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Gargoyle guide to the week in entertainment, April 27-May 3

Uni High's Big Show, originally scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, has been moved to May 15-16. That's good for the cast, but it leaves a gaping hole in our social calendar this week. Luckily, the OG entertainment crew is here to give some suggestions for filling that void. Any Jason Mraz fans out there?

MOVIES OPENING IN C-U THIS WEEK

"Battle for Terra"
Rated PG, dir. Aristomenis Tsirbas

The homeless remainder of Earth's population battles with the peaceful aliens of Terra for a new place to live. Mala (voiced by Evan Rachel Wood), a Terrian teenager, forms an uneasy friendship with a man from Earth, and the two must work to stop the dark forces among the Earthlings that will stop at nothing to annihilate the Terrians in this computer-animated 3D film that reminds its viewers that none can survive without the natural resources of Earth.

"Ghosts of Girlfriends Past"
Rated PG-13, dir. Mark Waters

Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner star in this romantic comedy. A man (McConaughey) is confronted by ghost-like apparitions of his previous girlfriends while attending his younger brother's wedding. The women from his past guide him into securing healthier dating habits, but it's unclear as to how much their advice will really help.

"X-Men Origins: Wolverine"
Rated PG-13, dir. Gavin Hood

Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is back for more in this installment of the "X-Men" series. After agreeing to join a special mutants division of the armed forces, Wolverine retires and moves to the Canadian Rockies.

Laura’s Pick: "Terra." Sure it looks like a bit of a "Star Wars"/"Wall-E" knockoff. But there’s not a whole lot else going on.

NEW CD RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

"Together Through Life"
Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is the epitome of the American singer-songwriter and poet, and we’re only too pleased for another album. Though his sound has definitely evolved over the years, he retains the biting insight into middle America with his lyrical twists and turns, and we can only expect bigger and better things from the Minnesota native. If you have any inclination toward folk rock, go and buy this. You won’t be disappointed.

"The Loud Wars"
So Many Dynamos

Well, the title is pretty accurate. The first word we think of when it comes to So Many Dynamos is loud. They opened for one of Katy's favorite bands in October, and she still can't hear well. Musically, however, Katy suspects you’d be ill advised to buy this album. If it's anything like their earlier work … eek. But if you're a big fan of electronic pop, they do vaguely resemble PlayRadioPlay! (at a distance of maybe 20 yards) and may be worth something to you. Not to Katy, though. Nuh uh. She likes being able to hear.

"My One and Only Thrill"
Melody Gardot

Searching through the iTunes free singles of the week, Will found this gem of a musician. In her latest release, Melody Gardot, a jazz singer from the City of Brotherly Love, stuns and treats our "Worrisome Hearts" (to steal the title of her first full-length album) with the real meaning of smooth jazz. Definitely a cool, cool pick.

"iDon"
Don Omar

ATTENTION!!! A cyborg has been created on Earth, and he is ready to spit mad Spanish rhymes. According to Universal Music Group, Don Omar has underwent a "transformation of the visionary recording artist into iDon, a half man-half machine creation." All jokes aside, Don Omar's attempt at an electro-dance album, though it may seem silly, actually has some pretty good beats. Will has no idea what iDon is saying, but if he can make a music video as entertaining as this, then Will is quite happy.

Will and Katy's Pick: Not many good choices this week, but the two albums that deserve a listen are Melody Gardot's and Dylan's new releases. Another average week of music.

NEW DVD RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

"What Doesn’t Kill You"
Rated R, dir. Brian Goodman

Brian (Mark Ruffalo) and Paulie (Ethan Hawke) go back a long time, since the days they lived on the streets of South Boston. They committed some petty crimes in order to survive, but these misdemeanors gradually worsened. Eventually the friends got involved in organized crime. Brian got into drugs, and nothing can stop his addiction, not even the love of his family. Paulie wants to get out of this miserable world, but before this can happen, one last heist must occur. Will Brian and Paulie ever get their lives back?

