The latest “Spider-Man” movie heads up new Blu-ray/DVD releases in stores this week.
“The Amazing Spider-Man” (Columbia Pictures, 2012, PG-13, $30.99, digital version, deleted scenes, audio commentary, featurette, art gallery). It seems a bit early for a reboot of a franchise that began just 10 years ago, but this return to the origin story was a big hit over the summer. In this version, Mary Jane Watson is out and Gwen Stacy is in, and there are some nice twists and turns that differ somewhat from the earlier trilogy.
Andrew Garfield is very good as Peter Parker, who tracks down his father’s former partner only to find himself confronting an egomaniacal monster. Literally.
Emma Stone is great as Gwen and Denis Leary is appropriately grumpy as her father, a New York cop. All in all, a nice return for the beloved comic-book character. (Also on three-disc Blu-ray combo, $40.99, and four-disc 3-D combo, $55.99.)
“Dinotasia” (Flatiron/Blu-ray, 2012, not rated, $34.95, deleted/extended scenes). A decidedly odd and offbeat sort-of documentary, this computer-animated feature depicts the evolution and destruction of dinosaurs but is far too violent and bloody for children (not to mention moments of copulation and defecation). Vignettes are based on scientific speculation, narrated by filmmaker Werner Herzog. (Also on DVD, $29.95.)
“Javier Bardem 3-Film Collection” (Lionsgate, 2001-2010; R for violence, language, sex, nudity, drugs; $19.98, three movies, featurettes, on “Mondays in the Sun”: deleted scenes, audio commentary). The Coen Brothers’ “No Country for Old Men,” which won Bardem an Oscar, is the big draw in this three-film set, but there is also the Spanish actor’s acclaimed performances in the Oscar-nominated “Biutiful,” as a dying Barcelona criminal struggling to provide for his kids, and “Mondays in the Sun,” as an unemployed dock worker.
“Your Sister’s Sister” (IFC/Blu-ray, 2012; R for language, sex; $29.98, audio commentaries, trailer). Mark Duplass is mourning the loss of his brother when a friend (Emily Blunt) offers her family cabin as a getaway, not realizing her sister (Rosemary DeWitt) is already there. Convoluted romantic comedy/drama that doesn’t seem remotely related to real life. (Also on DVD, $24.98.)
“Fire With Fire” (Lionsgate/Blu-ray, 2012; R for violence, language, sex; $24.99, audio commentaries, featurettes, trailers). A firefighter (Josh Duhamel) witnesses a murder by a white supremacist (Vincent D’Onofrio), and when witness protection fails him he goes after the killer himself. Simplistic, predictable action flick with Bruce Willis and Rosario Dawson in support. (Also on DVD, $19.98.)
“Outlaw Brothers” (Weinstein/Vivendi, 1990, not rated, $14.93, in Cantonese with English subtitles). Though it sags a bit in the middle, this otherwise fast-paced action yarn about a pair of car thieves being tracked by a female police officer boasts some wild stunt fights with found objects, thanks to the recognizable choreography of Jackie Chan and his team.
“Gold Collection” (Lifetime, 2002-06, two discs, $19.95, four movies).
“Moms to the Rescue Collection” (Lifetime, 2005-11, two discs, $19.95, four movies). These two collections of movies about overcoming the odds from the Lifetime cable channel are a mixed bag, but fans of the genre will enjoy them. “Gold” includes “Homeless to Harvard,” “Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy,” “Ambulance Girl” and “We Were the Mulvaneys.” “Moms” features “Honeymoon Mom,” “Taken From Me: the Tiffany Rubin Story,” “Mom, Dad and Her” and “Mom at 16.”
“With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story” (FilmBuff, 2010, not rated, $24.98, extended interviews, audio commentary, featurettes, image gallery, trailer). Documentary about the creator/co-creator of hundreds of comic-book heroes, including “The Amazing Spider-Man,” “Iron Man,” “The Fantastic Four,” “X-Men,” “Thor,” “The Incredible Hulk,” etc. Celebrity interviews include Nicolas Cage, Kirsten Dunst, Tobey Maguire, Kenneth Branagh and many more.
“Like There’s No Tomorrow” (Shout! 2011, not rated, $19.93, trailers). More exciting ski footage from Warren Miller, taking viewers to Squaw Valley, Calif., and Gulmarg, India, as well as ski slopes in Colorado, Alaska, Norway, New Zealand and, yes, Utah. (Also on Blu-ray, $29.93.)
“High Ground” (Virgil, 2012, not rated, $19.99, deleted scenes, audio commentary, trailers). This documentary follows 11 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as they set out to climb a Himalayan peak as a form of physical exercise and mental release, led by blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer and his team.
“A Man’s Story” (Virgil, 2012, not rated, $19.99, featurette, trailer). British menswear designer Ozwald Boateng is the subject of this documentary, which recounts his rise in the fashion industry. Interviewees include Keanu Reeves, Giorgio Armani, Prince Charles and Will Smith.
“The Pact” (IFC/Blu-ray, 2012; R for violence, language; $29.98, audio commentary, featurette, trailer). Horror movie about a young woman who reluctantly returns home after the death of her abusive mother, only to find her sister has disappeared and the family home appears to be haunted. (Also on Blu-ray, $24.98.)
“Supernatural Activity” (Well Go, 2012, not rated, $19.98). Low-budget spoof of found-footage horror films has a few interesting ideas but just isn’t funny enough to sustain feature length.
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