It doesn’t take the title character in “Marmaduke” long to learn what it means to be a California dog.

This week’s home video releases range from a revenge thriller starring Michael Caine to a family friendly comedy adapted from a comic strip.

Marmaduke
2½ stars (out of four)
Rated PG for some rude humor and language
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Adapting short-form mediums, like newspaper comic strips, to the big screen is tricky, but director Tom Dey has done a better than average job with “Marmaduke.” Not only does he deliver enough material to fill a feature-length film, his execution is reasonably good.

Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t stellar cinema, but as talking-dog flicks go, it’s OK. It’s also a remarkable upgrade over peers like the live-action Scooby-Doo films.

Although based on Brad Anderson’s long-running comic, the “Marmaduke” script is essentially original, even if its themes aren’t. Marmaduke, a rambunctious Great Dane living with the Winslow family, finds his life in turmoil when the head of household, Phil (Lee Pace), decides to move the family from Kansas to southern California.

Like Phil’s wife and kids, Marmaduke finds himself struggling to fit into the new environment, where he is routinely hazed by purebreds at the local dog park. Viewers know this because they hear what the pooches are saying and Marmaduke – through the voice of Owen Wilson – regularly addresses the camera. Phil and the rest of the humans in the movie don’t know Marmaduke and his pals can talk, but it’s better that way.

Determined to fit into his new surroundings, Marmaduke spends much of the film trying to better his social status, primarily so he can impress a beautiful collie named Jezebel (the voice of Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson). Sadly, his quest threatens to ruin the relationship he has with a group of mutts who befriended him from day one. Anyone who’s seen “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” or any number of other films about fitting in at school, is already familiar with the “Marmaduke” arc. That’s too bad because Dey assembled a great canine cast for “Marmaduke,” meaning the movie could have been better.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, a bit on the canine casting and a special look at the film’s “surfing dogs” sequence.

Harry Brown
3 stars
Rated R for strong violence and language throughout, drug use and sexual content
Sony
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Harry Brown is one of the more unusual vigilantes to hit the silver screen. Why? Because he’s a mild-mannered senior citizen with emphysema and a healthy respect for the law. At least that’s how he appears at first.

As portrayed by Michael Caine, Harry is a gentleman, one who tells an elderly friend harassed by thugs that he should go to the police for help. But when that friend turns up dead, Harry ignores his own advice, drawing on his background as a Royal Marine to teach the killers a lesson.

Although the storyline mirrors other revenge flicks, like the “Death Wish” saga, director Daniel Barber sets his feature apart by leaving plenty of space for character development. Viewers get to know Harry slowly, warming to the man as they might an actual friend.

They also get an in-depth look at detective Alice Frampton (Emily Mortimer), the one person with the wherewithal to see beyond Harry’s frail-old-man act.

The movie rolls at a steady but unhurried pace that Barber would have done well to push now and again. But that’s a minor complaint to an otherwise enjoyable thriller that deserves credit for reminding audiences that seniors are important and powerful members of our society. Don’t let the grey hair fool you.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes and an audio commentary with Caine, Barber and producer Kris Thykier.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“Why Did I Get Married Too?”: Writer-director-actor Tyler Perry’s followup to 2007’s “Why Did I Get Married?” The film focuses on four couples that unite for a vacation in the tropics, but it’s not all fun in the sun. The getaway is quickly marred by the unexpected appearance of an ex-husband, and viewers get a front-row seat as the couples work on a host of relationship issues. Perry stars alongside Janet Jackson, Tasha Smith, Jill Scott, Sharon Leal, Louis Gossett Jr., Michael Jai White, Lamman Rucker, Richard T. Jones and Malik Yoba.

“NCIS Los Angeles” – The First Season: This TV series spinoff focuses on a new division of NCIS, the Office of Special Projects. Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J star as special agents “G” Callen and Sam Hanna, leaders of an undercover team devoted to protecting national security.

“The Vampire Diaries” – The Complete First Season: Vampire brothers Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) fall into a love triangle with a human teen named Elena (Nina Dobrev). This boxed set allows fans and newbies alike to cram before season two debuts Sept. 9 on The CW.

“The Middle” – Season 1: ABC television sitcom centered on the Hecks, a middle-class clan juggling family life, school and work. Stars Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), Neil Flynn (“Scrubs”), Charlie McDermott (“The Office”), Eden Sher (“Weeds”) and Chris Kattan (“Saturday Night Live”).

“Brothers and Sisters” – The Complete Fourth Season: The close-knit Walker family tests the bounds of sibling, parental, and extended family relationships in this TV drama. In season four, Nora (Sally Field) dates a younger man and Kitty (Calista Flockhart) exposes a deep secret. Rob Lowe, Rachel Griffiths, and Patricia Wettig also star.

Red Riding Trilogy: Studio Canal is delivering a special edition of this British mystery trilogy made up of three separate-but-interconnected movies. The films – titled “1974,” “1980” and “1983” – examine everything from serial murders to police corruption in the West Riding region of Yorkshire, England. Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

“9th Company”: Russian drama focused on a year in the lives of soldiers serving in the Soviet war in Afghanistan. The film won a Nika Award (Russia’s equivalent to the Oscars) for best picture. Presented in Russian with English subtitles. Also, an English-language dub is available for those who don’t like subtitles. Available on DVD and Blu-ray.

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.

Zombies go on a feeding frenzy in writer-director George A. Romero’s latest film, “Survival of the Dead.”

This week’s home video releases include a family dramedy starring Andy Garcia, the latest George A. Romero zombie flick and a romance featuring Jennifer Lopez.

The Back-up Plan
1½ stars (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for sexual content, some crude material and language
Sony
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

The world may not have been begging for another predictable romantic comedy from Jennifer Lopez, but she has obliged nonetheless. In “The Back-up Plan,” she plays Zoe, a New York City pet store owner who – worried that her biological clock is ticking – decides to be artificially inseminated. Because fate likes nothing more than messing with people’s expectations, Zoe almost immediately meets the perfect man (Alex O’Loughlin). His name is Stan, he runs a great little farm in the country and he has the physique of a professional gymnast.

Of course, Zoe falls in love, but her newly minted pregnancy complicates things. So, she and Stan spend the rest of the film deciding whether they can be together, and audiences watch as their relationship alternates between charming and childish.

The story is so simplistic that most viewers will figure out where it’s going long before it gets there. That means director Alan Poul’s only real hope is to wow his audience with funny gags about parenting and pregnancy. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have any. Screenwriter Kate Angelou relies exclusively on overused and over-the-top bits involving morning sickness and the munchies.

Lopez and O’Loughlin are likable, and they have good screen chemistry. If they’d had a decent story to back that up, it might have been a match made in heaven. As is, both actors should be working on Plan B.

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

City Island
3 stars
Rated PG-13 for sexual content, smoking and language
Anchor Bay
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) may pride himself on being a regular guy, born and raised on City Island in the Bronx, but his family life is anything but idyllic. Everyone in the Rizzo clan, including Vince, smokes like mad yet takes pains to hide that fact. His wife, Joyce (Julianna Margulies), is convinced that Vince is cheating on her because he’s taking a covert acting class. His daughter, Vivian (Dominik Garcia-Lorido), is secretly working as a stripper. And his son, Vince Jr. (Ezra Miller), is obsessed with overweight women.

With all this going on, family dinners are an adventure, and they get even more exciting when Vince, who works as a prison guard, discovers that his long-lost, illegitimate son (Steven Strait) is being held in his own facility. Knowing the young man needs a break, Vince arranges to have him released into his custody, a move that doesn’t sit well with everyone in the family.

There’s a lot going on in “City Island,” and most of it’s good thanks to a quirky script and strong lead performance by Garcia. Margulies, Strait and Emily Mortimer (playing one of Vince’s theater pals) do a fine job backing him up and molding the film into an odd-but-pleasant mix of comedy and drama.

The finale is goofy and exaggerated, but that adds to the appeal. Writer-director Raymond De Felitta doesn’t seem as interested in creating a realistic drama as he does exploring the things that make families tick. He astutely observes that deception and lies are often as important to the dynamic as love and empathy, but he doesn’t condemn that fact. That makes “City Island” an appealing destination.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, a short where the cast talks about the film and an audio commentary with De Felitta and Garcia.

Survival of the Dead
2½ stars
Rated R for strong zombie violence/gore, language and brief sexuality
Magnolia Home Entertainment
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

The latest installment of writer-director George A. Romero’s “Dead” franchise has all the hallmarks of his earlier work. There are zombies (lots of them), morally ambiguous characters, and a story that poses serious questions for those who dig beneath the guts and gore.

The film is also more than a tad cheesy, boasting special effects that aren’t up to snuff and acting that – although not terrible – isn’t going to win awards. Romero devotees have probably heard enough and are already headed to the video store. For the rest of you, more details.

