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 some of 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

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”
Rated PG, dir. Andrew Adamson
C.S. Lewis’ brilliant seven-part fantasy epic continues to get the Hollywood treatment in director Andrew Adamson’s follow-up to “The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe,” which was released in December 2005.

Kumars’ Pick: I don’t believe it’s possible to do “Narnia” justice, especially if you had anything to do with “Shrek.” (Adamson directed the first two “Shrek” movies and was a writer and executive producer on the third.) I didn’t see “The Lion, the Witch …,” and I don’t plan on seeing this one. The very fact that the film adaptations began with the second book in 2005 and skipped to the fourth make me skeptical that Lewis’ narrative is being taken very seriously by whoever these hacks are.

CD releases this week

“Narrow Stairs”
Death Cab For Cutie
Indie pop/rock staples Death Cab For Cutie release their seventh studio album. Though this album is louder and more abrasive than their previous work, such as 2003’s “Transatlanticism,” reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.

“Rockferry”
Duffy
Welsh soul singer Duffy releases her first CD in the U.S. Often closely compared to singer Amy Winehouse, Duffy has already received American media attention. Rolling Stone says: “Duffy's Motown- and Dusty Springfield-indebted debut swings with a lounge-y charm, whether she's fighting her devotion to an unfaithful lover on 'Hanging on Too Long' or dreaming of taking a midnight train (to a town near Liverpool, not Georgia) with escalating passion on the title track.”

“We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things”
Jason Mraz
Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz fuses his impressive vocals with acoustic, pop, rock, and jazz elements to create a tranquil and composed sound. He has played with a variety of artists, including Jewel, Bob Dylan, The Dave Matthews Band, Gavin DeGraw, and The Rolling Stones.

Laura’s Pick: Death Cab, but any of these three would be fine, in all honesty. Duffy is kind of generic but inoffensive, and the other two are relaxing and calm, if you’re into that kind of thing.

DVD releases this week

“The Great Debaters”
Rated PG-13, dir. Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington directs and stars in this story of a 1930s debate team from a small black college in Texas that fights racism and class prejudice en route to challenging Harvard for the national championship.

“Mad Money”
Rated PG-13, dir. Callie Khouri
In this whimsical crime caper, Queen Latifah, Diane Keaton, and Katie Holmes play three unlikely friends who plot to rob one of the most secure banks in the world.

“Untraceable”
Rated R, dir. Gregory Hoblit & David Rosenbloom
FBI Special Agent Jennifer Marsh (Diane Lane) is in a race against time to find a tech-savvy murderer who broadcasts his grisly ventures on the Internet.

Kumars’ Pick: I’d rather just sit in my room and listen to Rufus Wainwright than see any of these. That’s not a dig at Rufus Wainwright, that’s just something I’d rather do.

Video game releases this week

“Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King”
Square Enix
Following the events of “Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles” (FFCC), King Leo must rebuild his lost realm on a barren settlement by using a powerful force called the “Architek.” “FFCC: My Life as a King” costs 1,500 Wii points, which is equivalent to $15.

“Deca Sports”
Hudson Soft
This compilation game features 10 sports: archery, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, curling, figure skating, soccer, kart racing, snowboard cross, and super cross. Each sport has its own control scheme to be used by the Wii remote. The game costs $29.99 for the Wii.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”
Disney Interactive Studios
When the Pevensies go back a year later to Narnia, the evil King Miraz is ruling. They must help the rightful ruler Prince Caspian to overthrow Miraz and regain his throne. Based on the upcoming Narnia film, this game costs $49.99 for the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii, $29.99 for the PC, PS2, and DS.

Gordon’s Pick: “FFCC: My Life as a King” will appeal to any Wii owner who wants a cheap and enjoyable game. However, be warned that it is not a role-playing game like the previous FFCC but instead a city-building game. If you want a game that’s easy to get into, check out “Deca Sports.” The game stresses simple game play, making it rather like “Wii Sports.” Skip “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.”

Live music in C-U

Music in Nature Concert: Big Bluestem and The Javelinas
5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 17
Gate House lawn near the main parking lot, 515 Old Timber Road, Monticello
$7 adults; $5 seniors 65 and over, children 12 and under
Acoustic stringband Big Bluestem, and The Javelinas, a folk/country swing group, will be performing at the entirely outdoor concert. Themed food and drink will be available for purchase. Attendees should bring a lawn chair or blanket.