“Fast & Furious 6″ makes its way into theaters today (May 24).

I’m introducing a new feature here at ForrestHartman.com: Snapshot reviews. Please note that I will still write long-form critiques for my Video Verdict column. These are designed to give readers a quick assessment of new movies. Hopefully you find them useful and fun.

FAST & FURIOUS 6

2½ stars
Story: Dominic Toretto and his crew team with U.S. agent Hobbs in order to capture a dangerous mercenary who is at skilled at motorized hijackings as they used to be. Sweetening the pot is the apparent appearance of Dom’s longtime love, Letty, a woman the whole crew thought was dead.
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris and Gina Carano.
Directed by: Justin Lin (“Better Luck Tomorrow,” “Fast Five”)
Bottom line: The plotting is ridiculous and the dialogue is melodramatic, but the stunts are as good as they get.

EPIC

3½ stars
Story: Animated film about a teen girl who discovers a tiny world of forest creatures engaged in a constant battle between good and evil. When she is magically transported into their world, she goes on a fantastic adventure.
Voice cast features: Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson, Beyonce, Chris O’Dowd, Pitbull, Amanda Seyfried, Christoph Waltz and Jason Sudeikis
Directed by: Chris Wedge (“Ice Age,” “Robots”)
Bottom line: Beautiful 3-D animation coupled with a compelling story. The fantastic writing, and Wedge’s excellent execution, make this the best animated movie since “Rise of the Guardians.”

Alden Ehrenreich, left, and Alice Englert play star-crossed lovers in “Beautiful Creatures.”

R-rated films, including action-adventure efforts from two big-name stars, dominate this week’s home video releases.

The Last Stand

2 stars (out of four)
Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, and language
Lionsgate
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

Although Arnold Schwarzenegger has made cameo appearances in a number of films over the past decade, “The Last Stand” marks the former California governor’s reappearance as a marquis star. But audiences were not enthusiastic during the movie’s theatrical run.

This week’s home video release may help Schwarzenegger recover, but only if viewers are willing to look past “The Last Stand’s” ludicrous plot, campy acting and senior citizen action hero. In other words, this is an old-school Schwarzenegger film made worse by the fact that its star is the oldest pupil in class.

In fairness, it’s still fun to watch Schwarzenegger recite lines in his thick Austrian accent, but only for a little while. He’s never been a great actor, and he has always been best in films that capitalize on his impressive physique and rugged demeanor without demanding subtlety. Thus, James Cameron’s “Terminator” movies are a treat, while pictures like “Conan the Barbarian” are best viewed as guilty pleasures.

In “The Last Stand,” director Jee-woon Kim (“A Tale of Two Sisters”) paints Schwarzenegger as a vulnerable hero. The actor plays Ray Owens, an aging police officer who, having seen too much bloodshed in Los Angeles, becomes sheriff of a small Arizona town. Accordingly, his new life is quiet… until a dangerous Mexican drug lord (Gabriel Cortez) escapes from U.S. custody and decides to pass through his jurisdiction on the way to the border.

Ray’s small department, which includes three deputies (Luis Guzman, Zach Gilford and Jaimie Alexander), isn’t prepared for such a big case, but they refuse to stand down. So, Ray deputizes a couple locals (Johnny Knoxville and Rodrigo Santoro) and forms a plan to bring the fugitive to justice.

Everything about the plotting – from the drug lord’s escape to the movie’s climactic showdown – is ridiculous. The Andrew Knauer screenplay contains jokes about Schwarzenegger’s age, and Kim plays up the fact that his star isn’t the fine physical specimen of days gone by. Of course, all these physical limitations are forgotten when Ray is asked to do something spectacular.

The R-rated movie is loaded with gunplay and bloody violence, which is what many people expect from a Schwarzenegger film. Arnold mugs for the camera, shoots things and spouts one-liners. The trouble is, this formula played itself out 10 years ago, when one could actually believe the man had superhuman strength. For a true reboot, Schwarzenegger needs a script that does more than celebrate past glories.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted and alternate scenes and several making-of featurettes.

Parker

3 stars
Rated R for strong violence, language throughout and brief sexual content/nudity
Sony
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

It would be nice to see Jason Statham try something more demanding than his standard, tough-guy role. Still, he has so thoroughly perfected the part that it’s easy to enjoy his performances.

In “Parker,” Statham goes back to the well, playing the title character: a professional thief with an interesting code of ethics. In an early scene, Parker says he won’t steal from people who can’t afford it, won’t hurt people who don’t deserve it and always follows through on a promise. Since most of this code is subjective, it amounts to nothing more than screenwriter John J. McLaughlin telling viewers they should root for Parker, even though he’s a calculating criminal. That’s important because most of the movie revolves around his tracking and killing even nastier villains.

The setup comes in an exciting opening sequence where Parker and a group of thugs rob the Ohio State Fair. Before they can split the earnings, however, the group turns on Parker and leaves him for dead on the side of a road. He then spends the rest of the movie seeking revenge.

The simplistic plot adds nothing new to the action genre, but veteran director Taylor Hackford (“An Officer and a Gentleman,” “Ray”) does a fine job with the presentation. The action scenes are exciting and well staged, and the characters – although not particularly deep – are interesting.

Statham’s supporting cast includes Jennifer Lopez, Nick Nolte, Michael Chiklis and Clifton Collins Jr. All of them are serviceable, but they are supporting actors in the truest sense of the term, meaning Statham does all the heavy listing. The fact that every movie fan has seen him perform this same workout is discouraging. Still, he goes through the motions with such charisma and ease, that it’s easy to get sucked in.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include two making-of features and an audio commentary by Hackford.

Side Effects

2½ stars
Rated R for sexuality, nudity, violence, and language
Universal
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

The Steven Soderbergh thriller “Side Effects” veers from one place to another with such ferocity that it’s often difficult to gauge what it’s trying to say. At one moment, it feels like a condemnation of the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. At another, it seems like a scathing critique of the psychiatric field. Ultimately, however, Soderbergh and screenwriter Scott Z. Burns (“Contagion,” “The Informant!”) are more interested in crafting a thriller than making political statements.

Their story centers on Dr. Jonathan Banks (Jude Law), an overworked psychiatrist who is referred to a troubled patient while working in a hospital emergency room. Although not badly injured, the patient, Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara), was admitted after purposefully driving her car into a brick wall. After concluding that she is unlikely to make another suicide attempt immediately, Dr. Banks allows her to return home with her husband (Channing Tatum), as long as she follows up with him.

While treating Emily privately, Banks prescribes a new psychotropic drug in hopes of stabilizing her mood. At first, it works wonders. Then, Emily stabs her husband to death while apparently sleepwalking. This creates a media fervor that calls both the drug and Dr. Banks’ credentials into question. It also leads viewers into a story of deceit, gamesmanship and interpersonal shenanigans.

Burns’ screenplay is clever and offers terrific moments, but it also leaves important elements off the page. Most notably, viewers would benefit from a deeper exploration of Banks’ private life. We are led to believe that he is a good man trying to do the right thing under difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, he or another character are in crisis almost every time he’s on screen, meaning viewers never see what he’s like under normal circumstances. Also, a few of the movie’s twists – particularly at the end – are so sharp that they feel staged. The result is a project that entertains, but fails to achieve excellence.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include a behind-the-scenes feature and “advertisements” for two fictional drugs shown in the film.

Beautiful Creatures

2 stars
Rated PG-13 for violence, scary images and some sexual material
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

With the popularity of the “Twilight” books and movies, supernatural romance is all the rage, and “Beautiful Creatures” is the latest entry in the genre. The film, based on the 2009 novel by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, tells of Ethan Wate (Alden Ehrenreich), a South Carolina teen who falls in love with a girl that he’s only met in his dreams. When a stunning brunette named Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert) moves to town, Ethan realizes she’s the dream girl, and he pursues her despite widespread rumors that she is a witch.

Although Lena enjoys Ethan’s company, she resists his advances, in large part because she really is a supernatural being. Making things worse is the fact that her entire life could change on her rapidly approaching 16th birthday. Lena explains to Ethan that when she reaches that landmark date, she will be claimed for either good or evil, and she fears being consumed by darkness.

Writer-director Richard LaGravenese (“P.S. I Love You,” “Freedom Writers”) presents the material in melodramatic fashion, and youthful audiences may appreciate the attractive stars and their determination to overcome all obstacles for true love. Unfortunately, there’s nothing particularly compelling about the story.

