By Jono Baron

Gargoyle senior editor


Posted Monday, March 26, 2007, The OG, arts

EACH WEEK WE'LL look ahead to the next releases in entertainment, from movies opening in C-U to DVDs and CDs hitting the stores. Erin Hayes, our expert on the local music scene, has been out of the country, so we won't be bringing you a look at C-U concerts in this installment. Check back next week for Erin's local picks.

MOVIES OPENING IN C-U THIS WEEK

“Blades of Glory” (official site)

Will Ferrell is back again, this time in a figure skating-themed farce. After being stripped of their gold metals in the 2002 Winter Olympics and banned from the men's single skaters' competition, Ferrell's character, Chazz Michael Michaels, and Jimmy MacElroy (played by Jon Heder of “Napoleon Dynamite” fame) find a loophole in the rules: They can still participate in couples skating.

Opens Friday at the Beverly 18 and Savoy 16. For showtimes at both theaters, click here.

“Meet the Robinsons” (official site)

This film is Disney's latest computer-animated full-length feature. A young genius named Lewis has invented the “memory scanner,” a device that will allow him to track down his birth mother. But a villainous figure known as the Bowler Hat Guy steals the invention. Lewis is about to give up hope when a stranger named Wilbur Robinson enters the picture and takes him away in a time machine. Together they travel to the future in search of Bowler Hat Guy, a quest that ends with a showdown and an unexpected twist of fate.

Opens Friday at the Beverly 18 and Savoy 16. For showtimes at both theaters, click here.

Jono's Pick: “Blades of Glory.” I still haven't seen “Anchorman,” and I crave some Will Farrell. It's true, his movies might not be the most intelligent on the surface, but I don't always want movies to make me think — humor doesn't have to be high brow to entertain. And plus, in a sense, “Blades of Glory” does seem fairly well-devised. After all, who else would have conceived of a comedy about male figure skating? This movie is going to be great.

NEW CD RELEASES (in stores Tuesday, March 27)

Kaiser Chiefs, “Yours Truly, Angry Mob”

When this British new wave/indie rock band from Leeds released their first album in 2005, “Employment,” it was met with the utmost praise. But despite the success of some of their more recent singles (most prominently “Ruby”), their second CD is meeting modest reviews at best. This album seems to be just more of the same — nothing new.

Redman, “Red Gone Wild”

Three years in the making, Redman's sixth full-length release, “Red Gone Wild,” is finally available for purchase. The album represents his return to his original style, when he first hit the scene in the early '90s. With the aid of such artists as Snoop Dogg and multiple big-name rap producers, this album is sure to please.

Good Charlotte, “Good Morning Revival”

It's long been fashionable to bash Good Charlotte, and let's face it, twins Benji and Joel Madden make themselves easy targets with their angst-ridden punk posing. But GC's first two albums (2000's “Good Charlotte” and 2002's “The Young and the Hopeless”) were actually pretty fun — they contained some catchy pop hooks. Their third album, though, was a disaster. “The Chronicles of Life and Death,” released in 2004, was ludicrously pretentious (who gave that title the green light?) and unlistenable. “Good Morning Revival” seems to promise better things, but that's not saying much.

Macy Gray, “Big”

For those in need of a healthy serving of soul, Macy Gray is back with her first studio album since 2003's “The Trouble With Being Myself.” She had plenty of big-name help, starting with will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and Ron Fair, producer of Christina Aguilera and The Pussycat Dolls. Also lending a hand were Justin Timberlake, Fergie, and Natalie Cole.

Jono's Pick: Nothing. I'm not impressed by what's coming out this week. I mean, think about it: The Kaiser Chiefs' album hasn't been received very well, and I'm not really into the whole new wave/indie thing; Redman would be good, except I'm not much into rap (and if I did want to buy a hip-hop album, it'd be “Donuts” by J Dilla, released in February 2006). The only other thing I really recognized coming out this week was the Good Charlotte release, and I'd rather not waste my money on something that would make me want to blow my mind out. There are some weeks when you just aren't meant to buy any new tunes — this has got to be one of them.

NEW DVD RELEASES (in stores Tuesday, March 27)

“Children of Men” (official site)
In the not-so-distant future, the world we all grew up in seems to have stopped growing altogether — anarchy, revolt, and strife have taken over, and making it all worse, no one seems to be able to give birth. So when Clive Owen is asked to escort a miracle pregnant woman to safety, he takes the job. This film was nominated for three Oscars this year, and should be a great addition to anyone's DVD collection. For the Gargoyle's original review of the film, click here.

“The Pursuit of Happyness” (official site)

Will Smith plays Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who finds himself evicted from his apartment but still in care of his 5-year-old son (played by Smith's real-life son). As he attempts to raise in the ranks of business and find a better life for the two of them, Gardner lands an internship at a prestigious law firm, and he and his son find a way to endure the hardship. For the Gargoyle's original review of the film, click here.

“Happy Feet” (official site)

Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, Elijah Wood, and Nicole Kidman star as emperor penguins who find their mates through “singing.” The film follows a little penguin who's as tone deaf as possible — but he can tap dance something fierce. He tries to prove himself by using dance as a substitute.

Jono's Pick: “Children of Men.” I've idolized Will Smith since he punched out that alien in “Independence Day,” but “The Pursuit of Happyness” isn't gonna cut it for me this week. I've seen parts of “Children of Men,” and was absolutely stunned by its cinematic wonders (not to mention it's great soundtrack). The acting is superb, and the directing is awesome. Overall, the visuals just drag you into the moment, almost to the point at which you could believe that civil war was being waged outside your door. But this isn't a bad thing! I love being gripped by movies, and I love the whole near future, semi-apocalyptic view of it — this kind of film should have its own genre. I'd love to get a hold of this film — maybe I can actually watch the whole thing this time, too!