Digital Popcorn

1. Merlin, "Shrek the Third"
The famous wizard's turn as a zany ex-high school magic teacher is priceless.

2. Remy, "Ratatouille"
A loveable rat who can cook. 'Nuff said.

3. Tiny, "Meet the Robinsons"
This T-Rex has killer dance moves in his repertoire.

4. Chicken Joe, "Surf's Up"
Hailing from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, this chill chicken learned to surf on the fierce shores of the Great Lakes — ha!

5. Martin and Janet Benson, "Bee Movie"
Barry B. Benson's super-involved parents still manage to be adorable.

— Korin

* Jennifer Garner has been named West Virginian of the Year. Yee-haw!

* Jimmy Fallon got hitched.

* Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn are dunzo.

— Korin

1. "Blades of Glory"
Featured artists include Aerosmith, Queen, Foreigner and Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch (yes!)

2. "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry"
Featured artists include Abba, Genesis and Nat "King" Cole

3. "Knocked Up"
Featured artists include Sublime, Tommy Lee and Fergie

4. "Superbad"
Featured artists include Curtis Mayfield, The Roots and Rick James

5. "Live Free or Die Hard"
Featured artists include Creedance Clearwater Revival and The Subways

— Korin

2008 is just around the corner! To celebrate, we're throwing a whole boatload of 2007 movie "Best Ofs" your way.

Check 'em out!

Thinking of staying in this weekend? Check out the latest DVD releases:

* "The Heartbreak Kid": Longtime bachelor Eddie Cantrow (Ben Stiller) gets married after knowing his bride for six weeks — and quickly realizes he's made a mistake.

* "Rush Hour 3": Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker reunite for another action-packed, crime-fighting flick.

* "Eastern Promises": London midwife (Naomi Watts) accidentally discovers a Russian sex trafficking ring.

— Korin

That was fast! Hours after Jessica Alba was spotted with a ring on her significant left finger, the actress' rep announced that she's officially betrothed.

"I can confirm they are engaged," Alba's publicist told Us Weekly.

Alba recently announced that she's expecting her first child with boyfriend-turned-fiance Cash Warren. The couple, who have been dating for three years, split in August, but reconciled (obviously).

— Korin

Will Jessica Alba soon be hearing wedding bells?

The pregnant "Fantastic Four" star was recently spotted wearing a good-sized rock ring on that finger.

Stay tuned!

— Korin

* A judge ordered Sean Connery and his neighbors to get a life.

* The Oscar ballots have been mailed out!

— Korin

Christmas and Hanukkah are kaput, but we have one more holiday to celebrate — New Year's Eve. Here are a few great NYE movie moments to get you geared up for the big night:

1. "When Harry Met Sally": Harry and Sally finally become an item (for real this time) on New Year's Eve. The "I love you," "I hate you" bit is just so darn fantastic. Check it out above.

2. "About a Boy": Womaner Will Freeman meets the love of his life on New Year's Eve.

3. "Bridget Jones' Diary": Renee Zellweger belts out "All By Myself" while smoking and drinking like crazy. Classic.

— Korin

May I be a brat for a moment? Here are the top 3 DVDs that I wanted but didn’t get for Christmas. Tell me if they were on your wish list, too:

1. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”: (Two-Disc Special Edition, please): This movie was fantastically action-packed when I saw it in theaters. I can’t wait to check out the behind-the-scenes specials on the DVD.

2. “Doctor Who: The Complete Third Series”: Rose (Billie Piper) isn’t in this round, but this popular British series still has David Tennant!

3. “Flight of the Conchords: The Complete First Season”: I love music applied to life, and I love these two New Zealanders struggling to make it in New York.

— Emily

Brad Pitt seems to have taken a, uh, strong liking to his newsboy cap. Is he trying to cover up something or does he just really, really, really like it?

The hat most recently made an appearance at Pitt's unveiling ceremony in New Orleans for his "Make It Right" program, the Nov. 11 "Beowulf" premiere, the Nov. 5 "Beowulf" premiere and a premiere of "Darfur Now."

