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— TV
The long-awaited "Dollhouse" from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon premieres this week. Eliza Dushku plays a woman named Echo who has her personality wiped so she can perform certain jobs or assignments. Of course, she's the one who decides she wants to try and become self-aware. "Buffy" fans and others who are intrigued by Whedon's work will be tuning in to this in droves. (Premieres Feb. 13, 9 p.m., Fox.)
You can have your pick of reality show premieres this week. "Survivor" returns, with the 16 contestants plunked down in the overwhelming heat of the Brazilian Highlands. "The Amazing Race" takes off for another round-the-world journey, with "Chuck and Buck" star Mike White and his dad among the racers. Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker" returns, because surely wealthy men need help finding attractive women. And Fine Living debuts "Wingman," where standup comic Michael Somerville tries to help singles find love. Pick your poison! ("Survivor" premieres Feb. 12, 8 p.m., CBS. "Amazing Race" premieres Feb. 15, 8 p.m., CBS. "Millionaire Matchmaker" premiers Feb. 12, 10 p.m., Bravo. "Wingman" premieres Feb. 10, 9 p.m., Fine Living.)
DVD
It's a little hard to believe that Oliver Stone's "W." came out while the title character himself, George W. Bush, was still president. Now W. has returned to Texas and a new leader is in the White House, but if you want to relive those crazy eight years, rent or buy "W." on DVD. Richard Dreyfuss is amazing as Dick Cheney, and it's hard to forget James Cromwell as Bush Senior.
Movies
It’s hard to get excited about a standard chick flick, but here’s hoping that “Confessions of a Shopaholic” breaks the mold. Star Isla Fisher was the highlight of “Wedding Crashers” (she played Vince Vaughn’s sex-crazed significant other) and director P.J. Hogan helmed two of the better chick flicks, “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and “Muriel’s Wedding.” Fingers are officially crossed. (Opens Feb. 13)
The second of Emmanuel Benbihy’s love letters to a city (“Paris, je t’aime” was the first), “New York, I Love You” is an anthology of short films telling love stories set in New York City. Directors include Mira Nair, Allen Hughes, Natalie Portman and Brett Ratner. The stars include Julie Christie, Ethan Hawke, Shia LaBeouf and Andy Garcia. If you love New York, this film’s for you. (Opens in limited release on Feb. 13)
If you’ve been hearing any “How dare they overlook…” talk surrounding this year’s best foreign film category, most likely the film in question was “Gomorrah,” an Italian drama that gives an inside look at a modern-day Italian crime family. The film took home the Grand Prize (which is kind of like second place) at Cannes but was snubbed by Oscar. Now you can check it out. (Opens in limited release on Feb. 13)
Music
Before there was Amy Winehouse, there was Lily Allen. The singer garners her share of controversy, but mostly allows her catchy dance-floor beats to speak for themselves. Rolling Stone magazine says her new album, “It’s Not Me, It’s You” “sounds fantastic” and “has a peppy electro underpinning.” Get ready to dance. (On sale Feb. 10)
Need a bit of hardcore rap? One of the original gangsta rappers, Warren G, returns with his latest album, “The G Files.” The album features guest performances from Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Travis Barker, Ice Cube and Lil Keke. (On sale Feb. 10)
