Tag Archives: Video Verdict

It’s a busy week on the home video front with new releases ranging from a sweeping martial arts adventure to a Tina Fey comedy.

The Forbidden Kingdom
3 stars (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for sequences of martial arts action and some violence
Lionsgate
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

The main selling point behind “Forbidden Kingdom” is that it’s the first film to feature martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li on screen together. That’s good news on its own, but there’s more to the film than this star-power gimmick.

“Kingdom” is centered on Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano), a teen-age American who loves martial arts films but has zero kung fu skills. That changes when he is magically transported to an alternate world where he must return a magic staff to its rightful owner. Aiding him on his journey are a drunken kung fu master (Chan), a powerful monk (Li) and an angry young woman (Yifei Liu).

These three teach Jason how to fight and guide him through a journey that is packed with high-flying combat sequences … including an impressive battle between Chan and Li. Although the movie is built around martial arts action, it’s surprisingly tame, often playing like a young adult film.

To enjoy “Forbidden Kingdom,” one must get comfortable with a story that makes no apologies for moving viewers from one fight sequence to the next. One must also accept that this is a fantasy-based tale that owes as much to “Lord of the Rings” as “Fearless.” Do those things, and martial arts nirvana awaits.

The movie is available in a single-disc version and on a two-disc special edition. Extra features vary.

Baby Mama
3 stars
Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language and a drug reference
Universal
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

When career woman Kate Holbrook (Tina Fey) decides to have a baby even though she doesn’t have a significant other, she enlists a sperm donor. Sadly, she discovers that she can’t get pregnant.

Not one to give up, Kate goes one step further and hires an earthy working-class gal named Angie (Amy Poehler) to be her surrogate mother. Everything is fine until Angie gets in a fight with her piggish boyfriend (Dax Shepard) and moves in with Kate. Suddenly, the two women realize they’re nothing alike, and it looks as though they’re in for a nine-month nightmare.

Although “Baby Mama” is a straightforward odd couple comedy that treads familiar ground, it’s worth watching because writer-director Michael McCullers delivers a host of good gags that keep things moving. Also, Fey and Poehler have excellent chemistry … even if they do allow Shepard and co-star Steve Martin to steal a number of scenes.

Extra features include deleted scenes, an alternate ending and a feature on the making of the film.

The Fall
2 1/2 stars
Rated R for some violent images
Sony
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

Tarsem Singh (“The Cell”) isn’t the sort of director who can sell a film on name alone, so it took A-list helmers David Fincher and Spike Jonze to push “The Fall” into theaters earlier this year. Fincher and Jonze also get a “presented by” credit on the DVD box, but this is still Tarsem’s film.

The elegant visuals and sweeping narrative are unlike anything Fincher or Jonze have produced, but the artistic scope of the project is consistent with their ambitions. It makes sense, then, that they would push Tarsem’s unusual passion piece.

“The Fall” relates the story of a 5-year-old girl named Alexandria (Catinca Untaru) who meets a Hollywood stuntman named Roy (Lee Pace) while both are recovering from injuries in a Los Angeles hospital. Roy was crippled when riding a horse off a bridge, but his real pain stems from the fact that his actress/girlfriend abandoned him. Alexandria, hurt herself by falling off a ladder while picking fruit with her family. The two talk everyday, and Roy tells her a fanciful story involving five bandits out to kill an evil ruler named Odius.

As the film pushes forward, Tarsem cuts between scenes of Alexandria’s and Roy’s relationship and of colorful re-enactments of the fantasy tale Roy is spinning. Soon, the two worlds intersect, particularly in the mind of the impressionable Alexandria.

Visually, Tarsem’s work is stunning, so “The Fall” is always beautiful to look at. Unfortunately, his storytelling — both in the real and fantasy worlds — lacks urgency. That means the movie bobs at a leisurely pace when it should be racing forward, dragging viewers along in anticipation.

Strong lead performances and breathtaking art direction go a long way toward making up for the movie’s flaws, but they don’t eliminate them.

DVD extras include deleted scenes, some short making-of features and two audio commentaries.

Smallville — The Complete Seventh Season
3 stars
Not rated
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

Although “Smallville” isn’t as fresh as when it bowed seven years ago, it remains one of the most enjoyable fantasy/science fiction series on television. The show is set during Superman’s younger years — long before he donned the costume — and it explains how Clark Kent (Tom Welling) went from farm boy to hero.

Even more interesting, is the program’s treatment of Superman’s arch villain, Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), who started as a good guy but became pure evil by the end of the seventh season. Season seven also spends a good deal of time with the arrival of Supergirl (Laura Vandervoort), the introduction of the classic villain Bizarro, and relationship problems between Clark’s friend Chloe (Allison Mack) and her boyfriend, Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore).

One reason the show flagged in later seasons is that it’s treatment of Lois Lane (Erica Durance) isn’t as appealing as it’s take on other characters. Also, the love of Clark’s life, Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk), has become increasingly dark and, oddly enough, less interesting. Still, the writing is consistently strong and the ever-present nods to Superman mythology are a lark.

DVD special features include commentary tracks on two episodes, short features on Supergirl and Jimmy Olsen, a digital comic book, and unaired scenes.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Grey’s Anatomy — Season Four: Seventeen episodes of medical drama featuring the doctors of Seattle Grace hospital. Key happenings include Dr. Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith) taking over as head of cardiothoracics, Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) struggling with difficult clinical trials, and Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) settling in as a permanent cast member.

Cool Hand Luke — Deluxe Edition: Re-release of the classic Paul Newman film about a chain gang prisoner who refuses to bow to authority. The new DVD features a fresh, anamorphic transfer of the film.

C.S.I. Miami — The Sixth Season: More crime scenes and more investigations as Horatio Caine (David Caruso) and company solve case after case.

The Big Lebowski: New, two-disc edition of Joel and Ethan Coen’s quirky, 1998 comedy about a slacker who gets mixed up with unsavory characters through a case of mistaken identity. The DVD was produced to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the film’s release. Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore and Steve Buscemi star.

Ugly Betty — The Complete Second Season: The sophomore season of America Ferrera’s soap-opera-like dramatic comedy is spread over five discs. Ferrera plays the title character, who is not so much ugly as out of place at the ultra-chic fashion magazine office where she works.

Barbie & the Diamond Castle: Animated Barbie musical about young women who team up to defeat a selfish muse and preserve music for the world.

Medium — The Fourth Season: The continuing adventures of Allison Dubois (Patricia Arquette), a Phoenix psychic who works with the district attorney’s office to solve cases. The show, which is a hit for NBC, also stars Jake Weber, Miguel Sandoval, Sofia Vassilieva and Maria Lark.

Wings — The Seventh Season: Next to last season of the 1990s, NBC comedy about two brothers running a small airline in Massachusetts.

Seed: Director Uwe Boll (“BloodRayne”) presents the story of a serial killer who survives repeated execution attempts and — after being buried alive — seeks revenge. The DVD, which contains extreme violence and gore, is not rated.

Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht — Seasons 1+2: Reality television show that looks at life in the large family of Jon and Kate Gosselin. The young couple is raising a set of twins and a set of sextuplets.

I Want Candy: Direct-to-video comedy about two young men who secure funding for their film by agreeing to cast a popular adult film star as their lead. Carmen Electra, Tom Riley and Tom Burke star.

Although plenty of television series are hitting DVD this week, things are slow for mainstream feature films. In fact, once you get beyond the TV shows, a small film by Helen Hunt and a direct-to-DVD superhero cartoon are the biggest releases available.

 Then She Found Me
2 1/2 stars
Rated R for language and some sexual content
Image Entertainment
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

Actress Helen Hunt’s feature film directing debut is solid, but it does have problems, most stemming from a choppy screenplay that Hunt also had a hand in.

She stars as April Epner, a 39-year-old woman who is desperate to have a child. That likelihood fades when her short-term husband, Ben (Matthew Broderick), decides he made a mistake and abandons her. A day later, April’s adoptive mother dies, leaving her confused, alone and depressed.