Hopefully Santa brought him a new hat for Christmas!
— Korin

* "I Am Legend" is kicking box office booty overseas.

*What did Brad Pitt get his lil' ones for Christmas? Find out here.

* New Oscar voters are chomping at the bit.

— Korin

I was subjected to catching “Alvin and the Chipmunks” this weekend with my tween-age sisters. Yes, the movie reminded me of my childhood. Yes, the chipmunks were cute. Yes, Justin Long (“Mac” from the Apple commercials) and Jason Lee (“My Name is Earl”) were a part of the action. Yes, it’s bringing in the big bucks for the holiday season.

But no, no, no. I couldn’t make myself like it. Even I, who am shaping up to be the children’s movie moviegoer of Digital Popcorn, couldn’t give in to the cheesy and predictable “Alvin and the Chipmunks.”

So see it only if young children beg you to do so. And don’t feel guilty if you have to nap through it.

— Emily

Wondering which new release to check out this weekend? amNewYork movie critic Mina Hochberg is here to help:

Sweeney Todd
Johnny Depp and Tim Burton team up with Stephen Sondheim for a deliciously morbid 'Sweeney Todd'. Read more...

Charlie Wilson's War
Tom Hanks is so revered in Hollywood, it's often hard to tell if "Charlie Wilson's War" is an homage to him or to his character, Charlie Wilson, a Texas Congressman who spearheaded a CIA covert operation to help Afghanistan wage and eventually win a war against the invading Soviets in the 1980s.Read more...

AP photo of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in Sweeney Todd from DreamWorks Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, by Leah Gallo

* Hollywood's all abuzz after the SAG nominations came out, and movies and shows that were ignored last week by the Golden Globes--like Sean Penn's Into the Wild and The Sopranos--dominated the list.

This year's awards season is shaping up to be a free-for-all, which is good news for studios looking for a distraction from the ongoing Writer's Guild strike.

* Denzel Washington opens up about why he stays so busy, saying ''There's gonna be a day maybe when they don't call as much'.

* Is Hollywood ready for black-tie picketing--the Writer's Guild is pondering street protests at the Golden Globes....

* Queen Latifah talks about her growth into a major player in the Hollywood game.

AP Photo of Denzel Washington by Kevork Djansezian

Having a lil' trouble getting into the holiday spirit?

Check out this compilation of the key scenes from "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," set to "Feliz Navidad."

It's Christmas in a clip!

— Korin

Michael Douglas has gone primetime, baby!

The 63-year-old actor was chosen by NBC to announce Brian Williams on "Nightly News" each night, the Associated Press reports.

Former announcer Howard Reig, who had the gig for 25 years, retired two years ago. The show has reused tapes of his voice since then, but, apparently wanted to bring in new blood.

Douglas' announcing debut took place on Monday.

— Korin

* Brad Pitt has zero plans to run for office.

* The WGA will not grant a waiver to striking writers for the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Will they — gasp! — not happen? Will anyone outside Hollywood care?

* Peter Jackson will helm "The Hobbit."

— Korin

Jack Nicholson seems to have a perma-motto: Don't leave home without it. His sunglasses, that is. The veteran actor hasn't uncovered his eyes at a public event in ages. And puh-lenty of these gatherings took place after the sun went down.

How can he see?

— Korin

* "Knocked Up" gets some much deserved lovin' from the American Film Institute.

* Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton have another lil' one.

* "Tintin" is staffing up for its big screen debut.

— Korin

He's back, baby! Will Smith's "I Am Legend" won the box office this weekend with a $76.5 million debut — the biggest December opening ever, according to Media by Numbers.

Despite receiving horrible reviews, "Alvin and the Chipmunks" opened with $45 million. "The Golden Compass" took a nose dive to the No. 3 slot with $9 million.

Here's the full breakdown:

1. "I Am Legend," $76.5 million.

2. "Alvin and the Chipmunks," $45 million.

3. "The Golden Compass," $9 million.

4. "Enchanted," $6 million.

5. "No Country for Old Men," $3 million.

