The true question should be does it add value for your visitors. Focusing solely on what search engines will like tends to blur (what should be) the real point of your website - visitors.
If the link is content relevant to your site, I do think it will help the overall real estate value of your site. IMO simply placing links on a page does not do your visitors or content any good - if you feel the sites/links are of value to your visitors, then take the time to say so and why. Maybe have separate pages for different genres and give a brief description of the site you're linking to, using good relevant, content and keyword rich anchor text.
A cheesy, but relevant example might be:
Here are some the
female celebrity websites that I like.
Going to a page that actually describes the sites.
I don't think the
PR value of the sites would do a thing for you. However, linking to a site in a content relevant manner, would benefit your visitors and your site.
It's not what you ask for, it's how you ask for it.
SO, in the same spirit:
It's not who you link to, but how you link to them.