The flood of comic book hero movies continues with this week's new DVD releases.
- "Green Lantern," Grade C-: A test pilot is granted a mystical green ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe. Ryan Reynolds stars.
At the core is the story of how the pilot is selected and his green ring that can focus all the willpower of the universe. His story is interesting, but it has far too much competition in this film.
The film's at its best when the pilot tries to figure out his new powers while defending Earth. Taking the story to the dark and dismal world of Oa, home to the Guardians who put together the Green Lantern Corps, is distracting.
The best characters are members of the Green Lantern Corps, especially Mark Strong as Sinestro. He plays the role with the kind of power we want to see in our heroes.
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- "Horrible Bosses," Grade B+: Three mistreated employees hatch a plot to eliminate their bad bosses.
The spot-on comedic work by the six actors -- Jason Bateman, Kevin Spacey, Jason Sudeikis, Colin Farrell, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston -- would be reason enough to put this on your must-rent list. But there's more. Director Seth Gordon accents the comedy with great supporting players, primarily Jamie Foxx, whose character name can't be printed. Also, the pacing is perfect and the writing smart.
Gordon shows that comedy can be edgy and raunchy without being mean or gross. The result is one of the funniest films of the year.
Also new on DVD this week:
"The Tree of Life": The story of a complicated relationship between a father and son. Brad Pitt and Sean Penn star.
"Taylor Swift: Journey to Fearless": Concert film features the young country singer.
"Zookeeper": Animals come to the aid of the zookeeper. Kevin James stars.
"Ron White's Comedy Salute to the Troops": Comedy special starring Ron White that includes visits with troops.
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"The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.: Complete Series Part 1 and Part 2": Stefanie Powers stars in this '60s TV spy series.
"Chuck: The Complete Fourth Season": Computer geek Chuck (Zachary Levi) continues to save the world.
"Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer": An imaginative young girl creates her own vacation adventures.
"Bones: The Complete Sixth Season": Emily Deschanel stars in the Fox TV series.
"Sesame Street: Elmo's Shape Adventure": Educational program featuring Elmo.
"Submarino": Two estranged brothers are haunted by a dark secret.
"Thomas & Friends: Merry Christmas, Thomas!": The gang celebrates the magic of Christmas.
"Christmas Lodge": A wish reunites a family.
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"Jem and The Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series!": Animated tales of an all-girl band in the '80s.
"Gift of the Magi": Struggling newlyweds look for the perfect Christmas gift.
"Barney: A Very Merry Christmas -- The Movie": Barney and Baby Bop go to Santa's workshop.
"Call Me Mrs. Miracle": Doris Roberts reprises her role as the woman who brings hope for the holidays.
"The Casper the Friendly Ghost Collection": Includes all 81 Casper cartoons created from 1945-1963.
"The Chugger Championship": Features the "Chuggington" series.
"Angelina Ballerina: Dancing on Ice": Angelina and friends practice for the big ice show.
"Adventures in Pornoland": Filmmaker takes a job on a porn set.
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"Lunopolis": Two documentarians uncover proof of a hidden city on the moon.
"The Harvest (La Cosecha)": A look at the lives of the 400,000 American- born children who pick our food.
"Devil's Playground": When an experimental new drug treatment goes wrong, thousands of patients turn into killers.
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Rick Bentley: rbentley@fresnobee.com
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
