New movies on DVD are led this week by a smart sci-fi thriller and an amusing documentary on an unexpected subject.
"Limitless" (Fox/Blu-ray, 2011, PG-13, two discs, $39.99). Bradley Cooper, best known for his two "Hangover" movies, stars in this nifty mind-bender about a blocked writer who's drowning his sorrows in booze until he stumbles onto a top-secret pill that will boost his intelligence by unlocking his brain's full capacity.
At first being the smartest guy in the room is a real trip and thoroughly exhilarating. But he soon discovers that this is like any other drug — it wears off and then you want more. And maintaining a supply isn't easy.
The story plays out cleverly with a bevy of terrific characters in support (led by Robert De Niro as a Wall Street mogul) and Cooper is very good in every phase of his character's journey. And although he appears to be doomed, the ending has an encouraging, satisfying twist.
Extras: widescreen, Blu-ray and digital versions, theatrical and unrated extended versions, alternate ending, featurettes (also on single-disc DVD, $29.99)
"Dumbstruck" (Magnolia, 2011, PG, $26.98). Here's a warm, funny and sometimes heart-wrenching documentary about several disparate personalities on the ventriloquism circuit. Yes, you read that right. Among these comics who speak through their dummies are a former beauty queen reaching for the brass ring and a shy 13-year-old with big dreams.
Some of these "vents" are better and more successful than others but each demonstrates a passion that is wonderfully ingratiating. The star attraction is Terry Fator, who parlayed his "America's Got Talent" win to a major Las Vegas gig. And look for a nice featurette among the bonus features with Willie Brown explaining why he has chosen to work "clean."
Extras: widescreen, audio commentary, featurettes, trailers
"Arthur" (Warner/Blu-ray, 2011, PG-13, two discs, $35.99). This 21st century version of the 1981 comedy that shot Dudley Moore to superstar status is something of a calculated error. The brash Russell Brand takes over the role of the drunken multimillionaire, a wisecracking man-child who lavishes his wealth on expensive toys and frivolous partying.
The plot is basically the same, as Arthur is given an ultimatum by his distant mother — marry a woman of prominence (Jennifer Garner) to bring two wealthy families together or be cut off and broke. Naturally, just as this is playing out, he falls for a penniless young woman (Greta Gerwig).
But where Moore had a screen persona that was warm and loveable, Brand is cold and off-putting. Many of his lines, however clever some may be, are more sneers than quips. Instead of cute and child-like, he comes off as childish and perhaps mentally challenged. It's also a bit more difficult today to find the actions of a raving alcoholic amusing.
And where the original film had a perfectly cast ensemble of supporting players in carefully defined comic parts, here the characters — chiefly Helen Mirren in John Gielgud's Oscar-winning role as Arthur's nanny/valet and Luis Guzman as his chauffeur — are underwritten and ill-conceived..
Extras: widescreen; Blu-ray, DVD and digital versions; deleted scenes, featurette, bloopers (also on single-disc DVD without extras, $28.98)
"Rango" (Paramount/Blu-ray, 2011, PG, $39.99). The title character in this dark, dingy and at times ugly cartoon is a talkative chameleon (voiced by Johnny Depp) whose chatter is filled with puns and off-the-wall witticisms. He's a sort of lizard-out-of-water in a dusty Old West desert town but he will, of course, eventually become an inadvertent hero.
While this is somewhat amusing at first, the film and its lead character quickly wear out their welcome as the dialogue and situations become more adult and the villains more gruesome. It's another "family film" that is too adult for kids and too childish for adults.
Extras: widescreen; Blu-ray, DVD and digital versions; deleted scenes, extended version, audio commentary, featurettes, trailer (also on single-disc DVD without extras, $29.99)
"Take Me Home Tonight" (Fox/Blu-ray, 2011; R for language, sex, drugs; two discs, $39.99). Topher Grace heads the ensemble cast for this raunchy comedy about post-teens who still act like young teens, especially during the film's centerpiece, a par-TAY that goes on for-EVER. Oh, and it's set in the 1980s, a decade that is so overused for nostalgia purposes these days that it's apparent a group of young filmmakers remember it fondly. Whatever you think of that era, it deserves better than this movie.
Extras: widescreen, Blu-ray and digital versions, deleted scenes, featurette, music videos, trailers (also on single-disc DVD, $29.99)
"Peep World" (IFC/Blu-ray, 2011, $29.98). A novel that very thinly veils the problems in yet another movie-style dysfunctional family causes upheaval and forces family members to confront each other. The writing and performances here are wildly uneven so that even fans of TV stars Michael C.. Hall, Sarah Silverman and Rainn Wilson will feel the strain.
Extras: widescreen, deleted scenes, trailer
"Zonad" (FilmBuff, 2011, $24.98). Extremely low-budget, very vulgar superhero farce has a small Irish village welcoming a rehab escapee who is mistaken for an alien due to his unusual red-leather attire. He gets the celebrity treatment until someone blows his cover.
Extras: widescreen, audio commentary, trailer
EMAIL: hicks@desnews.com