New on DVD: Two Oscar nominees and Two Truly bad Flicks.

What's new in the DVD Aisle? Here's some notable titles.

Up in the Air

dramedy

The Gist: Ryan (George Clooney) has the perfect life. He spends most of it on an airplane, swooping in to fire people on the behalf of corporations, and sweeping out before making any emotional connections. He takes a colleague who threatens this existence on one of his trips, but she challenges his enjoyment of his unattached lifestyle.

The Buzz: This movie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture and George Clooney was nominated for best actor, and costars Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick were both nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

The Ups: This film is entertaining and insightful about the times we live in. All three actors give sparkling performances. It asks questions about what is real in life and why some people hide from reality.

The Downs: The film means different things to different people.

The Verdict: Rent it.

Be Aware: Rated R for language and some sexual content. IMDB parents' guide.

Old Dogs

Comedy

The Gist: Robin Williams plays a divorcee and John Travolta a bachelor. The two are tasked with caring for a six year old. Hilarity should ensue, but doesn't.

The Ups: Williams and Travolta are generally enjoyable actors. I wonder if someone replaced them with cyborgs.

The Downs: This movie is bad. Like super bad. Like memorably bad. Not funny. Not poignant. Not anything. This movie sets the bar for bad. It's the movie we refer to when we talk about bad. As in, ""When in Rome' stunk, but at least it wasn't 'Old Dogs.'"

The Verdict: Skip it. Hide from it. Under the bed if necessary.

Be Aware: Rated PG for some mild rude humor. IMDB parents' guide.

Planet 51

Animated Kid's Film

The Gist: An alien world looks, feels, and sounds like America in the '50s, only with green antennae. A boorish, stupid, American astronaut lands and is hunted by a paranoid, xenophobic society.

The Ups: Occasional good animation.

The Downs: A heavyhanded message about how the 50s were repressive (get over it, already, Boomers!) and inappropriate jokes (suppositories are not funny kid comedy fare, folks) adds up to a big bummer. If I want to be lectured, I'll watch Michael Moore.

The Verdict: Skip it. It stinks, but at least it's not "Old Dogs."

Be Aware: Rated PG for mild sci-fi action and some suggestive humor. IMDB parents guide.

Capitalism: A Love Story

Documentary

The Gist: Michael Moore, the director of "Farenheight 9/11," "Sicko," and "Bowling for Columbine," takes on American capitalism. Who's surprised he doesn't much care for it?

The Ups: Moore knows how to make an entertaining documentary, I'll give him that.

The Downs: Commie, pinko propoganda. He'd probably consider that a compliment.

The Verdict: For people absorbed by the politics of economics, this is interesting, at least to see what people are saying. The rest of us can find better uses for our time.

Be Aware: Rated R for some language.

Precious: Based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire

Drama

The Gist: Uneducated, obese, and pregnant for the second time at 16, Precious seems destined for failure and misery. There's more to the story, both bad and good. She's a victim of abuse, and she's got more determination in her quiet person than any ten of the rest of us.

The Buzz: This film was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, and Mo'Nique won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Precious's abusive and cruel mother.

The Ups: What makes one person rise above their circumstances while others are derailed by less harrowing situations? Precious takes uncertain step after uncertain step, but they're all in the right direction. Great acting, great story.

The Downs: This movie is painful to watch. As abuse after abuse is piled on Precious, it becomes more and more difficult. Not for the faint of heart.

The Verdict: Rent it, but with caution. It's a great movie. It's also sickening. Absolutely not for children.

Be Aware: Rated R for child abuse including sexual assault, and pervasive language. IMDB Parents Guide.

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!