6. "The Perfect Holiday," $2.97 million.

7. "Fred Claus," $2.3 million.

8. "This Christmas," $2.3 million.

9. "Atonement," $1.85 million.

10. "August Rush," $1.8 million.

— Korin

Correction: What was her stylist thinking?!

Nicole Kidman sports the latest in space suit chic to the Australian premiere of "The Golden Compass" today. Can anyone else see their reflection in her suit?

— Korin

* "High School Musical" star Ashley Tisdale has a new nose (above right).
Whaddaya think?

* Francis Ford Coppola doesn't want a do-over in life.

* Hear what the Golden Globe nominees have to say.

Wondering which new release to check out this weekend? amNewYork movie critic Mina Hochberg is here to help:

I Am Legend
This elegant film seems to have been made for the express purpose of showing off a post-apocalyptic New York City -- and that's a good enough reason for us.Read more...

The Kite Runner
Adapted from the best-selling novel by Khaled Hosseini, "The Kite Runner" is about two boys growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan--and is earnest story rooted in deeply felt human emotions that's well worth your time (and movie dollars).Read more...

Youth Without Youth
You have to hand it to Francis Ford Coppola--who else would adapt a novella by a Romanian philosopher (Mircea Eliade) into a personal testament on mortality and spirituality? Read more...

Photo of Will Smith in I Am Legend from Warner Bros. Pictures.

Photo of Zekiria Ebrahimi in The Kite Runner by Phil Bray / Dreamworks

Thinking of staying in this weekend? Check out the latest DVD releases:

* "The Bourne Ultimatum": Jason Bourne continues to try to solve the mystery of his past.

* "Interview": A journalist (Steve Buscemi) and actress (Sienna Miller) explore their lives during a lengthy interivew.

* "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix": Harry and Co. look into rumors that Lord Voldemort has returned to Hogwarts.

— Korin

I caught this World War II-era film on television last weekend when I was too tired to peel myself off the couch. The buzz around “Life is Beautiful” when it came out in 1998 was that it made a mockery of a very tragic period in history. I don’t know what I think about the storyline, aside from the opinion that the movie — a multi-Oscar winner — is, at very least, interesting.

Guido Orefice, an Italian Jewish bookshop owner, his wife and son are taken to a Nazi concentration camp. Guido essentially protects his young son by convincing him the horrors of a Holocaust are actually a lengthy game in which the resulting prize is a tank. It’s a worthy fabrication: The prisoners are disappearing because they’re actually players who got kicked out of the game; more points are won if you’re quiet and obedient; and the shouting Nazis are the bad guys. Guido eventually loses him life at the camp, but his son Giosue is safe body and, more importantly to Guido, mind.

— Emily

* The Golden Globe noms are in!

* Check out Jessica Alba's baby bump here.

* Attention "Jackass" fans: A sequel to the movie will debut online.

— Korin

They don't make 'em like they used to — silver screen dance scenes, that is.

Want to reminisce on the best booty shaking sequences from your childhood? Don't sweat, we've got you covered:

1. "Flashdance": Who can forget Jennifer Beals' anxiety-filled audition for the Pittsburgh ballet company (above)? You can do it, Alex! Second time's the charm.

2. "Footloose": No one — I repeat — no one can shake it like Kevin Bacon in that warehouse. Look at that boy move!

3. "Dirty Dancing": Nobody puts baby in the corner! Not even you, Dr. Houseman!

4. "The Breakfast Club": Holy dancing! Apparently, detention causes a serious need to get your groove on.

5. "Karate Kid II": Daniel LaRusso shows off his moves on an Okinawa dance floor.

— Korin

It's OK to judge a movie by its trailer. Or rather, most movie goers do, which makes it perfectly acceptable in our book. Here's the latest analysis ...

