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October 4, 2012

DVD Releases

New on the shelf: 'Dark Shadows' / 'People Like Us' / 'Red Lights'

NEW ON THE SHELF

"DARK SHADOWS," starring Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer. Another comic tweaking of a beloved TV classic, "Dark Shadows" mines an impressive amount of comic mileage from ye olde "fish out of water" scenario, mainly thanks to Depp's comedic chops as Barnabas Collins, a 200-year-old vampire patriarch resurrected in the early '70s to restore the good name of his gone-to-pot family. Because this is a Tim Burton film, the set and effects are top-notch, and the humor campy and over-the-top, an approach that may not work for every project Burton tackles but is certainly appropriate in this venue. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:53

Suggested retail price: $28.98; Blu-ray $35.99

"PEOPLE LIKE US," starring Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks. Humble family drama finds cash-strapped salesman Sam (Pine, "Star Trek") hoping for a handsome payout when his distant but well-off father passes away, but instead finds said inheritance tied to Frankie (Banks, "Our Idiot Brother"), a young woman unknown to him but with whom he shares an unexpected bond upon tracking her down. A quiet and sensitive little movie with heartfelt performances from all concerned. Special features include a commentary from Kurtzman, Pine and Banks. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:54

Suggested retail price: $29.99; Blu-ray $39.99

"RED LIGHTS," starring Sigourney Weaver and Robert De Niro. Intriguing, crafty film from writer-director Rodrigo Cortes ("Buried") pits renowned psychic (De Niro) and professional psychic debunker (Weaver) against one another in a consistently surprising cat-and-mouse thriller that works best when it's focusing on the ins-and-outs of Weaver's under-exposed profession rather than De Niro's theatrics. The various plot threads get a bit unraveled near the end, but Cortes is a creative and skillful filmmaker who manages to keep all the balls in the air long enough to merit a viewing. Special features include cast interviews. Rated R. Running time: 1:53

Suggested retail price: $28.99; Blu-ray $29.99

NEW TO DVD

"HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER: THE COMPLETE SEASON SEVEN," starring Josh Radnor and Jason Segel. Once an ailing genre, the fate of the lowly sitcom appears to have turned in recent years. Much of that can be attributed to this long-running, ever-sharp TV comedy, which pairs one of the best ensemble casts in recent memory with some of the funniest writers to unsurprisingly bang-up effect. Showing no signs of slowing down in its seventh season (and even fewer signs of getting around to solving its titular mystery), fans of such fare as "Scrubs" and "Friends" would do well to spend some time with this engaging and hilarious bunch. Not rated; contains language, sexual content and drug references. Running time: 8:43

Suggested retail price: $39.98

"NEW GIRL: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON," starring Zooey Deschanel and Jake Johnson. Meta-quirky vehicle for the ever-lovely and popular Deschanel has slowly but steadily gained a loyal following thanks to its star's undeniable appeal, an engaging supporting cast and a clear willingness to go to extreme lengths in search of a laugh. Something of a send-up of the whole "manic pixie dream girl" motif, "New Girl" is more likely to wear you down than wear you out, and this box set is the ideal opportunity to catch up. Special features include commentaries from cast and crew on select episodes and a gag reel. Not rated; contains language and sexual content. Running time: 8:46

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