MOVIES OPENING IN C-U THIS WEEK

"Into the Wild" (Rated R, dir. Sean Penn)
Emile Hirsch stars as Christopher McCandless, the real-life wanderer who traversed the terrain of the American wilderness in search of adventure. Opens Friday at Boardman's Art Theatre.

"Rendition" (Rated R, dir. Gavin Hood)
When chemical engineer Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Omar Metwally) is secretly abducted by the CIA, his wife Isabella (Reese Witherspoon) desperately searches for him. All the while, CIA agent Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) encounters a crisis of conscience regarding his captive.

"Gone Baby Gone" (Rated R, dir. Ben Affleck)
Yes, that’s right. It really says “dir. Ben Affleck.” In Mr. Affleck’s directorial debut, a private detective (Casey Affleck, Ben’s brother) is hired to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a little girl, only to discover that he is becoming entangled in a shadowy world where nothing is what it seems.

"The Comebacks" (Rated PG-13, dir. Tom Brady)
From the producers of “Wedding Crashers” comes this spoof of sports movies, centering on a down-and-out football coach (David Koechner, of “Anchorman” fame) who rounds up a group of college losers and transforms them into a championship-chasing football team.

"30 Days of Night" (Rated R, dir. David Slade)
A husband-and-wife cop team (Josh Hartnett and Melissa George) are the only hope of the frightened townsfolk when monthlong night falls on the northernmost town in the United States, and brings with it a supernatural force that feeds on terror.

Kumars’ Pick: I haven’t seen “Michael Clayton” yet, so this weekend I’ll be sure to catch that and, if time permits, “Into the Wild.” This upcoming weekend’s new release at Boardman’s looks to be a mature, contemplative picture that I can’t see straying into typical biopic clichés. Critics have been calling it Sean Penn’s best, which isn’t saying much if you’ve seen the other films he’s directed, but it looks to be a worthwhile experience. Other than that, well, despite being from the producers of the excellent “Wedding Crashers,” “The Comebacks” looks about as funny as cancer. The other three films don’t even deserve a snarky quip from me.

NEW CD RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

Jimmy Eat World, “Chase This Light”
Alt-rockers Jimmy Eat World release their latest album exactly one month before their visit to the Assembly Hall. Notably, “Chase This Light” was produced in part by Butch Vig, who also produced Nirvana’s “Nevermind” and Smashing Pumpkins’ “Siamese Dream.”

Neil Young, “Chrome Dreams II”
Neil Young releases his new album, titled in homage to his legendary unreleased 1977 recording. In contrast to other recent albums, “Chrome Dreams II” will use songs of various types (and from various time periods — “Ordinary People” was written almost 20 years ago!) to approach a unified feeling, rather than focusing on creating one type of song.

R.E.M., “R.E.M. Live”
R.E.M. release their first entirely live record. “R.E.M. Live” was recorded during back-to-back 2005 performances in Dublin, and will feature rare material including a performance of their previously unreleased “I’m Gonna DJ.” The release will contain three discs: two audio CDs and a live DVD.

Erin’s Pick: Jimmy Eat World really just isn’t my thing. And in terms of the Neil Young: I don’t own any of his music currently (yeah, go ahead, berate me), and I think there’s probably a better jumping-off point for someone like me than “Chrome Dreams II.” And when it comes to “R.E.M. Live,” well, I’ve already got the two-disc “In Time: The Best Of R.E.M. 1988-2003.” It’s a really good record and contains a bunch of rare, live, and previously unreleased material (including a version of “Star Me Kitten” that everyone should hear, featuring the spoken word of William S. Burroughs). So I don’t exactly need “R.E.M. Live” either.

NEW DVD RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

"Transformers" (Rated PG-13, dir. Michael Bay)
In this adaptation of the popular '80s cartoon, alien robots of the good and evil persuasions face off for the key to ultimate power, with our world as their battleground.