Much is made of Lena’s approaching birthday and the possibility she could turn evil, but her character isn’t fleshed out. The movie also contains a number of supporting characters whose motivations aren’t explained thoroughly. Because of this, the story is often plodding and dull when it should be thrilling.

The DVD release for “Beautiful Creatures” contains deleted scenes and a trailer for Margaret Stohl’s new book, “Icons.” The Blu-ray combo pack has those extras plus a number of behind-the-scenes features.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“Stand Up Guys”: Dramatic comedy about three aging gangsters (Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin) who reunite after years apart. It isn’t a simple get-together, however, as one of them is carrying a dangerous secret. Directed by Fisher Stevens.

“True Blood” – The Complete Fifth Season: Twelve fresh episodes of the ongoing HBO hit about a telepathic waitress (Anna Paquin) surrounded by vampires, werewolves and other supernatural beings.

“Perception” – The Complete First Season: First 10 episodes of the TNT drama about a peculiar neuroscience professor (Eric McCormack) who helps the FBI with complex cases. Rachael Leigh Cook also stars.

“Open Road”: Story of a free-spirited artist (Camilla Belle) who must decide whether to abandon her nomadic lifestyle after developing bonds with a drifter (Andy Garcia), a police officer (Colin Egglesfield) and his sister (Juliette Lewis). Directed by Marcio Garcia.

“A Common Man”: Drama about a seemingly average man (Ben Kingsley) who plants multiple bombs in Sri Lanka and threatens to detonate them unless four international terrorists are released from custody. Directed by Chandran Rutnam.

“Medium Cool”: The Criterion Collection delivers a fresh digital restoration of director Haskell Wexler’s unusual 1969 drama about a TV journalist (Robert Forster) covering social unrest in Chicago. The film is noteworthy because it blends fictional narrative with documentary footage in an experimental manner. Verna Bloom also stars.

Animated movies by Hayao Miyazaki: Disney rolls the anime hits “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “My Neighbor Totoro” to Blu-ray for the first time. Both films were written and directed by Miyazaki, a seminal Japanese filmmaker whose contributions to animation have been compared to those of Walt Disney.

“Cleopatra”: Elizabeth Taylor’s epic, 1963 portrayal of the Egyptian queen is available on Blu-ray for the first time. Richard Burton and Rex Harrison also star. Co-written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz (“All About Eve”).

“Laverne & Shirley” – The Sixth Season: Twenty-two episodes of the 1970s and ’80s sitcom about roommates who work in a Milwaukee brewery. The show was a spin-off of the hit comedy “Happy Days.” Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams star.

“Captain America” – Collector’s Edition: Long before “The Avengers” became a hit, this 1990 film by director Albert Pyun introduced moviegoers to the Marvel Comics hero Captain America. The picture had problems before and after production, but comic book fans should find it interesting from a historical perspective. Matt Salinger, Ronny Cox, Ned Beatty and Darren McGavin star.

– Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation’s largest publications. For more of his work visit http://www.ForrestHartman.com. E-mail him at forrest@forresthartman.com.

Alexandra Daddario, left, plays Heather Miller and Dan Yeager plays Leatherface in the horror-thriller “Texas Chainsaw.”

This week’s home video releases include a bloody, R-rated horror film and an elaborate epic with a star-studded cast.

Cloud Atlas

3½ stars (out of four)
Rated R for violence, language, sexuality/nudity and some drug use
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

The filmmaking Wachowski siblings, Lana and Andy, changed Hollywood with their 1999 science-fiction hit “The Matrix,” but their follow-up projects have been less exciting. Although financially successful, the two “Matrix” sequels were more bombastic than anything. The Wachowski’s big-screen adaptation of “Speed Racer” was more successful artistically, but not everyone appreciates its cartoon-like presentation. Likewise, German writer-director Tom Tykwer has seen artistic ups and downs. His 1998 film, “Run Lola Run,” is a thrilling adventure deserving of the many awards it received. But later efforts, including “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer” and “The International,” are more difficult to embrace.

Despite the misfires, Tykwer and the Wachowskis command attention because – even at their worst – they are ambitious. This is particularly evident in their first project as a collective: a sweeping, three-hour film adaptation of novelist David Mitchell’s “Cloud Atlas.” The film features six intertwined stories placed in settings as disparate as a 19th century sailing vessel and a tribal collective in the distant future.

“Cloud Atlas” is a film for a particular type of moviegoer: the sort who likes to carefully deconstruct a picture, laboring over the meaning of each moment. Although that may sound like work, the effort is rewarded because “Cloud Atlas” is littered with symbolism and ideas that go largely undiscovered after a single viewing. The movie not only tells six individual tales, it tells them using the same actors. Tom Hanks, for instance, portrays six characters ranging from a dishonest 19th century physician to a storyteller living in a post-apocalyptic future. Likewise, co-stars Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, Susan Sarandon and Hugh Grant play numerous roles. All viewers should enjoy the fact that these players so easily transform from one character to the next, but those who analyze the film will discover that the casting choices play a key role in the thematic development of the work. “Cloud Atlas” speculates on everything from reincarnation and human morality to the intimate connections between our past, present and future.

This is heady stuff, and the Wachowski’s and Tykwer (who are credited as co-writers and co-directors) present it beautifully. The cinematography is gorgeous throughout, and the way the filmmakers tie each of their six stories together is fascinating. None of the storytelling is linear, and the movie is constantly shifting perspectives, but it is surprisingly coherent. It is not, however, an easy watch.

To get the most out of “Cloud Atlas,” moviegoers have to be patient and attentive to even the smallest details, and the only way to fully digest the film is to watch again and again. Not everyone is willing to invest this much effort in a movie, and the fact that it occasionally drags can be discouraging. Those who warm to the material, however, will discover that “Cloud Atlas” is a rare treat. While some movies grow boring upon repeated viewing, this one gets deeper and more meaningful, illustrating just how clever the filmmakers are.

Extras on the DVD release are limited to a single making-of feature. The Blu-ray combo pack has many more behind-the-scenes shorts, including bits on the acting and the difficulty of adapting Mitchell’s book to the screen.

Texas Chainsaw

2 stars
Rated R for grisly violence and language throughout
Lionsgate
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, digital download and on demand

“Texas Chainsaw” may be the seventh entry in the horror franchise developed by producer-director Tobe Hooper way back in 1974, but the plot is decidedly retro. Set immediately after the original “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” the action begins with law enforcement personnel and local vigilantes descending on the Newt, Texas, home of the Sawyer family. Outraged by grisly murders committed by Jed Sawyer (better known as “Leatherface”), the vigilantes burn the home to the ground, presumably killing everyone inside.

During the chaos, one vigilante (David Born) discovers a living Sawyer family baby and secrets it away. He and his wife raise the child as Edith Miller, never telling her about her bloody ancestry. It therefore comes as a shock when a twenty-something Edith (Alexandra Daddario) receives a letter telling her that she has inherited a massive Texas estate from a grandmother she never knew.

Intrigued, Edith and a group of friends travel to Texas even though her adoptive parents warn her to stay away. Of course, it’s only a matter of time before the group of young people run into a massive, chainsaw-wielding maniac.

Although entirely derivative, “Texas Chainsaw” starts as strong as any slasher film. The ties to the original picture are clever, and director John Luessenhop does a nice job setting the stage for pure carnage.

Unfortunately, the movie does not maintain its momentum in the second and third acts. The film also takes bizarre twists that call the morality of the entire project into question. While many horror films celebrate violence, most maintain a virtuous center. “Texas Chainsaw,” on the other hand, turns into a bizarre melodrama that proposes more than a few perverse ideas about justice and the strength of familial bonds.

The ideals that the screenplay seems to promote may not bother horror fans seeking cheap thrills, but they are a point of concern for anyone who believes movies should do more than titillate. Also noteworthy is the fact that the film is more disgusting than scary. Luessenhop spends a lot of time with gore and severed body parts, but he offers little suspense. Even the 3D elements of the movie (viewable only by those with a 3D Blu-ray player and 3D TV) are a letdown.

After such a promising beginning, it’s disappointing to watch “Texas Chainsaw” derail, but when it leaves the tracks it does so decidedly.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include a feature on the “Texas Chainsaw” franchise, interviews with the filmmakers, behind-the-scenes shorts and multiple audio commentaries.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Delmer Daves Westerns: The Criterion Collection is serving up freshly restored versions of two movies by talented studio director Delmer Daves. The most recognizable is “3:10 to Yuma,” a 1957 effort that spawned a 2007 remake. The film focuses on a rancher (Dan Evans) charged with escorting an outlaw (Glenn Ford) to the train that will take him to prison. Also out is “Jubal,” a 1956 film starring Ford as a ranch hand who gets in trouble when his employer’s wife attempts to seduce him. Ernest Borgnine and Rod Steiger also star.

