Hitler, Oscar and another kick from the Shins

What you’ll be talking about: the Shins. Before 2004, the Shins were a semi-successful indie pop band whose fans considered themselves “in the know.” Then Zach Braff’s film “Garden State” came out and thousands of swooning teens watched as a beguiling Natalie Portman told Braff’s character the band’s music would change his life. Now the Shins are beloved not only by informed followers of music, but sorority sisters and their boyfriends as well. The band’s highly anticipated third album, “Wincing the Night Away,” arrives this week. (Tuesday)

What you should be talking about: Norman Mailer. It’s been more than a decade since Mailer’s last novel, but the titan of letters is back with “The Castle in the Forest,” a new book about Hitler’s childhood and the network of devils that will him to do Satan’s work. (Tuesday)

What’s perennially interesting to talk about: “Jesus Camp.” In September, the provocative documentary about a summer camp for fundamentalist Christian children came out in theaters. Viewers, mostly on the coasts, were disturbed by images of children speaking in tongues, performing war dances and praying to a cardboard cutout of President Bush. This week we have an excuse to talk about it all again when the film is released on DVD. (Tuesday).

What you’ll be wondering about: When will Kal Penn make another good movie? Kal Penn killed it in “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” and we were hoping that his performance heralded the rise of a new Adam Goldberg-esque superstar. Instead, he starred in the critically panned “Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj” and is featured in “Epic Movie,” a spoof film opening this week. (Friday)

What everyone will be talking about: Award show mania continues. This week, Salma Hayek and Sid Ganis, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, make the sleepy-eyed announcement of who has been awarded Oscar nominations. The news arrives at the ungodly hour of 5:30 a.m. Handicapping begins once the rest of us wake up. (Tuesday)

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-- Deborah Netburn