The loneliness subsides when her biological mother, Bernice (Bette Midler), tracks her down and tries to establish a relationship, thinking she will be welcome now that April’s adoptive parents are dead. But April isn’t sure what she thinks of the flamboyant and pushy Bernice. Things get more complicated when April strikes up a relationship with a recently divorced Englishman named Frank (Colin Firth).

There’s a lot going on in “Then She Found Me.” More, in fact, than in the Elinor Lipman novel it was adapted from. The complexity means some plot threads are under-explored, but the excellent cast keeps things interesting and does a reasonably good job making up for the screenplay’s shortcomings.

DVD extras include a commentary by Hunt, cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow
3 stars
Rated PG for sci-fi action violence and some mild language
Lionsgate
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

This direct-to-DVD animated feature is for comic book geeks and children only, but it should go a long way toward pleasing both of those groups.

Unlike Marvel’s previous direct-to-DVD movies, “Next Avengers” received a PG rating, making it more kid friendly than their usual PG-13s. That doesn’t, however, mean the plotting has been dumbed down.

For a kid-friendly cartoon, “Next Avengers” is surprisingly well plotted. It centers on the children of the Avengers superhero group, most of whom have been living in isolation since their parents were defeated in a cataclysmic battle with the robot Ultron. There’s James, son of Captain America and Black Widow; Torunn, daughter of Thor; Azari, son of the Black Panther; Hawkeye, son of the original Hawkeye; and Pym, son of Wasp and Giant Man.

Together the children are as powerful as their parents were, and an aging Iron Man has been training them for the day that they will face Ultron themselves. But the children realize they can’t win the fight against Ultron alone, so they go in search of the one hero strong enough to help them: the incredible Hulk.

The animation isn’t as detailed and spectacular as in blockbuster animated movies like “WALL-E” and “Ice Age,” but it’s good enough that it doesn’t distract from the storytelling. And in this case that storytelling is solid.

DVD extras include a feature on the making of the film.

The Big Bang Theory — The Complete First Season
4 stars
Not rated
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD

Half-our television sitcoms don’t get much funnier than this romp about two uber-nerds living next door to a world-class hottie. Jim Parsons stars as Sheldon, a brilliant physicist who can explain the most complex scientific events but who has difficulty in basic social situations. Sheldon’s roommate and fellow scientist, Leonard (Johnny Galecki), is better with people, but he’s no social butterfly.

Their world turns on its ear when a beautiful young woman named Penny (Kayley Cuoco) moves in across the hall, introducing them to life outside the science lab. The fact that Leonard has a serious crush on Penny is a constant source of tension — and comedy — through the 17 episodes in season one.

Although the setup for “Big Bang” is fairly typical, the show rises above its television competitors with extremely witty writing and a cast that has perfect comic timing. Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco are all excellent, but supporting player Simon Helberg steals almost every scene he’s allowed as the painfully inept womanizer Howard Wolowitz.

Much of the humor in “Big Bang” revolves around geeky pastimes, like comic books, video games and science fiction, but you needn’t be a nerd to appreciate the show. The basic themes are so universal that anyone — geek or chic — can enjoy.

The 3-DVD set includes every season-one episode plus a short feature on the making of the series.

The Promotion
2 1/2 stars
Rated R for language including sexual references and some drug use
Genius Products
Available on: DVD

Grocery store assistant manager Doug Stauber (Seann William Scott) thinks he’s a shoo-in for manager of his corporation’s new Chicago store. Then Richard Welhner (John C. Reilly) transfers from Canada and announces that he’s also going for the job.

With each man desperate to land the gig, they start a rivalry that involves everything from backstabbing to commiserating, and both learn valuable lessons along the way.

Written and directed by Steve Conrad, the guy who penned 2006’s “The Pursuit of Happyness,” the film has nice moments, bobbing between drama and easygoing comedy. Unfortunately, the film fails to establish a firm identity.

It isn’t raucous and over-the-top enough to be a gut-busting Hollywood comedy, but neither is it touching and sincere enough to be taken seriously as drama. That leaves viewers with a picture that has its heart in the right place and boasts strong performances yet isn’t completely satisfying.

DVD extras include deleted scenes, a commentary by several of the filmmakers, outtakes and a making-of feature.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Married Life: Chris Cooper plays a married man who falls in love with a younger woman (Rachel McAdams). He then decides to murder his wife (Patricia Clarkson) rather than put her through the humiliation of a divorce. Peirce Brosnan also stars.

Life — Season One: NBC drama focused on detective Charlie Crews (Damian Lewis), who returns to the force after spending 12 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Also stars Sarah Shahi.

Eli Stone — The Complete First Season: Quirky ABC dramedy about an attorney suffering hallucinations due to an inoperable brain aneurysm. Or could it be that the hallucinations are actually visions designed for a greater purpose? Jonny Lee Miller, Victor Garber and Loretta Devine star.

The Office — Season Four: The continuing comic adventures of employees working in a Pennsylvania branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer star.

Desperate Housewives — Season Four: In the 17 season-four episodes, the ladies of Wisteria Lane find themselves involved in a battle with cancer, a fake pregnancy and marital infidelity. Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria Parker and Nicollette Sheridan star.

Ghost Whisperer — The Third Season: Jennifer Love Hewitt is back as Melinda Gordon, a young woman who can communicate with the dead. The show centers on her efforts to help ghosts move on while she learns more about her family history. Jay Mohr, David Conrad and Camryn Manheim also star.

Cheers — Season 10: Second-to-last season of the popular situation comedy involving the denizens of a cozy bar in Boston. Ted Danson, Kirstie Alley, Kelsey Grammar, Woody Harrelson, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger and George Wendt star.

Supernatural — The Complete Third Season: More drama from brothers Sam and Dean Winchester (Jared Padelecki and Jensen Ackles) who travel the U.S. combating monsters and other evil forces.

Itty Bitty Titty Committee: Lesbian-themed comedy about a young woman who goes through a rough patch and joins a radical feminist group. Melonie Diaz and Nicole Vicius star and Jamie Babbit directs.

How to Rob a Bank: A lifelong slacker (Nick Stahl) and a bored bank employee (Erika Christensen) get caught in the middle of a heist gone bad.

It’s a solid week on the home video front as viewers are being treated to a new David Mamet drama, a charming childhood fable and a respectable documentary on Middle East politics. These three films are good enough, in fact, to make one forget about the less than worthy comedic entry from Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz.

What Happens in Vegas
2 stars
Rated PG-13 for some sexual and crude content, and language,including a drug reference
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray
When Jack Fuller (Ashton Kutcher) and Joy McNally (Cameron Diaz) run off to Las Vegas to escape their troubles, only to get booked into the same room, it’s pretty obvious what will happen. At least it should be.

Jack is a carefree carpenter who can’t even keep a job at his father’s woodshop, and Joy is a straight-laced career woman who doesn’t know how to be true to herself. They are so different, that we know they’re going to hook up, and when they do the Champagne flows, the clothes come off and, low and behold, they wind up married.

Since they weren’t really looking for a long-term relationship, they promptly agree to an annulment. Then, Jack grabs one of Joy’s quarters, drops it into a slot machine and wins $3 million, spawning a huge legal dispute over the winnings. They are, after all, technically married.

The judge (Dennis Miller) isn’t amused by the predicament, so he orders the newlyweds to try to make their marriage work. Only after they have, he says, will he think about dividing the loot.

“What Happens in Vegas” has a handful of genuinely funny moments, and Kutcher and Diaz are solid performers. Trouble is they don’t gel on screen. It’s tough to say whether this is due to lack of chemistry or Dana Fox’s painfully forced script, but it doesn’t much matter. The movie isn’t happening.

“What Happens in Vegas” is being released in its theatrical cut on a single disc and in an extended cut on a two-disc special edition. Extra features vary, but both versions include a filmmakers’ commentary and a conversation with Diaz and Kutcher.

