A couple of recent big-budget Hollywood films and a bunch of independent releases you've never heard of have landed on DVD and Blu-ray this week.
"Wrath of the Titans" (Warner/Blu-ray + DVD + Digital, 2012, PG-13, $35.99, widescreen, deleted scenes, featurettes). Sam Worthington reprises his role as Perseus from 2010's "Clash of the Titans" in this mythological tale of the half-human son of Zeus (Liam Neeson) being called upon to battle the Titans once again when they are released from hell.
It's a family affair after Perseus' treacherous uncle Hades (Ralph Fiennes) switches alliances, helps the Titans kidnap Zeus and forces Perseus to go into the Underworld to rescue his father and save mankind. Along the way he enlists a warrior queen (Rosamund Pike) in the cause.
No great shakes but lots of action for fantasy/sword-and-sandal fans. (Also on 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital, $44.95, and single-disc DVD, $28.98.)
"A Thousand Words" (Paramount, 2012, PG-13, $19.99, widescreen, deleted scenes). Eddie Murphy's latest fiasco has him re-teaming with his "Norbit" and "Meet Dave" director Brian Robbins for a comedy about an untrustworthy literary agent who takes advantage of the wrong guy and soon finds a magical tree in his yard that drops a leaf for every word he speaks, and when the last one falls, he dies. Sat on the shelf for four years. It should have been five. (Also on Blu-ray, $29.99.)
"Sound of Noise" (Magnolia, 2010; R for language and brief nudity; $26.98, widescreen, in Swedish with English subtitles, featurettes, slideshow). Offbeat Swedish farce has a tone-deaf cop pursuing renegade musicians that wear masks, create percussion in the most unlikely places and wreak havoc on the city. Funny-odd if you're into quirky humor.
"The Decoy Bride" (IFC, 2012, PG, $29.98, widescreen, deleted scenes, featurettes, trailer). When a Hollywood movie star (Alice Eve) and her English author fiance (David Tennant) are pursued by paparazzi, they decide to marry in a remote Scottish island, where they ask a local girl (Kelly Macdonald, the voice of Merida in "Brave") to act as a decoy. Cute, funny romantic comedy with likable players. (Also on DVD, $24.98.)
"Best Laid Plans" (Well Go/Blu-ray, 2012, $29.98, widescreen). British drama very loosely based on John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men," with a low-level thug who manipulates his big but dim friend into taking part in cage fights. (Also on DVD, $24.98.)
"Hiding" (Anchor Bay/Blu-ray, 2012, PG-13, $25.99, widescreen, featurettes, music video). A teenager witnesses the killing of her parents and testifies against a mob boss in New York City. She is put into Witness Protection and finds herself in Montana, but, of course, her past catches up with her. (Also on DVD, $22.98.)
EMAIL: hicks@desnews.com
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