DVD Corner

“Enchanted” DVD, Blu-ray – Disney’s hit, fish-out-of-water comedy succeeds as well as it does because it understands the affection surrounding the studio’s earliest animated projects, and because it knows there always is room for some good-natured hair-pulling, which is what gives this enjoyable movie such a surprising edge. Amy Adams is Princess Giselle, who is set to marry Prince Edward (James Marsden) and naturally live happily ever after when Susan Sarandon’s Queen Narissa complicates everything by sending Giselle out of their animated world and into the real one. There, she meets Patrick Dempsey’s Robert, and romantic complications ensue, particularly when Edward comes to fight for her hand. Marked by Adams’ irrepressible charm, several complex musical numbers and a clever script, this movie lives up to its name. Rated PG. Grade: A-

“Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol. 2” – Forbidden? There was a time when some in power wanted them to be, but those people likely are dead now and these hard-boiled movies live on, proving just as necessary as ever. The five films in this blue collection from Warner all came before the Hays Code began its corrupt squeeze of censorship. As such, these films are more racy, free and entertaining than many that followed. Included are Norma Shearer in 1930’s “The Divorce” and 1931’s “A Free Soul,” with Shearer winning the Academy Award for the former; 1931’s harrowing “Night Nurse,” with Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Blondell and a sleazy Clark Gable hustling in the shadows; and 1932’s “Three on a Match,” in which Blondell appears opposite Ann Dvorak and an impossibly good-natured Bette Davis. Rounding out this satisfying set is 1933’s “Female,” with Ruth Chatterton taking her share of male secretaries to bed and coldly ditching them to the curb when she’s finished with them. Lovely woman. Fine collection. Commentaries abound. Grade: B+

“I Am Legend” DVD, Blu-ray – Another day, another movie that features a virus wiping out humanity. In this case, the exception is Will Smith’s resourceful Robert Neville. Save for his faithful dog, Neville is alone in this science fiction-horror potboiler – or so he thinks. Based on Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel – which had been filmed twice before, first with Vincent Price in 1964’s “The Last Man on Earth” and then 1971’s “The Omega Man” with Charlton Heston – the movie is strong until its final third, when it lapses into a funk of cliches and sentiment that undermine much of the goodwill that came before it. Still, since what comes before it is involving – the special effects are especially good – the movie is recommended, with reservations. Rated PG-13. Grade: B-

“The Kite Runner” – Director Marc Forster’s film follows the writer Amir (Khalid Abdalla), an Afghan living in the U.S., who must deal with decisions he made in his past, when he betrayed his best friend, Hassan (Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada). Though young Amir (Zekeria Ebrahimi) loves Hassan – initially, they are inseparable, often flying and running kites in neighborhood competitions – Amir grows jealous when his father dotes on Hassan. Amir silently retreats when Hassan is viciously attacked by bullies, and it’s in this extended flashback that “The Kite Runner” is at its best and most believable. The child actors are superb, as is Homayoun Ershadi as Amir’s father. But when the movie switches to the present and Amir finds himself traveling back to the Taliban-ruled Kabul to retrieve Hassan’s son, the plot contrivances hit hard, detracting from an otherwise engaging story. Grade: B-

“Midsomer Murders: Early Cases Collection” – Based on Caroline Graham’s novels, this ingenious detective series has run for years in Britain, and now, in this “Early Cases Collection,” it enjoys a bundled set of the show’s first 18 episodes. Murder and arched eyebrows are a mainstay here, with John Nettles’ Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby and his assistant, Detective Gavin Troy (Daniel Casey), wading through the dead bodies, secrets and mayhem with wit and aplomb. Also available from Acorn Media is the equally recommended and most recent set in the collection, “Midsomer Murders: Set 10,” which includes four feature-length episodes – “Second Sight,” “Hidden Depths,” “Sauce for the Goose” and “Midsomer Rhapsody.” For fans of the new wave of British mysteries, which are darker and more gritty than what preceded them, each set offers enough manners, murder and cold-blooded characters to lift your heart. Grade: B

“The Mist” – Frank Darabont’s adaptation of Stephen King’s 1980 novella was one of last year’s more successful horror movies. It’s about how a mysterious mist rises on the horizon after a storm slams into a lakeside Maine town, leaving its residents rushing to repair the destruction in its wake. Of course, nothing in the mist is as terrifying – or as heroic – as what we ourselves can become when pressed by fear and desperation. That’s the film’s point and that’s what it reveals so well, particularly with Marcia Gay Harden in the juicy role of the troublemaking, Bible-thumping Mrs. Carmody. With Thomas Jane in the lead, the movie offers solid supporting turns from Toby Jones and Laurie Holden, several surprises tucked within the so-so special effects and genre cliches, and an ending that’s so good, it proves that even in today’s mass-market movies, sometimes Hollywood has the guts to turn a blind eye to the box office, focus on what best serves the story – and just get it right. Rated R. Grade: B+

“The Rookie” Blu-ray – A movie about an old jock made for old jocks, but in its effort to glorify their dreams, the film shrewdly doesn’t make any of it look easy. Dennis Quaid is Jim Morris, the Texas science teacher and high school baseball coach whose lifelong dream of pitching in the major leagues was realized in real life. Rachel Griffiths is Jim’s wife, who offers support and quiet advice. “The Rookie” understands our love of baseball and respects it, mining real feeling for the game, its fans and players in spite of the script’s sentimental overtones, which it overcomes. One of Quaid’s best roles. Rated G. Grade: B+

Visit www.weekinrewind.com, the blog, podcast and archive of BDN film critic Christopher Smith’s reviews, which appear Mondays, Fridays and weekends, as well as on bangordailynews.com. He may be reached at Christopher@weekinrewind.com.

“Warner Gangsters Collection, Vol. 3” – Six gangster films from Warner, most dipped in noir, all peppered with some of the key players of the time. Included are four films starring James Cagney – 1933’s “Picture Snatcher,” 1933’s “Lady Killer,” 1931’s “Smart Money,” with Cagney paired opposite that other giant of the gangster genre, Edward G. Robinson, and 1933’s “The Mayor of Hell,” in which Cagney co-stars with Frank Darro and Madge Evans. In 1937’s “Black Legion,” Humphrey Bogart takes the lead with Ann Sheridan, and in 1940’s “Brother Orchid,” it’s Robinson and Bogart sharing the screen, this time in an entertaining gangster comedy. The boxed set is filled with extras, including trailers, commentaries and Warner cartoons. Grade: B+

Visit www.weekinrewind.com, the blog, podcast and archive of Bangor Daily News film critic Christopher Smith’s reviews, which appear Mondays, Fridays and weekends in Lifestyle, as well as on bangordailynews.com. He may be reached at Christopher@weekinrewind.com.