'Forever Strong' and 'Bug's Life' new to DVD

"Beyond Rangoon" (Warner, 1995; R for violence, language: $19.98). Patricia Arquette — in her pre-"Medium" days — stars in this message movie wrapped in a commercial thriller as an American innocent caught up in Burma's civil war. Might have been more effective if it had been about Burmese horrors instead of a waylaid American tourist.

Extras: widescreen, featurette, trailer

"The Ramen Girl" (Image, 2008, PG-13, $27.98). Not very believable but occasionally cute comedy gets a lift thanks to Brittany Murphy's performance as an American in Tokyo abandoned by her boyfriend. After some self-pity, she begins working in a local restaurant and unexpectedly finds her calling as she trains in the art of ramen cooking. Unnecessary subplots occasionally stall the proceedings.

Extras: widescreen, deleted scenes/alternate ending, trailer

"Powder Blue" (Image, 2007; R for sex, nudity, language, drugs; $27.98). Contrived, lurid yarn about four broken people brought together by fate on Christmas Eve. One (Jessica Biel) is a stripper, of course. There's also an ex-priest (Forest Whitaker), an ex-con (Ray Liotta) and a detached mortician (Eddie Redmayne). In smaller roles are Patrick Swayze and Lisa Kudrow.

Extras: widescreen, audio commentary, featurette, photo gallery, trailer

E-MAIL: hicks@desnews.com