“America at War” – From A&E and the History Channel, a well-done, 14-disc collection that explores our nation’s war efforts, beginning with the American Revolution and the Alamo and following straight through to our conflicts in the Persian Gulf and our current war in Iraq. Newsreel and archival footage add weight and interest to the already substantial commentary provided by experts in the field, and especially by those who lived through some of the events themselves. As with any undertaking this massive, there are sticking points. While the Vietnam, Korean and WWI coverage seem unusually truncated by being limited to only one disc each, the American Revolution warrants three discs, while World War II is offered exploration on two discs. Finally, while the quality of this set doesn’t rise to the level of a documentary by, say, Ken Burns, it does an admirable job offering enough insightful angles to allow for a solid overview. Grade: B+

“The Golden Compass” DVD, Blu-ray – A great-looking movie that loses its way. What’s missing isn’t just a sense of magic to the production and a clear idea of all the evil working to undo young Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards), who is in possession of the eponymous compass, a highly desired device that mines the truth in all things asked of it. What’s also missing is soul, momentum and a lasting element of danger, all of which would have helped “Compass” reach the operatic tone it struggles to achieve. The film hovers somewhere between the sterility of science fiction and the richness of fantasy. As a result, it can be beautiful and harrowing, but too often, also canned and derivative. A very good Nicole Kidman plays the evil Mrs. Coulter – she’s a golden vision of cinematic perfection. As the head of the Magisterium, an organization that wants to rob children of free will, she slinks with smiling menace through a movie stymied by an unnecessarily dense script and a chafe, baited ending that offers more disappointment than satisfaction. Helping Lyra fight Coulter and the Magisterium is the warrior polar bear Iorek Byrnison (Ian McKellen), whose battle with the ferocious Ragnar (Ian McShane) allows the movie the jolt of action it could have used throughout. Rated PG-13. Grade: C+

“Intelligence: Season One” – This accomplished Canadian police drama boasts that “information is the most addictive drug of all.” And the series is determined to prove it, too, in episodes that mainline a combination of sex, crime bosses, sleazy thugs, Russian pole dancers, cocaine-addicted mothers and corrupt officials all creating havoc in the shallow end of Vancouver’s gene pool. The series’ key players are Ian Tracey’s Jimmy Reardon, a loving father and devoted drug smuggler, and Klea Scott’s ambitious Mary Spalding, who leads Vancouver’s Organized Crime Unit but who longs to be much more than that. Together, these two join forces in dangerous ways meant to advance their careers, but at what cost? In this case, it’s worth finding out. Grade: B

“The Private Life of a Masterpiece: Complete Seasons 1-5” – A fascinating series that roams the world to study and explore 20 famous pieces of art, from such Renaissance masterpieces as Piero della Francesca’s “The Resurrection” and Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” to such Impressionist works as Van Gogh’s “The Sunflowers” and Auguste Renoir’s “Dance at the Moulin de la Galette.” Also in this award-winning set are revealing observations of Edouard Manet’s “Le Dejeuner sur l’Herbe,” Whistler’s iconic painting of his mother in the then-controversial “Arrangement in Grey and Black: The Artist’s Mother,” and Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.” The value of this collection is evident at the start: In spite of how well-known these works are, the art historians assembled to discuss them nevertheless manage to build drama through insight, such as when they explore Michelangelo’s David or Rodin’s “The Kiss.” In doing so, “The Private Life of a Masterpiece” neatly skirts the pitfalls of mainstream familiarity to offer the surprise of something new, a fresh angle we might not have considered, and the richness that rests within. Grade: A

“The Shirley Temple Collection, Vol. 6” – Sinking ship. The set includes three films – the 1936 musical “Stowaway,” in which Temple’s “Ching-Ching” leaves Shanghai to work her magic in keeping Robert Young and Alice Faye together; John Ford’s 1937 movie “Wee Willie Winkie,” a so-so retelling of Rudyard Kipling’s story that finds Temple’s Priscilla Williams fighting the good fight in Colonial India; and 1940’s “Young People,” which was Temple’s final film with Fox. After making dozens of films with Temple, the studio decided that at the tender age of 12, she was too long in the tooth to play the roles that had made her a star. And so, for viewers armed with this knowledge, it’s now something of a curiosity to watch Temple launch into the title song’s telling lyrics: “We’re not little babies anymore! We don’t play with dollies on the floor! We know how to act our age! We have passed the infant stage! That’s why we are in a rage! We think children are a bore!” Poor Shirley. The suits at Fox knew they were finished with her long before they hung her out to dry with this movie and that song. Grade: C

“The Waltons: Complete Seventh Season” – Set mostly in Depression-era Virginia, this genial drama follows the Waltons through yet another season of hardships, the most notable of which is the fact that Will Greer (Grandpa) died during the hiatus between seasons six and seven. Instead of offering a replacement, the show shrewdly begins with Grandpa quite dead and the Waltons grieving his loss. With Richard Thomas’ John Boy also out of the picture (the actor had moved on), the show is left to grapple with other elements tugging at its plot strings, not the least of which is the bombing of Pearl Harbor, where Curt is stationed. Troublesome tattoos, bouts of tuberculosis and time spent in sanitariums also spark the drama. In the end, though, the show remains an acquired taste. It’s little more than an antiseptic balm of family highs and woes. Grade: C

WeekinRewind.com is the site for Bangor Daily News film critic Christopher Smith’s blog, video podcasts, iTunes portal and archive of hundreds of movie reviews. Smith’s reviews appear Mondays, Fridays and weekends in Lifestyle, as well as on bangordailynews.com. He may be reached at Christopher@weekinrewind.com.