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Superman, pirates, books and video games, oh my!

December shows no slacking in the world of entertainment


The holiday season is here, and there are plenty of reasons why you should know all of the latest in movies, books, and games. We have a long break ahead of us and boredom is anticipated for most. And don’t forget to finish filling that Christmas list with all your favorites in entertainment and indulge friends and family with the best gift ideas.

The number of new-release DVD’s this season is overwhelming, with a variety of movies to fit everyone’s tastes. A few of the most popular being Superman Returns, Clerks II, Ant Bully, and See No Evil.

Pirates of the Carribean - Dead Man’s Chest is also out on DVD today. Orlando Bloom, Johnny Depp and Kiera Knightly star in the sequel about the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow whose captured by the undead pirate, Davy Jones, interrupts the wedding of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann. Jones is in search of a magical compass that Jack possesses and Will and Elizabeth are in search of each other.

Other brand new releases include Beerfest, about two brothers and their trip to Oktoberfest, and Pulse, where a computer hacker discovers a way to channel signals to a spirit world and use technology to take human lives.

November was a big month for the release of new top- seller books. Author James Patterson tells a story about a detective, Alex Cross, who is in search for a killer linked to the death of Cross’ wife in his new book, Cross. Michael Chrichton’s new book titled Next, tells of the world in ways that challenge our sense of reality and a time of scientific advancements that disproves the impossible. If suspense is your style, Hollywood Station by Joseph Wambaugh is right up your alley. This novel tells of realistic events as it follows a group of LAPD cops on their day by day patrols and pursuits of criminals. It presents an insider’s view of the LAPD and the thrilling, yet sometimes tragic occurrences they endure, and is written in a powerful and graphic manner.

Though the arrival of new books and movies has been in high demand, nobody can overlook the immense popularity of new game systems like the Nintendo Wii, X-Box 360, and Playstation 3. The new PS3 is claiming to be a brilliant, high-definition entertainment experience, with capabilities like online live competition and system capability, meaning that games from the first two Playstations and the Playstation Portable can also be played on the new system. The X-Box 360 is a more dramatic, expansive and life-like version of the previous X-Box systems and comes in two configurations. The regular X-Box 360 is said to be the ultimate console for the most serious gamer, and the X-Box 360 Core System is made for the beginning gamer and starts with the basics.

Neither of these systems surpass the recognition and demand for the new Nintendo Wii, which has changed the way video games are played. Instead of the classic controllers Nintendo fans are used to, the Wii Remote is wireless, held in one hand and motion sensitive. The remote is used as it is on screen for whatever game you choose to play. For example, if you are playing golf, the remote acts as the club and in a driving game, it acts as the steering wheel, therefore adding more physical activity and personal involvement.