MOVIES OPENING IN C-U THIS WEEK

“Feast of Love” (Rated R, dir. Robert Benton)
Morgan Freeman, Selma Blair and Greg Kinnear look for love in a coffee shop in their modest Oregon town, and each finds more than they bargained for.

“The Game Plan” (Rated PG, dir. Andy Fickman)
The rich, famous star quarterback of a championship-chasing football team (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) discovers that he has an 8-year-old daughter, a realization that turns his partying, trophy-hunting life upside-down.

“The Kingdom” (Rated R, dir. Peter Berg)
Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner and Jeremy Piven headline an all-star cast in this thriller about an elite FBI unit investigating a terrorist bombing in Saudi Arabia.

“Paprika” (Rated R, dir. Satoshi Kon)
This anime import from Japan explores the consequences of the theft and misuse of a futuristic “dream reading” technology.

Kumars’ Pick: I really don’t know what to expect from “Feast of Love.” On one hand, it looks like a run-of-the-mill “mature” sexual drama that would make Stephen Hawking stand up and leave. On the other hand, Selma Blair is sexy. What a predicament — amplified in “The Kingdom”, which looks twice as banal and uninspired as “Feast of Love” but also features Jason Bateman (Michael Bluth from “Arrested Development”) and Jeremy Piven (Ari Gold from “Entourage”), who are each twice as sexy as Ms. Blair. The safest bet this week is “Paprika,” a mature, contemplative, and critically lauded anime coming to Boardman’s this Friday. Oh, I forgot one? Which one? The one with The Rock? Whatever.

NEW CD RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

LCD Soundsystem, “A Bunch Of Stuff EP”
This digital-only EP will feature remixes and covers of LCD Soundsystem’s catchy dance-punk tunes, including the popular Franz Ferdinand version of “All My Friends.” The record will also include a live performance of “Us v Them” (a track from the band’s March ’07 release, “Sound of Silver”) on the Santa Monica radio show “Radio Becomes Eclectic.”

Chamillionaire, “Ultimate Victory”
Chamillionaire’s second album sums up the rapper’s worldview, containing opinions on everything from gas prices and the war in Iraq to education and racism. (Hey, the record is N-word free!) The album also features appearances by the likes of Bun B and Pimp C (of UGK), Slick Rick, and Lil Wayne.

KT Tunstall, “Drastic Fantastic”
This Scottish lass releases her sophomore effort stateside. The new album features Tunstall’s infectious pop vocals and alt-rock sensibilities on tracks like “Hold On” (already a Top 40 hit in the UK), but reserves some space for a string of slower songs that reveal her mellower side.

Erin’s Pick: I’m doing OK with my Animal Collective and Kanye from last week, thanks. Oh, and I ordered “Doolittle” by the Pixies, which should be arriving Monday. I’m psyched for that. Why buy new albums I’m not interested in when I’m surrounded by other fresh releases and a classic of rock music?

NEW DVD RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

"Lucky You" (Rated PG-13, dir. Curtis Hanson)
Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore, Debra Messing, and Robert Duvall star in this drama about a romance between an aspiring Vegas singer and a high-stakes poker player. Reviewing the film in May after it was released in theaters, Variety said: "Set around the 2003 World Series of Poker, the pic spends so much time at the tables that director Curtis Hanson fails to do much else -- beginning with establishing a personality for star Eric Bana or developing his relationship with Drew Barrymore."

"We Are Marshall" (Rated PG, dir. McG)
McG (of “Charlie’s Angels” fame) helms this Matthew McConaughey vehicle about a coach who attempts to heal a town after its football team is wiped out in a plane crash. Said Peter Travers in Rolling Stone: "I gave Mr. G the benefit of the doubt until he amped up the treacle past the legal limit. Even the reliable Matthew McConaughey hams it to the hilt as the new coach, Jack Lengyel. Matthew Fox, as assistant coach Red Dawson, tries the old play that less is more. No go. Marshall deserved better than this misbegotten tribute."

"The Condemned" (Rated R, dir. Scott Wiper)
Ten death row inmates are sentenced to fight to the death for their freedom on a remote island, all for the entertainment of millions watching an enterprising billionaire’s newest reality series. Said the Chicago Tribune's Michael Wilmington: "Despite a slick production and good actors, 'The Condemned,' the latest fiction feature production of World Wrestling Entertainment Films and the first starring vehicle for WWE wrestling superstar Steve Austin (the wrestler formerly known as Stone Cold), is a real stinker. It doesn't have the courage of its own bad taste, or that of its villain."

Kumars’ Pick: These all look like crap.

LOCAL SHOWS & CONCERTS

Pygmalion Music Festival (Wednesday through Saturday)
This unique phenomenon in Champaign-Urbana culture marries the local indie scene with the national, filling four days with performances by 70 bands. While most of the shows will take place at 18-, 19-, and 21-and-over venues, there is a rich selection of performances that are open to all ages. These shows will include:

• Andrew Bird, Dianogah, 7 p.m., Friday, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (Tryon Festival Theatre), $20
• Denison Witmer, Marla Hansen, 10 p.m., Friday, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (Stage Five), FREE
• Owen, Liz Janes, Caleb Engstrom, Ryan Groff, Angie Heaton, Jane Boxall, Lynn O’Brien, 6 p.m., Saturday, Caffe Paradiso, $10

Festival passes are still available for $45 at the Krannert Center ticket office, and tickets will be available at the door for all shows.