RYAN DOWNS
PRIDE STAFF WRITER

“THE FIGHTER” – PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT (R)

Dropping today is the film “The Fighter,” based on a true story starring Mark Wahlberg as Micky Ward, an ambitious boxer from Boston whose path to glory is made difficult by his responsibilities toward his brother. The film won two Academy Awards for the supporting performances of Christian Bale and Melissa Leo and nabbed an Oscar nod for Best Picture.

“HEREAFTER” -WARNER HOME VIDEO (PG-13)

Also released today is “Hereafter,” the latest film from director Clint Eastwood. “Hereafter” tells the story of three characters and their experiences with the afterlife. These include a French journalist whose life changes after a near-death experience, a young boy who loses his twin brother and a man, played by Matt Damon, with a psychic connection to the world beyond.

“ENDGAME” BY RISE AGAINST, INTERSCOPE RECORDS

Dropping today, “Endgame” is the much-anticipated sixth studio album by popular punk rock band Rise Against. The album features the type of political and social commentary that has made the band among the most acclaimed punk rock bands of the past several years, and the popularity surrounding this release only proves the bands influence.

“ANGLES” BY THE STROKES, ROUGH TRADE RECORDS

This album drops next week, March 22. Fans have long awaited the release of “Angles,” the first studio album to come from The Strokes in five years. This anticipation is for good reason; according to sources like “Rolling Stone,” “Angles” is supposed to be the best album released by the band since their debut, “Is This It?” Chief songwriter/ singer Julian Casablanca’s solo career also helped boost the popularity of the band among newcomers.

“HOMEFRONT”-THQ (XBOX 360, PS3, PC)

Although not directly related to a prior franchise, the controversy from the game’s premise and positive reviews caused the game to rise in popularity among gamers looking for a shooter with a more complex story. “Homefront” promises to offer just that, since John Milius co-writer of “Apocalypse Now” and director of “Red Dawn” wrote the plot of the game.