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?
3 stars
Rated PG-13 for some strong language
The Weinstein Company
Available on: DVD
Morgan Spurlock’s follow to “Super Size Me” has an intriguing premise. What, he asks, will happen when a regular guy — himself specifically — goes on the hunt for the world’s foremost terrorist?

Trouble is, Spurlock’s premise is better than his film.

The setup sees Spurlock preparing for his journey with everything from vaccinations to a class on how to survive a political kidnapping. This is all entertaining, and it draws viewers into the picture, but once he actually heads overseas, the movie becomes a primer on the Middle East.

For folks who don’t already know a great deal about the war in Iraq, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the 9/11 terrorist attacks — and let’s hope there aren’t many — Spurlock’s film sums things up nicely. As the filmmaker travels to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco and other countries of interest, he asks residents if they know where Osama Bin Laden is hiding, and then he picks their brains about everything from U.S. foreign policy to their thoughts on everyday Americans. The answers are interesting and Spurlock’s presentation is entertaining, but the well-informed American won’t learn much.

Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the film is that Spurlock ultimately abandons his search. Am I giving away too much? Probably. But it seems like the right thing to do since one of Spurlock’s selling points is that he was looking to succeed at a mission the FBI and CIA couldn’t complete, and it turns out he wasn’t really trying.

DVD extras include additional interviews, an alternate ending, an animated history of Afghanistan, and a feature on being a woman in Saudi Arabia.

Redbelt
3 stars
Rated R for strong language
Sony Pictures Classics
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray
Writer-director David Mamet’s look at the world of martial arts is twisty and complex, but one should expect that from the master of the con game movie.

The focus here is on Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a skilled jiu-jitsu instructor struggling to keep his Southern California dojo alive. Although Terry is talented enough to make thousands in Mixed Martial Arts competitions, he refuses because he believes sport fighting weakens a warrior.

So, he scrapes by, teaching combat and his code of honor to dedicated students, including an attorney (Emily Mortimer) who was severely shaken by a violent attack. Alas, his values place strain on his marital relationship because his wife, Sondra (Alice Braga), is often left to pick up the bills.

Finally, things go Mike’s way when he comes to the aid of Hollywood action star Chet Frank (Tim Allen), who is getting pummeled in a bar fight. Frank is grateful for Mike’s assistance and offers to get him lucrative consulting work in the movie business. But just when Mike thinks he has it made, he’s faced with a series of mind-numbing twists that force him to put everything — including his ideals — on the line.

“Redbelt” is an exciting ride that takes more than a little brain power to follow. Unfortunately, the climax is silly, but Mamet’s films aren’t about realism so much as enjoying the ride, bumps and all.

DVD special features include a commentary track by Mamet and Randy Couture (who is featured in the film), a short on Mixed Martial Arts, and a behind-the-scenes feature.

Son of Rambow
3 stars
Rated PG-13 for some violence and reckless behavior
Paramount Vantage
Available on: DVD
Writer-director Garth Jennings takes a charming look at both childhood and friendship in his tale of an unlikely camaraderie between two English boys.

One, Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner), lives in a strict Plymouth Brethern family where he isn’t allowed to watch television or listen to music. The other, Lee Carter (Will Poulter), is the school tough guy, constantly dreaming up schemes and landing in trouble.

Lee strikes up a relationship with Will by bullying him into serving as stuntman for his home video tribute to “Rambo: First Blood.” But what started as a friendship of convenience takes on genuine tones as Will and Lee bond, all the while making their film.

“Son of Rambow” is most noteworthy for its inventiveness. The story is dissimilar to anything else released in theaters this year, and Milner and Poulter infuse their characters with the sort of depth and understanding that adult actors strive for.

If the movie has a problem, it’s that things start slow, but that will hardly be a concern when you find yourself racing toward the pitch-perfect and emotionally resonant ending.

DVD extras include a filmmakers’ commentary, the short movie that inspired the project, and a making-of feature.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Heroes — Season 2: The third season of the popular television drama “Heroes” will bow next month, and you can get caught up with this set. It contains every moment of season two, plus bonus features including a never-aired, 35-minute episode.

The Little Mermaid — Ariel’s Beginning: New feature-length Disney cartoon detailing the adventures of Ariel and her friend Sebastian prior to the events in the 1989 “Little Mermaid” theatrical release.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: New, digitally restored and remastered release of the classic stop-motion animated film about Halloween Town residents who threaten to end Christmas.

Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom: Italian writer-director Paolo Pasolini’s controversial 1976 film, which transposes the stories of the Marquis de Sade’s “120 Days of Sodom” to 1944 Fascist Italy. The plot revolves around four powerful men who kidnap a group of youngsters and torture them mercilessly. The graphic depiction of the events has resulted in the movie being banned in some countries, but there are critics who consider it a brave and unflinching classic. Presented in Italian with English subtitles.

Entourage — The Complete Fourth Season: The continuing adventures of up-and-coming star Vince Chase (Adrian Grenier) and his friends from Queens, New York. In season four, Vince’s dream project is finally coming together, but it’s never easy going in Hollywood. Also stars Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara, Kevin Connolly and Jeremy Piven.

NCIS — The Fifth Season: More action and drama from Navy investigator Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and his group of talented special agents.

Everybody Hates Chris — The Third Season: All the latest antics from a fictionalized version of a teen-aged Chris Rock (Tyler James Williams) who is doing his best to be cool while growing up in Brooklyn.

The Untouchables — Season 2, Volume 2: The final 16 episodes from the second season of this 1960s crime drama. Robert Stack stars as Prohibition agent Eliot Ness, who is dedicated to crushing gangster Al Capone.

Battle 360°: The Complete Season One: This History Channel series uses computer animation and actual footage to document the exploits of the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier during World War II.

There’s plenty of variety in this week’s video offerings, as we’re getting everything from a children’s concert film to a Keanu Reeves action flick.

Street Kings
1 star
Rated R for strong violence and pervasive language
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray
Director David Ayer leaves no cliche unturned in his disappointing follow to 2005’s “Harsh Times.”

The film is centered on Detective Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves), a brash Los Angeles cop who shoots first and asks questions later. He’s the sort of guy who would be run out of most departments, but Tom’s captain (Forest Whitaker) is more concerned about commendations than doing his job properly. So, he covers Tom’s behind and welcomes the strong-arm tactics.

Despite his unsavory approach to police work, viewers are supposed to like Tom because he has his heart in the right place. Never mind that he endangers civilians, places other police officers in harm’s way and acts like a lunatic while doing his job, which in this movie involves finding the folks who killed his former partner.

The fact that Tom is not a nice guy is a problem, but it’s not the only thing working against “Street Kings.” Screenwriters James Ellroy, Kurt Wimmer and Jamie Moss threw in enough bad dialogue and melodramatic posturing to make every member of the cast look bad. And that’s an impressive feat when you have the great Forest Whitaker selling your lines.

Don’t let the name fool you. In the cinematic social structure, “Street Kings” is a peasant.

The movie is being released on a single DVD and as a two-disc special edition. Extra features vary by version.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
3 stars
Rated PG-13 for some partial nudity and innuendo
Focus Features
Available on: DVD
Amy Adams is rapidly establishing herself as one of Hollywood’s great leading ladies, and she is in wonderful form in this sprightly romantic comedy.

A throwback to long ago, “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” tells of its title character, a down-and-out English governess (Frances McDormand) doing her best to survive during the tough times prior to World War II. Desperate for a job, she insinuates herself into the life of an up-and-coming actress named Delysia Lafosse (Adams), only to find that Delysia is courting three men simultaneously.

Although she dislikes Delysia’s shenanigans, Miss Pettigrew helps the young actress keep her complicated social calendar in order and … in so doing … becomes acquainted with a world unlike anything she’s seen.

