It looks like a slow week for the entertainment. From a remake of the classic "Christmas Carol" coming out in theaters (in 3D?!?) to The Swimmers' latest album in the music world, there aren’t too many highly anticipated new releases. Check below for more about this week's films, CDs, DVDs, video games, and local shows.

MOVIE RELEASES THIS WEEK

"A Christmas Carol"
Rated PG, dir. Robert Zemeckis
Nationwide release: Friday, Nov. 6
Starring Jim Carrey, this is a 3D animated remake of the classic Christmas tale of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come, where Scrooge will discover himself.

"The Fourth Kind"
Rated PG-13, dir. Olatunde Osunsanmi
Nationwide release: Friday, Nov. 6
The year is 1972, when a UFO is sighted. People begin to wonder if we can make contact with extraterrestrials. In Alaska, psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler (Milla Jovovich) begins videotaping sessions with victims of alien abduction to prove that aliens exist.

"The Box"
Rated tPG-13d R, dir. Richard Kelly
Limited release: Friday, Nov. 6
Norma (Cameron Diaz), Arthur Lewis (James Marsden), and their child receive a box as a gift. Unfortunately, this gift has become a curse with fatal consequences to all of humanity that is tearing apart this once happy family.

"The Men Who Stare at Goats"
Rated R, dir. Grant Heslov
Nationwide release: Friday, Nov. 6
Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor), a reporter in Iraq, thinks he's found a prize-winning story when he meets Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), a man claiming to be a former member of the U.S. Army's First Earth Battalion. What will happen to this unsuspecting reporter's career when he finds out that his hero is a fraud?

Eleni's Pick: While Jim Carrey is pretty fun, I'm not impressed by the movie releases.

CD RELEASES THIS WEEK

"People Are Soft"
The Swimmers
I really like The Swimmers, and this new album looks to be pretty good. Their unique brand of organic, home-grown lo-fi rock touched with synth is definitely a different taste than a lot of other recent releases, but I have no objection to a little innovation. I may pick this up.

"Play On"
Carrie Underwood
I have heard one song from this album, and it left me laughing hysterically. "Cowboy Casanova"? Really? That's just too good. Aside from that, Carrie Underwood is as talented as ever, and if you're a fan of country, this may well be the release of the year. So there's that.

"Raditude"
Weezer
Everyone's favorite pompous faux-skater boyband is back! OMG! Anyway, "Ratitude" looks like it might be OK. Weezer has musical talent, they just lack any skill whatsoever at song writing. Perhaps they've turned it around on this album, but judging by the song titles ("The Girl Got Hot," "Can't Stop Partying") I'm guessing not.

"Get U Home"
Shwayze
Anybody who knows me knows that I am not a big fan of rap. However, I have been informed that Shwayze is a fairly big name in alternative hip-hop and his new album is highly anticipated. So, you know, if you're into that sort of thing.

Katy's Pick: The Swimmers! I'm a sucker for indie rock, and these guys have some talent.

DVD RELEASES THIS WEEK

"I Love You, Beth Cooper"
Rated PG-13, dir. Chris Columbus
Original U.S. theatrical release: July 10, 2009
The nerdiest boy in the school has fallen for the hottest girl in the school, Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere). During a graduation speech, Beth shows up and goes on to give this unlikely boy the best night of his life.

"The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3"
Rated R, dir. Tony Scott
Original U.S. theatrical release: June 12, 2009
In present day New York City, a train is hijacked and hostages are taken, making an ordinary day quit an ordeal for dispatcher Walter Garber (Denzel Washington).

"Food, Inc."
Rated PG, dir. Robert Kenner
Original U.S. theatrical release: June 12, 2009
This documentary takes a look at the scope and effect of corporate dominance over the American food industry. Made in the spirit of modern-day muckraking books such as Eric Schlosser's "Fast Food Nation" (in fact, Schlosser is one of the featured interview subjects), the film offers plenty of reasons to become unsettled about the American diet.

"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra"
Rated PG-13, dir. Stephen Sommers
Original U.S. theatrical release: Aug. 7, 2009
From IMDb: "An elite military unit comprised of special operatives known as G.I. Joe, operating out of The Pit, takes on an evil organization led by a notorious arms dealer." The cast includes a few decent actors who seem out of place in an action flick like this, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jonathan Pryce, and Dennis Quaid.

"Aliens in the Attic"
Rated PG, dir. John Schultz
Original U.S. theatrical release: July 31, 2009
In this film, starring Ashley Tisdale, a family goes on vacation and is attacked by aliens. The children need to fend off the aliens while keeping their parents in the dark about the family's danger.

Eleni's Pick: Although I'm a fan of Chris Columbus, his latest movie doesn't look promising. Not many good DVDs this week, either.

VIDEO GAME RELEASES THIS WEEK

"GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony"
Developer: Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
OK, so I generally don't review expansion packs, but in the case of the newest "Grand Theft Auto" expansion pack, I had to make an exception. In "The Ballad of Gay Tony," you are bodyguard to the famous Anthony Prince, the incredibly stylish but incredibly broke nightclub owner of Liberty City. What I really loved about it was how it brings back all of the fun, crazy, over-the-top action that I loved about "San Andreas" but adds many new elements.

"Dragon Age: Origins"
Developer: Bioware
Publisher: Electronic Arts
From Metacritic: "As the spiritual successor to BioWare's 'Baldur's Gate,' one of the most successful role-playing games in the industry, 'Dragon Age: Origins' represents BioWare's return to its roots, delivering a fusion of the best elements of existing fantasy works with stunning visuals, emotionally-driven narrative, heart-pounding combat, powerful magic abilities, and credible digital actors. The spirit of classic RPGs comes of age as 'Dragon Age: Origins' features a dark and mature story and gameplay."

Luke's Pick: "GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony" has gotten great reviews and looks to be well worth downloading.

EVENTS IN C-U THIS WEEK

Uni Fall Play: "The Miser"
Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., $7/$6
North Attic Playhouse, Uni High, 1212 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana
Director Barbara Ridenour and her talented cast of student thespians bring Moliere's classic comedy to the North Attic Playhouse for three performances. Harpagon (senior Zack Goldberg) is a wealthy penny-pincher who plans to squeeze the most money possible out of marriages by arranging for his daughter, Elise (junior Stefanie Senior), to marry an old man named Anselme (TBA) and for himself to marry a woman named Mariane (senior Vivian Robison). However, Elise has already fallen for Valère (junior Ben Zehr), a servant, and Mariane is in love with Harpagon's son, Clèante (senior Ethan Schiller). With the help of a clever matchmaker (senior Anna Gooler), a sneaky servant (senior Andrew LaPointe), and a saucy cook/coachman (junior Kahlilah Cooke), Elise and Clèante scheme to marry whom they want.

Gargoyle Pick: The play's the thing, of course. With Friday and Saturday performances, homework is no excuse to miss the fun.