Beyond the Boulevard

Movies

Mona Lisa Smile (PG-13)—The big draw for Mona Lisa Smile is, of course, the Julia Roberts smile. Roberts portrays an Art History teacher at Wellesley College in 1953 who works to change the institution's outdated policies. The film also stars the perfect dental care of Julia Stiles and Kirsten Dunst. (Dec. 19)

House of Sand and Fog (R)—When her house is seized by the authorities and auctioned off to an ex-Iranian leader, Kathy Lazaro vows to bring down his family and win back her property. While the concept may seem a bit flat, Academy Award winners Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connelly may be all this movie needs to pull it up. (Dec. 19)

Peter Pan (PG)—For the first time since 1991's fancifully delightful Hook, the timeless tale of Peter Pan is being dusted off and rendered in fantastical live action. Though devoid of Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman, Peter Pan looks creative enough to overcome its casting shortcomings and could be a sure pick for all ages. (Dec. 25)

Paycheck (PG-13)—Forget the plot of this film; there is only one important question that Paycheck may answer: For Ben Affleck, is there life after Gigli? You'll have to see Paycheck, Affleck's newest vehicle, to find out. (Dec. 25)

Concerts

Macy Gray at 9:30 Nightclub, $35 (Dec. 18)
Cyndi Lauper at 9:30 Nightclub, $35 (Dec. 19)
Janes Addiction and Marilyn Manson at Patriot Center, $45-$48.50 (Dec. 28)
They Might Be Giants at Recher Theatre, $25 (Dec. 28)
B2K at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, $35-$45 (Dec. 29)
B.B. King, Bobby Bland and Clarence Carter at D.A.R. Constitution Hall, $50.50 (Jan. 18)

Websites

www.ebaumsworld.com—"This is not your average joke site…this site is so funny you won't be able to sleep at night," boasts the title page of eBaum's World. While that may be a slight exaggeration, there are enough hilarious animations, jokes and general wackiness on the site to keep you amused for hours.

www.quizilla.com—How old is your inner child? Which one of Jack Sparrow's crazy sayings from Pirates of the Caribbean are you? Your psychiatrist may not be able to answer these questions, but Quizilla can! An archive of hundreds of quizzes designed by average Joes, Quizilla is a necessary stop on the fast track to enlightenment.

www.youthink.com—Contrary to the web address, youthink.com is a great stop for mindless activity. The site stores jokes, links and trivia. Its most interesting feature is that it perpetually poses petty "yes or no" questions to you that, despite their randomness, might (God forbid) make you think.