MOVIES OPENING IN C-U THIS WEEK

Note: This is the part where we admit we messed up. Last week, we previewed the films that were actually opening in theaters this coming weekend, and in effect previewed those films a week early. As it would be somewhat trivial to preview films that have already been released, we will reprint last week’s previews and include the solitary coming attraction we haven’t covered yet, this coming weekend’s new Boardman’s arrival, and hope that you forgive our folly. Here are the films debuting at cinemas in C-U this week:

“Feast of Love” (Rated R, dir. Robert Benton)
Morgan Freeman, Selma Blair and Greg Kinnear look for love in a coffee shop in their modest Oregon town, and each finds more than they bargained for.

“The Game Plan” (Rated PG, dir. Andy Fickman)
The rich, famous star quarterback of a championship-chasing football team (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) discovers that he has an 8-year-old daughter, a realization that turns his partying, trophy-hunting life upside-down.

“The Kingdom” (Rated R, dir. Peter Berg)
Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner and Jeremy Piven headline an all-star cast in this thriller about an elite FBI unit investigating a terrorist bombing in Saudi Arabia.

"Paris Je T’Aime" (Rated R, various directors)
This anthology of short vignettes by 21 of cinema’s finest auteurs reveals various aspects of Paris. A cast of stars headline, including Ben Gazzara, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Steve Buscemi, Elijah Wood and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Kumars’ Pick: This goes to the film with the combined creative talents of the Coen Brothers, Walter Salles, Gus Van Sant, Alfonso Cuaron, Tom Tykwer, Wes Craven, Vincenzo Natali and Alexander Payne, plus a whole bunch of people I’ve never heard of.

NEW CD RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

José González, “In Our Nature”
Exploring the primitivity of humans, Swedish guitarist José González releases the follow-up to his 2005 debut, “Veneer.” The new album abounds with González’s signature classical guitar, and will feature a cover of Massive Attack’s “Teardrop.”

Che’Nelle, “Things Happen For A Reason”
Newcomer Che’Nelle drops a debut record as globally influenced as her heritage (she’s Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, and Dutch). If her effervescent blend of reggaeton, pop, hip-hop, and dancehall isn’t enough to win her success, her experience from touring with Kanye West in ’06 sure won’t hurt.

Iron and Wine, “The Shepherd’s Dog”
Sam Beam (aka Iron & Wine) releases his third album. In it, listeners will find tasteful, diverse instrumentation, cozy vocals, and a bold, newfound sense of rhythm that has already been praised by publications like Time magazine.

Erin’s Pick: Man, I don’t know. There’s a lot of stuff coming out this week (see the A&E Hitlist). I suppose at the moment I’m most inclined to go either for the José González or the Iron & Wine. “The Shepherd’s Dog” has definitely gotten more hype, but I’m kind of biased toward José after having seen him live and interviewed him last spring. Either way, I’m in for some good acoustic folk.

NEW DVD RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

"Knocked Up" (Rated R, dir. Judd Apatow)
Critics hailed this latest comedy from the creators of “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” about the relationship between two polar opposites (Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl) linked by a pesky little thing called parenthood.

"Next" (Rated PG-13, dir. Lee Tamahori)
The director of “Die Another Day” returns to the world of action movies with this sci-fi thriller about a Las Vegas magician (Nicolas Cage) with the uncanny ability to predict the immediate future.

"Full of It" (Rated PG-13, dir. Christian Charles)
A compulsive liar (Ryan Pinkston) gets more than he bargains for when, trying to impress the cool kids at his new high school, his lies begin to come true.

Kumars’ Pick: “Knocked Up” is a decent film, especially by mainstream comedy standards — mature, well-acted, and laden with complex themes and emotions. It’s nothing to put on your top 10 list, but it looks better than either of the other high-profile DVD releases of the week, which were both roundly panned by critics. "Whatever this movie's 'Full' of, it's not at all fresh," L.A. Times critic Michael Ordoña said of "Full of It." Commented Salon's Stephanie Zacharek about "Next": "It's hard to know exactly what happens at the end of 'Next' — or if the movie even has an ending. Maybe 'Next' is always two minutes ahead of us. Or maybe the problem is that it never lives in the here and now."

LOCAL SHOWS & CONCERTS

Tuesday, Sept. 25: Cameron McGill, Kayla Brown, Ana Miura, Mars, 8 p.m., Iron Post, $5.
Cameron McGill wraps up his “Fall Tour de Force” with a performance at the modest Iron Post, supported by local acoustic act Kayla Brown. Canadian folk-popper Ana Miura will also pay a visit to the Urbana bar, completing her three-day sweep of C-U.

Friday, Sept. 28: Weird Al Yankovic, 8 p.m., Assembly Hall, $18.50-$32.50.
White and nerdy as ever, Weird Al Yankovic brings his famed comedy and pop music parodies to the Assembly Hall.

Sunday, Sept. 30: F.B.S., The Denslow Cup, The Atrocities, Alleyway Sex, 7 p.m., Independent Media Center, Urbana, $5.
Out-of-state punk acts F.B.S. and The Denslow Cup join the Illinoisan street-metal group The Atrocities and C-U’s own Alleyway Sex. Local hardcore favorite Carbomb Lottery was initially included in the lineup, but unfortunately, have since disbanded and won’t be playing any more shows.

Erin’s Pick: It really is too bad about Carbomb Lottery. I liked seeing them live. When the news of their breakup came via a MySpace bulletin, I’ve got to admit: I was bummed. But hey, we’ve got to move on, right? Enter Cameron McGill. The lack of Pygmalion shows at the Iron Post last week was a little disappointing, but this Cameron McGill performance is poised to make up for it. McGill’s music is exactly the type of thing I love to see at the Iron Post — a little bit of rock, a little bit of folk, and a lot of engaging charisma (without a lot of angst). If there is any way I can make it on a Tuesday night, I’m definitely gonna do it.