The movie: "Walk Hard"
In theaters: Dec. 21
The plot: Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) is a thrice-married rockstar who has battled more than his share of drug addictions.
The trailer: Dewey Cox needs to spend an obscene amount of time thinking about his life before he plays; The young Dewey accidentally kills his brother when they get the brilliant idea to play with machetes; Dewey's dad is peeved; Dewey can rock out in a sweater; Adults think Dewey is the devil; Dewey has a zillion kids and his wife doesn't believe in him; Dewey and his new backup singer Darlene get a lil' crazy with ice cream cones, then passionately beat the heck out of each other; Dewey plans to "walk hard," then makes pals with the Beatles; OMG, Elvis!; Dewey hugs a monkey; What the heck are Jewel and Lyle Lovett doing in this film?!; Dewey forgets his son's name.

Looks like a love it or hate it movie. Take your pick!

— Korin

* Jessica Alba is pregnant. Did anyone see that coming?!

* Meet the family behind "Alvin and the Chipmunks."

* "Transformers" star Shia LaBeouf is off the hook for his random (alleged) drunken incident at a Chicago-area Walgreens.

— Korin

* A film by "Fog of War" director Errol Morris about human rights violations at the Iraq military prison, Abu Ghraib, has been accepted at the Berlin Film Festival.

* "The Kite Runner," opens Friday, and says Newsday, what's striking is "that the film's lead characters are all Muslims, but not one of them is a terrorist, convenience store owner, cab driver or woman wearing an all-enclosing burqa."

* It's that time of year -- to predict the contenders for Oscar nods .. and it looks like Hollywood talking heads are just shaking their heads in confusion -- it could be the year for dark horse wins. Don't believe us? Check out this New York Times story contemplating the a 'Best Picture' win for Disney's "Ratatouille."

-- Lauren

Slid this 2004 classic into my DVD player last night. It tells the story of Houston Rockets center Yao Ming's trail-blazing trip to the U.S. as a 22-year-old rookie center from Shanghai.

It would be an overstatement to call this 88-minute documentary boring, but it certainly fails to captivate an audience that might be interested in Yao's experience during that rookie campaign six seasons ago, after which he was the NBA's Rookie of the Year.

The subject is fascinating, but the filmmakers, James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo, seem to have gone in with little plan, rolling their cameras in the hopes of finding something to choppily edit in as voice-over materials between sound bites from Yao's American translator and the Rockets' p.r. director.

What most intrigues are Yao's clashes with Shaquille O'Neal, then just exiting his prime with the L.A. Lakers.

Unfortunately, the film relies too much on using characters like Shaq, the doubting commentator Charles Barkley (who certainly got his comeuppance), and the self-absorbed teammate Steve Francis as foils to Yao, rather than adequately fleshing out the 7-foot-6 Chinese athlete himself.

--Max Dickstein

Hysterics over the first "Sex and the City" film have barely died down and here come the reports of a second!! The Daily Mail reports: "Producers are already working on a script for a second movie, they are so convinced the first will be a hit."

-- Lauren

* Down with the Jane Austin-esque propriety and manners! Keira Knightley says no more nice gal, she wants to play a bad girl. The British actress tells The Times if India she's sick of heroine roles and wants to play a "baddie."

*OK - time out from celebs for a story that matters: Palestinians make three feature films despite occupation, no audience and no funding -- that's the headline and it says it all.

* "The Golden Compass" was tops at the box office this past weekend, raking in $26 million -- but execs are fist-pumping or screaming out "Ka-ching" just yet. The film was made for about $150 million, and was expected to make close to $35.4 million its first weekend. Have audiences had their fill of kid-book fanstasy films?

-- Lauren

* Keira Knightley dazzles in yet another period film, this time "Atonement," based on an Ian McKewan novel and co-starring hot Scot James McAvoy. Will the lovely Ms. Knightley every take on a present-day script again? We haven't seen her play this century since "Love Actually."

* Half the critics love it and half have bashed it .... but in any case ... the long-awaited "Golden Compass" has finally arrived. We're waiting for final judgement from devotees to the books.

* Will Smith's "I am Legend" opens throughout Asia this week -- but there was no red carpet welcome for the Hollywood star in China -- where the film is blocked. Chinese officials said they are blocking U.S. films to boost the country's own film industry.

-- Lauren