Movies opening in C-U this week

"I Am Legend" (Rated PG-13, dir. Francis Lawrence)
Robert Neville (Will Smith), a brilliant scientist with a remarkable immunity to incurable viruses, has been the only human on earth for three years. The rest of our planet’s human inhabitants have been infected with a manmade malady that turns them into carnivorous zombies — and civilization’s only hope is for Neville to find a cure.

"The Perfect Holiday" (Rated PG, dir. Lance Rivera)
Nancy (Gabrielle Union) is a hard-working, divorced mother of three, and all she wants this Christmas is the attention of a man. She gets her Christmas wish and much more when her concerned daughter (Rachel True) decides to play matchmaker with the local shopping-mall Santa (Morris Chestnut).

"Alvin and the Chipmunks" (Rated PG, dir. Tim Hill)
Jason Lee stars in this screen adaptation of the beloved animated series about a man who adopts three chipmunks (voices of Justin Long, Jesse McCartney and Matthew Gray Gubler).

Kumars’ Pick: You have got to be kidding.

CD releases this week

Wu-Tang Clan, "8 Diagrams"
The remaining eight MCs of the great hip-hop cartel drop their first album since 2001's "Iron Fist," and they've brought their energetic lyricism with them. As group leader RZA puts it, "How could hip-hop be dead if Wu-Tang is forever?" Rolling Stone calls the album "a terrific mix of classic Clan grime and enough new tricks to justify Inspectah Deck's claim that 'Wu-Tang keep it fresh like Tupperware.'"

Bow Wow and Omarion, "Face Off"
The hip-hop and R&B superstars pair up to release a mega-hyped album. All of the tracks are available here before Tuesday's official release date. For what it's worth, Entertainment Weekly gives this a B+: "Neither dude will likely be recognized as a world-class vocalist on his own. But together, Bow (he of quicksilver flow) and O (he of slender harmonies) are urban-pop Wonder Twins."

Beanie Sigel, "The Solution"
Ex-con and child support-dodging rapper/actor Beanie Sigel returns to Roc-A-Fella Records to release "The Solution." Guests include R. Kelly, Diddy, Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah, and Jay-Z.

Laura’s Pick: I’m not really into Wu-tang, but be sure to get “8 Diagrams.” I’m a bit skeptical as to what the group will be like after the death of Ol’ Dirty Bastard, but it’s clearly the best pick this week. Otherwise my advice is wait for next week's preholiday rush, or get the Bow Wow and Omarion collaboration if you’re into that kind of thing. What I’ve heard of “Face Off” sounds a lot better than I thought it would be.

DVD releases this week

"Interview" (Rated R, dir. Steve Buscemi)
Steve Buscemi directed this remake of slain Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh’s 2003 film “Interview.” Buscemi and Sienna Miller star as a reluctant, puffed-up former war reporter and his coked-up model-actress interviewee in this dialogue-driven performance piece in the vein of “My Dinner with Andre” and “Before Sunrise.”

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (Rated PG-13, dir. David Yates)
The fifth book in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series gets the Hollywood treatment as Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) battles Voldemort’s minions and a fascist Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

"The Bourne Ultimatum" (Rated PG-13, dir. Paul Greengrass)
Matt Damon returns as hunted ex-government operative Jason Bourne in the cinematic adaptation of the third installment in Robert Ludlum’s series of spy thriller novels.

Kumars’ Pick: Everything here is at least decent entertainment, but the gem this week is “Interview.” Buscemi’s direction and the tense, flowing dialogue of his adapted screenplay are worth the rental fee, as are the explosive performances of the two leads. The film takes risks, and though they don’t all pan out, this eerie battle of the sexes is an admirable effort despite its flaws. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” left me fairly cold after the classy handling of the third and fourth adaptations, but if you’re a big Potter fan, it’s only right that it should be added to your collection. “The Bourne Ultimatum” is artistically a few notches higher than “Phoenix,” but it’s really just more of the same successful formula Greengrass, Damon, and the rest have been offering up since “The Bourne Identity.”

Video game releases this week

“NCAA March Madness 08” (EA Sports)
NCAA basketball for videogames returns with “NCAA March Madness 08,” the 11th installment of the NCAA March Madness series. Expanding on the previous games, this one features commentary from Dick Vitale and Brad Nessler, a new recruiting system, and a new post control. The game costs $49.99 for the PS3 and Xbox 360 and $29.99 for the PS2.

“Winter Sports: The Ultimate Challenge” (Conspiracy Entertainment)
Downhill skiing, super giant slalom skiing, ski jumping, bobsleigh, luge, speed skating, curling, cross-country skiing, and figure skating are the nine winter sports presented in the multisport simulation game “Winter Sports: The Ultimate Challenge.” In addition to these sports, the game includes a campaign mode with 42 missions, a multiplayer mode, and controls that adapt to the Wii remote. “Winter Sports: The Ultimate Challenge” costs $29.99 for the Wii.

“The Lost Crown: A Ghost-Hunting Adventure” (Got Game)
Inspired by ghost stories and ghost-hunting techniques, “The Lost Crown: A Ghost-Hunting Adventure” is a 3D point-and-click game. The player assumes the role of Nigel Danvers and will use Danvers' ghost-hunting gadgets to find mysterious treasure. The game costs $29.99 for the PC

Gordon’s Pick: These games don’t look too exciting, but fans of the “NCAA March Madness” series should consider checking out “NCAA March Madness 08,” and Wii owners should take a look at “Winter Sports: The Ultimate Challenge.”