New On DVD: Extreme Fatherhood and Sappy Romance

What's new on DVD this week? Here are a few of the top titles.

The Road

Drama

The Gist: A father shields, cajoles, and prods his son through a post-apocalyptic world. There is no food. There are no animals. Evil men of violence have turned to cannibalism to survive. And yet, there is something God-breathed about the child that warrants protection and nurture.

The Ups: This adaptation of the novel by Cormac McCarthy wrestles with eternal questions of good, evil, and divine spark. It's worth a thousand sermons.  Read our full review here.

The Downs: A bleak and violent world allows only the thinnest ray of hope. The stark violence can be hard to watch. If that's not your cup of tea, this film isn't for you.

The Verdict: Watch it. Call it "extreme fatherhood." This masterpiece, in casting the questions, trials, and dangers of parenthood into stark relief, becomes a metaphor for all parents in all ages. We may not battle cannibals, but we are faced with the dilemma of how to raise children to be wary of evil but still open to good.

Be Aware: Rated R for violence and disturbing themes, this film isn't for children or the faint of heart. 

Dear John

Romance/Drama

The Gist: A soldier on leave falls for a pretty girl on spring break. Will their love stand the test of time and the melodramatic trials that love throws their way? Read our full review here.

The Ups: Young men who respect their girlfriends as well as their girlfriends' fathers are hard to find in cinema. This one even says "Yes, sir" and "No, Sir." A subplot about growing up with an autistic dad is heartwarming.

The Downs: It's not a Nicolas Sparks film unless it makes you cry. Usually with over the top sappy drama. This one is no different.

The Verdict: Depends. If you like tearjerker love stories, this is the best of the bunch. If you'd rather sit on an ant hill than watch sappiness, run like the dickens.

Be Aware: Rated PG-13 for some sensuality and violence, the film does feature a love connection that is consummated well before marriage.

At SixSeeds, we talk about the stories that surround modern life.  We love movies -- in fact, we even have a “brick and mortar” called SixSeeds Video in Winchester, Massachusetts! We know that good films have an amazing power to move, inspire, and sometimes even transform life.  Bad ones make you regret plunking down the $10 for the privilege of listening to the guy next to you chew milk duds for two hours.

That’s why we want to keep you informed of the latest offerings on DVD and Blu-Ray.  Listing the new releases below doesn't mean you should rush out and watch them with your pre-schoolers.  In fact, over the course of the next few months, we’ll list many we wouldn’t let our teenagers watch.  (Some, we regret watching!)  But somewhere in America, a teenager is going to come to their parent and say, “Hey, I’m supposed to bring the movie to the slumber party.  May I bring...?”

And right there in the aisle of the video store, a decision will be made. 

Come back next week to read “The RunDown,” America... and choose wisely!