“Survival of the Dead” boasts a dual storyline. One arm is focused on a rogue military unit, seen briefly in 2007’s “Diary of the Dead.” The other storyline involves two rival families living on a small island off the coast of Delaware. One of the families is headed by Patrick O’Flynn (Kenneth Welsh), a stubborn old man who insists that every zombie be killed. The other family is led by an equally obstinate fellow named Seamus Muldoon (Richard Fitzpatrick). He argues that zombies should be captured and cared for in case someone finds a cure. The difference in opinion leads to a family feud that eventually involves the previously referenced military unit.

Romero’s decision to focus on a debate over the treatment of zombies is clever, and it adds a modicum of depth to the movie. Still, this isn’t “Citizen Kane.” The real selling point is gross-out zombie attacks, and Romero has done little to set those in “Survival” apart from his previous work.

The movie is available as part of multiple home video releases, including a two-disc Ultimate Undead Edition. Extra features vary.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“Lost” – The Complete Collection: This TV drama was a hit throughout its broadcast run, and ABC is now offering the entire series on both Blu-ray and DVD. Those who already own the earlier seasons can skip the mega-collection and opt for The Complete Sixth and Final Season, which is also out this week.

Three Silent Classics by Josef von Sternberg: The Criterion Collection is releasing a set of three silent movies by Von Sternberg, a Vienna-born director who is well known for his work with Marlene Dietrich. The films here were made before his association with the actress. Included are “Underworld” (1927), “The Last Command” (1928) and “The Docks of New York” (1928). Criterion’s boxed set is packed with extras, including multiple scores for the films and a 96-page book with essays by Geoffrey O’Brien, Anton Kaes, and Luc Sante.

“Dorian Gray”: Victorian-era thriller adapted from Oscar Wilde’s 1891 book “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” Ben Barnes plays attractive Dorian who arrives in London and is swept into high society by Lord Henry Wotton (Colin Firth). When Dorian’s portrait is painted, he becomes obsessed with his appearance and trades his soul for eternal youth. Rebecca Hall and Ben Chaplin also star.

“The Bad Mother’s Handbook”: Television drama starring pre-“Twilight” Robert Pattinson as Daniel, a young man who learns that his long-time crush, Charlotte (Holly Grainger), is pregnant. He stops at nothing to be the most supportive friend he can and winds up getting a nine-month introduction to the highs and lows of motherhood.

“Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes”: New 50-minute, animated film in which the ever-popular cat and mouse are off to Scotland Yard to assist Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in a case involving jewelry thieves.

“NCIS” — The Seventh Season: The eighth season of this television crime drama about U.S. Navy investigators will kick off in September, and this six-disc set is arriving just in time to give fans a quick refresher. Mark Harmon, Rocky Carroll, Michael Weatherly, David McCallum and Pauley Perrette star.

“Gossip Girl” — The Complete Third Season: This five-disc DVD set is packed with plenty of drama courtesy of affluent teens living on the upper east side of Manhattan. The young cast includes Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Taylor Momsen and Ed Westwick. Also of note: Season three introduces a new character played by Hillary Duff.

“90210” — The Second Season: Catch up with the teens at West Beverly High before season three begins Sept. 13 on The CW. Rob Estes, Lori Loughlin, Tristan Wilds, Jessica Stroup, AnnaLynne McCord, Shenae Grimes and Jessica Lowndes star.

“Flight of the Conchords” — The Complete Collection: HBO comedy series about a folk singing duo from New Zealand hoping to launch a music career in New York.

“Pawn Stars” — Season Two: Reality TV series featuring the continuing adventures of three Las Vegas pawn shop owners who use their keen eyes to assess the value of items brought in by customers in need of quick cash.

“Metamorphosis”: Thriller about a group of young Americans trying to elude a dangerous vampire in the Carpathian mountains. Christopher Lambert (“Highlander” films), Corey Sevier and Irena A. Hoffman (“Four Christmases”) 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

Liam Hemsworth, left, and Miley Cyrus make a connection in “The Last Song.”

Only two major theatrical releases are making their way to home video this week. One is a goofy children’s film starring Brendan Fraser. The other is a weepy romance featuring a screenplay by Nicholas Sparks.

The Last Song
3 stars (out of four)
Rated PG for thematic material, some violence, sensuality and mild language
Touchstone
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Novelist Nicholas Sparks has never been subtle, and he stays true to form with “The Last Song,” a film best approached by an audience ready to throw itself into every weepy twist.

The story, from a screenplay co-written by Sparks, is centered on Ronnie Miller (Miley Cyrus), a troubled teen whose parents have separated. When she and her brother, Jonah (Bobby Coleman), are sent to live with their father in Georgia for a summer, she rebels. But she slowly comes around, in large part due to a chance meeting with a handsome stud named Will (Liam Hemsworth).

Will is the kind of guy who only appears in movies. He plays competitive volleyball and works as a mechanic, but he also quotes Tolstoy and does volunteer work for the local aquarium. Oh, and he’s extraordinarily wealthy.

Ronnie, on the other hand, is a character who appears regularly real life. She’s pretty, but also angry and prone to wildly unreasonable mood swings. Why Will would be drawn to her isn’t entirely clear, but Sparks is one of those love-at-first-sight writers, and you have to give him his premise, right?

While the romance between Will and Ronnie is central to the plotting, Ronnie’s relationship with her father, Steve (Greg Kinnear), is even more important. He’s been an absentee dad for some time, and Ronnie resents that. Still, he’s a good guy, so viewers can pull for reconciliation.

Clearly, Cyrus is overmatched by the actors around her. Kinnear is always terrific, and Hemsworth is awfully good at playing a larger-than-life romantic interest. Cyrus, on the other hand, relies heavily on melodramatic posturing. Normally, that would be a killer, but in a Sparks film it’s almost a plus. The writer makes no bones about manipulating his audience, and he has crafted a story that is both sweet and capable of milking tears from the eyes of all but the most jaded.

“The Last Song” may not be great cinema, but it serves a purpose. And for the right audience – one looking to pontificate on love on a Friday or Saturday night – it earns a hearty recommendation.

DVD extra features include a set tour by Coleman, Cyrus’ “When I Look At You” music video and a bit on making that video. The Blu-ray release (which also includes a standard DVD) has all those extras plus an alternate opening sequence, a collection of deleted scenes and an audio commentary by director Julie Anne Robinson and co-producer Jennifer Gibgot.

Furry Vengeance
1½ stars
Rated PG for some rude humor, mild language and brief smoking
Summit Entertainment
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Brendan Fraser makes three types of movies: distinctive and challenging dramas (“Gods and Monsters,” “The Quiet American,” “Crash”), effects-filled blockbusters (“The Mummy,” “Journey to the Center of the Earth”) and painfully over-the-top comedies (“Encino Man,” “George of the Jungle,” “Dudley Do-Right”)

Real cinema lovers appreciate his dramatic turns, and action junkies go for the blockbusters. It’s not really clear who likes the comedies, but there must be fans somewhere because Fraser keeps cranking them out. The latest is “Furry Vengeance,” a movie that may entertain pre-teen children but will leave most everyone else wishing they’d found a better way to spend 90 minutes.

Fraser plays Dan Sanders, a real estate executive who has moved his family to an Oregon forest where his boss (Ken Jeong) plans to replace the trees with a subdivision. Dan’s wife, Tammy (Brooke Shields), and teen son, Tyler (Matt Prokop), aren’t happy about being uprooted from their Chicago home, but they’re sucking it up because it seems like a great career move for Dan. What nobody – including Dan – knows is that the animals in this particular forest are intent on preventing human development. They’re also insanely smart, so they spend most of the film torturing Dan in an effort to make him leave.

The comedy, such as it is, involves Dan getting sprayed in the face by skunks, rolled around in a porta-potty and repeatedly punched in the face by a raccoon. As physical comedy goes, it isn’t very compelling, but it is less offensive than a recurring bit designed to make viewers laugh at an elderly woman with dementia.

It’s difficult to explain why a fine actor like Fraser would choose to involve himself in a project like this, but it’s not really a surprise. Forgettable comedies make up a sizable portion of his eclectic resume.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, a gag reel and an audio commentary with director Roger Kumble and members of the cast.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“Cougar Town” – The Complete First Season: Season two of this TV series about a 40-something (Courteney Cox) who finds herself back in the dating pool after a 17-year marriage is set to kick off next month. This release allows newbies and fans alike to gear up.

“Ugly Betty” – The Complete Fourth and Final Season: This ABC Television dramedy was focused on one young woman’s transition from “ugly duckling” to fashionista, and this boxed set wraps everything up. America Ferrera stars alongside Vanessa Williams, Eric Mabius, Tony Plana, and Ana Ortiz.

“Skellig – The Owl Man”: Based on an award-winning children’s book, this is the story of Michael (Bill Millner), a troubled boy who finds a friend in the mystical creature Skellig (Tim Roth). Available on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download.