The David Magee/Simon Beaufoy screenplay is delightful, and director Bharat Nalluri spins the story with grace and charm. The result is a lighthearted, farcical treat that feels as though it should have been made in the 1940s. And, yes, that’s a compliment.

DVD extras include deleted scenes, a making-of feature, and a short on the story’s lengthy road from book to screen.

Prom Night
1 1/2 stars
Available in rated and unrated versions. Theatrical cut is rated PG-13 for violence and terror, some sexual material, underage drinking and language
Screen Gems
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, UMD for PSP
Although this film shares its title with a 1980 Jamie Lee Curtis horror flick, the two have few similarities. Both, of course, show nubile youngsters getting brutally murdered while celebrating prom, but the revenge premise that drove the first movie is gone.

Instead, viewers are introduced to a psychotic teacher who was so obsessed with a beautiful student named Donna (Brittany Snow) that he murdered her entire family. With three years passed since the tragic event, Donna is trying to settle into a normal life.

Alas, the whacked out teacher (Johnathon Schaech) escapes from a mental asylum and tracks Donna down again … on prom night. Pretty soon the blood is spurting and the bodies are dropping as the killer knocks off one poor high school student after another.

There is no suspense in the film because viewers know who the killer is almost immediately, and director Nelson McCormick telegraphs every attack. What’s more, the PG-13 version of the film, which was the one released in theaters, isn’t very gory. And all of the killings are off-the-shelf Hollywood moments. That means folks who watch movies like this just to revel in the sadism and squirting blood will be just as disappointed as those seeking a good story.

No suspense. No over-the-top gore. No redeeming social message.

No reason to watch.

The movie is available in an unrated version and in the PG-13 theatrical cut. Extra features include deleted scenes, an alternate ending, a gag reel, a director and cast commentary, and making-of features.

Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Concert: The 3-D Movie
3 stars
Rated G for general audiences
Disney
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray
As a 40-year-old man, I’m not the target audience for Miley Cyrus’ bubblegum pop tunes, but it’s pretty clear why she’s become the toast of the Disney Channel. She is really talented.

Cyrus, who plays the title character in Disney’s “Hannah Montana” television show, has a great set of pipes, and she knows how to sell a song, even one that’s as generic and poppy as they come.

“Best of Both Worlds” is essentially a concert film with Cyrus performing half the tunes as her television alter-ego and the other half as herself. Honestly, there’s not much difference. She doesn’t change her voice from role to role, and the songs are all easygoing pop pieces. But Cyrus is a great performer, and she presents each number as though her career depends on it. For the kids who love her, the DVD will be heaven.

Both the standard and Blu-ray DVDs come with 3-D versions of the film and 3-D glasses, but the technology is far from perfect. While it’s interesting to watch the 3-D effects, I found it difficult to get the glasses positioned correctly. Fortunately, it’s possible to watch the film in the less-annoying 2-D mode.

DVD extras include additional songs and a sing-along feature.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Camp Rock: Hannah Montana fans should also enjoy this Disney Channel movie about a young girl whose life changes for the better when she attends a camp for performers. Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers star.

The Life Before Her Eyes: “House of Sand and Fog” director Vadim Perelman delivers another solemn drama with this story of a woman suffering from survivor’s guilt. Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood star.

The Scorpion King 2 — Rise of a Warrior: This direct-to-DVD prequel to 2002’s “The Scorpion King” explains how Mathayus became the feared warrior that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson portrays in the original film. Because it wouldn’t be a “Scorpion King” movie without a professional wrestler in a leading role, Randy Couture stars.

House — Season Four: Hugh Laurie is back as the title character in this popular Fox drama, and as usual he and his team attempt to solve extremely complex medical cases.

Dexter — The Second Season: All 12 episodes of the Showtime series’ sophomore season. Michael C. Hall stars as a serial killer who works for the Miami Police Department and victimizes only people who “deserve” it.

Twenty-Four Eyes: Japanese drama about a rural teacher doing all that she can to give her students a sense of place and morality. Released in 1954, the film was directed by Keisuke Kinoshita. Presented in Japanese with English subtitles.

Terminator — The Sarah Connor Chronicles — The Complete First Season: This Fox television series spun off from the popular “Terminator” movie franchise, and it relays the adventures of Sarah and John Connor, who are constantly hunted by robots who have traveled back in time.

Gossip Girl — The Complete First Season: You can prepare for the second season of this CW series — due in September — by catching up on the drama. The show follows the lives of socialite teens living on New York’s Upper East Side.

The Small Back Room: The Criterion Collection is once again calling an oft-forgotten classic to our attention. This 1949 thriller was directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, and it stars David Farrar as an explosives expert trying to deconstruct a new German weapon while battling personal demons.

Recount: HBO television drama about the battle to determine who won the 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore. Tom Wilkinson, Kevin Spacey, Laura Dern, Denis Leary, John Hurt, Bob Balaban and Ed Begley Jr. star.

Chronicle of an Escape: Argentine drama about a soccer player who is apprehended by government troops and placed in a detention center. As his release seems unlikely, he begins to plot his escape. Presented in Spanish with English subtitles.

It’s another slow week on the video circuit, as new releases are limited primarily to direct-to-DVD movies, television series and a handful of limited-run features. Fortunately, the one DVD title that received a wide theatrical release is a very good one.

Smart People
3 1/2 stars
Rated R for language, brief teen drug and alcohol use, and for some sexuality
Miramax
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

Noam Murro’s directorial debut ranks among the best films released theatrically in early 2008 and it is also among the most under-appreciated.

Dennis Quaid stars as professor Lawrence Wetherhold, a stiff, widowed college professor coasting through life with arrogance and anger. It doesn’t help that his overachieving daughter, Vanessa (Ellen Page), is his virtual double and that his son, James (Ashton Holmes), doesn’t want anything to do with him.

Lawrence’s life takes a turn, however, when he suffers a minor head injury and his ne’er do well brother Chuck (Thomas Haden Church) moves in to help the family out. Before too long, Vanessa is loosening up, Lawrence is dating a beautiful doctor (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Chuck has decided he’s in over his head.

Although there’s a lot going on plot-wise, Murro’s film is more a character study than anything else, and the fantastic cast creates people that we can believe in. “Smart People” is sometimes serious, often funny, always engaging and … of course … extremely intelligent.

DVD extras include deleted scenes, outtakes, interviews with the filmmakers, and a commentary by Murro and writer Mark Jude Poirier.

Brand Upon the Brain!
3 stars
Unrated
The Criterion Collection
Available on: DVD

Canadian writer-director Guy Maddin has never been a mainstream filmmaker, and this fascinating 2006 feature won’t propel him into the collective mind. It is, however, a treat for film junkies who place more value on artistry and cinema history than star power.

A modern silent film, “Brand Upon the Brain!” was originally toured as a live concert work, with foley artists, musicians and a narrator performing alongside the running film. Eventually, a soundtrack — with narration from Isabella Rossellini — was recorded, allowing the film to have limited distribution in theaters. Although seeing the project live would be the best possible experience, the Criterion Collection’s fine DVD treatment allows viewers to at least grasp Maddin’s bizarre work.

The film tells the story of a fictional Guy Maddin (Erik Steffen Maahs) who returns to the childhood home where his repressive mother and scientist father ran an orphanage within a lighthouse. As soon as he arrives, he is drawn into memories where the young Guy (Sullivan Brown) and his sister (Maya Lawson) form a friendship with a teen detective (Katherine E. Scharhon) who has come to investigate strange doings at the orphanage. The film then becomes an oddball adventure that is a mix of science-fiction, horror and erotic fantasy.

The most appealing thing about the picture is Maddin’s recreation of classic film conventions. Using mostly grainy, black-and white footage, he has given the film a vintage look, but his editing and visual skills are decidedly modern. That makes “Brand Upon the Brain!” a wonderful hybrid of past and present.

The DVD also includes a deleted scene, a documentary featuring interviews with Maddin and his collaborators, alternate narration tracks, and two new Maddin short films.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Felon: Stephen Dorff stars as a family man who must adapt to life in prison after he accidentally kills an intruder. Also stars Val Kilmer.

