For a quick look at all the entertainment choices the Gargoyle has featured this year, be sure to visit our A&E Hitlist. There you'll find at-a-glance info about all the movies, DVDs, CDs, and video games that we've included in our weekly entertainment guides since the school year began. In addition, you'll find links to external reviews (usually by Roger Ebert or New York Times critics) of all the movies and DVDs in our weekly guides, plus iTunes or MySpace links to our music selections. We've also included GameSpot links to our video game choices. So check out this wealth of A&E info!

Movies opening in C-U

“The Eye”
(Rated PG-13, dir. David Moreau & Xavier Palud)
The acclaimed Japanese supernatural thriller gets the obligatory Hollywood treatment in this frightfest about a blind concert violinist (Jessica Alba) who begins to see eerie visions of the dead after a sight-restoring double corneal transplant.

“Over Her Dead Body”
(Rated PG-13, dir. Jeff Lowell)
After his fiancée, Kate (Eva Longoria), is tragically killed on their wedding day, Henry (Paul Rudd) reluctantly agrees to consult a psychic (Lake Bell), with whom he begins to fall in love. Kate, however, is unwilling to sit back in the land of the dead and watch her fiancée fall for another woman.

“Strange Wilderness”
(Rated R, dir. Fred Wolf)
When the beloved host of the popular wildlife show “Strange Wilderness” passes away, his son Pete (Steve Zahn) takes over and proceeds to blissfully ruin the show with his dubious facts and complete lack of talent. Faced with potential cancellation, Pete and his filmmaking friend Fred Wolf get a mysterious tip-off about the whereabouts of Bigfoot and embark on a bizarre quest to find the legendary beast and achieve ratings nirvana.

“Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert”
(Rated G, dir. Bruce Hendricks)
Fifteen-year-old singing sensation Miley Cyrus performs both as herself and as her Disney Channel alter ego, Hannah Montana, in this eagerly anticipated concert film, which will be in theaters for one week only — at a cost of $15 per ticket.

Kumars’ Pick: Um, not that these don’t all look splendid, but I’d just like to remind you all that “There Will Be Blood” is still playing at Boardman’s for those of you who were barred, by some unforeseeable tragedy, from seeing it already.

CD releases this week

“Women As Lovers”
Xiu Xiu
Singer/songwriter Jamie Stewart founded this experimental art rock group (pronounced “Shoe Shoe”) in 2000, and he’s been the only constant member ever since. Drawing from ambient, noise rock, punk, modern classical, and folk roots, Xiu Xiu’s dark subject matter and pretty crooning will make the band’s sixth full-length album a keeper.

“Slick Dogs and Ponies”
Louis XIV
The San Diego-based garage rockers bring their second album, the follow-up to their 2005 singles “God Killed the Queen” and “Finding Out That True Love is Blind,” along with the controversial lyrics and double entendres that got them reportedly banned from performing in the state of Alabama.

“Vampire Weekend”
Vampire Weekend
These four ex-Columbia University students have developed quite a following on the indie scene. According to Rolling Stone, their self-titled debut boasts “a suave sound that incorporates ska, New Wave and Afro-pop — interesting enough for listeners looking for variation among their buzz bands, though not nearly as interesting as some press would suggest. On their debut, Vampire Weekend mostly earn points the old-fashioned way: by writing likable songs you'll be glad to revisit next month.”

“Jukebox”
Cat Power
This actually came out last week, but anything by indie legend Chan Marshall — better known as Cat Power — is worth mentioning. Best known for her minimalist guitar-playing and earthy yet haunting vocals, Cat has released her eighth album. Ten of the 12 songs are covers, including works originally performed by Bob Dylan (“I Believe in You”), Janis Joplin (“A Woman Left Lonely”), Billie Holiday (“Don't Explain”), and Joni Mitchell (“Blue”). Cat's best moments are probably her reinterpretations of other people's songs, so this looks to be a good one.

