DVDs featuring women acting badly top this week's new releases.
"Bridesmaids," Grade F: New rule. Any movie that features one or more of its stars using a bathroom sink as a toilet automatically drops three letter grades. In the case of "Bridesmaids," that demerit didn't matter because it had already hit bottom.
Director Paul Feig's effort to make a mix of "The Hangover" and "27 Dresses" is a jumble of stale jokes, stereotypes and scenes that run so long you could time them with a sundial.
Buried under the garbage are sweet stories about best friends and how hard it is to fall in love. The trouble: The comedy is dead weight.
"Raising Hope: The Complete First Season," Grade C+: It was easy to write this FOX series off when it launched because it looked like a live-action version of "The Simpsons." What emerged over the year was stronger.
The story of a very weird family trying to raise a baby looks like a tribute to dysfunctional families. Like "The Simpsons," "Raising Hope" shows that while their parenting methods may seem mad, their intentions are always aimed in the right place.
Toss in Cloris Leachman playing a nutty character and this show will grow on you like fungus on a toe.
Also coming to DVD Tuesday:
"Happy Endings: The Complete First Season": Elisha Cuthbert stars in this comedy about best friends getting past a wedding disaster.
"My Run": A 57-year-old man decides to run from his Minnesota hometown to the summer Olympics in Atlanta.
"The Inspector General": Collector's edition of the 1949 Danny Kaye movie.
"Mad: Season 1 Part 1": Animated cable series that lampoons everything from movies to sports.
"The Mentalist: The Complete Third Season": The mental abilities of Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) continue.
"Mike & Molly: The Complete First Season": CBS comedy starring Billy Gardell that proves love knows no bounds.
"Terry Pratchett: Going Postal": A con man must take over a derelict post office.
"Timmy Time: Hide and Seek": Timmy and the gang are featured in five episodes.
"Law & Order Los Angeles: The Complete Series": West Coast spinoff of "Law & Order" that lasted only one year.
"Castle: The Complete Third Season": Nathan Fillion stars in this crime drama about a mystery writer who helps the police.
"Bride Flight": Three women have their lives changed by a famous flight in 1953.
"After Dark Original: Area 51": The military's best-kept secret is out. Bruce Boxleitner stars.
"We Are the Night": German film about a young girl who gets involved with vampires.
"Families of Philippines": A look at the world through a child's point of view.
"Body of Proof: The Complete First Season": Dana Delany plays a surgeon who becomes a medical examiner because she can't operate.
"Hawaii Five-O: The First Season": Flashy 2010 remake of the Hawaii-based cop show.
"SpongeBob Squarepants: SpongeBob's Runaway Roadtrip": Features six adventures during one grand vacation.
TV and movie critic Rick Bentley can be reached at rbentley@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6355. Read his blog at fresnobeehive.com.
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