“Temple Grandin”: HBO movie based on the extraordinary real-life woman who gave the film its title. Claire Daines plays Grandin, depicting her struggle to become a successful scientist despite being diagnosed with autism at a time when little was known about the disorder. After its TV release, the film was nominated for 15 Emmy awards, including outstanding made for television movie and outstanding lead actress (Danes).

“L’Enfance Nue” (Naked Childhood): The Criterion Collection is presenting a newly restored version of this 1968 French drama about a 10-year-old named Francois (Michel Terrazon) who is emotionally damaged by the foster care system. Directed by Maurice Pialat and presented in French with English subtitles.

“Black Orpheus”: French director Marcel Camus’ 1959 adaptation of the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice won the Academy Award for best foreign language film and the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Camus set the classic story during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, and the film is being presented by the Criterion Collection in Portuguese with English subtitles.

“One Tree Hill” – The Complete Seventh Season: Drama abounds on this CW series targeted at young adults. The popular characters Lucas and Peyton didn’t return for season seven, but viewers got two newbies in their place. This set includes all 22 episodes on five-discs.

Larry Blamire parodies: Shout Factory is releasing two parody films by Blamire. “The Lost Skeleton Returns” is a sequel to his 2004 sci-fi send-up “The Lost Skeleton of Cadavara,” and it stars most of the original cast. The second film, “Dark and Stormy Night,” is an homage to B-grade horror films.

“My Friends Tigger & Pooh – Bedtime With Pooh”: Disney has collected three bedtime-themed episodes of the Playhouse Disney series “My Friends Tigger & Pooh” onto a single disc. In all, the release has 72-minutes of animated material from the Hundred Acre Wood.

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

Tina Fey, left, and Steve Carell make a call for help in the comedic-thriller “Date Night.”

This week’s home video releases are dominated by comedies, including an offbeat art-house film with Demi Moore and David Duchovny and a mainstream, Hollywood feature starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell.

Date Night
2 stars (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for sexual and crude content throughout, language, some violence and a drug reference
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Steve Carell and Tina Fey are funny people, so one might assume that any film built around them would be hilarious. And that is the danger of assumptions.

Despite the natural charms Carell and Fey possess, they aren’t miracle workers, and the script for “Date Night” just isn’t that funny. Part of the problem is that writer Josh Klausner and director Shawn Levy tried to make a movie that’s one part action-adventure and one-part comedy, and it doesn’t work on either front.

The setup has longtime married couple Phil and Claire Foster (Carell and Fey) worried that their relationship isn’t what it used to be. So, Phil decides to take Claire to an upscale Manhattan restaurant. When they can’t get a table on their own, they poach someone else’s reservation, leading to a classic case of mistaken identity. A couple of thugs show up demanding that the Fosters produce a USB drive loaded with sensitive material. They can’t, so they’re forced to escape and go on the run. Suddenly their married life is anything but routine.

Carell and Fey have reasonable chemistry, but they don’t have great jokes or action sequences to work with, so the movie plods along but never really gets off the ground.

Both the DVD and Blu-ray releases of “Date Night” feature an extended version of the film with never-before-seen footage. Extra features include a gag reel and behind the scenes bits.

Death at a Funeral
3½ stars
Rated R for language, drug content and some sexual humor
Sony
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

“Death at a Funeral” is a big-budget remake of director Frank Oz’s 2007 indie film by the same name. In general, remakes are a drag, but it’s tough to say anything bad about “Death at a Funeral” 2010 because it’s just as funny and well executed as Oz’s original. Plus it allows a host of big-name stars to ham it up on screen.

Was the remake necessary: No because Oz’s film is a comic gem. Still, “Funeral” 2010 is funny, and the fact that it’s top-loaded with celebrities means more people are going to see it than the original.

Chris Rock stars as Aaron, a kind-hearted, middle-aged man hoping to give his father a proper burial. Alas, fate is working against him. First, the funeral parlor delivers the wrong body. Then, his brother, Ryan (Martin Lawrence), informs him that he won’t be able to chip in for the cost of the funeral. It turns out Ryan is flat broke, despite the fact that he’s a successful novelist, a fact that everyone in the family holds over Aaron’s head. Toss in a heavily drugged funeral-goer (James Marsden), a grumpy uncle (Danny Glover) and a guest with unwelcome news (Peter Dinklage), and you’ve got the makings for the worst funeral ever.

It may be tough to laugh at death, but director Neil LaBute keeps the tone lighthearted, so there’s never any doubt that the movie is meant as a comic farce. The cast, which also includes Tracy Morgan, Luke Wilson, Regina Hall and Zoe Saldana, is terrific and adds a little Hollywood luster to the already-great story that Oz delivered in 2007. It’s also worth mentioning that Dinklage is reprising his role from the original film (he’s the only actor to do so), and he’s great.

It may not be polite to laugh at a funeral, but LaBute and company dare viewers to do just that.

DVD extras include a gag reel, behind the scenes featurettes and an audio commentary featuring LaBute and Rock.

The Joneses
3 stars
Rated R for language, some sexual content, teen drinking and drug use
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Anyone who thinks society has grown too commercial should enjoy “The Joneses,” a clever black comedy about sales shenanigans taken to the extreme.

David Duchovny and Demi Moore star as Steve and Kate Jones, a couple who – along with two youngsters (Amber Heard and Ben Hollingsworth) – get paid to convince friends and neighbors to buy the latest and greatest gadgets. Only thing is, they do it through deception. You see, Steve and Kate aren’t actually married. They’re employees of a high-tech marketing firm that expects them to increase the sales of everything from beverages to sports cars through “word of mouth” advertising.

It’s a sleazy job, but in the world that Steve and Kate occupy, someone has to do it, and the rewards are many. The fabricated family lives in a great home, drives great cars and has the best of everything … except, of course, real friends and true identities.

Writer-director Derrick Borte built the movie around a story by Randy T. Dinzler, and both men deserve credit for conjuring an idea that is fresh, funny and timely. Case in point: As American companies contribute to the country’s astounding unemployment rates, they continue to market their products with zest, often lamenting the fact that consumer confidence is low. If that can happen in the real world, what’s to stop a marketing firm from planting secret salespeople in every neighborhood?

While the script is clever, Borte and Dinzler don’t deserve all the credit for the success of “The Joneses.” Moore and Duchovny are outstanding in the lead roles. The fact that viewers can identify and often even sympathize with them is a testament to the strength of their performances. It’s not easy to like a liar, but Moore and Duchovny have crafted characters that feel like real human beings with reasons for their questionable choices. That and the great premise makes “The Joneses” a film worth keeping up with.

Blu-ray and DVD special features are limited to deleted scenes.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“Letters to God”: Faith-based story of a boy (Tanner Maguire) whose struggle with cancer prompts him to write daily letters to God. When his notes find their way into the hands of a mailman (Jeffrey Johnson) battling his own demons they have a surprising impact. The film was based, in part, on actual events.

“Helen”: Ashley Judd plays Helen Leonard, an accomplished professor who suffers from depression. Her mental illness sparks a friendship with a student who has bipolar disorder, and the women form a strong bond. Goran Visnjic (“ER”) and Lauren Lee Smith (“CSI”) also star.

“Triage”: Photojournalist Mark Walsh (Colin Farrell) and his colleague David (Jamie Sives) are assigned to cover the war in Kurdistan. After an event where Mark cheats death and David goes missing, Mark is sent home, but he is haunted by David’s disappearance. Written and directed by Danis Tanovic.

“Max Headroom” – The Complete Series: This 5-disc box set includes all 14 episodes of the 1980s TV series about a world where TV networks have virtually unlimited power and a self-aware computer-generated TV host could be mankind’s best hope for change. Max Frewer stars.

Terry Zwigoff documentaries on Criterion: The Criterion Collection is introducing newly restored releases of two Zwigoff films: “Louie Bluie” and “Crumb.” The preceding is about country blues musician Howard Armstrong. “Crumb” is about pop-culture artist Robert Crumb.

Looney Tunes shorts: Warner Home Video is releasing two discs packed with cartoons from their best-known characters: “Bugs Bunny: Hare Extraordinaire” and “Daffy Duck: Frustrated Fowl.” The best part: None of these shorts have been released on DVD before.

“The Penguins of Madagascar”: DreamWorks is releasing two discs loaded with episodes from the Nickelodeon TV series “The Penguins of Madagascar.” Each title – “Happy King Julien Day” and “New to the Zoo” – contains eight shorts.

“Tapped”: Award-winning documentary that looks at the big – perhaps even dangerous – business that bottled water has become. Directed by Stephanie Soechtig.