“The Bedlam in Gotham”
The Mars Volta
Back in 2003, this wonderfully weird and eclectic band led by former At the Drive-In members Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez made prog rock fashionable again with their epic first album, “De-Loused in the Comatorium.” They've been remarkably productive ever since. “Bedlam” is their fourth studio album. According to Rolling Stone, which gave it a four-star rating, the album represents a “great leap in songwriting — closer to classic hard-rock force and melodic drama.”

Laura’s Pick: Personally I find Louis XIV obnoxious and The Mars Volta too energetic. Xiu Xiu, on the other hand, are completely mind-blowing. They win.

DVD releases this week

“The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters”
(Rated PG-13, dir. Seth Gordon)
This universally lauded documentary follows the fate of the Guinness World Record for the classic arcade game “Donkey Kong,” which lies between a hot sauce mogul and a middle school science teacher.

“The Comebacks”
(Rated PG-13, dir. Tom Brady)
David Koechner, Andy Dick, and Carl Weathers feature in this spoof of inspirational sports-themed movies.

“The Nines”
(Rated R, dir. John August)
Ryan Reynolds, Hope Davis, and Melissa McCarthy (of “Gilmore Girls”) star in this collection of three short films written and directed by accomplished screenwriter and frequent Tim Burton collaborator John August (“Titan A.E.,” “Big Fish,” “The Corpse Bride”).

Kumars’ Pick: There aren’t many high-profile DVD releases this week, but if you’re looking for a strong new release, “The King of Kong” got ridiculously good reviews during its initial theatrical run in 2007 and should be your best bet. John August is an incredibly promising young screenwriter and, as such, his sophomore directorial effort “The Nines” could also be worth a shot.

Video game releases this week

“Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice”
(Sony Computer Entertainment)
The special police team returns in this sequel to the 2006 PSP car combat game “Pursuit Force.” This time, their job is to capture bosses of five gangs spread out across America. “Extreme Justice” introduces new vehicles and three new gangs. “Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice” costs $39.99 for the PSP.

“Turok”
(Touchstone Studios)
The latest installment in the “Turok” series, this first-person shooter takes place in a jungle full of wandering dinosaurs and foes. The adventure mode of the game strongly focuses on survival, and the player can use many ways such as stealth, getting a dinosaur’s aid, and other means to stay alive. The game also has a multiplayer that contains Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag. “Turok” costs $59.99 for the Xbox360 and PS3 and $49.99 for the PC.

“Bomberman Land”
(Hudson Soft)
The adventures of an expert bomb maker and simple game play formulas are what made the “Bomberman” games very addicting. The 23-year-old expert bomb maker now returns onto the Wii with 40 different minigames and a multiplayer that are built around the Wii remote. In the minigames, Bomberman will have to accomplish many feats such as walking through a space tube without falling and stopping his bombs from falling off a balcony. “Bomberman Land” costs $29.99 for the Wii.

Gordon’s Pick: Considering what’s in lay for next week, I don’t think these games are worth the buy. “Turok” and “Bomberman Land” don’t look very promising, and the “Bomberman” games never do very well on the consoles. However, anyone who owns a PSP and is looking for a game should check out “Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice.”

Local shows this week

Interval: University of Illinois Black Chorus
12 noon Wednesday, Jan. 30
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, free, all ages
With a reputation for inspiring performances and exceptional music, the Black Chorus will put on a free show Wednesday afternoon. Conducted by Ollie Watts Davis, this culturally rich group has been alive in the University scene for almost 40 years.

C-U Jazz Guitar Night at The Iron Post
7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30
The Iron Post, 120 S. Race St., Urbana, $3, all ages
Seven guitarists team up with bass and drums for several hours of jazz music at the cozy Iron Post.

Sindha’s Pick: Seeing as the Black Chorus is playing smack-dab in the middle of the day, probably most of us won’t be able to attend. The mystery show at The Iron Post could be really good, or it could be nothing special. If lack of homework is present, then attendance to this show could ensue. Besides that, nothing looks superbly attendance-worthy this week.