"Snow White and the Huntsman" (PG-13 127 minutes, Universal): Overlong and with an over-the-top performance by Charlize Theron as the evil queen Ravenna, the movie is a virtual orchard of toxic excess, starting with the unnecessarily sprawling cast of characters. As the man sent to capture Snow White (Kristen Stewart) and bring her back to Ravenna, Chris Hemsworth is no more important to the story than, say, the queen's creepy brother, Finn. The special effects are quite impressive, but there are too many and they add nothing to the story. And aside from some kinks in the yarn, there's little that adds suspense or originality to the tale. Contains violence and some blood. DVD extras: commentary with director Rupert Sanders, visual effects supervisor Cedric Nicolas-Troyan and co-editor Neil Smith; "A New Legend Is Born" featurette. Also, on Blu-ray: extended version, making-of featurettes "Reinventing the Fairy Tale," "Citizens of the Kingdom," special effects, a set tour and a second-screen interactive feature.
"What to Expect When You're Expecting" (PG-13, 110 minutes, Lionsgate): Is director Kirk Jones' film a farce? Or is it a crash course in every potential prenatal complication? How about a dramatic account of failed pregnancy attempts? The movie turns out to be a little of everything, yet succeeds only occasionally at anything. What to expect from this movie? Among the hodgepodge of near-death moments and slapstick pratfalls, it's anybody's guess. Contains rude language and sexual content. Extras: "The Dudes Unscrewed" and "What to Expect and the Pregnancy Bible" featurettes, deleted scenes.
"Girl in Progress" (PG-13, 90 minutes, Lionsgate): The strong, sexy presence of Eva Mendes and the girlish perkiness of Cierra Ramirez can go only so far to make this forced mother-daughter dramedy tolerable. It's a coming-of-age story that knows it's a coming-of-age story. Director Patricia Riggen and screenwriter Hiram Martinez don't dig deep enough with these characters, and it doesn't help that the two main figures are clichés. Contains mature thematic elements, sexual content including crude references, and drinking all involving teens. DVD extra: making-of featurette.
"For Greater Glory" (R, 145 minutes, Arc Entertainment): An epic dramatization of a little-known chapter of Mexican history called the Cristiada, in which the country's Roman Catholics rebelled against a government crackdown on religion. When the fighting is finally over, you may feel like surrendering, along with President Plutarco Calles, who in 1926 signed into law a systematic smothering of Catholicism. Contains scenes of violence and torture.
"Where Do We Go Now?" (PG-13, 110 minutes, in Arabic with English subtitles, Sony): In this satire, set in Lebanon, pathos competes with light comedy and neither quite flourishes. Writer-director-star Nadine Labaki's second film ponders Christian-Muslim conflict and the hotheaded simplemindedness of husbands and sons. Set in an unnamed village where adherents of both faiths live in peace, the ensemble tale opens on a somber note, only to spend the next half-hour looking for laughs. Contains thematic drug material, some sensuality and violent images. Extras: commentary by Labaki and composer Khaled Mouzanar, behind-the-scenes featurette.
Also: "October Baby," "Appropriate Adult" (2011, ITV film starring Dominic West and Emily Watson was a Sundance Channel original drama), "6 Bullets," "Absolutely Fabulous: 20th Anniversary Specials" (2012, the BBC specials), "Bad Karma," "Ghosts of the Abyss 3D" (2003, Disney), "Goats," "Rosewood Lane," "John Leguizamo: Tales From a Ghetto Klown" (PBS), "Stealing Las Vegas," "Barbie: The Princess and the Popstar," "Munger Road," "The Loved Ones" and "Power Rangers Monster Bash." TV Series: "Private Practice: The Complete Fifth Season," "The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fifth Season," "Castle: The Complete Fourth Season," "Spartacus: Vengeance The Complete Second Season," "30 Rock: Season 6" and "The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Third Season.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.





About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "Report Abuse" link below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.