"The Reaping" (Rated R, dir. Carey Hayes)
A disillusioned missionary (Hilary Swank) arrives in a small Louisiana town to debunk claims of religious phenomena — and finds herself pitted against the wrath of the supernatural forces she had forsaken.

"The Invisible" (Rated PG-13, dir. David S. Goyer)
“Blade” screenwriter David S. Goyer helms this supernatural thriller about a teenage boy (Justin Chatwin) who is caught between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

"A Mighty Heart" (Rated R, dir. Michael Winterbottom)
Angelina Jolie stars as the wife of slain journalist Daniel Pearl, who fell victim to Pakistani terrorists. This drama, based on her memoirs, follows the circumstances surrounding and stemming from his death.

Kumars’ Pick: Um, nothing. The intellectually dormant popcorn fare this week seems content to be just that. And I don’t want to sound insensitive, but “A Mighty Heart” sounds mighty manipulative — though I’m told Angelina Jolie gives a “good performance,” whatever that means in her case.

LOCAL SHOWS & CONCERTS

Sunday, Oct. 21: Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes, Plain White T’s, Cute Is What We Aim For, 7 p.m., Assembly Hall, $24.50–$30
This concert is bursting with MTV-friendly musicians. Collaborators and labelmates, Fall Out Boy and Gym Class Heroes will be accompanied by pop-rockers Plain White T’s and Cute Is What We Aim For in one of the first shows of their Young Wild Things Tour.

Sunday, Oct. 21: Bright Eyes, Simon Joyner, Capgun Coup, 7:30 p.m., Foellinger Auditorium, $27
Bright Eyes, a popular indie-folk outfit from Omaha, Neb., visit Foellinger with Simon Joyner, a mainstay of their hometown music scene. They’ll be backed up by budding experimental folk rockers Capgun Coup.

Erin’s Pick: I don’t think I like any of these artists enough to shell out that much cash. I might go to the Bright Eyes show. Maybe.

NOTE: T.I. and T-Pain were scheduled to perform at the Assembly Hall tonight, the 15th, but that show has now been postponed. The OG will keep you up to date on details.

NEW VIDEO GAME RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

"The Orange Box" (Valve)
"The Orange Box" contains four first-person shooter games ("Half-Life 2," "HFL2: Episode One," "HFL2: Episode Two," and "Team Fortress 2") and one puzzle game ("Portal"). Although "Half-Life 2" and "HFL2: Episode One" were originally released in 2004, "The Orange Box" expands on this by including the new sequel: "HFL2: Episode Two." Also, both "Team Fortress 2" and "Portal" are recently released games, which are included in the package. "The Orange Box" costs $49.99 on the PC and $59.99 on the Xbox360 and the PS3. (Note: This was released Oct. 9.)

"FIFA Soccer 08" (EA Sports)
"FIFA 08" is the latest installment of Electronic Art’s soccer games. Expanding on "FIFA 07," the new release includes 621 FIFA-licensed teams and 31 available soccer leagues compared to the original 510 teams and 27 leagues. It costs $59.99 on the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii, and $49.99 for the PS2, PSP, DS, and PC. (Note: This was released Oct. 9.)

"Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron" (LucasArts)
"Renegade Squadron" is the third "Star Wars Battlefront" game, sticking to the same formula of playing as a multiplayer third-person shooter. The game picks up on many of the previous multiplayer features, such as capture the flag, assault (where players fight for control of various capture points), space combat, and Jedi battles. New features include nine new maps and vehicles and enemies, as well as the ability to customize character appearances and abilities. Costs $39.99 for PSP. (Note: This was released Oct. 9.)

Gordon’s Pick: Five games in one, "The Orange Box" is the best video game deal you can get. Compared to other games on the market, "The Orange Box" provides long-lasting game. If you get tired of shooting, then switch to the puzzle game "Portal" and challenge your mind. If you get tired of solving puzzles, just go back to killing people and monsters. After all, this is all in one game!