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

“Speed Racer”
Rated PG, dir. Andy & Larry Wachowski
Emile Hirsch (who did excellent work in Nick Cassavetes’ “Alpha Dog” and Sean Penn’s “Into the Wild”) stars as Speed in the live-action adaptation of the 1960s anime series of the same name, featuring Christina Ricci as Speed’s girlfriend, Trixie. The film is directed by the Wachowski brothers, creators of “The Matrix.”

“What Happens in Vegas”
Rated PG-13, dir. Tom Vaughan
Joy (Cameron Diaz) and Jack (Ashton Kutcher) both go to Las Vegas depressed. When they sober up after a wild night, they find that they married each other. Comedy ensues as the pair come to grips with their situation.

Carl’s Pick: Another great week to avoid the movie theater.

CD releases this week

“Gavin DeGraw”
Gavin DeGraw
When Gavin DeGraw’s not busy writing Top 40 pop-rock radio hits about honesty in self-presentation that turn into theme songs for the WB/CW (note: 2003’s “I Don’t Want to Be”), he’s … writing Top 40 pop-rock radio hits about girls (also note: 2003’s “Chariot”). This time, he’s back and self-titled. Look out for his first single, “In Love With a Girl.” The girl portrayed in the music video is none other than “Laguna Beach” season 1 and 2’s Kristin Cavallari.

“Somewhere Back in Time:
The Best Of 1980-89”
Iron Maiden
The essential British heavy metal band Iron Maiden releases a compilation album that covers material from seven albums, starting with their 1980 self-titled debut to 1988’s “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.”

“Scream”
Tokio Hotel
Magdeburg, Germany-based Tokio Hotel release their album “Scream” in the U.S. after success in Europe. Combining emo and glam rock, “Scream” has already sold more than a million copies. Check out the singles “Monsoon,” “Scream,” “By Your Side,” and “Ready, Set, Go!” — the latter of which has reached the top three spot on the charts in at least six different European countries.

“Earth to the Dandy Warhols”
The Dandy Warhols
An indie group dressed up like astronauts? Maybe they aren’t particularly shocking, but The Dandy Warhols release music that is as spacey and nonthreatening as their band theme. This is their eighth studio album, following such gems as 1997’s “The Dandy Warhols Come Down” and 2005’s “Odditorium or Warlords of Mars.”

Laura’s Pick: You have got to be kidding me …

DVD releases this week

“First Sunday”
Rated PG-13, dir. David E. Talbert
Rapper Ice Cube and "30 Rock" star Tracy Morgan play bumbling criminals who find themselves locked in their neighborhood church after trying to rob it. Regina Hall and Katt Williams co-star.

“Over Her Dead Body”
Rated PG-13, dir. Jeff Lowell
After his fiancée, Kate (Eva Longoria), is tragically killed on their wedding day, Henry (Paul Rudd) reluctantly agrees to consult a psychic (Lake Bell), with whom he begins to fall in love. Kate, however, is unwilling to sit back in the land of the dead and watch her fiancée fall for another woman.

“P.S. I Love You”
Rated PG-13, dir. Richard LaGravenese
A deceased husband (Gerard Butler) has left his grieving widow (Hilary Swank) a series of messages and tasks in order to help her get over his passing.

Kumars’ Pick: These all look terrible.

Video game releases this week

“R-Type Command”
Atlus
Earth is under attack by the Bydo Alien forces, and the R-Army is called upon to defend against the invasion. In this 2D scrolling shooter game, you play through 58 levels as an R-Type space fighter to protect Earth from the aliens. “R-Type Command” costs $39.99 for the PSP.

“The DOG Island”
Ubisoft
On DOG island, there is only one species of animal: dogs. In this action-adventure game, you play as a dog who is on a journey to find a special flower. “The DOG Island” costs $39.99 for the Wii.

“Boom Blox”
Electronic Arts
Steven Spielberg and EA join forces to create this puzzle game that requires the player to knock structures made of blocks to the ground. There are hundreds of puzzles in the game, and the player uses the Wii remote to knock down the structures. “The Boom Blox” costs $49.99 for the Wii.

Gordon’s Pick: None of these games can compare to last week’s release of “Grand Theft Auto IV” and “Mario Kart Wii.” “GTA IV” received near-universal praise from reviewers, and I’m betting that it’s going to be the 2008 game of the year. So buy a copy of “GTA IV” if you haven’t already.