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New on DVD: '2 Broke Girls' has its moments

But don't bother committing to 'Five-Year Engagement.'

- The Fresno Bee

Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 | 02:52 PM

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Full seasons of several TV shows hit DVD this week, including "2 Broke Girls."

"2 Broke Girls: The Complete First Season," Grade B-: Although the series fell into some comedy ruts in the final episodes of the first season, there are still enough laughs on the menu for this show about two waitress from opposite sides of the track who work and live together.

Beth Behrs continues to play the comedy way over the top. And the writers have gotten a little lazy with the street-tough character played by Kat Dennings, who has gone from telling jokes about dealing with a hard life to those of a sexual nature. But these women are still the most energetic team in any TV comedy.

A strong supporting cast helps.

"The Five-Year Engagement," Grade D: An engaged couple have trouble getting to the altar. Jason Segel stars.

Director Nicholas Stoller, who co-wrote the script with Segel, has created a jumbled mess of a film. At times it wants to be a wild comedy. Then it quickly shifts to deep conversations about love and commitment. Stoller's inability to blend these comedy and drama aspects leaves both parts a mess.

The film is the marriage of dreary characters with a script that's neither funny nor poignant. This is a union that feels as if it runs a half-decade long.

"The Five-Year Engagement" might have worked if it had a faster pace, more focus on the comedy, a better leading pair and a stronger plot device.

As it is, divorce yourself of any ideas of seeing it.

Coming out on Tuesday:

"Person of Interest: The Complete First Season": Two men stop crimes before they start.

"Haven: The Complete Second Season": Emily Rose stars.

"Fringe: The Complete Fourth Season": Parallel universes continue to collide.

"Criminal Minds: Season 7": An elite team of FBI profilers track twisted lawbreakers.

"The Good Wife: The Third Season": Julianna Margulies stars.

"Tom & Jerry: Tricks and Treats": Includes 22 cartoons.

"My Sucky Teen Romance": Teen girl meets vampire at sci-fi show.

"Korn: The Path of Totality Tour: Live at the Hollywood Palladium": Recorded Dec. 6, 2011.

"Young James Herriot": A look at the early life and education of the British author and vet.

"Grey's Anatomy: Complete Eighth Season": Includes the cast-changing season-ender.

"Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation": Thirteen episodes of the series about shelled heroes.

"The Solid Gold Cadillac": A 1956 film starring Judy Holliday.

"Safe": Mixed martial arts cage fighter (Jason Statham) rescues a scared young girl.

"Last Will": There is no happily ever after for some couples.

"Cloudstreet": Adapted by Tim Winton from his novel.

"R.L. Stine: Haunting Hour Volume 1 and 2": Both DVDs feature tales from the master of scary stories for kids.

"The Garfield Show: Holiday Extravaganza": Six holiday episodes.

"For the Love of Money": Man can't escape his gangster life.

"Piranha DD": Prehistoric school of piranhas are back.

"Holy Flying Circus": Behind the scenes of Monty Python and the Flying Circus.

"Mad Monster Party": Baron Von Frankenstein (Boris Karloff) decides to retire.

"White Vengeance": Two brothers fight for supremacy during the fall of the Qin Dynasty.

"Worlds Together": A look at life in Africa.

"The Adventures of Chuck & Friends: Monster Rally": Dump truck and his friends steer through monster rallies.

"High School": Teen rebellion comedy starring Adrien Brody.

"Touchback": A high school football star gets a second chance.

"Game of Life": Five families find a common bond.

"The Magic School Bus: The Complete Series": Contains all 52 episodes.

"8:46": A look at how events of 9/11 touched lives.



TV and movie critic Rick Bentley can be reached at (559) 441-6355, rbentley@fresnobee.com or @RickBentley1 on Twitter. Read his blog at fresnobeehive.com.

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