THE LIST: DVDs, CDs and books hitting stores this week

DVDS

"The Spiderwick Chronicles" (PG): A worthy entry in the find-the-next-Harry-Potter cinematic sweepstakes, this brisk adaptation of Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black's fantasy tales focuses on an embattled single mother ("Weeds' " Mary-Louise Parker), her plucky teenage daughter (Sarah Bolger) and her twin sons (one rebellious, one brainiac, both played by Freddie Highmore), who move from the city to a rundown estate, where they battle hobgoblins, trolls and other assorted beasties lurking in the woods.

Although the movie overdoes the computer-generated effects, the potent fractured-family themes, plus memorable turns by Nick Nolte (the movie's resident monster) and David Strathairn (the inquisitive scientist who started it all) make this an all-ages treat.

Also out today: "10,000 B.C." (PG-13); "In Bruges" (R); "Bonneville" (PG); "Definitely, Maybe" (PG-13); "Persepolis" (PG-13); "Charlie Bartlett" (R); "The Hammer" (R); "Priceless" (PG-13); "The Furies" (Unrated); "Rita Rudner: Live From Las Vegas" (Unrated).

CDS

Sigur Ros, "Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust": "With a buzz in our ears, we play endlessly." That's what its title translates to, though words are always secondary when it comes to Sigur Ros.

Sweeping, atmospheric and hauntingly beautiful, the latest from this Icelandic mystery machine leaves plenty to the imagination, like an abstract painting whose shapes can be viewed in any number of meaningful patterns.

Produced by Flood, best known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, U2, The Smashing Pumpkins and The Killers, the disc is as inviting and invigorated as a new dawn.

Also in stores: Alejandro Escovedo, "Real Animal"; Jon Foreman, "Spring and Summer"; G. Love & Special Sauce, "Superhero Brother"; Hercules and Love Affair, "Hercules and Love Affair"; Immortal Technique & DJ Green Lantern, "The 3rd World"; Amos Lee, "Last Days at the Lodge"; Edwin McCain, "Nobody's Fault But Mine"; Motley Crue, "Saints of Los Angeles"; Shinedown, "The Sound of Madness"; Thalia, "Lunada"; Three 6 Mafia, "Last 2 Walk"; Steve Tyrell, "Back to Bacharach"; Various Artists, "Big Blue Ball."

BOOKS

"Tailspin" by Catherine Coulter: In Coulter's 12th FBI thriller, a plane carrying Special Agent Jack Crowne and Timothy MacLean, a psychiatrist to Washington's elite who recently has been diagnosed with dementia, crashes in a mountainous area of Kentucky. The crash is witnessed by Rachael Abbott, a woman with her own life-and-death fears. Crowne and his FBI friends must uncover whether someone is out to kill Dr. MacLean and who is behind the attempts on Rachael Abbott's life.

Also hitting shelves: "Brida" by Paulo Coehlo; "End of Days: Predictions and Prophecies about the End of the World" by Sylvia Browne; "Last Oracle" by James Rollins; "My Sister, My Love" by Joyce Carol Oates; "Rogue" by Danielle Steel; "The Magician (Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)" by Michael Scott; "Don't Tell a Soul" by David Rosenfelt; "The Water's Edge" by Daniel Judson; and "The Standing Pool" by Adam Thorpe.