The Killing Gene: Direct-to-DVD thriller starring Stellan Skarsgard as a New York City cop investigating a series of horrific murders with his partner (Melissa George). Also stars Selma Blair.

The Secret: Remake of the Japanese thriller “Himitsu,” about a woman who dies but inhabits the body of her daughter. David Duchovny, Lili Taylor and Olivia Thirlby star. Directed by Vincent Perez.

Watching the Detectives: Romantic comedy starring Cillian Murphy as a video store owner and film buff who spends more time immersed in movies than living his own life. Then he meets a real-life femme fatale (Lucy Liu) who changes everything. Written and directed by Paul Soter.

The Wire — The Complete Fifth Season: Final season of the much-admired HBO television series about urban life in Baltimore. Each season focuses on a different aspect of the city and the sociological impact it has on citizens. Season five examines the print news media.

The Love Boat — Season One, Volume Two: Vintage comical adventures from Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod) and his offbeat crew of cruise ship employees. Bernie Kopell, Fred Grandy, Ted Lange and Lauren Tewes also star.

Caroline in the City — The First Season: Lea Thompson stars as a New York cartoonist trying to sort out her love life and all sorts of other things in this 1990s comedy series.

Prison Break — Season Three: Latest season of the television drama about a man (Dominic Purcell) wrongly accused of murder and the brother (Wentworth Miller) who must work against the legal system and a covert agency to ensure that they both win their freedom and survive.

South Park — The Complete Eleventh Season: Need we say more? Another season of raucous humor and off-color jokes from the kings of adult animation.

The Art of War II — Betrayal: Direct-to-video sequel to the 2000 film “The Art of War.” Wesley Snipes stars as a former secret agent who attempts to avenge the death of a friend, only to find that he’s been lured into a trap.

Tru Calling — The Complete Series: Fans of this short-lived, science-fiction drama can take solace in watching the 26 episodes that were filmed for the Fox Network. Eliza Dushku stars as a morgue employee who has the power to communicate with the dead, then travel back in time to save their lives.

Dave’s World — The First Season: First season of the CBS Television sitcom based on the comedy writings of newspaper columnist and author Dave Barry. The writer plays Harry Anderson, a fictionalized version of himself, and he’s joined by DeLane Matthews, Zane Carney, Andrew Ducote, Shadoe Stevens and Mesach Taylor.

Wide Awake: Korean horror film about a young boy who remains awake — but unable to move or communicate — during heart surgery. After a series of murders occur, a physician wonders if the patient is responsible.

Jane Goodall’s When Animals Talk: Animal Planet video featuring stories of human-animal relationships and a look at the way people can better communicate with members of the animal kingdom.

It’s a slow week for videos, as only a handful of major titles hit stores. The good news is that the most noteworthy entries are well made, well acted and well worth watching. 

Nim’s Island
3 stars
Rated PG for mild adventure action and brief language
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

To properly enjoy “Nim’s Island,” one must suspend disbelief, but that’s not hard, particularly for a family adventure so utterly charming.

Abigail Breslin stars as Nim, a young girl living on a remote South Pacific island with her oceanographer father, Jack (Gerard Butler). Because Jack wants to keep their island home a secret, they live a primitive life, reading, playing and working out of their Robison Crusoe-style home. Their lives are not, however, devoid of technology. Thanks to a couple solar panels and the wonders of satellites, they do have a computer and e-mail.

That’s a good thing because Nim finds herself in need of help when Jack gets caught in a storm and stranded at sea. Worried about her father and unsure what to do, Nim sends a message to Alex Rover, the rugged, star of her favorite adventure novels.

Alas, Alex turns out to be the pen name for Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster), an agoraphobic San Francisco novelist who has a hard time going outside to pick up her mail, let alone rescuing stranded children. Nevertheless, her concern for Nim — and the subconscious urging of the fictional hero she created — takes her on a wild adventure that will change everyone’s lives.

“Nim’s Island” is based on a book by Wendy Orr, and the husband-and-wife directing team of Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin have done a fine job adapting it to the screen. They cut back and forth between the struggles of Nim, Jack and Alexandra, allowing viewers to invest in each character and overlook the movie’s more outlandish moments.

A lot of ridiculous things do take place. For instance, it’s hard to believe that anyone — let alone a scientist — would leave a pre-teen girl to fend for herself on a deserted island for even a short time. Also, Alexandra makes unbelievable strides in overcoming her agoraphobia in a matter of days … with no treatment. These things are hard to swallow, but folks who make the effort will be rewarded with a fanciful adventure tale that’s far more enjoyable and well-acted than the average family film.

The DVD is available in widescreen and full screen versions. Extra features include two commentary tracks, deleted scenes and several short features on the making of the film.

 
The Counterfeiters
3 1/2 stars
Rated R for some strong violence, brief sexuality/nudity and language
Sony Picture Classics
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

The 2007 Academy Award winner for best foreign language film, this wonderful drama takes a fictionalized look at Operation Bernhard, a German plan to destabilize Britain during World War II. The idea was to flood England with perfectly forged bank notes, throwing the nation’s economy into ruin.

At the center of the action is Salomon Sorowitsch (Karl Markovics) a Jewish hustler capable of forging any document. When he is placed in a concentration camp, he and other printers are given the opportunity to live more comfortable lives if they agree to forge money for the Nazis. The catch, of course, is that he will be helping fund the German war effort, thus abetting the widespread extermination of his people.

Markovics turns in a powerful performance, and writer-director Stefan Ruzowitzky paints a startling portrait of the dilemma that some Jewish prisoners actually found themselves in. Were they to do as they were told and live or sabotage the counterfeiting operation and die?

Although the story is fictionalized, Ruzowitzky spends a great deal of time with his characters, letting viewers come to know and care about them. The result is a movie that sheds light on an underreported World War II operation, while delivering a fine drama that would be compelling even if it weren’t based on a true story.

“The Counterfeiters” won the foreign language Oscar for Austria, and it is presented in German with English subtitles. Extra features include deleted scenes, a making-of feature, interviews with the real-life counterfeiter who inspired the film, and a commentary by Ruzowitzky.

 
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Starship Troopers 3 — Marauder: Direct-to-DVD sequel to the first two “Starship Troopers” films. This time, Col. Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien) must lead an elite group of soldiers on a rescue mission into hostile territory.

Get Smart — Season One: If comedian Steve Carell’s theatrical update of the “Get Smart” franchise made you nostalgic, this is the boxed set you’ve been looking for. Don Adams stars as secret agent Maxwell Smart circa 1965.

Pete Seeger — The Power of Song: Documentary film looking at the life of popular and controversial folk musician Pete Seeger.

Garfield’s FunFest: Direct-to-DVD animated feature in which Garfield the cat competes in a talent show in hopes of being named the funniest comic strip in Cartoon World.

Camp Out: Documentary film that follows Midwestern youth attending a Bible camp for gay Christians. These youngsters find themselves at the heart of a political and religious battle, and the film dares to ask, “Can you be gay and Christian?”

Star Trek the Original Series — The Complete Second Season: The classic television series is presented with remastered sound and visuals as well as a host of new special effects. The improved effects make the show consistent with later “Star Trek” entries, like “The Next Generation,” but purists may be bothered. After all, part of the fun of watching a 1960s science fiction effort is seeing how far we’ve come.

Lonesome Dove: Digitally remastered version of the classic television miniseries about two former Texas rangers who embark on a dangerous cattle drive. Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Angelica Huston, Diane Lane and Danny Glover star. Available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Jimmy Dore — Citizen Jimmy: DVD featuring comedian Jimmy Dore’s one-hour Comedy Central special focused on our government.

The Executioner’s Song: Director’s cut of the 1982 television miniseries about convicted murderer Gary Gilmore (Tommy Lee Jones) who demanded that his death sentence be carried out. Rosanna Arquette and Christine Lahti also star.

