Susan Granger’s DVD Update for week of Fri., April 5:
One might call Sheldon Candis’ sensitively realized “Luv” an urban partner to “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” as Woody (Michael Rainey Jr.), a timid Baltimore 11 year-old, spends a day with his redemption-seeking ex-con uncle (Common) and faces a harsh world where predators come in all shapes.
Billy Bob Thornton and Eva Longoria team up in “The Baytown Outlaws” as a small rescue mission turns into a boisterous Southern action comedy, as they shoot their way through federal agents, female assassins and Native American hunters.
Set in London, “The Sweeney is an action thriller, featuring Ray Winstone and Damian Lewis and proving sometimes you have to act like a criminal to catch a criminal. And British standup comedian Ross Noble plays a degenerate, murderous kids’ birthday party clown in “Stitches.”
In German, Hebrew and English with English subtitles, the Israeli documentary “Hitler’s Children” examines the descendants of top Nazi officials as they struggle against the reality of their ancestors’ pasts.
In Spanish with English subtitles, “White Elephant” follows two priests (Ricardo Darin, Jeremie Renier) who try to help the poverty-stricken in the slums of Buenos Aires when work on the construction of a hospital is halted by a ministerial decree, testing the faith of the entire community.
For family viewing, “Charlie: A Toy Story” is a live-action feature revolving around 10 year-old Caden and his best friend Charlie, a golden retriever, who set out to thwart the evil plans of bumbling bullies determined to break into Caden’s dad’s toy shop to steal his one-of-a-kind invention.
And for pre-schoolers, there’s “Fireman Sam: Mighty Mountain Heroes,” containing six action-paced adventures.
PICK OF THE WEEK: The documentary “Knuckleball” analyzes the most mocked and frustrating pitch in baseball, delving into the legendary brotherhood of men who share the drive, imagination and humility to throw the slowest, most disrespected and mysterious pitches. Filmed throughout the 2011 season, it follows R.A. Dickey of the New York Mets and Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox, exploring the bond between them and retired knuckleballers like Charlie Hough, Wilbur Wood, Jim Bouton, Tom Candiotti and Hall of Famer Phil Niekro.