“Numb3rs” – The Final Season: This FBI crime drama, in which mathematics plays a key role in solving all cases, ran for six seasons on CBS. This four-disc set serves up the final 16 episodes. Rob Morrow, Alimi Ballard, Dylan Bruno, Sophina Brown, David Krumholtz, and Judd Hirsch 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

Aaron Johnson, left, and Chloe Grace Moretz try out their super-duds in a scene from “Kick-Ass.”

This week’s home video releases include two gritty dramas, a cute children’s film and an R-rated superhero adventure. 

Kick-Ass
3½ stars (out of four)
Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use – some involving children
Lionsgate
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, Digital Download and On Demand

Judging only by the trailers it would be easy to mistake “Kick-Ass” for a goofy superhero comedy. It’s not. In fact, it’s one of the most audaciously violent and disturbing films to hit theaters this year, and in a bizarre way, it’s also quite brilliant. Think “Sky High” meets “Pulp Fiction.” Think Harry Potter meets Dirty Harry. Better yet, forget the comparisons altogether because “Kick-Ass” belongs in its own twisted category.

The movie, which is based on a comic book series, focuses on a comic-loving teen named Dave (Aaron Johnson) who wonders why nobody has ever become a superhero. So, he cobbles together a costume and sets out to fight crime under the name Kick-Ass. When an Internet video of Kick-Ass battling thugs goes viral, Dave’s alter ego becomes a celebrity. Among other things, this inspires a more serious vigilante team – made up of Damon MacReady (Nicolas Cage) and his daughter, Mindy (Chloe Grace Moretz) – to don costumes of their own. Only thing is, their hero personas – Big Daddy and Hit Girl – shoot first and take prisoners later. As Big Daddy and Hit Girl take an ever-larger bite out of crime, superheroes become unpopular with the organized crime folks, and that’s bad news for Dave.

The plotting in “Kick-Ass” is solid and the film uses the appropriate amount of comic relief to break up its action sequences. Just don’t get fooled into thinking it’s OK for kids. The R-rated picture is packed with gory action and profanity, much of it courtesy of the pre-teen Hit Girl. Watching a pint-sized costumed crusader slice and dice her way through bad guys is a little off putting, and the Hit Girl sequences generated controversy upon the film’s theatrical release.

That’s understandable, but viewers will do well to consider the roots of the character before condemning the filmmakers. The movie makes it clear that Hit Girl’s crime-fighting exploits were engineered by her father, and that makes the rather poignant argument that parents often go too far when molding their children in their own image. “Kick-Ass” also makes interesting observations about heroism, vigilantism and the price one can pay for both.

It’s difficult to say whether “Kick-Ass” director Matthew Vaughn was attempting to lead viewers into this sort of highbrow analysis or whether he was simply making an unapolagetically raw and entertaining action movie. Really, it doesn’t matter, because the film has it all.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include a feature on the comic book origins of “Kick-Ass,” a gallery of “Kick-Ass” art and an audio commentary by Vaughn.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
3 stars
Rated PG for some rude humor and language
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” based on the books of Jeff Kinney, focuses on a pre-teen named Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) who is determined to be one of the most popular kids in school even though he considers most of his peers morons. Greg is so arrogant and self-centered, in fact, that he has no problem running down everyone, including his genial, fun-loving best friend, Rowley (Robert Capron). Oddly enough, Greg isn’t nearly as cool as he thinks he is, and the harder he tries to become uber-popular, the further down the social scale he falls.

I suspect director Thor Freudenthal wants viewers to identify with Greg, remembering how awkward the pre-teen years can be. Sadly, the film fails in that respect because Greg’s superior and generally ungracious attitude makes him a relatively unlikable protagonist.

Fortunately, viewers get Rowley as a touchstone. As portrayed by Capron, Rowley is an exceedingly sweet-natured boy who is absolutely comfortable being himself, even when that leads to ridicule from Greg or others at school. In short, he’s the type of kid you’d like to meet, and it’s him – not Greg – who keeps viewers invested in the story.

Freudenthal and his team of writers do deserve credit, however, for crafting an arc that has meaning. Greg may not be likable through much of the movie, but he ultimately learns his lesson, and the kid we see at the end of the film is a deeper and more genuine person than the one we meet at the beginning.

DVD extras include deleted scenes and an audio commentary by Freudenthal and writer Gabe Sachs.

The Ghost Writer
3 stars
Rated PG-13 for language, brief nudity/sexuality, some violence and a drug reference
Summit Entertainment
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

If one looks beyond writer-director Roman Polanski’s long-running legal troubles, they’ll see a filmmaker who is still churning out terrific movies after decades in the business. I maintain that his 2002 drama, “The Pianist,” was the best movie of its year. And “The Ghost Writer,” although not as strong, is definitely a worthy political thriller.

The film, based on a novel by Robert Harris and screenplay by Polanski, stars Ewan McGregor as a writer hired to craft the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan) after the politician’s original scribe is found dead. Because his work won’t be acknowledged in print, McGregor’s character is referred to as a ghost, and he goes unnamed throughout the film.

Although the Ghost is assured that writing Lang’s memoir is the opportunity of a lifetime, he discovers that the task will be difficult. Before he can begin interviews with Lang, the former prime minister is accused of aiding the U.S. in the commission of war crimes and protestors and the press descend on the compound where the two are supposed to be working. This leaves the Ghost with an up close view of Lang’s affairs, including his strained relationship with his wife, Ruth (Olivia Williams), and personal assistant, Amelia (Kim Cattrall). And the more the Ghost learns about Lang, the more he questions the circumstances surrounding his first ghost writer’s death.

McGregor is outstanding as the protagonist, and the entire supporting cast is first rate. Polanski has taken a thoughtful approach to the film and the complex plot unwinds slowly and methodically, with just enough twists to keep viewers off balance. At times, things get a bit talky, but that’s forgivable, especially since brainy thrillers are few and far between.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include a bit on the cast and an interview with Polanski.

A Prophet
3½ stars
Rated R for strong violence, sexual content, nudity, language and drug material
Sony Pictures Classics
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

“A Prophet” didn’t make its way into a regular theatrical run in the U.S. until early 2010, and by that time it had already made a mark on the international stage. The dark crime drama won the Grand Prize of the Jury at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and ultimately received best foreign film nominations at both the Golden Globes and Academy Awards.

The French drama tells the story of a young Arab thug named Malik (Tahar Rahim) who ends up in a French prison for assaulting a police officer. Shortly after his arrival, he is approached by a Corsican crime boss named Luciani (Niels Arestrup) and ordered to kill another prisoner. Although Malik doesn’t want to commit murder, it becomes apparent that he will be killed if he doesn’t. So, he goes through with the crime, and worms his way into the Corsican mafia in the process.

The film is presented in French, Arabic and Corsican with subtitles, and director Jacques Audiard leads viewers on a fascinating cultural journey through his representations of both prison life and the ethnic gangs within. “A Prophet” is also the fascinating story of a man who wants a better existence, but sees crime as the only reasonable way to achieve that.

Rahim and Arestrup are outstanding throughout, and their supporting cast is strong as well. The result is a well-drawn and intense crime drama that is frightening in its authenticity.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, rehearsal footage, screen tests and an audio commentary with director and co-writer Jacques Audiard, co-screenwriter Thomas Bidegain and Rahim.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“After.Life”: After a car accident, Anna (Christina Ricci) wakes to find herself in a funeral home being prepared for burial. The funeral director (Liam Neeson) explains that she is dead and he’s helping her transition to the afterlife, but things may not be that simple. Justin Long also stars.

“Open House”: Psychological thriller about a couple who, while attempting to sell their home, meet a dangerous potential buyer. Anna Paquin, Brian Geraghty, Rachel Blanchard, Stephen Moyer and Tricia Helfer star.

“James and the Giant Peach” – Special Edition: The movie version of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s story about a young boy’s magical adventure is receiving its Blu-ray debut. The 1996 film, produced by Tim Burton and Denise Di Novi and directed by Henry Selick, mixes computer-generated effects with stop-motion and live-action footage.

Roger Corman films: Shout Factory is trotting out three new entries to its Roger Corman’s Cult Classics collection: “Piranha,” “Humanoids from the Deep” and a double-feature disc contaiing “Deathsport” and “BattleTruck.”

“Heroes” – Season Four: Earlier this year, NBC announced the cancellation of its fantasy drama “Heroes,” so the 18 episodes presented on this five-disc set may be the last that fans will get.

“Hawaii Five-O” – The Ninth Season: This vintage police drama is set in Hawaii and stars Jack Lord as detective Steve McGarrett and James MacArthur as his partner Danno. Season nine features 23 episodes on six discs.

“The Dungeon Masters”: Documentary film exploring the lives of three people obsessed with the fantasy board game Dungeons & Dragons. Directed by Keven McAlester.

