'Miss Potter' among DVD titles

New movies on DVD this week are led by one of last year's best — "Miss Potter."

Recent movies

• "Miss Potter" (Weinstein/Genius, 2006, PG, $28.95). Renee Zellweger is the title character, Beatrix Potter, who lived a sheltered life until she wrote the beloved Peter Rabbit children's stories. This film is an offbeat mix of sentimentality and whimsy (she occasionally speaks to her characters and we see them respond).

Zellweger is utterly charming, as is Ewan McGregor, as the shy publisher who slowly begins to woo her. The film also nicely captures the period, the turn of the 20th century.

If you are one of those who wishes they'd make 'em like they used to, this is for you.

Extras: Widescreen, audio commentary, featurettes, music video, trailer

• "Longford" (HBO, 2006, $26.98). Except for a brief segment during which the title character campaigns against pornography, this is another true story with nothing offensive. James Broadbent delivers a stellar performance as British Lord Longford, a devout Catholic who spent much of his life visiting inmates in prison and campaigning for their rights in London.

The bulk of the film concentrates on his controversial friendship with a notorious child murderess, Myra Hindley, played perfectly by Samantha Morton. As Longford's ever-patient wife and conscience, Lindsay Duncan is also grand.

A tremendously moving and thought-provoking film.

Extras: Widescreen, audio commentary), featurette

• "Bridge to Terabithia" (Disney, 2007, PG, $29.99). A lonely young boy and girl share a love of fantasy, and soon they find their fantastic world has come to life in a nearby wood.

Unique coming-of-age tale, a delightfully realized adaptation of the popular book, which will engage adults as much as kids.

Extras: Widescreen, audio commentaries, featurettes, trailers

• "Gray Matters" (Fox, 2006, PG-13, $27.98). Talky, flat comedy about a chatty young ad exec (Heather Graham) who discovers she's gay — and in love with the woman (Bridget Moynahan) her brother (Tom Cavanagh) is determined to marry. Heavily plotted, multicharacter effort has charm but just never manages to be as funny as it strives to be. Cast includes Molly Shannon, Alan Cumming and, in a small role, Sissy Spacek.

Extras: Widescreen