85°F
weather icon Mostly Cloudy

Latest DVDs, CDs, books: Nov. 29

A look at some of the DVDs, CDs and books hitting stores this week:

DVDS

"One Day" (PG-13): This bittersweet reelin'-in-the-years chronicle follows idealistic, working-class Emma (Anne Hathaway) and rich, to-the-manor-born Dexter (Jim Sturgess) through 20 years of friendship, and maybe more, as David Nicholls adapts his novel for "An Education" director Lone Scherfig

"Friends With Benefits" (R) focuses on just-pals singles (Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis) who add sex to their connection, only to discover that crazy little thing called love keeps getting in the way. In "Our Idiot Brother" (R), a genial stoner (Paul Rudd) creates chaos in the lives of his exasperated sisters (Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer), while fledgling crooks (Danny McBride, Nick Swardson) kidnap a slacker pizza delivery guy (Jesse Eisenberg), strap a bomb onto him and force him to rob a bank in "30 Minutes or Less" (R). For more family-friendly viewing, "The Smurfs" (PG) finds evil wizard Gargamel chasing the tiny blue Smurfs from their village, forcing them through a vortex that transports them into noisy New York City. And a troubled young golfer (Lucas Black) gets some life lessons from a wise old pro (Robert Duvall) in "Seven Days in Utopia" (G).

Leading the list of local debuts, "Five Days of War" (R) focuses on an American journalist and his cameraman caught in the combat zone during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. Las Vegan Anton Troy, meanwhile, joins Eric Roberts, Ray Wise and others in the spoofy horror romp "Chillerama" (not rated).

"Peepshow" headliner Holly Madison turns up in "The Girls Next Door: The Complete Collection," which leads a list of TV transfers (all unrated unless otherwise noted) that includes "The Six Million Dollar Man: Season One," "Hot in Cleveland: Season Two," "The Amazing Race: The Fourth Season," "30 Rock: Season Five" and "Smallville: The Complete 10th Season."

CDS

Jimmy Cliff, "Sacred Fire": You know how you feel after Thanksgiving dinner, when you're in a turkey-catalyzed stupor, your eyelids so heavy, it's as if they were made of concrete, where every movement feels as if it were being done while submerged in wet cement?

Well, that's also indicative of the state of the record industry the week after the holiday, which is traditionally low on releases.

But there is a new EP from reggae icon Jimmy Cliff, his first studio recording in seven years.

Also in stores: Hot Chelle Rae, "Whatever"; Linda Lavin, "Possibilities"; Shonen Knife, "Sweet Christmas"; Trey Songz, "Inevitable!"; and Various Artists, "Songs of Anarchy: Music from Sons of Anarchy Seasons 1-4."

BOOKS

"The Drop" by Michael Connelly: The LAPD's Harry Bosch has two cases on his hands: one involving a 1989 rape and murder that could compromise all the lab's DNA cases in court, the other a councilman's son who either jumped or was pushed to his death.

Also this week, "Outlander" author Diana Gabaldon continues the Lord John series with "The Scottish Prisoner," in which Lord John Grey and Jamie Fraser become reluctant companions on the road to Ireland.

Also hitting shelves: "The Alpine Winter: An Emma Lord Mystery" by Mary Daheim; "The Boy Who Met Jesus: Segatashya of Kibeho" by Immaculee Ilibagiza; "Legend" by Marie Lu; "Onstage, Offstage" by Michael Buble; "Queen of America: A Novel" by Luis Alberto Urrea; "Raised by the Church: Growing up in New York City's Catholic Orphanages" by Edward Rohs; "This Is a Call: The Life and Times of Dave Grohl" by Paul Brannigan; and "Woolgathering" by Patti Smith.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Chris Farley movie in the works, starring Paul Walter Hauser

A film about the life of legendary comedian Chris Farley is reportedly in the works, with Paul Walter Hauser signed on to star in the main role and Josh Gad set to make his directorial debut.

Top 10 things to do in Las Vegas this week

Bad Religion and Social Distortion, Mariah Carey and Phish top the entertainment lineup for the week of April 12-18.

Emmy, Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr. dies at 87

He won his Oscar for his performance as the intimidating Marine drill instructor in “An Officer and a Gentleman” opposite Richard Gere and Debra Winger.