"Nothing But the Truth"
Rated R, dir. Rod Lurie

This film was featured Saturday night at the Virginia Theatre as part of Ebertfest; director Rod Lurie and co-star Mat Dillon were guests at the post-screening Q&A. The movie is based loosely on the Valerie Plame case, in which a covert CIA operative was outed by newspaper columnist Robert Novak. In the film, a CIA agent is outed by a journalist played by Kate Beckinsale. A special prosecutor (Dillon) launches an investigation into the identity of Beckinsale's source. She refuses to give up the person and is jailed — for a long and excruciating time. This is a movie that forces viewers to ask themselves how far they would go in defense of a principle.

"Bride Wars"
Rated PG, dir. Gary Winick
 
Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) have been best friends forever. As little girls, they planned everything together, including their weddings. Now Liv and Emma are 26 and engaged to be married. Both brides have the same wish, to be married at NYC’s Plaza Hotel. The brides are being supportive and helpful to each other, until they find out that an error has caused both of them to be married on the same day. Liv and Emma are now competing to have the better wedding with all the right things at the right places. What will happen to their friendship?

"Hotel for Dogs"
Rated PG, dir. Thor Freudenthal

"Hotel for Dogs" is an action-packed comedy about a girl named Andi (Emma Roberts). When Andi and her younger brother, Bruce (Jake T. Austin), are forbidden from having a pet by their new guardians, the siblings must quickly find a new abode for their dog. The pair ends up stumbling across an abandoned hotel that they soon transform into a doggie paradise. But, the children must keep this place a secret.

"JCVD"
Rated R, dir. Mabrouk El Mechri
 
This is a Belgian film that satirizes real-life martial artist and actor Jean-Claude Van Damme. In "JCVD," Jean-Claude plays himself, a man out of money and in the middle of a messy divorce. While his personal life is going to pieces, so is his career — he is currently losing every film role to Steven Seagal. The defeated Jean-Claude makes his way back to Brussels where he is thrown into a hostage situation and forced to fight the police as well as the bad guys. But, he gains the world's attention.

Eleni's Pick: "What Doesn’t Kill You" is not the kind of film I usually watch, but it has Ethan Hawke, who starred in my favorite films, "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset."

NEW VIDEO GAME RELEASES IN STORES THIS WEEK

"Patapon 2"
Sony Computer Entertainment

Recovering from their losses against their foes, the Zigoton Empire, the Patapon have constructed a boat to set sail to new lands. However, their plan fails after their boat is wiped out by a kraken. In order to survive, they now have to fight against another tribe called the Karmen. "Patapon 2" is a sequel to "Patapon," and cost $19.99 for the PSP.

"The Destiny of Zorro"
505 Games

Play as Zorro as he strives to make it his goal to protect his home from mob bosses, corrupt soldiers, and the evil Calavera. "The Destiny of Zorro" costs $39.99 for the Wii.

"Magician’s Quest: Mysterious Times"
Konami

Create your own magician in this fantasy life-simulation game, and strengthen your magic by learning the art of casting spells and interacting with other students. "Magician’s Quest: Mysterious Times" costs $29.99 for the DS.

Gordon's Pick: "Patapon 2." The unique game play and excellent graphics make this a must-have for any PSP owner.

Performances in C-U this week

Jason Mraz
• With special guest Howie Day
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2
• Assembly Hall Star Theatre — Expanded
• Tickets: $36 (available here)

Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz hits the Assembly Hall stage Saturday night in support of his latest album, "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.," which features his Grammy-nominated hit single, "I'm Yours."

Gargoyle Pick: Originally this week was going to be an easy pick — Uni's own Big Show. But the annual student-written and -directed comedy production has been moved to May 15-16, leaving our social card open. Jason Mraz is no Adam Tiouririne, but he'll have to do.


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