"Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" (PG, 87 minutes, Universal Studios)

Like "An Inconvenient Truth" for the 12-and-under crowd, "The Lorax" is a cautionary environmental tale with a thin veneer of entertainment on top. Based on Seuss' 1971 picture book, this musical adaptation, in eye-popping 3-D CGI, is undeniably less gloomy than the original. In the hands of co-directors Chris Reynaud and Kyle Balda, and co-writers Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul, Seuss' slender though eloquent fable has morphed into something unwieldy and manic. It's simultaneously silly and preachy, and with precious little room for fun. Danny DeVito's Lorax – the mystical, mustached critter who speaks "for the trees" and who struggles, futilely, to stop the Once-ler – is even more messianic here than in the book, traveling back and forth between Earth and the clouds in a shaft of celestial light, like a furry Jesus. Seuss' book may have been a heavy-handed downer, but at least its heart was in the right place. "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" is a movie that progressives can feel good about taking their kids to, without having a good time. Contains brief, mildly rude language. Blu-ray extras: Commentary with Renaud and Balda; three new mini-movies, "Serenade," "Wagon-Ho" and "Forces of Nature"; making-of the mini movies featurette; deleted scene; "Seuss to Screen" featurette; "Seuss It Up!" drawing tutorial; "Truffula Run" game; "Let It Grow" sing-along; "Get Out of Town" game, O'Hare TV commercial interruptions and "Expedition to Truffula Valley" interactive feature.

"Blue Like Jazz" P (PG-13, 107 minutes, Lionsgate)

Based on Donald Miller's 2003 book of auto- biographical essays, the film follows a year in the life of Donny (Marshall Allman), an assistant youth minister whose faith is shaken after learning of his mother's affair. The movie is the story of Donny's pendulum swing away from faith and Bible Belt culture – and of what happens when he gets so far off center that he loses sight of himself. It is neither sanctimonious nor preachy. Director Steve Taylor, who co-wrote the script with Miller and Ben Pearson, gets the atmosphere of intellectual curiosity mixed with know-it-all-ness just right. Those familiar with Reed College in Portland, Ore., will also be pleased with its depiction, down to the annual spring Renn Fayre bacchanal. The film pokes fun at the air of privilege and strenuous political correctness common to lefty, liberal arts schools, while retaining a certain affection for their heartfelt quirks. Contains mild obscenity, sexual dialogue, drug use and underage drinking. Extras: commentary by Miller, Pearson and Steve Taylor; deleted scenes; making-of featurette, and six other featurettes including "Master Class: Directing Actors on Set," "Save Blue Like Jazz" and "The Music."

"Marley" (PG-13, 144 minutes, Magnolia Home Entertainment)

This Bob Marley documentary looks spectacular. The early aerial shots of the hills of Jamaica where Marley grew up are stunning. Even though there is plenty of live concert footage, some viewers might complain that there is not enough. A 1980 performance in Zimbabwe celebrating the country's independence contains arguably the most indelible image of the film. When security guards released tear gas into the crowd, Marley's band members fled the stage, but he remained front and center, temporarily oblivious to the chaos surrounding him, a living embodiment of his lyric "one good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain." Marley may be the face on the T-shirt of the guy smoking a joint at a frat party, but "Marley" shows us he was much more. Contains drug content, thematic elements and some violent images. Extras: Extended interviews; commentary by director Kevin Macdonald and David "Ziggy" Marley; photo gallery.

"Girlfriend" (unrated, 94 minutes, Strand Releasing)

This coming-of-age drama explores the nature of love and human compassion. Evan, a young man with Down syndrome played by Evan Sneider, inherits a large sum of money. He decides to use it to help out his friend and high school crush, Candy (Shannon Woodward), a single mother facing eviction. The two form an unlikely relationship, but conflict arises when Candy's ex- boyfriend, Russ (Jackson Rathbone), interferes.

Also

"William & Catherine: A Royal Romance" (Hallmark Channel original movie), "Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale" (2011, Taiwan), "Grimm Season One," "Knock Knock 2," "The Cat in the Hat" (deluxe edition remastered, with"Cat in the Hat Sing-Along" and two other Dr. Seuss tales, Warner), "Laddaland" (2011, Thailand), "The Liquidator" (2011, Russia)," "Mary Marie," "Ghost Hunters: Season 7: Part 1" and "My Little Pony – Friendship Is Magic: Royal Pony Wedding."

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