MOVIEPLEX: Richard Gere breaks out the dance lessons he took for Chicago to play a middle-aged man learning to foxtrot in "Shall We Dance?,'' (Miramax; PG-13; 106 minutes) opening Friday. Jennifer Lopez, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci co-star. The movie is based on a 1997 Japanese import of the same name starring Koji Yakusho - whose part was originally set to be played by Robin Williams.

MOVIE DVD: "The Day After Tomorrow,'' Fox; $29.98; PG-13; 123 minutes. Big and silly, this is the kind of film that rainy nights and popcorn were made for. Dennis Quaid battles against scene-stealing spectacular special effects (and mostly loses). This disaster flick is perfect fun, if imperfect science. Extras include a cool animated case cover, commentaries from the director and producer, deleted scenes and exclusive making-of footage.

GAME: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Nintendo GameCube, $49.99, Rated E. This sequel combines role-playing and action elements with traditional Mario "stages" accessible from the cental hub town. Mario's paper abilities allow him to turn sideways, slip through cracks and roll into a tube. Players must collect the seven Star Stone jewels as they move along the storyline, encountering a who's who of Mario characters.

TV: "Veronica Mars," 9-10 p.m., Tuesdays, UPN. This smart series follows Veronica (Kristen Bell), a high-school student and social outcast, from schoolyard to stakeout as she balances academics and teen angst while solving cases for her father's struggling detective agency. Veronica's goal is to solve the murder of Lilly Kane - the case that turned the town against her father and tore her family apart. Each week she gets closer to the truth.

TV DVD: "C.S.I. Crime Scene Investigation'' - The Complete Fourth Season, Paramount Home Video; $89.99; 6 Discs. This set of the top-rated CBS crime drama includes "Fur and Loathing" and "Eleven Angry Jurors" - both clever, well-written episodes. It is evident, however, that this flagship in the franchise is showing signs of neglect. Extra features: cast and crew commentaries; four featurettes.

Contributors: Margaret McGurk, Enquirer staff writer, previewed Shall We Dance?; Lance Moody, a film editor living in Mason, previewed The Day After Tomorrow; Gil Kaufman, Enquirer A&E Editor, previewed Paper Mario ; Karl Dailey, a novelist from Bellevue, previewed Veronica Mars and the C.S.I. DVD.

Know your media? E-mail Gil Kaufman ( E-mail: gkaufman@enquirer.com) if you want to contribute. We'll rotate the panel every few months.