New on DVD: Comedy, Kids, and Creation

What has Hollywood served up this week in the DVD aisle? Here's the rundown.

Hot Tub Time Machine

Comedy

The Gist: Tree old dudes and one younger dude visit the scene of their youthful debauchery (a ski resort), spill some beer on a hot tub, and get sent back to 1986. And a chance at a do-over.

The Ups: Don't tell anyone I said this, but this is a sidesplittingly funny movie. A side role by Crispin Glover (the dad in Back to the Future), as a one-armed bellboy, is worth the price of admission.

The Downs: This comedy belongs to the new genre that takes crass to a new level, coarse to new heights, and inappropriate to new reaches. Then it exceeds even that.

The Verdict: I absolutely, positively cannot recommend this movie. I cannot tell you how hard I laughed. If you watch it, it's on your own head. Not in any way appropriate for children, teens, or most adults.

Be Aware: Rated R for, well, everything. A hard R.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Kid's film

The Gist: Based on the popular Percy Jackson novels, this film follows the adventures of an ordinary kid who discovers he's the son of a god. A Greek god.

The Ups: This is a well made and clever film that makes the ancient legends interesting. Which cannot be a bad thing. Read our full review here.

The Downs: Tweens who love the novels almost universally complained that the movie took too many liberties with the plot, characters, and humor. Book lovers can be such a hard audience.

The Verdict: Rent it. It's fun and worth a view, if only to complain "Annabeth had BLOND hair in the book."

Be Aware: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is rated PG for action violence and peril, some scary images and suggestive material, and mild language.

The Crazies

Horror

The Gist: A small town is just the gosh darn perfect place to live until the residents start attacking each other with pitchforks. Maybe it's something in the water.

The Ups: As horror films go, this one is well made.

The Downs: Nothing new. And did I mention it's a horror film?

The Verdict: Skip it.

Be Aware: Rated R for bloody violence and language.

Creation

 Drama

The Gist: A middle aged father struggles to keep his marriage together, to care for his kids, and to keep up with his career, all while mourning the death of a beloved daughter. Oh, and he's Charles Darwin. His work is writing the theory that changed everything.

The Ups: Heartfelt and moving performances by Jennifer Connelly and real life husband Paul Bettany show a lovely romance between two people who have been married for years.

The Downs: Religious objectors to the idea of Darwinian Evolution are portrayed, well...not quite as firebreathing anti-progressives, but not as intelligent people either.

The Verdict: If you like historical fiction, this is a good and well-made movie to watch.

Be Aware: Rated PG-13 for some intense thematic material.