New on DVD: Battle: Los Angeles, Hall Pass, Red Riding Hood

Battle: Los Angeles

The Gist: Some US Marines barely in training have the mission of their life: To fight an alien invasion force and rescue civilians in what used to be Santa Monica.

The Ups: Lots of explosions. Lots of bullets flying. Plenty of heroics. Plus, something rare in Hollywood recently: a positive view of the men and women who serve in the military. Read our full review and David French's love song to the movie.

The Downs: Sometimes confusing and not particularly nuanced. Plus, the aliens look like they came from “Transformers” hand me downs. Doesn’t matter, though, the movie is still a lot of fun.

The Verdict: Watch it. Enjoy it. I’m sure real soldiers would respond in just the same way….if, you know, aliens invaded.

Be Aware: Rated PG-13 for long and sustained sequences of war violence and language. The film is about 80% street warfare and yes, soldiers tend to swear. It’s all been toned down for a PG-13 audience, though. The violence is loud, but kills are not shown graphically.

Hall Pass

The Gist: Two schlubs are married to women way too good for them, but they keep checking out every heinie that passes by in a short skirt. Their longsuffering wives decide to give them a “hall pass,” a week of marriage with no consequences. They hope their husbands will realize they’re schulbs and not one of those heinies would give them the time of day. Of course, things get out of hand. They so often do. Read our full review.

The Ups: Some occasional laughs. A sweet, lovely ending that not only endorses marriage, but extolls the beauty of having just one sexual partner in a lifetime.

The Downs: Humor that still shocks in an increasingly unshockable world. This includes, in no particular order: explosive diarrhea, masturbation, full male nudity, public defecation, and lots and lots of vulgar language. Oh, those cards!

The Verdict: Skip it. Unless your gag reflex is particularly lax, this movie is just too much.

Be Aware: See above. Rated R.

Red Riding Hood

The Gist: Poor Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) has problems. She’s supposed to marry a rich guy her parents like, but really loves a humble, handsome fellow. Plus, something keeps eating the villagers. It’s a werewolf and the townspeople are fed up. They’re going to start hunting it, but Valerie learns it could be someone from town, someone she knows well. What’s a girl to do? Besides heaving her bodice, that is?

The Ups: Making a movie inspired by the tale of Little Red Riding Hood is a great idea. It’s a classic tale full of symbolism and meaning. Sadly, this movie isn’t.

The Downs: This movie was supposed to be a “Twilight” without, you know, vampires. It comes off as chock-full of teenage passion cliché, all the downs of “Twilight” without any of the ups. All the soulfull gazing and deep longing get pretty old. Plus, the werewolf is supposed to be scary, but just…isn’t.

The Verdict: Skip it.

Be Aware: Rated PG-13, there are scenes of sexuality. Lots of blood. Plus, there’s a story line involving the church which isn’t particularly positive. The townspeople offer sacrifices to the creature, including human sacrifice.