86°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

Latest DVDs, CDs, books: Feb. 1, 2011

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

DVDs

"Conviction" (R): When her ne'er-do-well brother (Sam Rockwell) goes to prison for a murder he didn't commit, a high-school dropout ( Hilary Swank) goes back to college and earns a law degree so she can prove his innocence in a fact-based drama featuring Juliette Lewis, Minnie Driver and Melissa Leo.

Other recent theatrical releases arriving today include "Let Me In" (R), an English-language revamp of 2008's Swedish vampire tale "Let the Right One In," about a bullied boy (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who befriends a young vampire girl ("Kick-Ass' " Chloe Moretz); "Never Let Me Go" (R), based on "Remains of the Day" author Kazuo Ishiguru's acclaimed novel, about three boarding school classmates (Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield ) who discover their haunting shared destiny; the documentary "The Pat Tillman Story" (R), about the NFL star-turned-Army Ranger's death in Afghanistan; and "A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop" (R), Chinese director Zhang Yimou's remake of Joel and Ethan Coen's 1984 Texas noir "Blood Simple."

Also in stores: the film festival favorite "Welcome to the Rileys" (R); the fact-based South African drama "Skin" (PG-13) ; the witty 1974 caper "11 Harrowhouse" (PG) ; the documentary "Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County" (not rated); the straight-to-DVD sequels "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2" (G) and "Mean Girls 2" (PG-13); and the Blu-ray Disc debuts of the 60th-anniversary edition of Disney's animated "Alice in Wonderland" (G), plus "All About Eve" (not rated), "An Affair to Remember" (not rated), "10" (R), "You've Got Mail" (PG) and "Boys Don't Cry" (R).

CDs

Ricky Martin, "Musica + Alma + Sexo": Music. Soul. Sex.

That's what the title of Ricky Martin's latest disc translates to in English. We know what you're thinking. Who. Freakin'. Cares?

Oh, c'mon now, be nice to Ricky.

This is the dude's first album in some time, and on its first single, "The Best Thing About Me Is You," a duet with Brit soul siren Joss Stone, Martin practically air mails you his heart.

Postage due, of course.

Also in stores: Hot Club of Cowtown, "What Makes Bob Holler"; The JaneDear Girls, "The JaneDear Girls"; Ladysmith Black Mambazo, "Songs From a Zulu Farm"; Lazarus A.D., "Black Rivers Flow"; Matisyahu, "Live at Stubb's Vol. II"; and Noisear, "Subvert the Dominant Paradigm."

BOOKS

"Fatal Error" by J.A. Jance: When Brenda, an old news colleague, asks for help tracking down her missing fiance, Ali Reynolds reluctantly agrees. The man turns out to be a cyber stalker, and when he's brutally murdered, Brenda becomes the most likely suspect -- but she's nowhere to be found.

After a long wait, fans of Kristen Britain's Green Rider fantasy series can dive into book four this week with "Blackveil," in which Karigan G'ladheon faces an insurrection led by dark magicians.

Also in stores: "Adventurers Wanted, Book Two: The Horn of Moran" by M.L. Forman; "The Choir Director" by Carl Weber; "Closer" by Brian Williams and Roderick Gordon; "Death Wave" by Stephen Coonts, William H. Keith and Deborah Coonts; "A Decadent Way to Die" by G.A. McKevett; "Delirium" by Lauren Oliver; "Fadeaway Girl" by Martha Grimes; "The Naked Mom: A Modern Mom's Fearless Revelations, Sawy Advice, and Soulful Reflections" by Brooke Burke; "The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels -- A Love Story" by Ree Drummond; "Rising Tides: Destroyermen" by Taylor Anderson; "Though Not Dead" by Dana Stabenow; and "Trapped" by Michael Northrop.

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.