This Week’s Releases
Here’s a look at the movies, music, books and video games coming to stores and theaters this week.
Movies – Tonight
One of the most anticipated movies of the year, director Zack Snyder’s “300” opens n theaters across the country this weekend. The story is based on the Frank Miller’s graphic novel, which tells the story of 300 Spartans fighting to the death against a massive Persian army in the famed Battle of Thermopylae. Gerard Butler stars as King Leonidas.
“The Ultimate Gift,” featuring Drew Fuller, James Garner and “Little Miss Sunshine” star Abigail Breslin, will also be released nationwide tonight.
“Charlotte’s Web,” “Happy Feet” and “Stomp the Yard” will be playing at the Safari Discount Theater for the first time tonight.
Music – Tuesday
England’s Amy Winehouse, well known in the music business as much for her boisterous behavior as her music, is releasing her second full-length album, entitled Back to Black. Winehouse’s music has yet to break the American charts.
Rocker Neil Young is famous for holding on to an archive full of unreleased recordings, much like his fellow singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. Last year, Young announced that he would start slowly releasing his archives into the mainstream. His second collection, Live at Massey Hall, is a live concert performed in Toronto in 1971. The disc comes with a bonus DVD of the show, and contains 17 Young classics including “Tell Me Why,” “Cowgirl in the Sand,” “Helpless” and “Ohio.”
Also being released this week is Musiq’s “Luvanmusiq.”
DVD – Tuesday
“Casino Royale,” the 2006 James Bond flick starring newcomer Daniel Craig as Agent 007, will be released on DVD this week, along with “The Holiday,” starring Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Kate Winslet and Jude Law.
Also being released: Seasons seven, eight and nine of “I Love Lucy” and season two of “Without a Trace.”
Books – Next Week
Lisa Scottoline, the author of 13 legal novels – all bestsellers – has written a new novel titled “Daddy’s Girl.” The thriller’s main character, assistant law professor Natalie Greco, finds herself in the middle of a mob boss’ conspiracy.
American author Jonathon Lethem, who has written a number of novels as well as short stories and essays, has recently completed “You Don’t Love Me Yet,” a romantic comedy about a fictional Los Angeles band who lets the bassist’s lover into the band with disastrous consequences.
Video Games – Next Week
“God of War II” will be released for the Playstation 2 next week. The fantasy adventure game is the sequel to 2005’s highly praised “God of War.” A few sports games become available for the current generation of consoles, including “College Hoops 2K7” for Playstation 3 and “Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07” for the Nintendo Wii.
A handful of PC games see releases next week as well, including “UFO: Extraterrestrials,” “Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific,” “The Sacred Rings” and “Top Spin 2.”