Insidious, Grade C-minus: A family discovers that dark spirits have possessed their son. Patrick Wilson stars.
A good way to make a horror film scary is to keep the story so grounded in what's familiar that it creates shivers, such as The Blair Witch Project or Paranormal Activity.
Insidious starts out with such an approach, but then writer Leigh Whannell and director James Wan load the film with so many horror-film clichés - including a very predictable ending - the effort collapses.
Arthur, Grade F: A slacker must choose between an arranged marriage or life without money. Russell Brand and Helen Mirren star.
There's not enough liquor on the planet to obliterate the memory of this film. This feeble remake is not just repugnant for its lack of humor, amateurish acting, and lead-footed pacing, but it's also an insult to the memory of Dudley Moore, who starred in the 1981 version.
Also new on DVD Tuesday:
Robot Chicken Star Wars: Episode III: Seth Green's satirical look at the sci-fi classic.
Damages: The Complete Third Season: Glenn Close stars in the cable legal drama.
Entourage: The Complete Seventh Season: Includes 10 episodes of the HBO series.
Battle Beyond the Stars: The Roger Corman cult classic is being released to mark the 30th anniversary.
ThunderCats: The Original Series Season 1 Part 1: The first 12 episodes of the animated series are in this set.
Alice: Season One: A young Brazilian woman must leave her small town after a family tragedy.
Brother's Justice: Dax Shepard plays himself in this mockumentary as he tries to reposition himself as a martial-arts star.
ER: The Complete Fifteenth Season: This is the final season of the long-running medical drama.
Maneater: Dean Cain plays a small-town sheriff who investigates the death of several local teens.
MI-5: Volume 9: Relationships between the CIA and MI-5 are tested in this BBC series.
The Lincoln Lawyer: A small-time lawyer (Matthew McConaughey) lands the case of a lifetime.
Thomas in Charge: Thomas gets ready for the Railway Inspector's trip to Knapford Station.
America's Test Kitchen: Season 11: Cast members learn the basics of home cooking.
Card Subject to Change: A look at the lives of professional independent wrestlers.
Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Movie Collection: Includes three mysteries that premiered on PBS's Masterpiece Mystery!
Yo Gabba Gabba: Party in a Box: Includes Birthday Boogie, Clubhouse, and Dancey Dance Bunch.
Dora the Explorer: Dora's Big Party Pack: The party DVD includes a Dora and Diego cake recipe card.
Barney: 1-2-3 Learn: Barney and his friends celebrate learning.
