Movies opening in C-U this week

"The Golden Compass" (Rated PG-13, dir. Chris Weitz)
Chris Weitz, one half of the Weitz brothers (who brought us the remarkably sweet “American Pie” and the gleefully clever “About a Boy”), directs this grandiose adaptation of the first installment of Philip Pullman’s well-regarded fantasy trilogy, “His Dark Materials.” Nicole Kidman, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Daniel Craig, Freddie Highmore, Kristin Scott Thomas, Kathy Bates, and the young Dakota Blue Richards make up a splendid ensemble cast.

Kumars’ Pick: Again, “No Country for Old Men” will still be playing at Boardman’s Art Theatre and there’s only one new film opening in wide release at the multiplexes. “The Golden Compass” is generally considered one of the better entries in the post-Tolkien fantasy genre, and though “His Dark Materials” doesn’t quite stand up to the monumental epics of C.S. Lewis ("The Chronicles of Narnia") and Susan Cooper ("The Dark Is Rising"), there’s a lot of potential for strong plot and character development in the source material. Chris Weitz, who struck me as an odd choice for helm a large-scale picture such as this, is probably going to be the “x” factor in how the film turns out. He must have done something right in adapting the book into a film, because the cast is absolutely stunning (though, as we saw with “Beowulf” a couple of weeks ago, even a top-tier ensemble does not guarantee quality). I admit there isn’t much chance of this or any other fantasy epic achieving the artistic nirvana of Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” adaptations, but if you’ve already seen “No Country for Old Men,” “The Golden Compass” should at least be a solid alternative. If you haven’t already seen “No Country for Old Men,” then, well, I don’t know what to tell you. Oh, wait, yes I do: Get off your ass and see the movie of the year, you lazy bum.

New CD releases this week

Ghostface Killah, "The Big Doe Rehab"
The Wu-Tang Clan rapper drops his eighth solo album since his 1996 debut, "Ironman" — and his fourth in just two years. For hip-hop fans, this is an appetizer before next week's main course, Wu-Tang's own "8 Diagrams," their first album since 2001's "Iron Flag" as well as their first since the 2004 death of founding member Ol' Dirty Bastard. Wu-Tang's 1993 debut, "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)," is still considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever, and fans are looking for next week's release to break up the lethargy of the current rap scene. That's a lot of pressure, but Ghostface seems ready for the challenge. The early reviews of "Rehab" have been impressive. Said Rolling Stone: "In the six years the Clan were on hiatus, Ghostface Killah was busy becoming one of the greatest MCs ever. … Ghost's bouncy, more direct approach on cuts like 'Walk Around' shows off his ability to turn crack-slinging narratives into big, hooky pleasures. By the time he lays his inimitable, Ginsu-sharp whine into 'White Linen Affair,' a gloriously detailed rant that touches on baking soda, polar bears and Norah Jones, this much is clear: Right now is a good time to be a Wu-Tang fan."

Blake Lewis, "Audio Day Dream"
What a coincidence. Just last week, the Gargoyle's Rachel Skoza wrote in praise of human beatboxers. Among those she singled out was Blake Lewis, who came to prominence via "American Idol." Lewis, who finished second to Jordin Sparks in the sixth season of "Idol," releases his debut CD this week. Unfortunately, Lewis has decided to focus on singing rather than beatboxing. Said Entertainment Weekly: "Lewis' first album, 'Audio Day Dream,' drops just two weeks after the debut from Jordin Sparks, and he knows better than to compete with the season 6 winner on her sonorous turf. Still, while most of Lewis' tracks begin or end with a sputtering smattering of simulated vocal percussion — on top of a half-dozen interludes of the 'boxing s-s-st-st-stuff — the remaining 90 percent of the CD finds him trying to do what he doesn't do best: sing."

Scarface, "Made"
Founding Geto Boy and Houston rap mogul Scarface releases his ninth solo effort. Now that he's pushing 40, critics are looking for more sober work than what he delivered as a raucous twentysomething. Said Entertainment Weekly: "But how grown is the 37-year-old, really, when much of the album finds him wallowing in violence and misogyny? Fortunately, Scarface acts his age on more thoughtful cuts like 'Who Do You Believe In,' which offers a somber take on the many forces that claim innocent inner-city lives, from gang rivalries to the war in Iraq. Now, that kind of wisdom never gets old."

Gargoyle Pick: Is there any doubt? Ghostface and Wu-Tang dominate the music picks this week and next.

New DVD releases this week

"Superbad" (Rated R, dir. Greg Mottola)
Two socially inept high school buddies (Jonah Hill, Michael Cera) set forth to reverse their luckless fortunes with the ladies in one crazy night before they part ways and go off to college.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End" (Rated PG-13, dir. Gore Verbinski)
The third and possibly final installment in the popular “Pirates of the Caribbean” series finds our lovebird heroes Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) pitted against the demonic pirate Davy Jones in a quest to rescue their captured comrade Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from Davy Jones’ Locker and save all piratekind from the villainous East India Trading Company.

"The Nanny Diaries" (Rated PG-13, dir. Robert Pulcini & Shari Springer Berman)
Scarlett Johansson stars as working-class girl Annie Braddock, who, fresh out of college, accepts a job as a nanny for the wealthy family of Mr. and Mrs. X, unaware of the troubles that lie on the other side of the fence.

Kumars’ Pick: One (compound) word: “Superbad.”

New video game releases this week

"Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3" (Atari)
“Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3” is a 3-D fighting game and the third installment of the Budokai Tenkaichi series. Unlike traditional fighting games and based on the anime and manga “Dragon Ball,” the Tenkaichi video games are characterized by their fast-paced action and the numerous amount of combos you can pull off. “Budokai Tenkaichi” offers 161 playable characters, new fighting techniques, and more than 20 stages. As well, the game includes daytime and nighttime in the stages, allowing certain characters to gain special powers and transformations from these effects. “Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3” will also be using the Wii remote’s control system, allowing the player to perform attacks and signature moves with the Wii remote. The game costs $49.99 for the Wii.

"Universe at War: Earth Assault" (Sega)
“Universe at War: Earth Assault” is a real-time strategy game set in the year 2012 with Earth being invaded by an alien race. There are four factions that you can play from in the game: Hierarchy (alien like), Novus (machines), Masari (units resembling mythological creatures), and the humans. “Universe at War: Earth Assault” costs $59.99 for the Xbox 360, $49.99 for the PC.

"Godzilla Unleashed" (Atari)
“Godzilla Unleashed” is a fighting game based on the Godzilla film franchise. The game allows you to control Godzilla with the Wii remote, containing both a single-player mode and a multiplayer mode. There are also 26 playable monsters. “Godzilla Unleashed” costs $49.99 for the Wii.

Gordon’s Pick: “Universe at War: Earth Assault” will definitely appeal to those who like strategy games, and "Dragon Ball Z" fans should check out “Budokai Tenkaichi 3.” On the other hand, “Godzilla Unleashed” doesn’t look very promising and should be avoided.