“Dexter” – The Seventh Season: Showtime announced that season eight (debuting in June) is the last for its popular drama about a Miami forensics expert who is also a serial killer. Fans who are feeling behind, can catch all the seventh season action with this release.

“Frankie Go Boom”: Comedy about a man (Charlie Hunnam) who gains unwanted celebrity when his antagonistic brother (Chris O’Dowd) uploads his amateur sex tape to the internet, turning it into a viral hit. Chris Noth, Lizzy Caplan and Ron Perlman also star. Written and directed by Jordan Roberts.

“A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III”: Story of a successful graphic designer (Charlie Sheen) who reflects on his past when the love of his life (Katheryn Winnick) leaves him. Also stars Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray and Patricia Arquette. Written and directed by Roman Coppola.

“Crimewave”: Director Sam Raimi’s 1985 comedy about inept assassins is receiving its DVD and Blu-ray debut. The movie is noteworthy not only because Raimi directed but because he co-wrote the screenplay with Academy Award winners Joel and Ethan Coen.

“Liz & Dick”: TV movie about the love affair between movie stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Lindsay Lohan plays Taylor and Grant Bowler plays Burton.

“A Good Day to Die Hard”: The fifth entry in Bruce Willis’ “Die Hard” franchise won’t be available on DVD and Blu-ray until June 4, but fans can purchase an early digital download beginning this week.

“Warm Bodies”: This horror-comedy by writer-director Jonathan Levine is also available for digital download starting this week. The wider DVD and Blu-ray release is set for June 4.

– Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation’s largest publications. E-mail him at forrest@forresthartman.com.

Tom Cruise plays the title character in the thriller “Jack Reacher.” The film is based on the Lee Child novel “One Shot.”

This week’s home video releases cover a lot of territory ranging from action to romance. They also sport several big name stars, the most noteworthy being Jessica Chastain and Tom Cruise.

Jack Reacher

2 stars (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for violence, language and some drug material
Paramount
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

“Jack Reacher” has a lot of things going for it, but a nuanced script and reasonable character development aren’t among them. The movie – based on the Lee Child novel “One Shot” – revolves around its title character, a former military police officer who plays by his own rules.

Set in Pittsburgh, the film starts with a mass shooting where a trained sniper methodically assassinates five people, then drives away unnoticed. Police arrive at the crime scene shortly after the killings and obtain evidence leading them to a former U.S. Army soldier named James Barr (Joseph Sikora). Under interrogation, Barr refuses to talk, but he scrawls “Get Jack Reacher” on a legal pad. Intrigued, a police investigator named Emerson (David Oyelowo) and district Attorney Alex Rodin (Richard Jenkins) attempt to find the man, only to learn that Reacher (Cruise) went off the grid shortly after completing a distinguished military career. Just when Rodin and Emerson decide that Reacher is a ghost, he walks through the door with a swagger.

These events are played out in the most melodramatic fashion possible, and they set the tone for everything that follows. Despite the fact that “Jack Reacher” is set in the real world, there is nothing realistic about it. The characters are painted with broad strokes that make them feel like comic book figures, and even their quirks are treated with bluster rather than style. For instance, viewers learn that Reacher has a photographic memory because he calls attention to it at every opportunity.

Viewers also learn that Reacher is a tough guy because he walks around acting invincible, and anyone who messes with him winds up in the hospital. The movie’s bad guys have slightly more depth, but this isn’t properly explored because director Christopher McQuarrie (“The Way of the Gun”) doesn’t give them enough screen time.

McQuarrie is, however, good at moving the plot forward. Despite the lightweight characterizations, “Jack Reacher” moves. The breathless pace will allow some viewers to overlook things like bad dialogue and nonsensical plotting, and there are worse guilty pleasures. The question is: “Why bother with this film when there are so many thrillers that are just as smart as they are fast-moving?”

The DVD release of “Jack Reacher” doesn’t have extra features, but the Blu-ray comes with multiple making-of bits and an audio commentary with Cruise and McQuarrie.

Mama

2½ stars
Rated PG-13 for violence and terror, some disturbing images and thematic elements
Universal
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

Because children are so naturally sweet and genuine, it’s terrifying to see a youngster acting otherworldly or possessed. Writer-director Andy Muschietti exploits this fact to great effect in “Mama,” the story of two orphaned sisters who spend five years in the woods fending for themselves without human supervision.

When the girls are finally discovered and given the opportunity to live with their uncle, Lucas (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), and his girlfriend, Annabel (Jessica Chastain), it’s a difficult transition. Both girls are years behind developmentally, and their baggage includes an unfriendly ghost who isn’t willing to let them go. As in most ghost stories, the adults are slow to realize that they are witnessing supernatural events, even though viewers are given the full scoop immediately.

Since audiences know what’s going on long before Lucas and Annabel, director Andy Muschietti has the perfect setup for suspense. Some of his eeriest sequences, however, occur when he’s simply showing the girls acting as they did while living alone. With no other humans to imitate, they learned to walk rapidly on all fours and quickly disappear into the shadows, making them appear more animal than human.

“Mama” doesn’t add anything new to the ghost story genre. In fact, the plotting may seem redundant to people who watch a lot of horror. Still, Muschietti’s work with atmosphere and the film’s rapid pacing make it an enjoyable ride.

The movie also benefits from a fine cast. Chastain is particularly good as a young woman forced to become a parent under frightening circumstances. Also, Muschietti draws great performances from Megan Chapentier and Isabelle Nelisse, the youthful actresses who play the orphaned girls.

“Mama” would have been better if it brought something new to the table, but old ideas can be fun – and scary – when presented this well.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, the short film that inspired the feature and a filmmakers’ audio commentary.

Safe Haven

1½ stars
Rated PG-13 for thematic material involving threatening behavior and for violence and sexuality
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

Movies based on Nicholas Sparks novels range from terrific (“The Notebook”) to bland (“Nights in Rodanthe”), and no matter how hard “Safe Haven” tries to elevate itself, it falls in the latter category. The movie starts fast, with a distressed young woman named Katie (Julianne Hough) running to a neighbor’s home in an obvious panic. In ensuing scenes, Katie escapes town on a bus while a rugged police detective (David Lyons) desperately attempts to track her. It’s halfway through the movie before director Lasse Hallstrom explains the opening sequence, and that leads viewers to all sorts of speculation. Is Katie a murderer? A witness to a crime? Something even more insidious?

The mystery presents tremendous potential, and it initially seems that “Safe Haven” is more than a traditional Sparks love story. But it isn’t. The film quickly falls into the author’s normal routine, with Katie striking up a tentative relationship with a handsome store clerk named Alex (Josh Duhamel). Alex is the typical Sparks lead: fetching and smart but obviously scarred. In this case, Alex’s wounds come from a recently deceased wife

Katie, as the setup implies, also has significant baggage, yet she is beautiful, charming and seemingly kind. Still, viewers are forced to watch Alex’s and Katie’s developing relationship with distrust because Hallstrom creates so much unease with his smash-bang beginning. If the movie were a mystery-thriller, that would be a good thing, but “Safe Haven” doesn’t fully embrace that genre. Instead, it’s a love story that doesn’t allow viewers to fall in love with the female lead. That’s a big problem, and Hallstrom takes so long to resolve it that the project never recovers.

The filmmaker also plays with point-of-view in a manner that isn’t entirely successful. This is frustrating not only because Hallstrom is generally a capable craftsman but because the move adds little to the story arc. He does, at least, produce an ending capable of jerking tears from sentimental audience members, but this isn’t nearly enough to repair the many problems that pop up earlier.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include an alternate ending and deleted and extended scenes.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“Superman – Unbound”: Animated DC movie in which Superman battles the dangerous villain Brainiac with the fate of Earth hanging in the balance. Directed by James Tucker.

“Witness”: Four-part documentary series that follows professional war photographers into combat zones in Mexico, Libya, South Sudan and Brazil. The project, which originally aired on HBO, runs 187 minutes.

“30 Rock” – Season 7: Final season of the NBC comedy about the behind-the-scenes workings of a fictional TV show. The series was created by and stars Tina Fey. Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer also star.

