This week in DVD

Blue Valentine: This critically acclaimed drama was praised for its emotional honesty and its unflinching look at the often brutal realities of adult relationships. That sounds depressing. Anyone know when more "Love American Style" is coming out on DVD?

The Illusionist: This is the little-seen but Oscar-nominated animated foreign film from last year, not the Paul Giamatti/Edward Norton film that seemed to be overshadowed by "The Prestige" several years ago. Just thought I'd point that out.

No Strings Attached: We were apalled when this lame-looking romcom with Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher scored a $20 million first-place opening weekend early this year, but a quick check at Box Office Mojo shows it's made about $70 million total, while "Black Swan" has earned over $106 million. Score one for the good guys.

Justin Beiber: Never Say Never: This country successfully all but eradicated polio, whooping cough, and Jonas Brothers Mania. We can stamp out Beiber Fever, too, by staying away from movies like this.

Universal Vault titles: SIngle-disc retail releases of some gems that were previously available only in larger box sets. There's some good stuff in this batch like the neglected Preston Sturges/Dick Powell neglected "Christmas in July" and the W.C. Fields/Mae West pairing in "My Little Chicakdee." The cynic in me wants to ask why in tarnation it took so long to get distinct releases of these, the optimist in me is just glad they're here, and the cheapskate in me wishes they were free.

Almighty Thor: Hey, what do you know, this cheapo with Richard Grieco (not playing Thor, much to my regret) just happens to come out now. How 'bout that?

BraveStarr The Complete Series and Home Improvement: The Complete Collection: OK, the Tim Allen sitcom made more money, garnered more acclaim, and drew more viewers, but give me a complete set of the bizarre, kind of fun to watch in a certain spirit Filmation space western anytime. Seriously. And while you're at it, how about a copy of "Christmas in July"?

Webster Season 2: The little guy returns for a second season, and he's not even been relegated to Shout Select yet, the DVD equivalent of being sent to your room without supper. Wait, did that ever even happen to Web? I don't remember if he really ever acted up that much.

Wrestlemania XXVII: The latest installment of WWE's annual showcase comes to DVD. Ah, I remember the days when I hoped that the local video store would carry the latest Coliseum Video WWF tape. Nowadays, I know enough about the product to know that reading about it is enough. Why is it everything was better back then? I wasn't better back then. In fact, I was probably kind of annoying.

The Steven Seagal Collection: Not to say this is even being promoted as any kind of a big deal, but still, "Collection," though accurate, sounds too prestigious for a bunch of Seagal flicks. How about calling it something like, I don't know, "A Bunch of Seagal Flicks"?