Posey is superbly understated as a cynical thirtysomething Manhattanite in this modest but flavorful indie interpretation of the romantic comedy.

“Das Leben von Anderen (The Lives of Others)” (Rated R, dir. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck) — Forget “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Both a harrowing exploration of fear in East Germany before reunification and a gripping character study of an increasingly disillusioned Stasi secret police officer, this gem from Germany was the Academy’s pick for Best Foreign Language Film of last year, and were it not for a little guy named Almodovar, it would have been mine too.

LOCAL SHOWS & CONCERTS

Tuesday, Aug. 28: Kayla Brown, 11:30 a.m., Courtyard Café, free. This Champaign singer-songwriter brings her warm, coffeehouse vocals and laid-back acoustic tunes to the Courtyard Café (located inside the Illini Union). Drop by during lunch for a pleasant earful.

Thursday, Aug. 30: Patrick Mustain, 8 p.m., Aroma Café, free. An acoustic folk artist from Urbana, Mustain will be performing as part of the Acoustic @ Aroma series (every Thursday, the café hosts a live acoustic show). This performance is likely to be taken to the alley out back, since the weather is still relatively warm. And because the show is at night, the lights strung across the alleyway will be aglow — if you’re looking for atmosphere, this show is probably a good option.

Thursday, Aug. 30: University of Illinois Jazz Faculty, 7 p.m., Iron Post, cover TBA. The Iron Post is a cozy little venue, known for its bounty of jazz and blues concerts. The U of I Jazz Faculty, likely made up of the best jazz musicians in the area, is going to play there. Now, what’s 2+2 again?

Erin’s Pick: Honestly, all of this week’s options are pretty low-key, and aren’t really demanding my attention. If anything, I may end up sauntering over to the Union for the free lunch show, but other than that, you’re probably not going to see me at any performances this week.