DVD Corner

Each week, BDN film critic Christopher Smith will review the latest DVD releases.

“Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection”: Five classics from Hitchcock, all rereleased by Universal, all sold individually. While none represents Hitchcock’s best work, some come close, particularly the early films, such as 1942’s “Shadow of a Doubt,” a tense, effective thriller that features a murderous Joseph Cotten, and 1934’s “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” with Peter Lorre in his English-language debut. The weaker films have flashes of greatness, such as 1964’s “Marnie,” in which Sean Connery and Tippi Hedren redefine identity theft, and the 1966 Cold War thriller, “Torn Curtain,” with Julie Andrews going behind the Iron Curtain and learning plenty about her physicist fiance (Paul Newman). The underrated, 1976 black comedy, “Family Plot” – Hitchcock’s last film – exists on another realm. It stars Barbara Harris as Madam Blanche, a crazed pseudopsychic who joins her dim boyfriend (Bruce Dern) in using her “powers” to solve a diamond theft. When she pulls through, neither can believe it – but that’s just the start of their problems. Grades: “Shadow”: A-; “Man”: A-; “Marnie”: B+; “Curtain”: B; “Plot”: B.

“Archie Bunker’s Place: Complete First Season”: Takes Archie Bunker out of his home and puts him in a bar, where his abrasive opinions and observations continue to fly, though in the faces of people unfamiliar to him and to us. This change of locale robs “Bunker” of some of its intended punch. Still, while this series was no “All in the Family,” creator Norman Lear was at least able to continue the point of that series – Archie (Carroll O’Connor), one of pop-culture’s most exasperating, lovable bigots, unwittingly explored the hot-button issues of the day. Sally Struthers, Rob Reiner and Jean Stapleton make necessary guest appearances. Grade: B

“Diff’rent Strokes: Second Season”: Well, at least they had their youth. Before Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges and Dana Plato screwed up their adult lives – Plato died of a drug overdose after posing nude in Playboy, appearing in an X-rated film, committing forgery and then armed robbery; Bridges was arrested for drug possession and acquitted for two murders; and Coleman became a bankrupt security guard eager to be the butt of cruel jokes – they had each other in this so-so second season of “Diff’rent Strokes.” Ironically, it was in this season that Nancy Reagan famously appeared to urge the kids to “just say no” to drugs. If only some of them had listened. Grade: C

“Growing Pains: Complete First Season”: You’ll feel the pain. Unrelentingly corny – a throwback to the ’80s if there ever was one – though not nearly as cloying as its contemporary, “Full House.” Kirk Cameron, Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Tracey Gold and Jeremy Miller go through the sitcom family motions, with canned laughter and some appallingly weak writing belying its success. Includes the new documentary, “Seaver Family Reunion: S’mores and More,” in which the cast gathers around a campfire to talk about the good old days while toasting s’mores. The swooning cuteness can be unbearable. Grade: C-

“North Country”: Men are pigs. That’s the message tucked in “North Country,” and nobody will dispute it after seeing it. Inspired by true events, this overtly manufactured, yet well-acted drama stars Charlize Theron as Josie Aimes, a single mother of two fighting to pull herself out of poverty. Her best shot of being self-sufficient also proves her worst shot at maintaining her dignity – she decides to work in the mines of northern Minnesota. Not exactly a wise career choice, particularly since the men who dominate the mines – including her father (Richard Jenkins) – don’t want her or any other woman there. What they do to underscore their point is beyond cruel, with the film building a major class-action lawsuit against them and the company. Theron and Frances McDormand each are nominated for Academy Awards, though neither will win. McDormand, in particular, overdoes it. Rated R. Grade: C

“Poltergeist: The Legacy – Complete First Season”: Forget Carol Anne. Hell, forget the 1982 movie on which some might believe this series is based – “Poltergeist: The Legacy” has nothing to do with them. Instead, the first season of this popular, 1995 sci-fi show stars Derek de Lint as Dr. Derek Rayne, who uses his formidable wealth to keep at bay the inhabitants of a ghostly underworld that wants its place among the living. Problem is, should they do so, the gates of Hell will roar open, which isn’t exactly an option for Rayne and his crew. It’s all fun, paranormal hoo-ha, with a few nice jolts laced throughout the production. Grade: B

“Rent”: Evict them. Toward the nerve-jangling midpoint, when the story and its Bohemian-wannabe characters have whipped themselves into a froth of full-blown camp, there’s no question that we’re dealing with a film that apparently broke a hip upon its leap from stage to screen. The movie is a mess, collapsing in ways from which it doesn’t recover, though God knows it tries. Homelessness, death, drug addiction, sexuality, HIV and AIDS all are tackled, yet in spite of this, the movie packs the dramatic punch of a feather. Its problem is that it demands to be taken literally. In one scene, a character might be having a perfectly engaging conversation about the dangers of shooting up dope or the worry of not being able to pay the rent, and then suddenly be singing his heart out, setting trash cans ablaze and dancing on tables as if that’ll keep on the lights. It doesn’t. Rated PG-13. Grade: C-