“Private Practice” – The Complete Sixth Season: Final 13 episodes of the medical drama inspired by the ongoing hit “Grey’s Anatomy.” Kate Walsh, Paul Adelstein, KaDee Strickland, Taye Diggs and Amy Brenneman star.

“Fringe” – The Complete Series: This science-fiction TV series ended its five year run in January, and fans can now own all 100 episodes on Blu-ray or DVD. Those who already have seasons one through four, can also purchase the complete fifth season as an individual release.

“Flashpoint” – The Fifth Season: Final 13 episodes of the TV drama about an elite squad of Canadian police officers who are trained to resolve dangerous situations.

“Have Gun Will Travel” – The Final Season – Volumes 1 and 2: This 1950s and ’60s TV series about a gentleman gunfighter from San Francisco (Richard Boone) was a huge hit during most of its run. Paramount is releasing the final 32 episodes on two separate collections, each containing half a season.

“ID – A”: Danish thriller about a woman (Tuva Novotny) who wakes up in a river with amnesia and a bag full of cash. Directed by Christian E. Christiansen (“The Roommate”). Presented in Danish with English subtitles.

“Texas”: This 1994 TV movie details the years leading up to the Texas Revolution and the battle of the Alamo. Stacy Keach, Patrick Duffy, Chelsea Field and Benjamin Bratt star. Directed by Richard Lang.

“WWII From Space”: Documentary that uses computer-generated imagery to depict the major events of World War II from a global perspective.

“Citizen Hearst”: Documentary film detailing the history of the Hearst media empire from its earliest days to the present. Written and directed by Leslie Iwerks who received an Oscar nomination for her 2006 short film “Recycled Life.”

“Gunsmoke” – The Eighth Season – Volumes 1 and 2: Paramount divided the 38 episodes from the eighth season of this classic TV western into two separate releases. James Arness stars as U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon and Dennis Weaver portrays his faithful deputy, Chester Goode.

“The Great Escape”: Blu-ray debut of the 1963 movie about allied prisoners who conspire to escape from a German POW camp during World War II. Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Donald Pleasence star. Directed by John Sturges.

– Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation’s largest publications. E-mail him at forrest@forresthartman.com.

Jennifer Lawrence, left, and Bradley Cooper star in the Oscar-nominated film “Silver Linings Playbook.”

A thriller featuring Mark Wahlberg, and a relationship drama that received eight Oscar nominations anchor this week’s home video releases.

Silver Linings Playbook

4 stars (out of four)
Rated R for language and some sexual content/nudity
Anchor Bay
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

Although Jennifer Lawrence’s best actress Oscar was the only honor “Silver Linings Playbook” pulled down at the most recent Academy Awards celebration, it’s impact was greater than that single award indicates. That’s because the film went into Oscar night with eight total nominations, including one for best picture. The movie also received a best director nod for David O. Russell, and it was the only film to receive acting nominations in all four categories. Although they didn’t win, Bradley Cooper was up for best actor, Robert De Niro was up for supporting actor and Jacki Weaver was in the race for supporting actress.

Movie awards are not the most important indicators of a project’s quality but – when the system is at its best – they point viewers toward worthy pictures. This is certainly the case with “Silver Linings,” as the film is rare in terms of both technical prowess and substance.

“Silver Linings” centers on Pat Solitano Jr. (Bradley Cooper), a thirty-something man struggling with a recent diagnosis of bipolar disorder and a court-ordered stint in a mental institution. When his mother (Weaver) checks him out, he has trouble adapting to life outside the hospital, and he particularly struggles with the fact that his estranged wife (Brea Bee) wants nothing to do with him. Things change, however, when he meets Tiffany Maxwell (Lawrence), a young woman recovering from the death of her husband.

Despite their shared fragility, Pat and Tiffany develop a strong friendship that deepens when they partner for an amateur dance competition. O. Russell walks viewers through their training regimen, but he also spends time following Pat’s adjustment to home life. In particular, he considers Pat’s relationship with his father (De Niro), a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan who – after being laid off – is making a living as a bookmaker.

As the Oscar nominations indicate, the acting in “Silver Linings” is superb. Every major player is a standout, and the supporting cast is excellent as well. As great as the performers are, they don’t deserve all of the credit. O. Russell sets each scene expertly, delivering a perfect mix of character development and plot. The result is a great picture that movie buffs will return to year after year.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes and several making-of features.

The Guilt Trip

1 star
Rated PG-13 for language and some risqué material
Paramount
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download an on demand

“The Guilt Trip” lasts only 95 minutes, but it is so lifeless and dull that it feels like a much longer venture. In part, that’s because the project doesn’t have much of a plot, but that criticism ignores the fact that stars Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen are no fun together. Whether they lack simple chemistry or whether it’s the fault of the Dan Fogelman screenplay is up for debate. The one certainty is that the movie is a failure.

The story centers on a geeky scientist named Andy (Rogen) who invents a cleaning product that is both good and environmentally friendly. So, he plots a cross-country tour to sell his product to major retailers. Before leaving, he visits his doting mother (Streisand) who casually tells him about a passionate affair she had before meeting Andy’s late father. Intrigued, Andy does some quick detective work and learns that his mother’s former lover may still be living in California. So, he invites his mom on his trip in hopes of arranging a meeting. As the movie enters this stage, things really unravel. Presumably, director Anne Fletcher (“27 Dresses,” “The Proposal”) was attempting a road trip film with elements of “The Odd Couple.” Instead, viewers are treated to endless bickering.

Andy’s mother can’t stop giving him advice, and Andy, like many children, would prefer that she leave him alone. Because of that, their journey is filled with sparring, much of which is annoying enough to leave viewers irritated by both major characters.

Watching someone drive across the country and peddle soap isn’t exactly exciting, and things liven up only marginally when Andy and his mother fight. Sadly, that’s about all “The Guilt Trip” has to offer. Of course, there’s a climax of sorts, and Andy and his mom come to understand each other. Revealing this doesn’t give anything away because it’s a given, and anyone who picks up the DVD or Blu-ray will be aware of that.

The DVD release has no extras, but the Blu-ray comes with several making-of features, deleted scenes and a gag reel.

Broken City

2 stars
Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray and on demand

It’s easy to warm to actors like Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe because they are so at ease and confident in front of the camera. But, like standouts in any profession, there’s only so much weight they can carry. In “Broken City” they start with a hefty load, and it becomes unbearable due to a subpar Brian Tucker screenplay and lackluster execution from director Allen Hughes (“The Book of Eli”).

The movie tells the story of New York City Police detective Billy Taggart (Wahlberg), a well-meaning lawman that winds up in court after shooting a thug that he believes raped and murdered his girlfriend’s sister. Although Taggart is cleared of wrongdoing, his police captain (Jeffrey Wright) and the New York City mayor (Crowe) remove him from duty.

Seven years later, Taggart is working as a low-rent private detective when the mayor asks him to spy on his wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and tell him whom she is having an affair with. Desperate for cash, Taggart takes the lucrative assignment, but feels betrayed when the man that he implicates is killed. Convinced that the mayor ordered the murder, Taggart decides to bring the politician to justice.

The setup for “Broken City” is solid, and Whalberg and Crowe do a fine job establishing their characters. Sadly, Hughes’ work is less compelling. In telling the story, he takes viewers on a circuitous journey that’s littered with subplots. Some of these side stories are fascinating, and dragging a mystery-thriller through twists and turns is a solid strategy. But Hughes’ work is confounding because many of the subplots, including one involving Taggart’s girlfriend, are seriously underdeveloped.

Since the film runs only 109 minutes, Hughes could have reasonably fleshed things out without sacrificing pacing. In fact, the additional depth would have made the characters more appealing and added to the excitement of the plot. As presented, however, the film will leave many viewers scratching their heads when they should be squirming on edges of their seats.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes and a making-of feature.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“Not Fade Away”: Film about three friends trying to make it as a rock band in the 1960s. James Gandolfini, John Magaro, Jack Huston, Will Brill and Bella Heathcote star. Written and directed by David Chase.

“The Details”: Dark comedy starring Tobey Maguire and Elizabeth Banks as a troubled married couple whose lives take a bizarre turn when raccoons ransack their yard. Dennis Haysbert, Ray Liotta, Kerry Washington and Laura Linney also star. Written and directed by Jacob Aaron Estes.

“Strictly Ballroom”: Blu-ray premiere of director Baz Luhrmann’s 1992 romantic comedy about a talented professional dancer who risks his career with a new partner. The film received a Golden Globe nomination for best motion picture musical/comedy.