The Rosemary Wells Collection featuring Max and Ruby: Scholastic Storybook Treasures is releasing narrated, home video versions of eight stories by children’s author and illustrator Rosemary Wells. The two-disc set includes: “Max’s Chocolate Chicken,” “Max’s Christmas,” “Morris’s Disappearing Bag,” “Otto Runs for President,” “Noisy Nora,” “Emily’s First 100 Days of School,” “Voyage to the Bunny Planet” and “Reading to Your Bunny.”

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

Sam Worthington plays Perseus, mortal son of the Greek god Zeus, in director Louis Leterrier’s “Clash of the Titans” remake.

This week’s major home video releases include an animated superhero adventure, a bleak science-fiction drama and a fantasy film based on Greek mythology.

Clash of the Titans
3 stars (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief sensuality
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray and On Demand

Director Louis Leterrier’s remake of the 1981 fantasy hit “Clash of the Titans” is a lightweight-but-still-enjoyable special effects film. Like its predecessor, the movie focuses on the adventures of Perseus (Sam Worthington), half mortal son of the Greek god Zeus.

Leterrier’s reading takes departures from the original movie, but the plot is similar in that Perseus must embark on an epic adventure to prevent a sea monster called the Kraken from destroying the city of Argos. Along the way, he and his followers face a host of frightening creatures, including three witches that share a single eye, a group of giant scorpions and the monstrous Medusa, who can turn men to stone with her gaze.

Worthington, muscled and looking the part of a Greek god, does a fine job in the leading role, but the creatures are the real stars. Special effects have come a long way since 1981, and it shows if you compare this “Clash of the Titans” to the original. Although the original was good, campy fun, it is certainly dated by today’s standards.

Leterrier’s remake, on the other hand, looks great and fits nicely with modern fantasy tales. Sadly, it also shares the problems of too many contemporary blockbusters. The development of characters and relationships is secondary to the action sequences, and that makes “Clash of the Titans” less than it might have been.

Extra features on the DVD-only release are limited to deleted scenes. The Blu-ray release, which also includes a standard DVD and digital download, has deleted scenes, an alternate ending, more than 40 minutes of picture-in-picture commentary and numerous featurettes that are accessible in Maximum Movie Mode.

Repo Men
2½ stars
Home video releases include rated and unrated versions of the film. The rated version received an R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, language and some sexuality/nudity
Universal
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray and digital download

Considering the unchecked greed prevalent in many corporations, it’s easy to imagine the world that director Miguel Sapochnik and writers Eric Garcia and Garrett Lerner created in “Repo Men.” The film, based on Garcia’s novel “Repossession Mambo,” is set in the not-so-distant future, and it focuses on two men who make their living by literally removing artificial organs from patients who can no longer pay for them.

Although the work is grisly, Remy (Jude Law) and his partner Jake (Forest Whitaker) take great pleasure in their duties. That is until Remy finds himself in need of an artificial heart. Suddenly, he understands the plight his company’s “customers” are dealing with. Trouble is, he has to continue repossessing organs or face falling behind on his own medical payments.

The idea behind “Repo Men” is clever and the story is relevant at a time when debates about corporate malfeasance and the U.S. medical system are prevalent. Unfortunately, the provocative ideas are often buried beneath drawn-out action sequences and cringe-inducing gore.

Law and Whitaker are likable in the lead roles, as are Alice Braga and Liev Schreiber in supporting turns, and the film does possess some entertainment value. Unfortunately, it plays a lot like several other science-fiction efforts, most notably “Logan’s Run” and “Brazil.” Since both of those movies are better than “Repo Men,” I suggest renting one of them instead.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, a feature on the film’s visual effects and an audio commentary with Sapochnik, Garcia and Lerner.

Batman: Under the Red Hood
3½ stars
Rated PG-13 for violent content and some drug references
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, On Demand and digital download

DC Comics has developed a valuable revenue stream by bringing its characters to life in direct-to-video animated movies, and the latest of these is worthy of a big screen treatment.

“Batman: Under the Red Hood” is based on two storylines in the Batman comic series – “A Death in the Family” and “Under the Hood” – and the execution is terrific. The movie starts as Jason Todd (the second Robin) is being brutally beaten by Batman’s arch enemy, the Joker. Batman has learned of Jason’s desperate situation and is racing to his rescue, but before he arrives, Joker locks Jason in a building filled with explosives, assuring the young sidekick’s death.

The film then moves viewers to the future where Batman, still grieving over his partner’s murder, finds himself at odds with a brutal vigilante named the Red Hood. As the Caped Crusader struggles to figure out who the new baddie is and what his motivations are, it becomes clear that Jason’s death is key to the mystery.

“Under the Red Hood” is the best-plotted direct-to-video film that DC has produced, and the animation (although not as impressive as that in most theatrical releases) is good enough to keep viewers invested. Typically, these comic book adaptations are targeted at fanboys and children, but I suggest “Red Hood” for anyone who has even a slight interest in superhero fables and animation.

Director Brandon Vietti keeps the 75-minute film moving at a rapid clip, and he has assembled an outstanding voice cast that includes Bruce Greenwood, Jensen Ackles, Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Isaacs.

The movie is available as part of multiple home video releases, including a two-disc special edition DVD and a special edition Blu-ray. Extra features vary.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“The Secret of the Grain”: This award-winning family drama about French Arabic immigrants is being presented by the Criterion Collection. The 2007 movie was directed by Abdellatif Kechiche, and it is presented in French and Arabic with English subtitles.

Lionsgate action films on Blu-ray: Lionsgate is offering Blu-ray debuts of three action movies – “Rambo”: Extended Cut, “Johnny Handsome” and “Lock Up” – and it’s no coincidence that each features a star from the forthcoming big screen release “The Expendables.”

“Rambo” – The Complete Collection: Sylvester Stallone may be directing “The Expendables,” but most people remember him from the “Rocky” and “Rambo” franchises. This set packs all four “Rambo” movies into one, nice Blu-ray release.

“Life After People” – The Complete Season Two: This History Channel program explores what the world would be like if humans were to disappear, and this release includes all 10 episodes from season two.

“Sabrina the Teenage Witch” – The Final Season: This television series, starring Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina, ran for seven seasons, long enough that she wasn’t a teen-ager anymore. In these final episodes, the young witch starts a career and gets engaged.

“Operation – End Game”: Action comedy about two teams of government assassins that find themselves at odds when their boss is murdered. The ensemble cast includes Maggie Q (“Live Free or Die Hard”), Zach Galifianakis (“The Hangover”), Ving Rhames (“Pulp Fiction”), Jeffrey Tambor (“Arrested Development”) and Beth Grant (“Crazy Heart”).

“The Art of the Steal”: Documentary about the incredible – and controversial – art collection amassed by wealthy drug developer Albert C. Barnes.

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

Tracy Morgan, left, and Bruce Willis play police officers with an unorthodox approach to peace keeping in “Cop Out,” a comedy directed by Kevin Smith.

This week’s home video releases are anchored by a pair of guy films, one that’s all about action and one that’s a buddy cop comedy featuring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan.

The Losers
2 stars (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

You don’t have to watch much of “The Losers” to realize that director Sylvain White (“Stomp the Yard”) is doing his best to make a live-action comic book. The visuals are so stylized and frenetic that certain sequences feel like they were ripped straight from a graphic novel. That’s a compliment considering that the movie is a spinoff of the like-titled Vertigo comic series but, sadly, the visuals are the only things that seem inspired.

As in the comic books, the action centers on a group of special forces soldiers who are affectionately known as the Losers. There’s Clay (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), the charismatic leader; Rogue (Idris Elba), a self-centered super soldier; Jensen (Chris Evans), a computer expert; Pooch (Columbus Short), a pilot; and Cougar (Oscar Jaenada), an expert sniper. After a powerful CIA agent named Max (Jason Patric) orders their murder and leaves them stranded in Bolivia, Clay vows revenge. The Losers spend the rest of the movie hunting Clay and trying to reclaim their lives, and they get a helping hand from a mysterious woman named Aisha (Zoe Saldana).

The cast is solid and White’s flair for visuals makes the picture palatable, but it suffers from one serious flaw: There’s too much action.

Fast-paced movies are well and good, but when a director places his action sequences above plot and character development, it starts to feel like there’s nothing at stake. “The Losers” looks good, but it’s also a reminder that appearances can be deceiving.

The DVD release of “The Losers” has only one extra, a bit about Saldana working amidst a mostly male cast. The Blu-ray release includes that feature plus a deleted scene and a couple additional making-of shorts.

Cop Out
1 star
Rated R for pervasive language including sexual references, violence and brief sexuality
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

“Cop Out” represents an experiment for filmmaker Kevin Smith who, for the first time, opted to direct a feature film he did not write. Judging by the result, we should all hope he got that out of his system.

