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 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

“Doomsday”
Rated R, dir. Neil Marshall
British horror auteur Neil Marshall (“The Descent”) directs Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, and Alexander Siddig in this thriller about quarantined Scotland in the aftermath of a horrifying epidemic.

“Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who”
Rated G, dir. Jimmy Hayward & Steve Martino
Jim Carrey, Will Arnett, Steve Carell, Carol Burnett, Seth Rogen, Amy Poehler, and Jonah Hill lend their voices to this animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ beloved children’s classic.

“Never Back Down”
Rated PG-13, dir. Jeff Wadlow
Sean Faris stars as teen outcast Jake Tyler, who is introduced to the form of fighting known as mixed martial arts and begins to learn to stick up for himself.

Kumars’ Pick: I firmly believe that Dr. Seuss is unadaptable, and previous attempts at bringing his psychedelic fables to the screen only serve to reinforce that belief. “Never Back Down,” even independently of its title, sounds kind of like a joke. Neil Marshall’s brilliant 2006 effort, “The Descent,” as well as the expected mediocrity of the aforementioned titles, make “Doomsday” a shoe-in for my pick of the week. It could be the first great film of 2008.

Late addition:
“Taxi to the Darkside”
Rated R, dir. Alex Gibney
This Academy Award-winning documentary from Alex Gibney presents a harrowing, well-researched inquiry into the 2002 death of an Afghani taxi driver at Bagram air base, the implications of which reach all the way to the White House. Opens Friday at Boardman's Art Theatre.

CD releases this week

“Come Close”
Saosin
Saosin released their debut EP in 2003 to rave reviews and immense popularity online. Three years and a new singer later, their 2006 self-titled album was one of the most anticipated of the year but received only moderately friendly reviews. Now Saosin (pronounced “Say-Ocean”) bring their intense vocals and blasting, energetic instrumentation to try to prove that listening to “emocore” really isn’t as embarrassing as it sounds.

“Ego Trippin'”
Snoop Dogg
The “Doggfather” continues his hip-hop legacy with his ninth studio album. The 21-track CD features guest appearances by such artists as Pharrell, Everlast, Kurupt, and Charlie Wilson (of the Gap Band). Includes the hit “Sensual Seduction.”

“Elephant In the Room”
Fat Joe
After eight moderately well-received solo albums, the leader of hip-hop conglomerate Terror Squad is back to get the club shaking, although that may just be from his massive physique jumping up and down. Guests include Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, J. Holliday, and KRS-One.

Laura’s Pick: Saosin. While they’ll never be as good as they were with their former singer Anthony Green, they’re still miles ahead of Fat Joe. Not that that’s hard.

DVD releases this week

“No Country for Old Men”
Rated R, dir. Joel & Ethan Coen
In 2008’s Academy Award winner for Best Picture, a poor welder (Josh Brolin) is on the run and in possession of a briefcase containing $2 million, pursued by a merciless killer (Javier Bardem), who is in turn pursued by a lawman (Tommy Lee Jones) intent on ending the psychopath’s murder streak.

“Bee Movie”
Rated PG, dir. Stephen Hickner & Simon J. Smith
This animated romp features the voice of legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld as a bee who decides to sue the human race for stealing the honey of his bumble brethren.

“Dan in Real Life”
Rated PG-13, dir. Peter Hedges
Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, and Emily Blunt headline this comedy about a relationship advice columnist (Carell) who can’t seem to succeed at his own relationships.

“Hitman”
Rated R, dir. Xavier Gens
Timothy Olyphant (“Go,” “The Safety of Objects”) stars as the titular character in this adaptation of the popular video game series about a genetically engineered assassin. Dougray Scott (“Enigma”) and Olga Kurylenko (“Paris Je T’Aime”) co-star.

Kumars’ Pick: No Contest for Old Men.

Video game releases this week

“Super Smash Bros. Brawl”
Nintendo
Ever wanted to play a fighting game where you could choose your favorite Nintendo character and just kick butt? Well, this game is the third installment of the best-selling “Super Smash Bros.” and introduces 37 of Nintendo’s famous characters, such as Mario, Kirby, Link, Wario, Samus, a Pokemon Trainer, and many more. The game is exclusive to the Wii and can be played in three different ways: the Wii remote, the classic controller, or the old GameCube controller. “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” costs $49.99 for the Wii.

“Condemned 2: Bloodshot”
Sega
After the horrifying events that took place in “Condemned: Origins,” former Special Crimes Unit investigator Ethan Thomas is called back so he can track down his missing partner, Darcy. This time around, not only is Ethan’s new mission going to be more horrifying, but now he also has to deal with the past that continues to haunt him. “Condemned 2: Bloodshot” costs $59.99 for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

“House of the Dead 2 and 3 Return”
Sega
While the popularity of arcades is declining, the arcade games themselves are still well-liked. This compilation game will introduce two horror classic rail-shooter games to the Wii: “The House of the Dead 2” and “The House of the Dead III.” The game costs $29.99 for the Wii.

Gordon’s Pick: “Super Smash Bros. Brawl.” After seven long years, the sequel to the most popular Gamecube title, “Super Smash Bros. Melee,” has finally come out. “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” is a MUST-have for anyone who possesses a Wii. It would be a shame if somebody who owned a Wii did not get a copy of this game. As for “Condemned 2: Bloodshot,” I didn’t enjoy its predecessor “Condemned: Origins.” However, if you like creepy horror games or if you liked the first game, then definitely check it out.

Live music this week

Graydog, John McMahon Band, Jake Stimmel, Me Him & Charlie Miller
8 p.m.-midnight Friday, March 14
Independent Media Center, 202 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana, cost unknown
Several local acts will perform, including folk artist John McMahon, who sings and strums with a country twang, the jazz- and blues-oriented Jake Stimmel, and the incredibly talented band Me Him & Charlie Miller.

Sindha’s Pick: I’m highly disappointed in the lack of shows lately! While this week’s IMC show won’t measure up to last week’s — the UFU benefit concert that featured acts such as rapper Krukid — Me Him & Charlie Miller are a local must-see, combining the best of rock, blues, and funk. For a sample, click here.