For a quick look at 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 the movies, DVDs, CDs, and video games that we've included in our weekly 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 the movies and DVDs in our guides, plus iTunes or MySpace links to our music selections. We've also added GameSpot links to our video game choices. So check out this wealth of A&E info!

Movies opening in C-U

“Iron Man”
Rated PG-13, dir. Jon Favreau
When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) uses a technologically advanced suit of armor to escape from terrorists, all hell begins to break loose. It's up to Stark to save the day in this film based on the Marvel Comics series.

“Made of Honor”
Rated PG-13, dir. Paul Weiland
Tom (Patrick Dempsey) is a successful man, with a great life and a great friend in Hannah (Michelle Monaghan). How will he react, then, when Hannah returns from a trip with an engagement ring and is asking him to be in her wedding?

Carl’s Pick: I would just avoid the movie theater entirely this week. I don't have enough money to waste on the vacuous offerings this week.

CD releases this week

“Rising Down”
The Roots
Hip-hop fans rejoiced when The Roots released “Illadelph Halflife” in 1996 and “Things Fall Apart” in 1999. The group features live instrumentation, along with a jazz/rap fusion sound. “Rising Down” is the band’s first release after the departure of longtime bassist Leonard Hubbard.

“Third”
Portishead
Rolling Stone describes describes Portishead as a “mix of '60s soundtrack music, hip-hop beats, dub and detached female vocals.” The Bristol-based group has since proved to be one of the frontrunners in the genre of trip-hop. “Third” is the band’s first album since returning from hiatus in 2005.

“VYP — Voice of the Young People”
Lil Mama
Her lip gloss is poppin', her lip gloss is cool. Everyone's favorite “America's Best Dance Crew” judge is releasing her first album. At 5-feet-2 and 17 years old, the use of “Lil” might be appropriate for Lil Mama's size, but not her flow. Look out for her already hugely successful singles “Lip Gloss” and “Shawty Get Loose” featuring Chris Brown and T Pain, along with a remix of Avril Lavigne's “Girlfriend.”

“If”
Mindless Self Indulgence
Industrial? Punk? Electronica? MSI’s genre (or lack thereof) fits right in with that of the bands they’ve toured with, including System of a Down, Korn, Insane Clown Posse, Dir en Grey, and Rammstein, among others. “If” is their fifth studio album, mixed with electronic and hip-hop elements.

Laura’s Pick: While Lil Mama might actually be the “voice of the young people,” it's just too bad that they don't have anything better to talk about. This one goes to The Roots, because even if “Rising Down” doesn't meet the expectations of “Game Theory” or “Things Fall Apart,” the combination of lyricist Black Thought and drummer ?uestlove produces results far more amazing than any of the other three.

DVD releases this week

“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
Rated PG-13, dir. Julian Shnabel
Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric) is a French journalist who suffers a massive stroke and, trapped inside his unmoving body, explores his own consciousness.

“27 Dresses”
Rated PG-13, dir. Anna Fletcher
Katherine Heigl (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Knocked Up”) stars as Jane, a perennial bridesmaid who is forced to re-examine her life when her younger sister begins dating the man of Jane’s dreams.

“The Golden Compass”
Rated PG-13, dir. Chris Weitz
Chris Weitz, one half of the Weitz brothers team that brought us “American Pie” and “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: I don’t know how or why I didn’t see “The Diving Bell & the Butterfly” when it came to the Beverly at the height of Oscar season (maybe it’s because I never go to the Beverly), but I’m sure I’ll get around to it now that it’s on DVD. I’m sure there’s something to be said for either of the other two new releases this week, but I don’t care.

Video game releases this week

“Grand Theft Auto IV”
Rockstar Games
Niko Bellic is a criminal from Europe, and he’s set out to experience a new life in America. While in America, Niko has hidden motives, associating with the criminal underworld to accomplish his goal. This latest installment of the highly acclaimed “GTA” series will be introducing online multiplayer for the first time to the series. “Grand Theft Auto” costs $59.99 for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

“Mario Kart Wii”
Nintendo
Mario comes back again, this time ready to kart-race. The game comes with online support and a Wii Wheel, which allows players to simulate driving. “Mario Kart Wii” costs $49.99 for the Wii.

“Iron Man”
Sega
Based on the new “Iron Man” film, this game follows the life of Tony Stark on how he became superhero Iron Man. “Iron Man” costs $59.99 for the Xbox 360 and PS3, $49.99 for the Wii, and $29.99 for the PS2, PC, PSP, and DS.

Gordon’s Pick: Every single “GTA” game that’s been developed in the past years has been amazing, and the improvements, online play, and new features that have been added onto “GTA IV” are going to make this an outstanding game. All Xbox 360/PS3 owners should check this game out. By the same token, Wii owners will be pleased by “Mario Kart Wii,” which will replace “Excite Truck” as the strongest Wii racing game. Games based on movies are often mediocre, and “Iron Man” is no exception.

Live music in C-U

Arcadia Chamber Players
7 p.m. Friday, May 2, and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3
306 E. Sherwin Circle, Urbana, $15 adults, $10 seniors/students, $8 children
The Arcadia Chamber Players will be performing their spring concert at the studio of Debra Sutter. Reservations are required. For reservations, call 384-0568.

Amasong
7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, and 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4
McKinley Presbyterian Church and Foundation, 809 S. Fifth St., Champaign, suggested donation of $10-20
Champaign-Urbana’s lesbian/feminist chorus will also be performing their spring concert, “Renewal,” under the direction of Meagan Johnson Smith.

Sindha’s Pick: I’ve never even heard of the lesbian/feminist chorus, and I’m not sure what one should expect, but I’m sure it would be interesting. Besides that fleeting curiosity, I don’t have a strong interest in any of the concerts this weekend. It seems that both will attract an all-ages audience, maybe families, so anyone interested in attending either of these shows should be aware of that.