MOVIES OPENING IN C-U THIS WEEK

"Eastern Promises" (Rated R, dir. David Cronenberg)
A London midwife (Naomi Watts) sets into motion a dark and twisted chain of events when she uncovers potentially harmful evidence against Viggo Mortensen, who plays the ruthless boss of one of London’s most expansive crime syndicates.

"Mr. Woodcock" (Rated PG-13, dir. Craig Gillespie)
Seann William Scott (of “American Pie” fame) plays a bestselling self-help author who returns to his modest hometown for a grand reception, only to discover that his mother (Susan Sarandon) is dating his sadistic former gym teacher (Billy Bob Thornton).

"D-War" (Rated PG-13, dir. Hyung-rae Shim)
The City of Angels becomes the city of large fire-breathing behemoths when a young woman with mystical powers unleashes a legendary dragon, starting a war between the forces of good and evil in which she is reunited with her reincarnated lover and his aged mentor. Yes, really.

"The Brave One" (Rated R, dir. Neil Jordan)
Neil Jordan ("The Crying Game," "Interview with the Vampire," "The Good Thief") directs this drama about a rape victim (Jodie Foster) who becomes a vigilante, prowling the streets of New York in search of revenge.

Kumars’ Pick: None of the premises this week look particularly intelligent, but the mercurial David Cronenberg certainly deserves attention when he’s working with trippy thriller veteran Naomi Watts and his new favorite leading man. He’s inarguably hit-or-miss, but the magnitude of his hot joints – “eXistenZ," “Spider,” “Crash” (no, not the vapid, simplistic Paul Haggis preach-fest) – make “Eastern Promises” a risk worth taking. With any luck, “D-War,” formerly of the more apt moniker “Dragon Wars,” should be a worthy addition to the “Catwoman” Honorary Pantheon of So-Bad-It’s-Good Cinema. “Mr. Woodcock,” on the other hand, looks likely to be more ambitious and achieve insipid mediocrity, and Neil Jordan's latest looks poised to be an overblown snoozefest.

NEW CD RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

The future of hip-hop is likely to be decided by this week’s epic battle between two of the genre’s top artists. In one corner: Kanye West, the middle-class suburbanite who makes music for the sake of creativity. In the opposing corner: 50 Cent, the tough-as-nails Queens-bred hustler who openly admits that all he does is for the money. Where is hip-hop today, and where will The People take it? Will our country choose the music that is artistically inspired and aims for progress, or will it opt for the popular status quo of violence, drugs, and hos? Only this week’s sales will tell.

Kanye West, “Graduation”
Receiving generally positive reviews, “Graduation” is the highly anticipated culmination of Kanye’s work to date. West reveals himself as thoroughly as ever on this album, emanating a newfound maturity through tracks like “Big Brother.” The record also features highly varied sampling from artists such as Can, Elton John, Steely Dan, and Daft Punk.

50 Cent, “Curtis”
While some critics say that 50 Cent is “running in place,” others simply view his latest release as consistent. Similarly to “The Massacre,” Fiddy’s third album contains both rough tracks and soft ones, as well as production by Eminem and Dr. Dre. However, “Curtis” differs in its incorporation of artists such as Akon, Mary J. Blige, and everybody’s man of the moment: Timbaland.

OTHER NOTABLE RELEASES:

Animal Collective, “Strawberry Jam”
Raw and chaotic as usual, Animal Collective release their first album on Domino Records. Checking in with a mere nine tracks, “Strawberry Jam” emphasizes the band’s eclectic mix of noise-rock feedback, pop melodies, and near-incomprehensible rhythms, all filtered through a web of electronic effects.

The Go! Team, “Proof Of Youth”
This motley amalgamation of British musicians unleashes its sophomore effort. Often characterized as “cheerleader rock,” The Go! Team continues to combine handclaps, rap-like chanting, and brass instruments with more common elements of indie rock to create a unique, perky sound. And, in addition to the four-track bonus disc that will be included in the first pressing of the CD, “Proof Of Youth” will feature appearances by the likes of Marina Ribatski (Bonde do Rolê), Chuck D (Public Enemy), and Solex.

Erin’s Pick: It’s a tie between “Graduation” and “Strawberry Jam.” I’ll probably end up getting both albums eventually. Now, I want to make sure I don’t have anybody thinking I don’t like The Go! Team. I bought a used copy of their debut, “Thunder, Lightning, Strike,” junior year, and even though it’s a great album, I think it’s about all The Go! Team I’d want to spend money on. It’s just one of those feelings. In terms of the 50 vs. Kanye rivalry: 50 Cent’s style is passé; hip-hop needs to follow through on a change of direction, and Kanye West is a formidable candidate to lead that shift. And honestly, could 50 not come up with a better idea for the name of his closing track (titled “Touch the Sky”)? Remember that song from “Late Registration”? Yeah. I don’t see how 50 Cent can take himself seriously, pulling stuff like that.

NEW DVD RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

"DOA: Dead or Alive" (Rated PG-13, dir. Corey Yuen)
Critics had a blast slamming this video game adaptation about four sexy female fighters who are invited to a tournament on a remote island only to team up to fight evil.

"Snow Cake" (Not Rated, dir. Marc Evans)
Alan Rickman stars in this indie drama about a traveler who picks up a young hitchhiker who loses her life in a car accident on the way to her hometown. Traumatized and ridden with guilt, Rickman seeks out and begins to heal with the autistic mother (Sigourney Weaver) of the hitchhiker.

"Even Money" (Rated R, dir. Mark Rydell)
Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, Jay Mohr, Ray Liotta, Nick Cannon, and Kelsey Grammer headline a massive ensemble cast in this critically panned indie about nine people whose lives become intertwined and destroyed through gambling addictions.

Kumars’ Pick: These have got to be the absolute worst of the week – I swear I didn’t do it on purpose. That being said, these all look mind-numbingly mediocre. Not that you were going to buy any of these, but if you were, save your money and buy “Graduation.” Don’t bootleg – Kanye needs a new pool.

LOCAL SHOWS & CONCERTS

Wall to Wall Guitar Festival: Take Two (Thursday through Saturday, Krannert Center)
For three days, musicians from around the world will gather at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in an “immersive celebration and exploration of all things guitar.” As the follow-up to 2005’s W2W, this year’s festival will include some returning artists (e.g., Vernon Reid, Dan Zanes), but it will also bring many first-timers to the table. The lineup includes everything from artists examining guitar’s roots and its applications to modern ethnic music to big names such as Buddy Guy and Los Lobos. With that kind of variety, Take Two shows promise of becoming a diverse and enriching experience for people of all tastes.

Festival passes are currently on sale for $216 (prices vary for U of I students and faculty), but you can also purchase tickets for individual performances, or look through the schedule for some of the free shows.