This week’s crop of new videos runs the gamut, with genres ranging from a lowbrow comedy to a highbrow concert film. Not surprisingly, the quality of the movies varies as drastically as the content.

 
Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay
1 1/2 stars
Available in rated and unrated versions. The theatrical cut received an R for strong crude and sexual content, graphic nudity, pervasive language and drug use
New Line
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

“Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” wasn’t the sort of movie that begged for a sequel, but we got one nonetheless. As with the first flick, the action centers on the pot-loving party boy Kumar Patel (Kal Penn) and his more sedate pal Harold Lee (John Cho).

“Guantanamo Bay” is set just after the events in “White Castle,” with the boys headed to Amsterdam so Harold can hook up with his beautiful neighbor. Alas, Kumar’s attempt to smoke pot in an airplane lavatory convince authorities that both men are terrorists, and the next thing they know they’re in Guantanamo Bay.

Despite the film’s political content, the plotting and jokes are just as stupid and crude as in the first film. In fact, they’re probably stupider and cruder. There are a handful of funny moments — including a great bit when the boys meet President Bush — but the good parts are buried within an inconsistent and mostly unfunny, 107-minute narrative.

Fans of “White Castle” will appreciate the fact that Neil Patrick Harris — the best part of the first movie — is back with another cameo, but he doesn’t salvage the project.

The movie is being sold in multiple DVD editions, including a single-disc rated version and an unrated two-disc special edition. Extra features vary.

 
Never Back Down
3 stars
Available in rated and unrated versions. The theatrical cut received a PG-13 for mature thematic material involving intense sequences of fighting/violence, some sexuality, partying and language — all involving teens
Summit Entertainment
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

Anyone seeking an introduction to sports movie cliches, should pop “Never Back Down” into a DVD player and take notes. The film features a troubled teen named Jake (Sean Faris) who must conquer inner demons before he can be the best possible athlete and win a beautiful girl named Baja (Amber Heard).

Set in the world of mixed martial arts, the movie contains lots of hand-to-hand … and foot-to-face … combat, plus the obligatory training sessions, where Jake works with a master fighter named Jean Roqua (Djimon Hounsou). Although Jake’s biggest enemy is himself, he finds a more tangible foe in Ryan McCarthy (Cam Gigandet), a hotshot fight club brat who torments him at every turn.

Because “Never Back Down” rarely strays from tried-and-true sports movie formulas, it’s not very inspiring, but it does work as a guilty pleasure. Maybe it’s the charisma of Faris and Hounsou or maybe it’s the fact that sporting events are packed with internal drama. Whatever the reason, “Never Back Down” transcends its predictability to offer a pleasant viewing experience.

The movie is being sold in both rated and unrated versions. Extra features vary.

 
Doomsday
2 stars
Unrated. DVD also has the option to play the theatrical cut, which was rated R for strong bloody violence, language and some sexual content
Universal
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

This science-fiction adventure by writer-director Neil Marshall is stylishly made and filled with action, but that’s about all it has going for it.

The story takes place in a future United Kingdom, where Scotland has been quarantined because a deadly virus ravished the countryside. When the virus makes its way to England decades later, officials send a military team to the quarantine zone in hopes that survivors there know of a cure.

A talented soldier named Eden (Rhona Mitra) volunteers to lead the squad because her mother was left behind in Scotland. But what she and her comrades find is a hostile world filled with savages, most of whom have no concern for the outside world.

The action sequences are well staged and intense, and Mitra is credible as an action hero, but the plotting lacks zest. What’s more, Marshall’s homage to post-apocalypse thrillers like “The Road Warrior” is so blatant that it seems more like thievery than a tip of the hat.

DVD releases include both the R-rated theatrical cut of the film and an unrated version. Other extras include three making-of features and an audio commentary by Marshall and several of his cast members.

 
Shine a Light
3 1/2 stars
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, drug references and smoking
Paramount
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

In 1978, director Martin Scorsese chronicled The Band’s farewell concert with “The Last Waltz,” and in 2005 he peered into Bob Dylan’s career with the critically acclaimed “No Direction Home.” Now, he has captured the Rolling Stones in action with an excellent concert picture shot in 2006 at New York’s Beacon Theater.

The film mixes current performance footage with archival clips from a variety of eras, and the contrast is fascinating and illuminating. It’s wonderful, for instance, to watch a twenty-something Mick Jagger speculate that his band is well positioned to keep going for at least another year right after watching the 60-plus Jagger rock the Beacon.

Much of the movie is dedicated to complete performances of Stones music, with both huge hits and lesser known tunes represented. There are also appearances by guest artists Jack White, Christina Aguilera and Buddy Guy. “Shine a Light” is a must for diehard Stones fans, but it is also recommended for anybody with an interest in classic rock ‘n’ roll.

DVD extras include bonus Stones performances and a behind-the-scenes featurette.

 
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Lost Boys — The Tribe: Direct-to-DVD sequel to the 1987 vampire film “The Lost Boys.” Like the original, this movie focuses on bloodsuckers who haunt a California beach city.

The Deal: Director Stephen Frears’ 2003 drama about the friendship and rivalry between British prime ministers James Gordon Brown (David Morrissey) and Tony Blair (Michael Sheen).

Stargate — Continuum: Direct-to-DVD science-fiction movie featuring the continuing adventures of the cast of the television series “Stargate SG-1.”

War Games — 25th Anniversary Edition: The title says it all. Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy star in this now-classic 1983 suspense film about a computer hacker who inadvertently starts a global confrontation.

War Games — The Dead Code: Direct-to-DVD sequel to the above-mentioned 1983 thriller. This movie also focuses on a hacker who mistakenly inserts himself into a real-life war.

Tai Chi Master: A 1993 film starring Jet Li as a martial arts student who is stricken with grief when his longtime friend betrays him. Through the study of tai chi, he recovers. Also stars Michelle Yeoh.

It’s a slow week for home video, as only one major theatrical release — “21” — made its way onto DVD. That makes it the perfect time to look outside the mainstream, and there are a couple of good choices waiting in the wings.

21
2 1/2 stars
Rated PG-13 for some violence, and sexual content including partial nudity
Sony Pictures
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

Director Robert Luketic’s first two features — “Legally Blonde” and “Win a Date With Tad Hamilton!” — were solid enough, but he’s been on a downward spiral ever since. His 2005 effort, “Monster-In-Law,” was notoriously hated. While “21” is an improvement, it’s far from a masterpiece.

Based on the Ben Mezrich book “Brining Down the House,” the film was inspired by the true story of several M.I.T. students who took Vegas for millions by counting cards while playing blackjack. At the center of the action is Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), a hopeful pre-med student desperate to raise enough money to attend Harvard Medical School. So, when professor Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey) invites him to be part of a secret card-counting team that flies to Vegas each weekend and makes a killing, he bites.

It’s not long before Ben and his teammates, including the girl of his dreams (Kate Bosworth), are living like rock stars and rolling in cash. But the casino owners aren’t as oblivious as Ben and company think, and team members find that they’re involved in a dangerous game that an old-school security man (Laurence Fishburne) will do anything to win.

“21” has nice moments and Sturgess is likable in the lead role, but Luketic never allows the picture to reach an intensity level that would make it truly great. What’s more, the film does a poor job explaining how card counting actually works.

The movie is available on a single-disc release and as part of a two-disc special edition. Extra features vary.

 
Vampyr
3 stars
Unrated
The Criterion Collection
Available on: DVD

Although extremely crude by today’s standards, director Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1932 film “Vampyr” is noteworthy as a piece of cinema history. Therefore, it’s nice to see the outstanding Criterion Collection give it a DVD treatment.

The movie was at least partially based on author J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s “Carmilla,” and it relates the adventures of young Allan Gray (Julian West), who stumbles upon a horrific scene while traveling in France. After he gets an unexplained, late-night visit from an old man, he finds himself exploring a supernatural world where shadows live independent lives and a dreaded vampire is menacing two beautiful sisters, Leone (Sybille Schmitz) and Gisele (Rena Mandel).

