New on DVD
Bolt
Rated PG for some mild action and peril
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Walt Disney Animation proved that it can contend with Pixar with this Oscar-nominated animated film about a dog that thinks he’s a super hero because he plays one on TV. The animation is spectacular, especially on blu-ray, and the story is very much fun for the whole family. Rhino the hamster actually steals the show and turns out to be one of the best animated sidekicks I can remember. His short film on the DVD extras isn’t great, but his performance in the film more than makes up for it. A
Quantum of Solace
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Daniel Craig is back as Bond, but this time the story and directing aren’t nearly to the quality of the last film Casino Royale. Director Marc Forster (The Kite Runner) seemed more interested in recreating the Bourne Identity than continuing the twisty, edgy plot line from Bond’s last adventure. The opera scene shows real promise for the script, but that one set piece alone isn’t enough to save the rest of the film. C+
The Odd Couple: Paramount Centennial Collection
Rated G
Available on DVD
This newly restored version of the classic film about two divorcees living together has finally gotten the high definition treatment. The print looks great, and you can’t help but miss Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon as they constantly bicker and fight with one another. And for the fans, there are tons of special features included on the two-disc set. A-
Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter
Rated R for violent and grisly images
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Due to a lack of time, the theatrical release of Watchmen left out the entire Black Freighter comic-within-a-comic from the original graphic novel. In order to not upset the fans, the film makers opted to create an animated version of this tale, voiced by 300‘s Gerard Butler, that will probably be mixed in with the Watchmen when it is released on DVD. It’s an interesting story, and actually plays better by itself than I thought it did in the novel. Personally, I would wait and get it when the final product is released in a few months. B-
The Fast and the Furious Trilogy
Contains The Fast and the Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Tokyo Drift
All three are PG-13 for violence, language, sexual content, and racing
Available on Blu-ray
Just in time for the new fourth install of the franchise, Universal is releasing this three blu-ray set including the “trilogy.” I’m not sure if it’s really a trilogy since the first two films are only loosely related and the third has nothing to do with the first two other than the inclusion of cars. Nevertheless, if you are a fan of the series, or just of fast cars, mindless action, and a great look and sound, this might be up your alley. There are tons of special features and the set even allows you to upload the three films onto your iPod. The Fast and the Furious B, 2 Fast 2 Furious C, Tokyo Drift C+