“Kaijudo – Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike”: Five episodes of the animated adventure series that runs on The Hub cable channel. The action centers on a boy who can summon powerful, magical creatures.

– Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation’s largest publications. For more of his work visit http://www.ForrestHartman.com. E-mail him at forrest@forresthartman.com.

Tom Holland, left, and Naomi Watts star in the disaster drama “The Impossible.”

After several slow weeks, the home video field is crowded once again. This week’s hefty slate of new releases includes a star-studded crime film, a lightweight horror spoof and a disaster movie that landed actress Naomi Watts her second Oscar nomination.

The Impossible

3½ stars (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for intense realistic disaster sequences, including disturbing injury images and brief nudity
Summit Entertainment
Available on DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

During movie awards season, “The Impossible” received most of its accolades thanks to the remarkable lead performance of actress Naomi Watts. As good as she is, focusing on such a singular component of the film is unfair because it is great in so many respects.

The feature, directed by Juan Antonio Bayona, was inspired by the real-life survival story of a family caught in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Watts is the matriarch, a physician named Maria Bennett who is on vacation in Thailand with her husband, Henry (Ewan McGregor), and three sons. When the tsunami hits, all family members survive, but they are separated by the chaos and destruction. This allows Bayona to tell the tale from multiple viewpoints, building suspense as he does.

Most of the screen time is devoted to Maria and her oldest son, Lucas (Tom Holland). Despite being pummeled and nearly drowned by the tsunami, the two manage to stay together and support one another. Their situation grows dire, however, when the seriously injured Maria becomes sick due to injuries and inadequate medical supplies.

“The Impossible” is often difficult to watch because Bayona does such a remarkable job depicting the horrors of the mass tragedy. Still, it would be inaccurate to call it a depressing film. As dark as the material is, the movie is a reminder that there are many loving, caring people in the world and that horrible circumstances often bring out the best in humanity.

Watts is deserving of the attention she received, as her performance was easily one of the best to grace movie screens last year. She was not, however, working in a vacuum. Holland is just as strong, despite his young age. McGregor is also compelling, although his role isn’t nearly as demanding.

Bayona’s direction is simple and traditional, but that’s the best approach to a story like this. The characters and the terrible reality of the situation are all that’s needed to keep audiences engaged, and Bayona doesn’t allow the pacing to lag for a second.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, two making-of featurettes and a filmmakers’ audio commentary.

Promised Land

3 stars
Rated R for language
Universal
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray digital download and on demand

Director Gus Van Sant (“Milk,” “Goodwill Hunting”) has produced some of the finest films of the past 15 years, but he is fallible, particularly when dealing with a subpar screenplay. For “Promised Land,” two of his stars – Matt Damon and John Krasinski – delivered four-fifths of a great script, leaving Van Sant with enough material to make a good film, but not a great one.

The problems lay in a finale that struggles not only because it’s typical and manipulative, but because it asks the central character to do things totally outside his nature. That character is Steve Butler (Matt Damon), the hard-working representative of a large energy company. Steve is an up-and-comer because he and his partner (Frances McDormand) are particularly good at convincing farmers to sign contracts allowing the extraction of natural gas from their land.

The process Steve’s company uses is known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and he seems truly devoted to his work. With many family farms failing, Steve sees the money that his company offers as a blessing. He meets a roadblock, however, when the respected science teacher in a rural Pennsylvania town (Hal Holbrook) questions the safety of fracking. After this, landowners aren’t as open to Steve’s advances. Things get especially dicey when a self-proclaimed environmentalist (Krasinski) joins the anti-fracking fray.

Facing obstacles he has never encountered before, Steve must decide on the correct and honorable path. Damon does a fine job portraying a good man in a difficult spot, and McDormand and Krasinski are equally strong.

One can’t watch “Promised Land” without addressing its politics, but they are surprisingly muddy. The film seems to argue that fracking is harmful, but never presents a particularly strong case against it. In fact, Steve’s feelings on the subject are obscured behind one smiling sales pitch after another. If Van Sant had focused on Steve’s inner struggles, he would have had a movie that anyone could relate to. As delivered, “Promised Land” is an interesting and well-acted exercise, but it feels phony in the end.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include an extended scene and making-of feature.

Gangster Squad

3 stars
Rated R for strong violence and language
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

Director Ruben Fleischer’s “Gangster Squad” isn’t particularly smart, but it is enjoyable as both an action yarn and a tribute to the film noir efforts of yesteryear. The movie is set in 1949, and it centers on a group of Los Angeles lawmen given the OK to wage war on gangster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) and his organized crime syndicate. The leader of the squad is John O’Mara (Josh Brolin), a former soldier sickened by the fact that Cohen is gaining increasing influence in his city. When an official invites John to skirt the law, he assembles a team of misfits that is willing operate almost as ruthlessly as Cohen himself.

The group includes a hardnosed detective (Anthony Mackie), an expert marksman (Robert Patrick), a surveillance guru (Giovanni Ribisi), an eager young cop (Michael Pena) and a brusque officer (Ryan Gosling) who is sleeping with Cohen’s girlfriend (Emma Stone). Together they make an effective group, especially since Cohen initially believes he’s the victim of rival mobsters.

Fleischer (“30 Minutes or Less,” “Zombieland”) is best known for offbeat comedy, but he does a nice job capturing the spirit of 1940s Los Angeles. In fact, his movie plays like a modern version of film noir efforts created during that era. That’s both a merit and a flaw.

Classic film buffs should enjoy the similarities to old-school favorites, and the ensemble cast does a nice job with the material. Still, “Gangster Squad” skimps on things like plot and character development, and Fleischer frequently jumps from one place to another without fully explaining the happenings. Similarly, most of the characters act more like movie archetypes than real people. In a way, that’s fun, but it also leaves “Gangster Squad” a step below the best crime dramas.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, a making-of featurette and an audio commentary with Fleischer.

A Haunted House

1 star
Rated R for crude and sexual content, language and some drug use
Universal
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray digital download and on demand

Considering the popularity of the found-footage movie genre, a parody makes perfect sense. Sadly, “A Haunted House” is about as weak an effort as one can imagine.

The film was co-written by Rick Alvarez and Marlon Wayans, and it stars the latter as Malcolm, a single man who invites his girlfriend, Kisha (Essence Atkins), to move in with him. Almost immediately, bad things occur, and it becomes clear that a malevolent spirit is haunting their home.

Michael Tiddes allows events to play out as they do in the “Paranormal Activity” films, with viewers watching footage that was supposedly recorded by the characters themselves. The big difference, of course, is that “A Haunted House” sacrifices scares for satire.

In a better-scripted movie, the concept might have worked, but Wayans and company rely almost entirely on over-the-top, potty humor. That means gags about flatulence and dirty sex rule the day, and most of them aren’t very funny. The movie features appearances by a number of solid character actors, including David Koechner, Nick Swardson and Cedric the Entertainer, but not even they can elevate the material.

When a film is this poorly written, the actors don’t matter.

DVD and Blu-ray extras are limited to an extremely short featurette titled “How to Survive a Paranormal Presence.”

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“Jurassic Park 3D”: Director Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film about business people who build a theme park around genetically engineered dinosaurs was recently converted to 3D. Now, fans can own it on a Blu-ray 3D combo pack.

“Richard III”: Laurence Olivier’s 1955 film adaptation of Shakespeare’s play has been freshly restored, meaning this is the preferred release for all film buffs and collectors. Olivier plays the title character and directs.

“Family Weekend”: R-rated comedy about a neglected daughter (Olesya Rulin) who holds her parents (Kristin Chenoweth and Matthew Modine) hostage in hopes of reminding them what it means to be a family. Joey King, Eddie Hassell and Shirley Jones also star. Directed by Benjamin Epps.

Pierre Etaix: This multi-disc set from the Criterion Collection contains all the feature films and shorts directed by French comedian and actor Pierre Etaix. Included are “The Suitor” (1962), “Yoyo” (1965), “As Long as You’ve Got Your Health” (1966), “Le Grand Amour” (1969) and “The Land of Milk and Honey” (1971).

“Any Day Now”: Story of a gay couple (Alan Cumming and Garret Dillahunt) who agree to raise an abandoned teen with Down Syndrome. Despite loving the boy as their own, they are forced into a court battle when authorities question their unorthodox living situation and try to remove him from their care.