Although “Vampyr” is visually interesting — particularly for its day — the plotting is fractured and hard to follow. That makes it less impressive than other films of its period, but it is nevertheless considered an important piece of cinema.

Because the movie is stilted by today’s standards, it is not recommended for general audiences, but it is suggested for film history buffs. They should appreciate not only the movie but Criterion’s hefty, two-DVD treatment. The many extra feature include a copy of the screenplay and “Carmilla.” There’s also an audio commentary by scholar Tony Rayns, a documentary on Dreyer’s career and a radio broadcast featuring the filmmaker.

 
Robot Chicken: Star Wars
3 stars
Unrated
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD

Anyone who watches “Robot Chicken” on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim knows the show is all about pop culture parodies, so it makes sense that co-creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich would take aim at “Star Wars.”

In June 2007, they were allowed to devote an entire half-hour episode to the “Star Wars” universe, and the result was 23 minutes of short, stop-motion animation sketches poking fun at everything from science-fiction conventions to the Death Star’s shabby construction. One particularly funny bit features President George W. Bush fantasizing that he’s a Jedi.

Green and his cohorts have a warped-but-witty sense of humor, and the show’s crude animation adds to the fun. Anyone who loves “Star Wars” should have a blast with this material. Unfortunately, the sub-half-hour show is pricey at the suggested retail of $14.98. That means this disc will be a rental for most folks.

Hardcore fans may want to shell out, however, because they will appreciate the many extra features that accompany the program. They include interviews with the cast and creators, deleted scenes, alternate audio takes, episode commentary, and more. And the extras run longer than the show itself.

 
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Picture This: Originally shown on the ABC Family television network, this film stars Ashley Tisdale as a teen who gets invited to a party by the boy of her dreams. Alas, she’s grounded, so it takes much scheming for her romantic dreams to come true.

High and Low: Two-DVD Criterion Collection release of director Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film about a businessman (Toshiro Mifune) who is targeted by kidnappers. In Japanese with English subtitles.

The Last Winter: Psychological horror film focused on members of an Alaskan oil drilling team who begin a slow descent into madness. Ron Perlman, James LeGros and Kevin Corrigan star.

Autumn Hearts — A New Beginning: Relationship drama about three people who grew close while living in a German detention camp during World War II but were separated after the war. When they reunite, sparks fly. Susan Sarandon, Max von Sydow, Christopher Plummer and Gabriel Byrne star.

Spaced — The Complete Series: Both seasons of the British sitcom starring Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes as London residents who pose as a married couple in order to rent an inexpensive flat.

Witchblade — The Complete Series: Every episode of the TNT drama about a homicide detective (Yancy Butler) who fights crime using a mysterious, living weapon known as the Witchblade.

This week’s major video releases are truly genre-spanning, as they range from an intense heist film to a modern fairy tale to a Japanese horror remake.

 
The Bank Job
3 1/2 stars
Rated R for sexual content, nudity, violence and language
Lionsgate
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

Director Roger Donaldson (“The World’s Fastest Indian,” “Thirteen Days,” “The Recruit”) has hit his stride in recent years, and that is evident in this excellent crime drama.

Based on a true story, the film recounts the exploits of a gang of small-time hoodlums who — with a nudge from the British secret service — are encouraged to rob the safe deposit boxes at a major London bank. The crooks are surprised, however, when they recover more than just loot.

Some boxes contain sensitive documents capable of embarrassing or ending the careers of both public officials and high-profile criminals, and that makes the thieves a target for some of the most powerful people in the world.

Jason Statham, ringleader of the robbers, is the only major star in the cast, but all players are extremely solid. What’s more, Donaldson keeps the film moving at a rapid pace, so there’s never a dull moment.

The movie is available on a single-disc release and as part of a two-disc special edition. Extra features vary, but the two-disc version includes a digital copy of the film.

 
Penelope
3 1/2 stars
Rated PG for thematic elements, some innuendo and language
Summit Entertainment
Available on: DVD

In this modern fairy tale, Christina Ricci plays Penelope, an heiress cursed to live with the snout and ears of a pig until she finds another blue blood who will love her. Trouble is, her embarrassed-but-good-hearted mother (Catherine O’Hara) keeps her hidden away from the world, making possible suitors sign waivers promising not to talk about Penelope’s appearance.

When Max (James McAvoy), the only man Penelope ever truly connected with, says he can’t marry her, the heartbroken girl runs away from home. Rapidly, she grows to love the big city and all the wonders it holds, and she becomes fast friends with a spunky courier (Reese Witherspoon). The question is, will Penelope be able to find happiness when the only person who can reverse her curse is an aristocrat?

Despite the sad undertones, “Penelope” is the type of sweet, life-affirming tale that reminds you why it’s great to go to the movies. Ricci is wonderful in the title role, and her supporting cast — especially McAvoy — is fabulous.

Director Mark Palansky infuses his story with a sweetness and sense of wonder that keep things interesting throughout. Plus, as with every good fairy tale, the movie comes with a moral that we should all take to heart.

DVD extras are limited to a short on the making of the film and two bits promoting other movies.

 
College Road Trip
2 stars
Rated G
Disney
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

According to police chief James Porter (Martin Lawrence), a father doesn’t say “goodbye” to his daughter when she gets married. That moment comes years earlier, when she heads to college.

Armed with this philosophy, James has long planned for his daughter, Melanie (Raven-Symoné), to attend Northwestern, which is located less than an hour from their family home in the Chicago suburbs. But Melanie has dreams of going to Georgetown.

Reluctantly, James volunteers to take Melanie on a cross-country road trip so she can check out several campuses. Because he has an agenda, and because there are always bumps in road trip movies, their journey is eventful in all the wrong ways.

Lawrence and Raven are likable and the film starts decently, but it quickly devolves into the sort of predictable family drama everyone has seen a dozen times. Youngsters will probably find the film mildly appealing, but there are many better choices for adults to watch with their children.

Although “College Road Trip” has problems, it does earn brownie points for an appearance by Donny Osmond, who plays a character so annoying you can’t help but laugh.

Extra features include a gag reel, deleted scenes, two audio commentaries by the filmmakers and a Raven-Symoné music video.

 
Shutter
1 1/2 stars
Available in rated and unrated versions. The theatrical cut received a PG-13 for terror, disturbing images, sexual content and language.
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

American remakes of Asian horror films are all the rage, and this movie traces its roots to a 2004 effort from Thailand. It’s already been proven that remakes are a tricky business, but “Shutter” can now be added to the ever-growing pile of evidence that argues against them.

The film follows newlyweds Ben and Jane Shaw (Joshua Jackson and Rachael Taylor) who travel to Japan for a short honeymoon and to look into a job opportunity for Ben. Their bliss is cut short when Jane gets into a car accident after she thinks she sees a young woman pop up in the middle of the road in front of their car. But, when the police investigate, they don’t find a body.

At first, the young couple think it was a hallucination. Then ghostly images begin showing up in their photographs.

“Shutter” has a number of creepy sequences, but director Masayuki Ochiai fails to build a consistently suspenseful atmosphere. Even worse, his ending is about as nonsensical and anticlimactic as they come.

The movie is available in rated and unrated versions, and extra features vary by release. It’s worth noting, however, that the unrated version falls within the parameters of a high-grade PG-13 or very low-grade R.

 
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Step Up 2 the Streets: Dance movie centered on the exploits of a street smart girl trying to make it at the prestigious Maryland School of the Arts. While there, she introduces her peers to some of her street savvy dance moves. Briana Evigan and Robert Hoffman star.

Birds of Prey — The Complete Series: All 13 episodes of the short-lived television drama built around Batman mythology. The action is set during a time when a broken-hearted Batman has abandoned Gotham City. So, his crime-fighting exploits are taken up by a team comprised of the seriously injured Batgirl, a young woman named Dinah, and Huntress — the daughter of Batman and Catwoman.