Smith is arguably one of the finest writer-directors of his generation, as he has consistently produced movies that are both laugh-out-loud funny and insightful. Sadly, “Cop Out” is every bit as bad as Smith gems, like “Clerks” and “Dogma,” are good.

The film is a buddy cop comedy featuring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan as Jimmy Monroe and Paul Hodges, longtime partners who are also best friends.

Jimmy (Willis) is embarrassed that he can’t come up with the $48,000 he needs to give his daughter (Michelle Trachtenberg) the perfect wedding, so he decides to sell a rare baseball card that will cover everything. Alas, a low-level thief (Seann William Scott) steals the card before he can make a deal. Devastated, Jimmy vows to track the thief down, but he and Paul stumble onto a case much bigger than trading card theft.

With Willis and Morgan involved, one could reasonably expect great comic moments, but screenwriters Robb and Mark Cullen didn’t give the actors much to work with. Most of the comedy sequences are over the top, and the crime story that Jimmy and Paul find themselves in just isn’t that good.

Also annoying is an ongoing gag about Paul’s propensity to quote classic movie lines while interacting with suspects. Morgan spends a good deal of the movie quoting everything from “Robocop” to “Scarface,” and it immediately grows tiresome.

Willis’ take on Jimmy isn’t so annoying, but he doesn’t create a great character either. Rather, Jimmy is an average straight man who is predictable and forgettable … just like “Cop Out.”

Special features on the “Cop Out” DVD release are limited to deleted scenes. The Blu-ray combo pack comes with significantly more material, including DVD and digital copies of the film and the ability to play the feature in “Maximum Comedy Mode.” In “Comedy” mode, viewers will find walk ons by Smith, picture-in-picture commentaries by Smith and Scott, trivia bits and more than 40 minutes of deleted material.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“The Runaways”: Drama about the beginnings of the 1970s, all-girl rock band The Runaways. Kristen Stewart stars as Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning plays Cherie Currie. The film was written and directed by Floria Sigismondi.

Films by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger: The Criterion Collection is releasing newly restored versions of two movies by the renowned filmmaking team of Powell and Pressburger. The first, “The Red Shoes” (1948), tells the story of a young ballerina who lands a starring role with an established company. Moira Shearer, Anton Walbrook and Marius Goring star. The second film, “Black Narcissus” (1947), is the tale of nuns who find their faith tested while working to establish a convent in the Himalayas. Deborah Kerr, Kathleen Byron, Flora Robson, Jean Simmons and David Farrar star.

“Matlock” – The Fifth Season: More action from the 1980s and ’90s legal drama starring Andy Griffith as defense attorney Ben Matlock, a man who not only clears his clients’ names but investigates crimes and finds the true perpetrators. Nancy Stafford, Clarence Gilyard Jr., and Julie Sommars also star.

Roger Corman films: Shout! Factory is releasing two more movies as part of its Roger Corman’s Cult Classics series. Both pictures – “Forbidden World” (1982) and “Galaxy of Terror” (1981) – are science-fiction efforts produced by Corman. They are available on DVD and Blu-ray.

“Courage the Cowardly Dog” – Season One: First 13 episodes of the Cartoon Network series about a frightened dog who must face a variety of monsters in an effort to protect his family.

“Entre Nos”: Story of a young mother (Paola Mendoza) who moves from Colombia to New York with her children, only to be abandoned by her husband. The film was inspired by the story of Mendoza’s mother, and she not only stars in the project, she co-wrote and co-directed it with Gloria LaMorte. Presented in Spanish with English subtitles.

The Bong Joon-ho Collection: Magnolia Home Entertainment is releasing a boxed set including three films by acclaimed Korean director Bong Joon-ho. Included are “The Host,” “Barking Dogs Never Bite” and “Mother.” The latter two movies are also being released individually. All films are presented in Korean with English subtitles.

“Sutures”: Thriller about a sociopath harvesting body parts to sell on the black market. Andrew Prine, Jason London, Carlos Lauchu and Allison Lange 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.

Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler star in the romantic-action comedy “The Bounty Hunter.”

This week’s home video releases are anchored by two indie dramas and two mainstream comedies, each featuring at least one major star.

The Bounty Hunter
1 star (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for sexual content including suggestive comments, language and some violence
Columbia Pictures
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

If one were to judge the intelligence of movie studio executives by the films they release, the only reasonable conclusion would be that most are dense. I say this not out of mean-spiritedness but out of awe at the fact that major studios never seem to learn from their mistakes.

For instance, it has long been acknowledged that plot, dialogue and thematic relevance are key to any good movie. Yet we continue to see a startling number of pictures like “The Bounty Hunter,” a project that exists only because filmmakers somehow convinced two A-list stars to lend their names to it.

In the film, Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston play Milo Boyd and Nicole Hurley, ex-spouses who are so bitter and angry about their divorce that they spend most of the film hurling insults at one another. Neither character is particularly likable because the hatred they are harboring toward one another makes them seem downright childish. Still, director Andy Tennant is under the mistaken impression that viewers will love Milo and Nicole … because they are portrayed by Butler and Aniston.

Even the premise of the film is nasty. Milo is a former police officer turned bounty hunter who is ecstatic to learn that Nicole – in legal trouble over a minor crime – has jumped bail. That means he has the chance to bring her in. So, he spends most of the film chasing her down and then gloating about how sweet it will be to make $5,000 for bringing his ex-wife to jail.

Nicole, a newspaper journalist, spends much of the film running from Milo and working on an investigative story that is supposed to prove she’s a great reporter. Never mind that the story she’s working on is dull and that Tennant takes way too long fleshing it out.

It’s enough to make you feel bad for Anniston and Butler because they aren’t the problem here. Not many actors can move beyond a sluggish plot and boring script, especially when they’re saddled with characters as likable as a root canal.

Blu-ray and DVD extras include two making-of features and a goofy promotional short called “Rules for Outwitting a Bounty Hunter.”

Greenberg
3 stars
Rated R for some strong sexuality, drug use and language
Universal
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Writer-director Noah Baumbach (“The Squid and the Whale,” “Margot at the Wedding”) specializes in gritty and realistic character dramas, and he’s delivered another solid one in “Greenberg.” The movie is set in modern-day Los Angeles, and it focuses on Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller), an out of sorts New Yorker who has come to L.A. to housesit while his brother’s family is on vacation in Vietnam.

Roger, viewers learn, was once a Los Angeles guy himself, and he left behind plenty of baggage, including two friends that he used to play music with. One of them, Ivan (Rhys Ifans), is still his pal. The other, Eric (Mark Duplass), never got over the fact that Roger vetoed a record deal that could have made them all famous.

Making Roger’s life even more daunting is the fact that he is recovering from a nervous breakdown. Because of this, his immediate goal in life is to “do nothing,” and through much of the film, he succeeds. But Roger is pushed to connect with other human beings because of his attraction to his brother’s personal assistant, Florence (Greta Gerwig).

Because not a lot happens in terms of plot, the enjoyment in “Greenberg” involves watching Stiller, Gerwig and Ifans deliver honest and moving portrayals of people living regular lives. Each actor is great, and Stiller is particularly strong in a role that allows him to show off his dramatic chops.

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

Our Family Wedding
2½ stars
Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and brief strong language
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Weddings may be joyous occasions, but they can also be stressful, particularly when the couple involved is working overtime to please everyone. Such is the premise of “Our Family Wedding,” a cute, but often-over-the-top, comedy about Lucia Ramirez (America Ferrera) and Marcus Boyd (Lance Gross), an interracial couple who find nothing but grief when they announce their wedding plans to family.

Because Lucia comes from a traditional Hispanic background, expectations are that she will marry a nice Hispanic boy, and her father, Miguel (Carlos Mencia), and mother, Sonia (Diana Maria Riva), are shocked to discover she’s marrying a black man. It also doesn’t help that Miguel had a past altercation with Marcus’ father, Brad (Forest Whitaker).

Director Rick Famuyiwa allows his film to trot through pleasant, although overly familiar territory, as Lucia’s and Marcus’ families get to know each other. As one would expect from the setup, there’s lots of family tension. There are also plenty of predictable sequences, like the hunt for a wedding dress and the last-minute disaster that seems sure to spoil the ceremony.

Fortunately the cast, which also includes Regina King and Shannyn Sossamon, is affable enough to give everything a glossy, likable veneer. This is hardly great cinema, but it’s not a bad way to spend an hour and a half.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include a gag real and a collection of deleted and extended scenes.

Chloe
2½ stars
Rated R for strong sexual content including graphic dialogue, nudity and language
Sony
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Director Atom Egoyan (“The Sweet Hereafter,” “Ararat”) has long been an indie film darling, and he’s certainly no stranger to character dramas. In his latest, “Chloe,” he explores the relationship between a husband and wife, Catherine and David Stewart (Julianne Moore and Liam Neeson), that gets complicated by jealousy.