“Happy People – A Year in the Taiga”: Documentary film about approximately 300 people who live almost entirely hidden from modern society in a remote region of Siberia. Directed by Werner Herzog and Dmitry Vasyukov.

“Touched by an Angel” – The Seventh Season: Twenty-five episodes of the inspirational drama about angels who help people at important turning points in their lives. Della Reese, John Dye and Roma Downey star.

– Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation’s largest publications. E-mail him at forrest@forresthartman.com.

Christoph Waltz, left, and Jamie Foxx star in writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s stylized Western, “Django Unchained.” Both Tarantino and Waltz won Oscars for their work in the film: Waltz for best supporting actor and Tarantino for best original screenplay.

An Oscar-winning Western by writer-director Quentin Tarantino is the only major theatrical release making its way to home video this week.

Django Unchained

3½ stars (out of four)
Rated R for strong graphic violence throughout, a vicious fight, language and some nudity
Anchor Bay
Available on: Blu-ray, DVD, digital download and on demand

Writer-director Quentin Tarantino has always remembered one critical thing about movies: Even those that make social statements can be fun. His adherence to this philosophy has provided filmgoers with hours of gory goodness, yet his movies always seem more substantial and slick than the genre films that inspire him.

“Django Unchained” is a perfect example of the phenomenon. On its surface, the movie is a basic spaghetti western built on unlikely plotting and characters. Tarantino even uses old-school title sequences, like those from the “Grindhouse” project that he and Robert Rodriguez produced. These obvious nods to B cinema are exactly the things that make the movie so enjoyable because Tarantino is a master at walking the line between satire and drama.

He embraces outrageous plotting and regularly sacrifices subtlety for graphic violence and language, yet he always stops short of the inane. What sets most Tarantino movies apart is the characters that the man and his actors bring to life. Tarantino writes great dialogue, and he’s equally good at finding the right performers to deliver it. On screen, the result is a fireworks show that’s hard to resist.

The title character in “Django” is a slave who is cruelly separated from his wife in the days leading up to the American Civil War. Things look bleak as the film begins, with the chained and badly beaten Django (Jamie Foxx) at the mercy of southern slave traders. His luck changes when a bounty hunter named King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) makes him a free man. The only catch is that Django has to help locate King’s next bounty.

Django happens to be a crack shot, and he and King hit it off, so the two men continue working together. Eventually, King even volunteers to help Django locate his missing wife (Kerry Washington).

Waltz and Foxx are fantastic, and they give their alter egos the sort of larger-than-life presence required of genre-movie heroes. What’s more, they run into a number of equally fascinating persons during their journey. Highlights include Leonardo DiCaprio as a callous plantation owner named Calvin Candie and Samuel L. Jackson as a subservient black man willing to betray his own race.

The plotting for “Django” is frequently unrealistic, and the ending is particularly unlikely. Still, it’s easy to enjoy the wild ride that Tarantino delivers. Even better, he serves it up while making a statement about the insidiousness of the U.S. slave trade. Many directors favor style over substance, but Tarantino deftly mixes the two. “Django” is stylized enough for film lovers to identify as Tarantino’s, but it also has depth. Because of that, it was nominated for five Academy Awards, and it walked away with two: best supporting actor for Waltz and best original screenplay for Tarantino.

“Django Unchained” is available as a digital rental and download, but several retailers are attempting to persuade fans into a DVD or Blu-ray purchase. For instance, Target is selling the film with exclusive Steelbook packaging and an extra disc containing footage of the stars at Comic-Con. Meanwhile, Best Buy has an exclusive Django on Tour feature with its release, and Wal-Mart has an exclusive making-of documentary.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“Disneynature – Wings of Life”: Documentary film about butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, bats and the important role they play in pollenating flowers. Directed by Louie Schwartzberg and narrated by Meryl Streep.

“Counting Cars” – Season 1: This spinoff of the History Channel series “Pawn Stars” centers on Danny Koker, owner of a business that specializes in restoring, customizing and flipping classic cars.

“Repo Man”: Criterion Collection reissue of writer-director Alex Cox’s 1984 film about a young punk (Emilio Estevez) who helps a veteran repossession man (Harry Dean Stanton) reclaim cars. Things get particularly interesting when they try to repo a Chevy Malibu loaded with top-secret material.

“A Monster in Paris”: Animated French movie about a misunderstood monster who is in love with a beautiful singer. Although originally presented in French, this release features an English-language voice cast that includes Adam Goldberg, Sean Lennon, Vanessa Paradis, Danny Huston and Catherine O’Hara. Directed by Bibo Bergeron (“Shark Tale”).

“Iron Man – Rise of Technovore”: New, feature-length animated movie in which Iron Man is blamed for a terrorist attack and must go on the run. At the same time, he faces off against a villain who has developed new technology that may be superior to his Iron Man armor.

“The Haunting in Connecticut 2 – Ghosts of Georgia”: This sister film to the original “Haunting in Connecticut” doesn’t take place anywhere near the title state. Instead it centers on a family that moves into a historic home in Georgia, only to discover that it is haunted. Abigail Spencer, Chad Michael Murray, Katee Sackhoff, Emily Alyn Lind and Cicely Tyson star. Directed by Tom Elkins.

“Delhi Safari”: Indian animated film about a group of animals that travel to Delhi to ask parliament why their jungle habitat is being destroyed. The English-language soundtrack features voice acting by Jane Lynch, Christopher Lloyd, Vanessa Williams, Cary Elwes, Brad Garrett and Jason Alexander.

“At the Gate of the Ghost”: This Thai remake of “Rashomon” centers on a murder viewed from three distinct perspectives. Directed by M.L. Pundhevanop Dhewakul.

– Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation’s largest publications. For more of his work visit http://www.ForrestHartman.com. E-mail him at forrest@forresthartman.com.

Bill Murray plays US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in “Hyde Park on Hudson.”

It’s another slow week on home video with a lightweight historical drama being the most noteworthy new title.

Hyde Park on the Hudson

1½ stars (out of four)
Rated R for brief sexuality
Universal
Available on: on demand

“Hyde Park on Hudson” is one of the more bizarre releases to hit video in recent months. It sports an A-list cast led by Bill Murray and Laura Linney, and it centers on a key period in the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The movie also has a capable director in Roger Michell, the man who made the outstanding 2002 thriller “Changing Lanes” and the even better 1999 romantic comedy “Notting Hill.” Traditionally, a historical drama backed by that level of talent could expect attention during movie awards season. “Lincoln” is the ideal example. Director Steven Spielberg’s much-lauded drama about the 16th president of the United States received 12 Oscar nominations. But “Hyde Park” is the anti-“Lincoln.”

Where the Spielberg drama soars, Michell’s lightweight look at American history is so messy and ill-conceived that it plays like a parody of itself. How does a film with so much on-paper potential fail so utterly? The problems begin with the Richard Nelson screenplay, an oddly structured work that aims to enlighten viewers about U.S.-British relations in the days leading up to World War II. The movie fails to realize that ambition for several reasons, one of which is Nelson’s inexplicable fascination with hot dogs. The final act of “Hyde Park” is centered on a picnic where King George VI of England is invited to dine with FDR. During the picnic, wieners are served and viewers are asked to believe that this is a defining moment in U.S.-British relations. In reality, the choice of food was as inconsequential as Michelle Obama’s bangs.

The focus on hot dogs does, however, maintain the general course of “Hyde Park,” which is all about minutiae. If there’s one thing Michell finds more interesting than hot dogs, it’s FDR’s supposed sexual relationship with his distant cousin Margaret “Daisy” Suckley. Building a picture around presidential impropriety is nothing new, but “Hyde Park” dubiously centers itself on suppositions that many believe to be false. There are scholars, in fact, who argue that a sexual encounter between Daisy and FDR is extremely unlikely.

Nevertheless, Michell spends much of the film painting FDR as not only a womanizer, but a ruthless cad. One can, of course, forgive filmmakers for taking liberties in a fictionalized history, but one can also hope for good taste.

The flaws in “Hyde Park” are particularly obvious because the cast is so much better than the material. Murray is typically terrific, or at least as terrific as one can be given the version of FDR that he was asked to portray. His work earned the movie it’s only major awards recognition, a best actor Golden Globe nomination.

Linney is also a talent, but she portrays Daisy as a mousy, forgettable woman who is mostly in awe of her famous cousin. That makes her character and her supposed relationship with the president exceedingly dull.