Evening Shade — Season One: All the episodes from the first season of this early 1990s television comedy. Burt Reynolds stars as a former professional football player who returns to his hometown of Evening Shade, Arkansas, to coach the high school football team. Michael Jeter, Charles Durning, Ossie Davis, Elizabeth Ashley, Marilu Henner and Hal Holbrook are also featured.

Saving Grace — Season One: First season of the TNT drama starring Holly Hunter as a hard-living-but-well-meaning detective who is visited by an angel (Leon Rippy) hoping to turn her life around.

Trafic: French writer-director-actor Jacques Tati’s final film featuring the blundering Monsieur Hulot. In this movie — presented in French with English subtitles — Hulot must transport a high-tech camper to Amsterdam, and he runs into all sorts of trouble.

Trapped Ashes: Five short horror films directed by five noteworthy filmmakers: Sean Cunningham, Joe Dante, John Gaeta, Monte Hellman and Ken Russell.

Roxy Hunter and the Secret of the Shaman Movie: Nickelodeon television movie about youthful detective Roxy Hunter’s (Aria Wallace) efforts to recover a precious stolen jewel.

With the theatrical release of “The Dark Knight” fast approaching, DVD distributors are digging out their superhero-themed product. That means two of this week’s major releases focus on comic book heroes. Not everything is super, though. This week’s DVD crop also features a dark, military drama and a horror film about a man-eating plant.

 
Batman: Gotham Knight
3 stars
Rated PG-13 for stylized violence, including some bloody images
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray
Comic book fans will do well to check out this 76-minute animated film relating six short Batman adventures. This direct-to-DVD title is being released now in order to cash in on the July 18 release of “The Dark Knight,” but that’s OK because it’s a boon to animation addicts. The storytelling — featuring pieces by six different writers — is above average and the visuals are consistently engaging.

Despite the differing creative influences, the shorts are meant to tie together into a cohesive story. That approach isn’t very successful, but the project is still worthwhile. When viewed individually, the stories are satisfying, and each has a beginning, middle and end, so it’s easy to look at them as stand-alones.

As with most collections, some shorts are better than others, but the quality is consistent enough that superhero fans should find the material appealing. Do note, however, that the film earns its PG-13 rating with images that are considerably more violent than those usually associated with animated superhero flicks. Adults will therefore do well to screen the DVD in advance and determine whether it is appropriate for their children.

“Gotham Knight” is available as a single-disc release and as part of a two-disc collector’s edition. Extra features vary by version, but both releases feature an audio commentary and sneak preview of DC Comics’ upcoming Wonder Woman animated movie.

 
Superhero Movie
1 1/2 stars
Available in rated and unrated versions. The theatrical cut received a PG-13 for crude and sexual content, comic violence, drug references and language
Dimension Home Entertainment
Available on: DVD

Also looking to jump on “The Dark Knight” bandwagon is “Superhero Movie,” a spoof of the many comic book films we’ve seen during the past decade. Using “Spider-Man” as a blueprint, writer-director Craig Mazin tells the tale of Rick Riker (Drake Bell), an average high school student who is bitten by a genetically altered dragonfly that gives him superpowers.

From this setup, Mazin delivers a series of broad — often sex-based — gags that lampoon everything from the “Fantastic Four” and “X-Men” pictures to “Batman Begins.” Some of the bits are funny, but they are more often juvenile, so the film never establishes a rhythm.

What’s more, Bell’s performance involves little more than broad mugging. The supporting cast, which includes Christopher McDonald and Leslie Nielsen, shows more range, but nobody has much to work with.

The screenplay not only skips easy targets — “Ghost Rider” and “Hellboy” for instance — it doesn’t do much with the movies it does parody.

“Superhero Movie” is available on two separate DVD releases, one featuring the theatrical cut of the film and another with an unrated, extended cut. Extra features vary by version.

 
Stop-Loss
3 stars (out of four)
Rated R for graphic violence and pervasive language
Paramount
Available on: DVD

Writer-director Kimberly Peirce’s long-awaited follow to 1999’s “Boys Don’t Cry” is a military drama that’s worth watching despite a significant flaw. Ryan Phillippe stars as Brandon King, an Iraq War veteran preparing to settle back into civilian life in Texas after completing a harrowing tour of duty. Alas, the military uses its stop-loss policy to order King back to Iraq.

Believing he has already done his duty, Brandon goes AWOL in hopes of avoiding more combat. This creates a rift not only with the military but with Brandon’s longtime friend and fellow soldier Steve Shriver (Channing Tatum). In part, the tension between the men escalates because Steve’s fiancee, Michelle (Abbie Cornish), decides to help Brandon. But it’s also rooted in the fact that Steve is having a difficult time adjusting to civilian life.

Because “Stop-Loss” looks at an important issue that many American soldiers are facing, it is worth watching. The film does, however, have its down side. Most notably, almost every returning soldier is shown facing severe mental struggles. Although post-traumatic stress is a problem with today’s military, it’s fairly clear that individuals react to stress differently, and not every returning soldier is borderline insane.

DVD extras include deleted scenes, two making-of features and an audio commentary by director Kimberly Peirce.

 
The Ruins
2 stars
Available in rated and unrated versions. The theatrical cut received an R for strong violence and gruesome images, language, some sexuality and nudity
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

Writer Scott B. Smith adapted his own novel to the screen with this story of a nasty, man-eating plant that goes after a group of college coeds. Sound like a dozen horror films you’ve already seen? That’s because it is like a dozen … scratch that … several dozen movies that have hit theaters in the last decade.

While few pictures involve carnivorous vegetation, the formula of introducing nubile college hotties to an audience just so they can then be picked off by evil is an age-old formula. In “The Ruins,” said evil is an ancient plant inhabiting a long-abandoned Mayan temple.

Our five heroes and heroines visit the structure in hopes of doing some sightseeing during their Mexican vacation, but the moment they get near the ancient building, a group of unfriendly locals threaten them with rifles and bows and arrows. Frightened, the youngsters ascend the temple hoping to wait out the unfriendly locals, but they soon find that violent human beings are the least of their worries.

Director Carter Smith sells the premise relatively well, and the cast — including Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey and Jonathan Tucker — is solid. Alas, Smith often opts for over-the-top gore rather than true suspense, and there’s no escaping the been-there-done-that plotting.

There are two DVD releases of the movie, one featuring the theatrical cut and another with an unrated version of the film. Extra features vary by version.

 
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

The X-Files — Revelations: A compilation of eight episodes (including the pilot) of the classic fantasy/science-fiction television series.

Cannon — Season One, Volume One: The first episodes of William Conrad’s 1970s television drama about rotund private investigator Frank Cannon.

Jake and the Fatman — Season One, Volume One: More from William Conrad. In this television drama, he played “Fatman” McCabe, a prosecutor who went after bad guys with detective pal Jake Styles (Joe Penny).

The Future is Unwritten: Documentary film about musician Joe Strummer, co-founder of the influential rock band The Clash.

Fastlane — The Complete Series: All 22 episodes of the television drama that ran on Fox from 2002 to 2003. Bill Bellamy and Peter Facinelli star as undercover Los Angeles police detectives working to bring baddies down with the help of their handler, Wilhelmina Chambers (Tiffani Thiessen).

The Mummy movies: In anticipation of the Aug. 1 release of Brendan Fraser’s “The Mummy — Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” Universal Studios is trotting out two-disc deluxe editions of 1999’s “The Mummy” and 2001’s “The Mummy Returns.” If you prefer the classics, Universal has also released a two-disc, digitally remastered version of Boris Karloff’s 1932 take on “The Mummy.”

Journey to the Center of the Earth: Not to be confused with the new big-screen version of Jules Verne’s story — opening in theaters July 11 — this DVD contains a 2008 TV movie starring Rick Schroder, Peter Fonda and Victoria Pratt.