Catherine, convinced that David is cheating on her, hires a beautiful call girl named Chloe (Amanda Seyfried) to seduce him and report back to her. But Catherine doesn’t seem as interested in proving her husband a cheat as she does hearing the stories that Chloe tells her. As the film progresses, Chloe gets increasingly tangled in Catherine’s and David’s relationship, creating a far more complicated situation than Catherine had imagined.

Moore, Neeson and Seyfried turn in fine performances, creating characters that are interesting and believable. Because of this, it’s easy to invest in the story. Unfortunately, Egoyan allows his film to take a melodramatic, third-act turn that extinguishes much of the tension he so successfully builds in the first half of the movie.

He also leaves the film’s most important moments open to serious interpretation. That isn’t a bad thing in itself, but it does obscure any message he might have been hoping to send.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include a making-of short, deleted scenes and an audio commentary by Egoyan, Seyfried and writer Erin Cressida Wilson.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“The Greatest”: The story of Allen and Grace Brewer (Pierce Brosnan and Susan Sarandon), parents grieving over the tragic death of their son Bennett (Aaron Johnson). Although both are already shaken, their lives are thrown into further turmoil when a young woman (Carey Mulligan) shows up and announces that she’s pregnant with Bennett’s child.

“Parasomnia”: Horror film offering an evil twist on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. Laura Baxter (Cherilyn Wilson) suffers from a sleep disorder that keeps her in a nearly constant dream state, and a hypnotist/murderer (Patrick Kilpatrick) is plotting to take control of her mind and body. Laura’s hope lies in an art student (Dylan Purcell) who meets her by chance and falls in love. Directed by William Malone, who also made the 1999 remake of “House on Haunted Hill.”

“Caught in the Crossfire”: Police thriller about two detectives (Chris Klein and Adam Rodriguez) who are targeted by gang members and crooked cops while investigating a crime. Rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson also stars.

“The Girl by the Lake”: When a young woman is discovered dead by a lake in a small Italian village, everyone in town becomes a suspect. The debut film by writer-director Andrea Molaioli, “Girl by the Lake” won 10 David di Donatella Awards (an important honor in Italy). Presented in Italian with English subtitles.

“Saint John of Las Vegas”: Comedy starring Steve Buscemi as a gambling addict who flees Las Vegas in an effort to clean up his life. Just when it looks like he’s got everything on track, he’s sent back to Sin City on a business trip. Sarah Silverman, Peter Dinklage and John Cho also star.

“Middle of Nowhere”: Story of several teens who connect while trying to escape the misery of their daily lives. Susan Sarandon, Anton Yelchin, Eva Amurri, Willa Holland and Justin Chatwin star.

Two Films by Yasujiro Ozu: The Criterion Collection is releasing a set of Ozu’s historical Japanese films: “The Only Son” and “There Was a Father.” “Son” is the story of a single mother who, with great difficulty, puts her son through school. “Father” is a World War II-era story about an overbearing widower whose actions push his son away.

“Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XVIII”: This comedy TV series cashed in on the fact that it can be just as enjoyable to make fun of bad movies as to watch good ones. In this set, the always sarcastic denizens of a space station watch and make wisecracks about “Lost Continent,” “Crash of the Moons,” “The Beast of Yucca Flats” and “Jack Frost”. Also included in the boxed set are four limited-edition mini-posters.

“Street Hawk” – The Complete Series: All 13 episodes of the 1985 action-adventure show about a police troubleshooter (Rex Smith) assigned to fight crime with a high-powered, all-terrain attack motorcycle.

“The Lucy Show” – The Official Second Season: This TV comedy starring Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance aired from 1962 to 1968, after “I Love Lucy.” Ball plays Lucille Carmichael, a widow with two children who is sharing a home with a divorcee (Vance).

“Sesame Street – 20 Years and Still Counting”: TV special aired in celebration of “Sesame Street’s” 20th anniversary. Although that was in 1989, the program is available on DVD and digital download for the first time. During the program, Big Bird, Grover, Bob and Maria consider clips from past episodes.

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

Colin Firth plays a man haunted by his dead lover in the drama “A Single Man.”

This week’s home video releases are anchored by a police thriller starring Richard Gere, Don Cheadle and Ethan Hawke and an intimate drama that earned Colin Firth an Oscar nomination for best actor.

A Single Man
4 stars (out of four)
Rated R for some disturbing images and nudity/sexual content
Sony
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Somebody should make a movie about Tom Ford because it could be just as extraordinary as “A Single Man,” the film that marks his feature film writing and directing debut.

What’s so unusual about Ford? For starters, he was a world-renowned fashion designer long before he turned Christopher Isherwood’s novel into a movie starring Colin Firth. And, despite his inexperience, “A Single Man” is as self assured and inspiring as any movie released to theaters in 2009.

Set in 1962, the picture offers an intimate look at one day in the life of aging English professor George Falconer (Firth). Although sharp and polished on the outside, George is silently struggling with the death of his longtime partner, Jim (Matthew Goode). Ford delivers the film from George’s viewpoint, allowing his camera to caress the people George interacts with, often holding shots longer than seems comfortable. This conscious choice helps viewers worm their way inside George’s troubled mind and empathize with the character in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

Firth is extraordinary in the title role, and he earned a deserved best actor Oscar nomination for his outing. Also turning in fine performances are Goode, always shown in flashback; Julianne Moore, playing George’s closest friend; and Nicholas Hoult, portraying one of George’s students.

Here’s hoping Ford has a long and fruitful career as a filmmaker. If “A Single Man” is any indication, film lovers have a lot to look forward to.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include a making-of featurette and an audio commentary by Ford.

Brooklyn’s Finest
3 stars
Rated R for bloody violence throughout, strong sexuality, nudity, drug content and pervasive language
Anchor Bay
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Director Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day,” “Tears of the Sun,” “Shooter”) isn’t the most consistent director in Hollywood, but he has a nice touch with gritty action films, and his talent is on full display with “Brooklyn’s Finest.”

The movie focuses on the lives of three troubled Brooklyn, New York, cops and recalls “Training Day” in both tone and subject matter. One policeman, Eddie (Richard Gere), is just days from retirement, and all he wants is to lay low until he can start collecting his pension. Another, Tango (Don Cheadle), has been undercover too long and finds himself compromised when asked to bring a friend (Wesley Snipes) down. Even more distressed is Sal (Ethan Hawke), a one-time good guy who has been pocketing drug money in hopes of building a better life for his ailing wife and small children.

Fuqua follows each officer through the 132-minute film, bringing them toward a common destination, and the performances are great throughout. Gere has gotten better with age, and he’s wonderful as a burned out police officer who wishes he was a better man. Likewise, Cheadle and Hawke are outstanding as lawmen whose inner demons keep them from walking the straight and narrow.

“Brooklyn’s Finest” would have been better if Fuqua had trimmed the film by 15 or 20 minutes, but the sluggish pacing isn’t a fatal flaw. Fuqua gets the mood right, and the excellent cast makes the most of Michael C. Martin’s solid screenplay.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, several featurettes related to the film and an audio commentary by Fuqua.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”: Film adaptation of journalist and author Stieg Larsson’s bestselling crime novel. The movie, by Danish director Niels Arden Oplev, focuses on a journalist (Michael Nyqvist) and computer hacker (Noomi Rapace) hired to solve a decades-old murder. Presented in Swedish with English subtitles.

“Dragnet 1968” – Season 2: This police drama remake ran from 1967 to 1970, propelled in part by the success of the original TV series, which aired from 1951 to 1959. In the 28 episodes presented here, Sergeant Joe Friday (Jack Webb) and his partner, Bill Gannon (Harry Morgan), patrol the streets of Los Angeles with a mission to serve and protect.

“Have Gun-Will Travel” – The Fourth Season, Volume 2: This 1950s and ’60s Western stars Richard Boone as Paladin, a gentleman gunslinger who uses force only when necessary. The three-disc set includes the second 19 episodes of season four.

“Gamera VS. Barugon”: This 1966 Japanese monster film features Gamera, a giant sea turtle, battling a massive, lizard-like creature. The movie is the second entry in the long-lived Gamera franchise. Presented in Japanese with English subtitles.

“The Game” – The Third Season: Television sports dramedy exploring the on- and off-field lives of several football players and their wives and girlfriends. Tia Mowry Hardrict, Pooch Hall, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Hosea Chanchez, Brittany Daniel and Coby Bell star.

“Jimmy Hollywood”: The 1994 comedy starring Joe Pesci and Christian Slater makes its Blu-ray debut. Pesci stars as a struggling actor who, along with his sidekick William (Slater), devises a plan to make it big by forming a vigilante group that videotapes criminals and sends the tapes to the police.

“Ladybugs”: Another 1990s comedy makes its Blu-ray debut. This one stars Rodney Dangerfield as Chester, a salesman who volunteers to coach a girls’ soccer team sponsored by his employer. When he realizes that the inept team could end up hurting his career, Chester secretly recruits a boy.

