New to DVD and Blu-ray Disc

“Eagle Eye” DVD, Blu-ray
Since the very title promises a certain clarity of vision, it’s too bad the movie itself lacks one. In fact, let’s be clear about the experience of watching “Eagle Eye.” It’s akin to being tossed into the business end of a washing machine, spun on high for the better part of two hours, and then released into the world feeling bruised, scraped and battered. The script is so ridiculously convoluted, you sit there thinking, “Wow, this is ridiculously convoluted.” So, let’s just cut the plot down to its essentials. Shia LaBeouf is Jerry Shaw, who is busy enjoying the world when his world implodes in a series of events that go wrong: Jerry’s accomplished twin brother dies, cell phones start to ring, a cool, computerized female voice starts directing Jerry through all sorts of hell, the Feds get involved (a bland Billy Bob Thornton among them), much chasing ensues, buildings collapse, cars explode, and Jerry unwittingly is led to Rachel (Michelle Monaghan), a single mother who also is being bossed around by that same robotic voice. Nobody here is allowed to bring anything to the movie other than fight and flight. In fact, what’s so curious about “Eagle Eye” is that its producers could have walked into any supermarket, plucked two reasonably attractive people from the check-out line, handed them the script, put them in the film, and nothing would have changed--except for the steep savings in salaries. Rated PG-13. Grade: D

“Nip/Tuck: Season 5, Part 1” DVD
A savage little television show about two South Beach plastic surgeons in which nothing appears tired, particularly the writing--in this fifth season, it remains fresh and inventive, particularly since the action moves to California, where new clients await and the porn industry is tackled in ways best left for your viewing pleasure.  Julian McMahon’s Christian and Dylan Walsh’s Sean McNamara find themselves in a host of increasingly bizarre circumstances, including operating on two Marilyn Monroe wannabes, and repairing the face of a woman aggressively plucked by an eagle.  Meanwhile, along the periphery, toxic lives brim.  Appearances by Rosie O’Donnell, Tia Carrere, Boris Kodjoe and, of all people, real life porn star Lexington Steele, help to smooth away the occasional wrinkle.  Grade:  B+

“Serenity” Blu-ray
Joss Whedon's sci-fi powerhouse "Serenity,” now on Blu-ray disc, is a lively, visceral film that takes stock Asian, sci-fi and Wild Western elements and twists them into an intergalactic space adventure that somehow escaped being tweaked to serve the masses. Those drawn to it will find a tricky balancing act at hand, with humor, pathos, drama, wit, action and fear all roiling in the caldron of Whedon's rich imagination. Based on the director's excellent, 2002 Fox television show, "Firefly," what you admire in "Serenity" is Whedon's nerve--one false move, and this deceptively fragile film, with its deceptively sturdy facade, could have collapsed if just the right tone wasn't struck. And yet it is. Whedon's ability to shift between elements of horror and humor is exactly what he did so well in the television series he created, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." As a director, he recalls a young George Lucas before the darkside of marketing, industry and special effects got the best of him. Still, Whedon owes a debt to that director. Since so much of "Serenity" relies on the guts of the "Star Wars" franchise, it's unlikely that it would even exist without the vision Lucas had when Whedon was still a boy, presumably playing with all those "Star Wars" toys.  Rated: PG-13. Grade: A-

“Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” Blu-ray
Forget tomorrow.  On Blu-ray, Kerry Conran's "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” is the movie to see today. Shot entirely against a blue screen with sets, locations and several robotic and monstrous characters digitally added after principal shooting ended, this great-looking film seems made for high-def.  It’s a fun, dashing adventure set in 1939, with Gwyneth Paltrow as Polly Perkins, ace reporter for the New York Chronicle, who is forced to team with former love and ace aviator Joe "Sky Captain" Sullivan (Jude Law).  Together, they must save the world from certain doom by the mad scientist, Dr. Totenkopf (played by Laurence Olivier, who died in 1989 but who has been digitally brought back to life here). Angelina Jolie and Giovanni Ribisi round out a film that is glamorous, high-end noir shot through with art deco elements heightened by the future.  Closes with a smashing final shot.  Rated PG. Grade: A-