Sandra Bullock won her Oscar for "The Blind Side," which leads this list of movies and TV shows new to DVD.
"The Blind Side" (Warner, 2009, PG-13, $28.98). There's been a bit of backlash over Bullock's win, but there shouldn't be. She gives a great performance, fully embodying the real-life character she portrays in this excellent film.
As you probably know by now, this is the true(ish) story of a wealthy white family that takes in Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a hulking black student who is both homeless and flunking. The family's matriarch (Bullock) helps the shy Michael transition to being one of the family, and hires a tutor (Kathy Bates) to help him bring up his grades. And soon, Michael also proves to be a football phenomenon.
Heartfelt and moving, and often quite funny, with fine performances all around, this is one you can watch as a family.
Extras: widescreen, deleted scenes, trailers
"The T.A.M.I. Show: Collector's Edition" (Shout! 1964, b/w, $19.93). Here's a fascinating artifact for baby boomers, a theatrical performance film that hasn't been seen in its entirety for 45 years!
The acronym is for "Teenage Awards Music International," and the nearly two-hour show is hosted by Jan and Dean, and features performances by Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys, Lesley Gore, James Brown, Smokey Robinson, the Supremes (before Diana Ross made herself part of the group's name) and many more — including the Rolling Stones! And if you look closely, you'll see that one of those bouncing blondes among the constantly jumpy, gyrating dancers is a very young Teri Garr.
The songs include too many hits to list, but if you were a teenager in the 1960s, you can sing along with most of them. And in addition to the individual musicians singing and playing, it's a kick to see them perform together here and there.
Extras: widescreen, audio commentary, trailer, radio spots; 20-page booklet
"Red Cliff" (Magnet, 2010; R for violence; $26.98). After his string of successful Chinese crime films crossed over to international success ("Hard Boiled," "Once a Thief"), filmmaker John Woo made a string of action films in the United States, also with great success ("Face/Off," "Mission: Impossible II").
For this one, Woo returned to China to mount the country's most expensive epic, and it's a stunner, managing to include his penchant for poetic imagery along with all the huge battle sequences that are sharply realized. The story is built around a legendary 298 A.D. battle that brought an end to the Han Dynasty.
Be warned that there are two versions of this film on DVD. This is the U.S. theatrical release with an English-language prologue, which runs about 21/2 hours. Also available in a double-disc set is the two-part, four-hour film shown in China — labeled "Original International Version" ($29.98).
Extras: widescreen, featurettes, storyboards, trailers
"Justin Time" (MTI, 2010, $24.95). Utah filmmaker Rob Diamond co-wrote and directed this kids fantasy about a magic amulet and disc that can stop time, and the half-Native American teen who tries to keep it out of the hands of an evil mogul. The most recognizable faces are Danny Trejo, Brian Wimmer and Michael Flynn. (There's lots of Utah talent in this made-in-Idaho comedy-drama.)
Extras: widescreen, deleted scenes, trailers
"Free Willy: Escape From Pirates Cove" (Warner, 2010, PG, $27.95). This entry in the series (No. 4, and the first to go straight to video) has a change of cast, focusing on a young girl (Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Irwin) who is sent to South Africa to live with her grandfather (Beau Bridges). Soon, a young orca becomes the main attraction at Grandpa's seaside theme park.
Extras: widescreen, deleted scenes, featurettes, bloopers, trailers
"Big Screen Bombshells" (Mill Creek, 1968-90, rated R/PG/PG-13, three double-sided discs, $14.98). The box describes these as "drive-in flicks," which, of course, means low-budget exploitation pictures, ranging from Jayne Mansfield's last performance in "Single Room Furnished" to Stella Stevens in "Las Vegas Lady" to Dorothy Stratten in "Galaxina," along with nine more.
Extras: widescreen, 12 films
"Savage Cinema" (Mill Creek, 1962-79, rated R/PG, three double-sided discs, $14.98). These are yet lower-tier drive-in movies, focusing on bikers and criminals, with such titles as "Hellcats," "Wild Rebels," "Pink Angels," etc. No big stars but lots of familiar faces (Karen Black, Dan Haggerty, Alex Rocco, singer Marty Robbins, Richard Hatch, etc.).
Extras: widescreen, 12 films
e-mail: hicks@desnews.com