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.

From left, Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry, John Cusack and Clark Duke take a trip to the past in “Hot Tub Time Machine.”

This week’s major home video releases cover multiple genres. Leading the way are a raunchy comedy about the 1980s, a bloody horror film starring Timothy Olyphant, an award-winning German drama and a big-budget fantasy flick.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
3 stars (out of four)
Rated PG for action violence and peril, some scary images and suggestive material, and mild language
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Director Chris Columbus proved he can make children’s fantasy films with the first two Harry Potter movies. Now, he’s onto another franchise with an adaptation of the first book in novelist Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series.

The film, like the book, focuses on Percy (Logan Lerman), a seemingly average boy who learns that he is in fact the son of Poseidon (Kevin McKidd), Greek god of the sea. This knowledge comes with the realization that he has remarkable powers, including the ability to manipulate water. Unfortunately, there’s also a down side to being the son of a god. Percy’s uncle Zeus (Sean Bean), the king of the gods, has decided (without reason) that Percy stole his lightning bolt, and that puts him in great danger.

During the course of the movie, Percy learns not only about himself but about the fantastical alternate world that he is a part of. And, with his friends Grover the satyr (Brandon T. Jackson) and another demigod named Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario), he embarks on a wild adventure that takes him deep into the bowels of the underworld.

“The Lightning Thief” is campier and less serious than the Harry Potter films, and the third act falls a little flat. Still, Columbus keeps most of the film moving at a rapid pace, and the special effects are outstanding throughout.

The “Percy Jackson” DVD release includes five deleted scenes, a featurette about converting the book to a movie and a “Discover Your Powers” quiz. The Blu-ray release contains all of those features, plus additional deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes material.

The Crazies
3 stars
Rated R for bloody violence and language
Anchor Bay
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Director Breck Eisner’s remake of George Romero’s 1973 horror film “The Crazies” is fast-moving and above average for its genre even though it doesn’t attempt anything new or unusual.

In fact, it may be Eisner’s straightforward approach that makes the movie so enjoyable. Like Romero’s original, this version of “The Crazies” banks heavily on suspense with an underpinning of political commentary.

The action is set in a small Iowa town that falls apart when a bizarre virus causes citizens to fly into homicidal rages. Sheriff David Dutton (Timothy Olyphant) and his deputy, Russell Clank (Joe Anderson), do their best to figure out what’s going on, but it doesn’t take them long to realize the best they can do is try and stay alive. In the meantime, the military descends on the town in an attempt to prevent the virus from spreading, even if that means killing everyone in sight.

Facing an increasingly hostile citizenry on one hand and a trigger-happy military on the other, David and Russell go on the run with David’s wife, Judy (Radha Mitchell).

Eisner does a good job blending action sequences, gore and old-fashioned suspense into a movie that should satisfy both hardcore horror fans and casual viewers. Olyphant, Anderson and Mitchell turn in likable performances, and the film’s simple-but-worthwhile political message gives viewers something to think about even once the blood stops flowing.

DVD and Blu-ray extras include several making-of features, “Crazies” motion comics and a commentary by Eisner.

Hot Tub Time Machine
2½ stars
DVD and Blu-ray releases contain rated and unrated versions of the film. The rated version received an R for strong crude and sexual content, nudity, drug use and pervasive language
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

Longtime John Cusack fans remember him as the star of numerous 1980s sex comedies, which makes his casting in “Hot Tub Time Machine” genius. Cusack plays Adam, a down-on-his-luck 40-something who reunites with high school buddies Nick (Craig Robinson) and Lou (Rob Corddry) when the latter winds up in the hospital.

Although Lou denies it, medical professionals tell Adam and Nick that Lou’s emergency room visit is the result of a suicide attempt, so they decide to take him on a trip to their favorite 1980s hangout, the Kodiak Valley Ski Resort. They also bring Adam’s nephew, Jacob (Clark Duke), because he has nowhere else to go.

While partying heavily and talking about their glory days, the guys accidentally spill a drink on the control panel of their hot tub, and it sends them back to the 1980s to relive a ski festival they attended as kids. Afraid they could change the future and possibly even end Jacob’s existence, the guys agree to let the weekend play out exactly as it did when they were teens.

The setup is silly, as are many of the film’s jokes, and director Steve Pink (“Accepted”) leans heavily on profanity and sex gags. That in itself isn’t a problem, but only about 50 percent of the jokes actually land.

Fortunately, the film ends on a high note that, not coincidentally, is reminiscent of those 1980s movies that made Cusack a star. That doesn’t make “Hot Tub Time Machine” a modern day “Sure Thing” or “Better Off Dead,” but it’s certain to bring back memories for people who remember those films.

DVD extra features are limited to the film’s theatrical trailer and a collection of deleted scenes. The Blu-ray release includes these special features plus several promotional spots that were used to market the film in theaters.

The White Ribbon
2½ stars
Rated R for some disturbing content involving violence and sexuality
Sony Pictures Classics
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

The fact that writer-director Michael Haneke’s “The White Ribbon” won the Palme d’Or at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival is a testament to its technical merit. Alas, the beautiful black-and-white photography and finely drawn characters are much easier to warm to than Haneke’s storytelling style.

The movie, presented in German with English subtitles, is set in a small German village during the days leading up to World War I. Although the locale is idyllic, life there becomes troubled, as the villagers find themselves facing a series of bizarre and dangerous happenings. The first occurs when the local doctor is injured because his horse trips over a wire that was clearly strung to bring it down. Soon after, there’s a death in the village. Then, the son of a powerful baron is kidnapped and tortured.

Haneke presents his story through the eyes of the village schoolteacher (portrayed in youth by Christian Friedel and in aged voiceover by Ernst Jacobi), and the plotting and characters are fascinating. The film – entirely in black and white – is also wonderfully shot and serves as a reminder that one needn’t use color to create beautiful images.

“The White Ribbon” is frustrating, however, in that Haneke presents several interesting plot threads yet refuses to resolve any of them, including the primary mystery. This was clearly an artistic choice and many critics enjoy the film’s cloudy nature, thus the Palm d’Or. While I appreciate that Haneke is attempting to set his story apart, I find the complete lack of resolution frustrating, and I suspect many viewers will feel the same.

The DVD release doesn’t have any extras, but the Blu-ray comes with a making-of feature, an interview with Haneke, a look at the director’s career and a bit on the film’s premiere at Cannes.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“Leave it to Beaver” – The Complete Series: This 37-disc collectors’ set includes all 234 episodes of the classic 1950s and ’60s sitcom about family life and coming of age. Jerry Mathers, Tony Dow, Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont star.

“Creation”: Screen adaptation of the book “Annie’s Box,” written by Charles Darwin’s great-great-grandson, Randal Keynes. The film, directed by Jon Amiel, considers Darwin (Paul Bettany) and the struggle he faced when his scientific work challenged the religious beliefs of his time. Jennifer Connelly also stars.

“Everlasting Moments”: Director Jan Troell’s 2008 drama based on the story of Swedish photographer Maria Larsson (Maria Heiskanen). The story takes place in the early 1900s and focuses on how winning a camera in a lottery changed Larsson’s life. Presented in Swedish with English subtitles.

“Night Train to Munich”: World War II-era suspense story about a Czech scientist and his daughter (Margaret Lockwood) who flee Prague with the help of a British secret agent (Rex Harrison). The 90-minute black-and-white film was originally released in 1940, and the digital transfer has been newly restored for the Criterion Collection. Directed by Carol Reed.

“The Warlords”: Set in the 1860s during the Taiping Rebellion, this drama revolves around three blood brothers. After the men pledge their loyalty to one another, politics, deceit and a love triangle compromise their commitment. Jet Li, Andy Lau, and Takeshi Kaneshiro star. Presented in Mandarin and English with English subtitles.

“The Closer” – The Complete Fifth Season: In this police drama, Kyra Sedgwick plays tough-as-nails Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson. This season, Brenda deals with her gruff niece, Charlie, played by Sedgwick’s real-life daughter, Sosie Bacon.

“How the Earth Was Made” – The Complete Season Two: This History Channel series explores geology and uncovers, layer by layer, how the earth evolved.

“The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo!” – The Complete Series: The Mystery Inc. gang is on a global mission when Scooby and Shaggy accidentally unleash a bunch of troublemaking ghouls. Two new characters joined the group for this series: Flim-Flam, an impish boy, and Vincent Van Ghoul, a mystic. This collection presents all 13 episodes of the show on two discs.

“Red vs. Blue – The Blood Gulch Chronicles” – The First Five Seasons: Created by a group of Halo video gamers, this sci-fi comedy series became an Internet hit. The stories focus on ten soldiers fighting a war that few comprehend and no one really wants to be a part of.

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