With so little to invest in from a character standpoint, viewers must turn to the subplot about the King of England’s hotdog picnic. That’s hardly the stuff of political legend.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include an audio commentary by Michell and producer Kevin Loader.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“The Sorcerer and the White Snake”: Chinese martial arts movie starring Jet Li as a sorcerer-monk who battles an ancient demon. Directed by Tony Ching Siu-Tung.

“Planet Ocean”: Documentary film focused on the bodies of water that make up much of our planet’s surface. Using aerial and underwater photography, directors Yann-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot explore our natural world and consider the important relationship that humans have with the sea. Narrated by Josh Duhamel.

“Gate of Hell”: This drama from 1953 is noteworthy as the first Japanese color film to be released outside of its native country. The movie, about a samurai who courts a married woman, won the Palme d’Or at the 1954 Cannes Film Festival and received an honorary Academy Award for best foreign language film. This freshly restored video release comes courtesy of the Criterion Collection. Directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa.

“Family Ties” – The Sixth Season: Second-to-last season of the 1980s sitcom about former hippies (Meredith Baxter-Birney and Michael Gross) raising children during the conservative Reagan years. The program is remembered particularly fondly as the launching point of Michael J. Fox’s career. In the show, Fox plays Alex P. Keaton, a staunch young Republican.

“Boss” – Season Two: This drama, about a corrupt Chicago mayor (Kelsey Grammer) battling a degenerative brain disease, was cancelled. That means fans have to turn to this home video release to revisit the final 10 episodes.

“Sexy Evil Genius”: Dark comedy about a group of people drawn to a downtown bar by a woman they all used to date. Katee Sackhoff, Michelle Trachtenberg, Anthony Michael Hall, William Baldwin and Seth Green star.

“Craig Shoemaker – Daditude”: Showtime comedy special featuring 82 minutes of Shoemaker’s trademark humor.

“Gabriel Iglesias – Aloha Fluffy”: Iglesisas comedy special taped at the Hawaii Theatre Center in Honolulu. The DVD includes a number of extras, including a 25-minute featurette that was shot before and after the taping of the special.

“Best of Latino Laugh Festival”: Collection of stand-up routines from more than 15 top-tier Latino comics, including Paul Rodriguez, Felipe Esparza, John Mendoza and the late Greg Giraldo.

– Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation’s largest publications. For more of his work visit http://www.ForrestHartman.com. E-mail him at forrest@forresthartman.com.

Nicole Kidman, left, plays Martha Gellhorn and Clive Owen plays Ernest Hemingway in the HBO movie based on their relationship, “Hemingway & Gellhorn.”

It’s a slow week for video, with no major theatrical releases making the transition to home viewing formats. Fortunately, an excellent HBO drama is available to fill the void.

Hemingway & Gellhorn

3½ stars (out of four)
Unrated
HBO
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray and digital download

The legends surrounding writer Ernest Hemingway have become almost as well known as his literary treasures. Perhaps because he is seen as a model of masculinity, the man himself is as appealing as any character he invented for the page.

The latest film to shed light on his life is the HBO drama “Hemingway & Gellhorn,” a picture about his relationship with his third wife, Martha Gellhorn. Although Hemingway is the best-known half of the power couple, Gellhorn is noteworthy in her own right, having established a career as one of the finest war correspondents of the 20th century. The film begins and ends with an aging Gellhorn (portrayed beautifully by Nicole Kidman) recalling her past.

As depicted on screen, the two writers had an instant attraction destined to end Hemingway’s marriage to Pauline Pfeiffer. The movie follows their relationship to its end, with much of the action set during the Spanish Civil War, a conflict both writers had an interest in publicizing.

Clive Owen portrays Hemingway with bravado, depicting the man as both remarkably charismatic and unjustifiably explosive. This reading is in keeping with all we know of the writer, and it meshes well with Kidman’s representation of Gellhorn. In any romance, which is what “Hemingway & Gellhorn” truly is, chemistry between the leads is crucial, and Owen and Kidman have plenty. In fact, they make it easy to imagine these two world-weary writers softening their shells just enough to let one another in. Both actors received Golden Globe nominations for their work.

Of course, this is one romance that can’t end with “happily ever after.” Hemingway and Gellhorn would divorce, take other spouses and leave each other behind. Although the film acknowledges this, director Philip Kaufman (“Quills,” “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”) doesn’t dwell on things that came before or after their relationship. Rather, he attempts to capture the passion of their time together and reflect on the impact it had on their lives as a whole. He also blends grainy, newsreel-style footage with slick modern cinematography, giving events a sense of immediacy, while reminding us that they occurred in past.

Whether “Hemingway & Gellhorn” is an accurate historical representation of these two writers’ lives is a question best answered by literary scholars. But one needn’t have that answer to enjoy the movie. Kaufman, Owen and Kidman do a fine job capturing the spirit of these fascinating figures, and that makes it an artistic success.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include an audio commentary with Kaufman and editor Walter Murch.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“The Bible” – The Epic Miniseries: Ten hours of Biblical stories presented using live-action footage and computer-generated imagery. The lengthy program, which originally aired on the History Channel, was executive produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett.

“Jackie Robinson – My Story”: Movie buffs can prepare for the theatrical release of the Jackie Robinson film “42” by watching this first-person docudrama. The 2010 movie tells the story of Robinson’s life by blending vintage footage with actor Stephen Hill’s portrayal of the baseball star.

“John Dies at the End”: Science fiction comedy about a new drug that causes some users to “come back” as alien invaders. Co-written and directed by Don Coscarelli. Chase Williamson, Rob Mayes, Paul Giamatti and Clancy Brown star.

The Best of Warner Bros. 20 Film Collection – Romance: Warner Bros. is running a 90th Anniversary Initiative throughout this year, and the latest release is a 20-film set including some of the studio’s well-known love stories. Among the titles included are “Gone With the Wind,” “Casablanca,” “Annie Get Your Gun” and “Doctor Zhivago.”

Marvel Cinematic Universe – Phase One – Avengers Assembled: Ten-disc Blu-ray set containing six live-action movies built around Marvel’s Avengers superheroes. The included movies are: “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Thor,” “Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2,” “The Incredible Hulk” and “Marvel’s The Avengers.”

“The Impossible”: This outstanding drama is based on the real-life experiences of a family caught in the 2004 tsunami that hit Thailand, and it is available exclusively on digital download for the next three weeks. Look for a full review when the film is released on Blu-ray, DVD and on-demand April 23.

– Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation’s largest publications. For more of his work visit http://www.ForrestHartman.com. E-mail him at forrest@forresthartman.com.

Daniel Day-Lewis won a best actor Oscar for his portrayal of the title character in director Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln.”

This week’s home video releases are anchored by a terrific historical drama that was nominated for 12 Oscars, including best picture.

Lincoln

4 stars (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for an intense scene of war violence, some images of carnage and brief strong language
DreamWorks
Available on: Blu-ray, DVD, digital download and on demand

Despite its all-encompassing title, director Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” is more about politics than the 16th president of the United States. To be sure, Abraham Lincoln, as depicted by Daniel Day-Lewis, is the central figure in the movie. But the focus is purely on his push to pass the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Missing are scenes of Lincoln’s childhood and his moves as a fledgling politician. Instead, viewers meet the president at the height of his political prowess, and they watch as he manipulates American government in a way few politicians – before or after – have been able to accomplish.

The tight focus is one of the joys of the movie and it, no doubt, helped the film garner 12 Oscar nominations, including one for best picture. In the end, “Lincoln” won only two of those awards, but that doesn’t diminish the historically significant and surprisingly topical on-screen product.

Spielberg clearly wants viewers to see parallels between Lincoln’s maneuvering and the moves taking place on Capitol Hill today. But one needn’t be a political junkie to enjoy the film. What will help is a healthy interest in history and a long attention span. The latter is important because “Lincoln” runs 150 minutes, and it’s talky by necessity. Much of the action involves politicians quietly scheming in back rooms and meeting halls. As excruciating as that may sound, Spielberg finds a way to make it thrilling… as long as one pays attention. Drift off, and it’s possible to get hopelessly lost in the complications of the plot.

Day-Lewis won his third best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Lincoln, and he is deserving of the award. Despite his English roots, the actor disappears so thoroughly into the role that it’s hard to imagine anyone else – American or British – playing it. As depicted by Day-Lewis, Lincoln is a charismatic man who is quick with a story and a smile, but he’s also a fearless champion of his beliefs.

