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

DVDS

"Captivity" (R and unrated versions available): Elisha Cuthbert plays a model who's abducted and wakes up in a torture chamber. Naturally, she is tortured, but so is the audience watching: The film gets really tedious really quickly. If you're into this sort of film, you'll probably enjoy any of the "Saw" or "Hostel" movies much more.

Also out today: "Day Watch" (R and unrated versions available); "The Devil Came on Horseback" (Unrated); "El Cantante" (R); "In the Land of Women" (PG-13); "License to Wed" (PG-13); "The Myth" (PG-13); "No End in Sight" (Unrated); "The Three Stooges Collection Volume One: 1934-1936" (Unrated); "Spider-Man 3" (PG-13); "Talk to Me" (R); "The Wendell Baker Story" (PG-13); and "Family Guy Freakin' Party Pack" (Unrated).

CDS

Britney Spears, "Blackout": If she can manage to have the same kind of presence on the pop charts as she does in the tabloids, Britney Spears' career will come back from the dead like Jason Voorhies in hot pants.

The twentysomething pop tart has gone through enough drama to qualify as a character in a Danielle Steele novel, and now she faces an even bigger challenge than attempting to dance, lip sync and chew gum all at the same time: demonstrating why she's still worth all the media attention that continually befalls her.

Also in stores: Backstreet Boys, "Unbreakable"; Andrea Bocelli, "Vivere: The Best of Andrea Bocelli"; Levon Helm, "Dirt Farmer"; Joy Division, "Closer," "Still," "Unknown Pleasures"; Olivia Newton-John, "Christmas Wish"; Soundtrack, "Control"; Soundtrack, "I'm Not There"; Josh Turner, "Everything Is Fine."

BOOKS

"Mister B. Gone" by Clive Barker: The author makes his return to classic horror with this novel narrated by a medieval devil who speaks directly to the reader, urging that the dangerous book be burned.

Also out today: "Home to Holly Springs" by Jan Karon; "No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach" by Anthony Bourdain; "Steve & Me" by Terri Irwin; "You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty" by Michael F. Roizen; "Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure" by Michael Chabon; "The Quiet Girl" by Peter Hoeg; "The Heir" by Barbara Taylor Bradford; "Amazing Grace" by Danielle Steel; and "Before Your Dog Can Eat Your Homework, First You Have to Do It" by John O'Hurley.