Beyoncé Knowles comes out with a new movie this week, "Cadillac Records," and action fans will enjoy "Punisher: War Zone." With "The X Files" and "Step Brothers" out on DVD, new albums from Akon and Britney Spears, and Willie Nelson performing live in C-U, this week in entertainment is shaping up to be a good one. Check below for more details.

MOVIES OPENING IN C-U THIS WEEK

"Cadillac Records"
Rated R, dir. Darnell Martin
Starring Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, and Beyoncé Knowles (with appearances by Gabrielle Union and Mos Def), "Cadillac Records" is a film based on the rise of singers who recorded for Chess Records in Chicago during the 1950s. Artists profiled include Chuck Berry, Etta James, Little Walter, Willie Dixon, and Muddy Waters.

"Punisher: War Zone"
Rated R, dir. Lexi Alexander
Based on the Marvel Comics character, vigilante hero Frank Castle, aka The Punisher (Ray Stevenson), has severely disfigured mob boss Billy Russoti (Dominic West) while attempting to apprehend him. Now Russoti’s back for vengeance under his new alter-ego, "Jigsaw." With little help from the FBI and Jigsaw's army out to get him, Frank must face Jigsaw before it's too late.

"A Christmas Tale" ("Un conte de Noël")
Not Rated, dir. Arnaud Desplechin
The estranged members of the Vuillard family have a history of mental and physical illness. Bringing them together for a Christmas reunion doesn't sound like the best of ideas, but that's the basis for this French release, which stars Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon, and Mathieu Amalric. The New York Times calls it "a movie that is almost indecently satisfying and at the same time elusive, at once intellectually lofty — marked by allusions to Emerson, Shakespeare and Seamus Heaney as well as Nietzsche — and as earthy as the passionate provincial family that is its heart and cosmos and reason for being." Opens Friday at Boardman's Art Theatre, 126 W. Church St., Champaign.

Laura's Pick: "Cadillac Records." There have been way too many comic books transformed into movies for "Punisher: War Zone" to be interesting at all.

New CD releases in stores this week

"Freedom"
Akon
The Senegalese "Konvict" is back with his crooning voice and robotic sound effects in his third studio album, "Freedom." Focusing more on little love songs, Akon combines his unique talent with many other superstars, including Lil Wayne, T-Pain, and Young Jeezy. Some songs are extremely repetitive, but if you can just press skip there are definitely a few songs worth getting, including "I'm So Paid," "Sunny Day," and "Right Now (Na Na Na)."

"17"
Ricky Martin
One of the main faces in Latino pop music, Ricky Martin is back with his greatest hits album, "17." As might be expected from the title, this CD/DVD release features 17 tracks spanning his 17-year career, including the party hit "Livin' La Vida Loca" and the infamous song performed on "American Idol" by a tone-deaf Asian gentleman, "She Bangs."

"Circus"
Britney Spears
Miss Britney is back with the second album of her so-called "comeback." Actually, this appears to be a more centered and overall better-edited piece of work than Spears has put out in a long time. Dare I say I enjoyed Britney's 2003 album, "In the Zone," including the song "Toxic." Well, from the few songs I've heard, this album is as good as "In The Zone," or maybe even better.

Will's Pick: This week is slim pickings, and not many pieces are noteworthy. Better to save your money for next week, unless you're a big fan of one of this week's artists.

NEW DVD RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

"The X Files: I Want to Believe"
Rated PG-13, dir. Chris Carter
The famous TV show from the '90s is back as a movie! Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) must solve another supernatural mystery! Mulder tries to crack the case as Scully assists him in the supernatural medical aspects.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"
Rated PG, dir. Andrew Adamson
This, the second film adaptation of C.S. Lewis' beloved book series, is finally on DVD! More than 1,300 years have passed, and Narnia is no longer the beautiful place it once was. Narnia has been conquered and is now ruled by the evil King Miraz. The four siblings must save Narnia and return the throne to its rightful heir, the nephew of King Miraz, Prince Caspian.

"Lower Learning"
Rated PG-13, dir. Mark Lafferty
Geraldine Ferraro Elementary School is your average underfunded school. But due to the current "No Child Left Behind" law, the elementary school may be forced to close. The teachers have other ideas and plan to keep the school running by fooling the inspector. Watch this comedy starring "Desperate Housewives" Eva Longoria to see how the students react to the lying teachers.

"Step Brothers"
Rated R, dir. Adam McKay
Starring Will Ferrell, this is a comedy about two men: Brennan Huff, who still lives with his mother at 39, and Dale Doback, who is 40 and still living with his father. When Brennan's mother marries Dale's dad, the two men are forced to live together — and the new step brothers do not like their new life! In fact it is so awful, it is scarring the marriage of the happy couple. Therefore, the parents try to get the boys out of the house ….

"Wanted"
Rated R, dir. Timur Bekmambetov
Starring Angelina Jolie, "Wanted" is a story about one man's transformation as he seeks justice. Wes (James McAvoy) is a nobody until he meets Fox (Angelina Jolie). Wes' father was recently murdered, and he is upset even though the pair had been estranged for quite some time. Fox is part of an organization called "Fraternity" that trains men to unleash their dormant vengeful powers. Wes joins the brotherhood and undergoes a transformation into a world of crime.

Eleni's Pick: I highly recommend the new "X Files" movie. I always tried to watch "X Files" when it was on TV because my brother loved it so, but it gave me a nightmare every time! I think that I am now old enough to appreciate the spookiness without being frightened.

NEW VIDEO GAME RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

"Prince of Persia"
Ubisoft
The Prince of Persia is back, and everything is going peacefully until the Tree of Life is destroyed. Now, with the help of a girl called Elika, the prince must stop the evil god of darkness from corrupting the world. "Prince of Persia" costs $59.99 for the Xbox 360, PS3, and $49.99 for the PC.

"Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon"
THQ
Crypto the alien returns to earth to once again harvest more DNA. However, his plan is foiled this time when he is attacked by a mysterious race called Nexos. "Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon" costs $59.99 for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

"Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories"
Square Enix
Set in Castle Oblivion, Sora loses memory of all his fighting abilities. In order to gain them back, he has to fight his way out of the castle. This game is a remake of the original Nintendo DS version. "Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories" costs $29.99.

Gordon’s Pick: The "Prince of Persia" series has always featured superb action-adventure, and this latest one doesn't disappoint. Gamers who like action-adventure/platform games should definitely get "Prince of Persia," while those who have never played the "Prince of Persia" series should start with this one.

PERFORMANCES IN CHAMPAIGN-URBANA

Willie Nelson with special guest Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6
Assembly Hall
Tickets: $35/$45
Folk legend Willie Nelson performs at the Assembly Hall. The Grammy-winning, multiplatinum-selling artist is on tour after the release of "Moment of Forever," approximately his 80th studio album. A country and pop icon, Nelson's career was at its height in the 1970s, but he retains a heavy following today. Opening for Nelson: actor Billy Bob Thornton and his band, The Boxmasters.

David Bazan
9 p.m. Saturday Dec. 6
Courtyard Café
Tickets: $3/$5
Frontman of Pedro the Lion and Headphones plays at the Courtyard Café. Named one of Paste Magazine’s "Top 100 Living Songwriters," Bazan's music consists of narratives centering on themes of finding spiritual meaning in modern contexts.

Laura's Pick: I don’t like Willie Nelson because my parents and their friends like him. David Bazan wins because a) he won’t make you feel old, and b) he's actually not bad, and although they aren't listed, tickets shouldn't be too expensive.