[Note: This article has been updated to include Gordon Ruan's video game report.]

MOVIES OPENING IN C-U THIS WEEK

"Awake" (Rated R, dir. Joby Harold)
Every year in America, 60,000 people experience a condition called “anesthetical awareness,” in which anesthesia fails during surgery, leaving the patient fully conscious and sensitive but completely and utterly paralyzed. Jessica Alba ("Fantastic Four," "Sin City") and Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones" and "Episode III — Revenge of the Sith") star in this story of a man who undergoes this terrifying experience.

Kumars’ Pick: Only one new film in nationwide release this week, and though the premise sounds absolutely terrifying, I would encourage all viewers to skip this and see the two films I caught in theaters over Thanksgiving break (The Coen brothers’ “No Country for Old Men” and Ridley Scott’s “American Gangster”). They’re the two best films of the year so far, and the only excuse you’ve got for missing them is that you’re too busy seeing Stud Prod both nights.

NEW CD RELEASES THIS WEEK

Pitbull, “The Boatlift”
Miami rapper Pitbull drops his fourth album in four years. “The Boatlift” features guest appearances by the likes of Twista, Lil Jon, and Trina, and is packed with reggaeton- and crunk-influenced tracks that are sure to bring life to any dance floor.

Mudvayne, “By The People, For The People”
This aptly titled compilation album features a tracklisting chosen entirely by Mudvayne’s fans. The band — a heavy metal four-piece originating from our neighboring Peoria — also recorded two new songs for the album.

Erin’s Pick: Ugh.

NEW DVD RELEASES THIS WEEK

"Bratz: The Movie" (Not Rated, dir. Sean McNamara)
Four friends learn the true meaning of friendship during their first year of high school in the first live-action feature film based on chic fashion dolls.

"Hot Rod" (Rated PG-13, dir. Akiva Schaffer)
Amateur stuntman Rod Kimble (rising SNL star Andy Samberg) has no choice but to perform the most perilous and death-defying stunt of his life in order to raise money for his stepfather’s heart operation.

"I Know Who Killed Me" (Rated R, dir. Chris Sivertson)
Promising young college student Aubrey Fleming (Lindsay Lohan) is abducted and tortured by a sadistic serial killer. The real terror begins once she escapes and, upon regaining consciousness, insists that she is not the real Aubrey.

"Who’s Your Caddy?" (Rated PG-13, dir. Don Michael Paul)
Rapper Big Boi (one half of influential Southern hip-hop legends OutKast) stars in this fish-out-of-water comedy as C-Note, a successful rap mogul who faces stiff opposition when he decides to join a conservative country club.

Kumars’ Pick: “Bratz” all the way. Come on, these other movies all look like crap.

LOCAL SHOWS & CONCERTS

Wednesday, Nov. 28: Evanescence, Sick Puppies, Julien-K, 7:30 p.m., Assembly Hall, $32.50-$38.50
Evanescence visit the Assembly Hall, backed up by Aussie alt-rockers Sick Puppies and L.A. electro-rock quartet Julien-K.

Thursday, Nov. 29: "Hairspray," 7:30 p.m., Assembly Hall, $32-$45
Set in 1962 Baltimore, this is the Broadway musical version of the cult-classic John Waters film about a plus-size teenage girl's love affair with dancing to the beat of rock 'n roll. Along the way, Tracy Turnblad goes from outsider to celebrity and helps to further the cause of desegregation.

Sunday, Dec. 2: Lupe Fiasco, 7:30 p.m., Foellinger Auditorium, $25
Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco brings his socially conscious storytelling and crystalline lyricism to C-U.

Erin’s Pick: I’ll be attending the Lupe show this Sunday, and you should too (as if I actually had to say it!).

NEW VIDEO GAME RELEASES THIS WEEK

"Game Party" (Midway Games)
This new release for the Wii is a compilation of seven traditional skill games: play darts, table hockey, shuffle board, hoop shoot, skee ball, ping cup, and trivia. Each of the seven games takes advantage of the Wii remote and allows you to play the games as you would in real life. For example, if you play table hockey, sliding your hand forward while holding the Wii remote allows you to hit the puck. Along with these seven games, there are 125 unique characters to choose from and 50 you can unlock. “Game Party” costs $19.99 for the Wii.

"Shadowgrounds Survivor" (Frozenbyte)
A sequel to “Shadowgrounds,” this top-down shooter game game tells a story of three people who have to resist an ongoing alien attack. “Shadowgrounds Survivor” features three playable characters, each with their own unique weapons and upgrades. As well, “Shadowgrounds Survivor” has a survival mode that gives you one life to kill as many aliens as possible. The game costs $19.95 for the PC.

"Omega Five" (Hudson Soft)
“Omega Five” is a 3D horizontal scrolling shooter. You play as a ninja, and have to kill all the enemies that appear. The game is also cooperative, so a second player can jump in and play. “Omega Five” costs $10 for the Xbox 360.

Gordon’s Pick: Nothing. With so many good games having been released in the previous weeks, none of these games are worth the buy despite the cheap prices.