The supporting cast is also exceptional. Sally Field landed a best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her portrayal of first lady Mary Todd Lincoln, and Tommy Lee Jones earned a best supporting actor nod for his wonderful reading of politician Thaddeus Stevens. Other noteworthy cast members include David Strathairn as William Seward, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Robert Lincoln, Hal Holbrook as Preston Blair, Jackie Earle Haley as Alexander Stephens, John Hawkes as Robert Latham and James Spader as W.N. Bilbo.

Not surprisingly, Spielberg puts all that talent to use, producing a movie that captures an important moment in American history while demonstrating how few things have changed since Lincoln’s death nearly 150 years ago.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include a making-of featurette.

Killing Them Softly

3 stars
Rated R for violence, sexual references, pervasive language, and some drug use
Anchor Bay
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

With “Killing Them Softly,” writer-director Andrew Dominik delivers a fascinating crime drama that is both a standard-order thriller and a critique of the American financial system. Based on novelist George V. Higgins’ 1974 novel “Cogan’s Trade,” the film centers on a hitman (Brad Pitt) who is charged with offing the guys that robbed a mob-sponsored poker game.

This premise is relatively simple, but Dominik creates complexity by setting the story against the 2008 presidential race between Barack Obama and John McCain. Frequently, the director cuts to real-life news clips referencing America’s economic crisis, inviting comparisons between the above-board economy and that controlled by organized crime.

The political commentary is interesting, and it helps set the film apart, but the cast is the best part of the feature. Pitt is fantastic as a calculating, ruthless assassin who does whatever it takes to get the job done. He gets equally strong supporting work from Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini and Richard Jenkins, all playing fellow mobsters.

Dominik excels in crafting a gritty atmosphere that’s reminiscent of great mob movies like “Goodfellas.” Unfortunately, he also allows the film to bog down in talky sections that wander into unnecessary territory. Because of this, the project isn’t a complete success, but its good points easily outweigh the bad.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes and a making-of featurette.

Parental Guidance

2½ stars
Rated PG for some rude humor
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

Andy Fickman built his film career directing mid-tier family comedies with the likes of “She’s the Man” and “Race to Witch Mountain.” With “Parental Guidance,” he walks the same ground by delivering an amusing, if altogether predictable, film about the complexities of familial relationships.

The always-lovable Billy Crystal and Bette Midler star as Artie and Diane Decker, an aging couple who have become increasingly alienated from their daughter, Alice (Marisa Tomei). There aren’t significant hard feelings between the three, but Alice didn’t appreciate the parenting style that her folks employed, and she is taking care to raise her three children differently. Things get tense when Alice and her husband, Phil (Tom Everett Scott), need Artie and Diane to babysit for a few days.

As events play out, Alice faces the worry that her old-school parents will instill “bad habits” in her children. In the meantime, Artie and Diane have no idea how to cope with the modern lifestyle that Alice and her family enjoy. Because this is a family comedy, everything works out in the end, and everyone is better off for the events that occur. The fun is in watching how things unfold.

Anyone who demands subtlety from the cinema may be put off by the movie’s in-your-face brand of humor. In fact, “Parental Guidance” is a borderline farce. The characters are larger than life, and they often do things no right-thinking human beings would even consider. Still, the movie is largely enjoyable.

Most of the credit goes to Crystal and Midler who are fun to watch playing off one another and the other actors in the ensemble. Tomei and Scott are solid in their cookie-cutter roles, and all three child actors (Bailee Madison, Joshua Rush and Kyle Harrison Breitkopf) do a reasonably good job. “Parental Guidance” doesn’t take viewers anyplace unexpected, and it’s certainly not highbrow. Nevertheless, it’s reasonably good fun for children and parents to enjoy together.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes and an audio commentary with Crystal and Fickman.

The Collection

1½ stars
Rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, language and brief nudity
Lionsgate
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand

Horror films about diabolical mass murderers are ever-present, but only a few are worth the time required to view them. “The Collection,” a sequel to the 2009 film “The Collector,” is a standard-order slasher flick that does little to set itself apart.

Directed and co-written by Marcus Dunstan, “The Collection” takes over where “The Collector” left off, but one needn’t watch the original movie to understand what’s going on. The action centers on a whacked-out uber-villain who kills multitudes of people in ridiculously gruesome ways. His trademark, however, is that he leaves one person alive, so he can add him or her to his “collection.”

The latest person to be kidnapped is Elena (Emma Fitzpatrick), a young woman who lives alone with her doting father (Christopher McDonald). When Emma is taken, a victim from the first movie – Arkin (Josh Stewart) – is inadvertently freed, making him the first person to escape the killer’s grasp.

This sets the stage for a twist. Emma’s father asks a long-time friend and employee, Lucello (Lee Tergeson), to attempt a rescue. In hopes of completing the request, Lucello rounds up a group of vigilantes and convinces Arkin to take them to the murderer’s lair. Trouble is, the hunters quickly become the prey because every inch of the facility is booby trapped.

It’s nice to see a slasher film where at least some of the characters are actively attempting to hunt and kill the bad guy. Too often, victims in such movies just passively wait to get picked off. On the whole, however, “The Collection” isn’t particularly inventive. The unnamed killer dispatches countless victims in horrible ways, moving ever-closer to a climactic showdown with Arkin, Lucello and Elena.

People who go to horror films primarily for the gore may find some enjoyment in “The Collector,” but fans of strong plotting and intellectual chills will be better served elsewhere.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes and an audio commentary with Dunstan and co-writer Patrick Melton.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“A Royal Affair”: This historical drama was nominated for best foreign language film during the most recent Oscar race. Set during the reign of Danish King Christian VII, it tells the story of an affair between the queen and a royal physician. Directed by Nikolaj Arcel.

“Star Trek – Enterprise” – Season One: This prequel to the original “Star Trek” television series is finally receiving a high-definition Blu-ray release, meaning it’s sure to look better than ever before. The focus of the show is on Starfleet officers aboard the first Earth vessel capable of interstellar travel. Scott Bakula, Connor Trinneer, Jolene Blalock and Dominic Keating star.

“Veep” – The Complete First Season: The second season of this well-liked HBO comedy series begins airing next month. In the meantime, viewers can check out the 12 episodes presented here. Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars as a rising political star who discovers that life as vice president of the United States is not what she expected.

“Continuum” – Season One: Ten episodes of the Canadian science-fiction series about a future cop (Rachel Nichols) who is transported from 2077 to 2012 along with a group of terrorists. Living in a world that, to her, is ancient history, Rachel works to apprehend the criminals before they alter both the past and the future. Victor Webster and Erik Knudsen also star.

“The Borgias – The Original Crime Family” – The Second Season: Ten episodes of the Showtime drama about the Borgias family whose members held vast political and religious power during the turn of the 16th century. Jeremy Irons, Holliday Grainger, Francois Arnaud, David Oakes and Colm Feore star.

“LEGO Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Out”: Twenty-two minute, animated comedy from the folks at LEGO. The story is set after events depicted in the original “Star Wars” movie, and it focuses on Luke Skywalker, who is having trouble fulfilling his rebel duties because fanatical girls follow him everywhere. Another plot thread involves a rivalry between Darth Maul and Darth Vader

“A Man Escaped”: Freshly restored release of director Robert Bresson’s 1956 film about a member of the French resistance who is imprisoned by Nazis during World War II. Presented in French with English subtitles.

“Monsieur Verdoux”: Criterion Collection release of Charlie Chaplin’s 1947 film about an unemployed man who makes money by marrying wealthy women and murdering them. Chaplin is the writer, director and star.

“Mystery Science Theater 3000” – XXVI: Four episodes from the cult classic show where a man and his robot pals poke fun at bad movies. The films featured in this four-DVD set are “The Magic Sword,” “Alien From L.A.,” “Danger!! Death Ray” and “The Mole People.”

“IMAX – The Arctic”: This documentary film was originally presented in IMAX theaters, and it tells the survival story of a mother polar bear and her two cubs. Directed by Greg MacGillivray.

“The Carol Burnett Show – This Time Together”: Six-DVD set collecting 17 episodes of Burnett’s popular, 1960s and ’70s variety show. Series regulars Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence and Tim Conway join Burnett for the comedy hijinks.

“From Beyond”: Fresh release of the 1986 horror movie about scientists who unwittingly open the door to a terrifying parallel universe. The Stuart Gordon-directed film is based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft.

– Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation’s largest publications. For more of his work visit http://www.ForrestHartman.com. E-mail him at forrest@forresthartman.com.