"The Tillman Story"
Pat Tillman surprised the sports world when he gave up his highly paid, successful career as an NFL player and joined his brother in the U.S. Army Rangers in 2002. He was called the most famous soldier in America. When he died in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2004, the Pentagon turned him into a hero. This explosive 2010 documentary tells how the Tillman family didn't accept the official story of his death and instead exposed the U.S. military for using what turned out to be a friendly-fire incident as war propaganda. R, 95 minutes. DVD and Blu-ray extras: commentary by director Amir Bar-Lev. From Sony. In stores Feb. 1.
"Skin"
Sandra is the daughter of white Afrikaners. Oddly, she has dark skin and African features, a genetic reminder of ancestral behavior generations earlier. In South Africa during the apartheid regime, this poses a problem. She is cast out of school and shunned by society despite her father's efforts to defend her. This strong 2008 drama, based on a true story, stars the wonderful Sophie Okonedo, an Oscar nominee for 2004's "Hotel Rwanda" and a Golden Globe nominee for 2006's "Tsunami: The Aftermath." Sam Neill and Alice Krige play her parents. PG-13, 107 minutes. DVD extras: deleted scenes, outtakes, a behind-the-scenes featurette and script development workshops. From E One Entertainment. In stores Feb. 1.
"Let Me In"
If you aren't drained already by vampire stories, here's a good one. Bullies at school won't leave Owen alone. A new girl next door offers her support, and they develop a strange connection. The only trouble is that she needs blood to survive. The 2010 horror fantasy film stars Kodi Smit-McPhee, who played the boy in "The Road," and Chloe Grace Moretz, dazzling as Hit Girl in "Kick-Ass." And it co-stars the always good Richard Jenkins, an Oscar nominee for 2007's "The Visitor." R, 115 minutes. DVD and Blu-ray extras: deleted scenes, director commentary, a poster gallery and three making-of featurettes. The Blu-ray version comes with a second disc, a digital version for portable players. From Anchor Bay. In stores Feb. 1.
"Monsters"
Creepy alien creatures have invaded Earth, and half of Mexico has been cordoned off as an infected zone.
This 2010 British science-fiction thriller follows a frightened tourist being escorted through the danger area to the safety of the U.S. border by a cynical journalist.
R, 94 minutes. DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, commentary and extras.
From Magnolia Home Entertainment. In stores Feb. 1.
"Night Catches Us"
Old friends are suspicious when a man returns home in 1976 to Philadelphia, where he came of age as a member of the Black Power movement.
This 2010 romantic drama with political overtones stars Anthony Mackie and Kerry Washington.
R, 90 minutes. DVD and Blu-ray extras: deleted and alternate scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and a photo gallery.
The Blu-ray adds a featurette.
From Magnolia Home Entertainment. In stores Feb. 1.
"Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship"
Just in time for Presidents Day comes this very good collection of four animated tales from Scholastic Storybook Treasures. The title story, about President Lincoln and former slave Frederick Douglass and narrated by Danny Glover, shares some important themes, especially about racism, but the execution is a bit stiff. Fortunately, next up is "John, Paul, George & Ben," an amusing look at the childhoods of American patriots named Hamilton, Revere, Washington and Franklin. It's narrated by James Earl Jones. The other episodes are "The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence" and "The Pilgrims of Plimoth." This collection is for kids ages 4 to 9. 81 minutes. DVD extra: an interview with "Lincoln and Douglass" author Nikki Giovanni. From New Video. In stores Feb. 1.
"A Woman, A Gun and a Noodle Shop"
A noodle shop owner wants to kill his unfaithful wife and her lover in this 2009 Chinese remake of the Coen brother's first film, 1984's "Blood Simple."
R, 90 minutes.
DVD and Blu-ray extras: more than 100 minutes of behind-the-scenes features.
From Sony. In stores Feb. 1.
"Guilia Doesn't Date at Night"
Valerie Golina stars as a swim instructor with a secret past who proves irresistible to a married author seeking inspiration. Unrated, 106 minutes. No extras. From E One Entertainment. In stores Feb. 1.
"Friend Pack" and "Action Pack"
Two new four-DVD sets of TV shows for preschoolers appear divided up for boys and girls. "Friend Pack" comes in a pink box, so it probably is aiming for girls. It features "Angelina Ballerina" in "Love to Dance," "Barney" in "Let's Play School" and "Everyone is Special," and "Fifi and the Flowertots" in "Fifi's Talent Show." This marks the DVD debut for "Fifi." Bonus features include sing-alongs and music videos. The set is 273 minutes of fun. Then comes "Action Pack," in a blue box, so we're guessing it's mainly for boys. It contains "Thomas & Friends" in "Steamies vs. Diesels" and "Track Stars," "Bob the Builder" in "Heavy Duty Diggers" and "Fireman Sam" in "Help is Here." DVD extras include games and Web links. Total time is 182 minutes. From Lionsgate and Hit Entertainment. In stores Feb. 1.
"Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2"
One bad movie deserves another. This Disney entertainment about the uninspiring antics of too-cute talking dogs. Critics absolutely hated the 2008 original starring Piper Perabo and Jamie Lee Curtis. It cost $20 million and made $94 million, thus ensuring this direct-to-video sequel. The plot involves puppies rescuing their humans and saving the day. It stars George Lopez, Ernie Hudson, Olivia Newton-John, Susan Blakely, French Stewart, Morgan Fairchild, Odette Yustman and Madison Pettis. G, 84 minutes. The DVD-Blu-ray combo pack comes with bloopers and a music video on both formats. The Blu-ray adds a game show. From Buena Vista. In stores Feb. 1.
"Chain Letter"
Don't you just hate getting those stupid chain letters that threaten you with bad things, even bodily harm, if you don't pass them on to friends?
Now you can hate this horror flick, too.
It involves one of those darn chain letters and a lot of blood and gore.
Starring Nikki Reed, Keith David, Brad Dourif and Betsy Russell.
Unrated, 89 minutes. From Image Entertainment. In stores Feb. 1.
"Lucky Lady"
Gene Hackman, Liza Minnelli and Burt Reynolds form a boring menage-a-trois of bootleggers in the Prohibition Era.
Despite the glittering cast and the efforts of top-rung director Stanley Donan, this 1975 comedy is flatter than stale champagne.
PG, 118 minutes. DVD extras: vintage featurettes, original trailers and a TV spot.
From Shout Factory. In stores Feb. 1.
"Life As We Know It"
Katherine Heigl is now officially in a rut. The once-promising star of "Grey's Anatomy" keeps appearing in syrupy, predictable romantic comedies, including "Knocked Up," "27 Dresses," "The Ugly Truth," "Killers" and now this mess. She and Josh Duhamel star as single adults who meet on a blind date and take an instant disliking to each other. That would be that, except a few years later, their married friends who set up the blind date are killed in an accident, leaving behind a precious little girl. The enemies have to move in together and make nice for the sake of the orphaned child. Can you guess what happens? The 2010 comedy made $53 million in U.S. theaters. PG-13, 114 minutes. DVD extras: three featurettes and deleted scenes. From Warner Bros. In stores Feb. 1.
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