This week's DVD releases feature a Norse god, a former princess and a New York fireman.
"Thor," Grade A-: The God of Thunder gets sent to live with humans to find his humanity. Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman star.
It takes three elements to make a great movie based on a comic book superhero: an actor who embraces the role, a director who treats the material with respect and fantastic visual effects. "Thor" has all three.
The hulky/hunky Hemsworth embodies the charm, strength and power of the character. It's as if he stepped out of the pages of the original comic book created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. And director Kenneth Branagh's successfully makes the themes of family, honor and love accessible.
The visuals are stunning. And, it's not just the elaborate creation of Asgard or the presentation of the famous Rainbow Bridge – everything from Thor's use of his hammer to the desert battles is dead-on.
"Carrie Fisher: Wishful Drinking," Grade B+: Carrie Fisher offers a light and very revealing look at the major events of her life, from being the daughter of actress Debbie Reynolds to being gawked at by geeks because of her "Star Wars" role of Princess Leia.
It's hard to tell if Fisher's talking about her life as some sort of public therapy or she's just trying to entertain. Either way, it's impossible to look away because Fisher has lived a very colorful life.
"Rescue Me: The Sixth Season and The Final Season," Grade A-: Denis Leary's cable series about the strange characters who inhabit a New York firehouse ends the same way as it started. It mixes dark comedy with some very emotional moments through near perfect writing.
The DVD set includes the final two episodes, which manage to deal with life and death with the respect and lack of respect. Few shows have been able to take such different viewpoints and make them work together so well.
Also coming to DVD Tuesday:
"Hesher": Hesher creates chaos for a man and his father.
"Danny Phantom: Season 1": Features 20 episodes of the animated series.
"Spartacus: God of the Arena": Preqel series to "Spartacus: Blood and Sand."
"Meek's Cutoff": Poetic drama set in 1845.
"Leading Ladies": The Campari family lives for dancing.
"Wubbzy and the Fire Engine": Wubbzy and his friends suit up for six stories.
"Killer Double Feature": Includes "Bad Dreams" and "Visiting Hours."
"Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers": Animated tale inspired by the Robert Rodi graphic novel.
"Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown": A look at the world of underground MMA fighting.
"Lourdes": A woman makes a life-changing journey.
"Star Wars: The Complete Saga": The Blu-ray set features all six "Star Wars" films.
"Modern Family: The Complete Second Season": ABC comedy about a wild family. "Private Practice: The Complete Fourth Season": Kate Walsh stars in the medical drama.
"Camelot: The Complete First Season": Cable series that looks at the adventures of King Arthur.
"Blue Mountain State: Season Two": A comedy about college football.
"Set Up": A diamond heist goes bad.
"Dora The Explorer: Dora's Storybook Adventures": A DVD set of three.
"The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fourth Season": Smart CBS comedy about what happens when nerds and women collide.
"The Dog Who Saved Halloween": Dean Cain stars in this holiday tale.
"Grey's Anatomy: Complete Seventh Season": Ellen Pompeo stars.
"Beverly Lewis' The Shunning": A woman (Sherry Stringfield) tries to reconnect with the daughter she gave up years ago.
"Blue Bloods: The First Season": A tale of a family of New York cops.
"Glee: The Complete Second Season": A high school glee club faces multiple challenges.
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