12 Angry Men
(Criterion)
It's not often that "courtroom drama" and "gripping movie" share a sentence — something to do with all those people talking and, um, talking. But this classic courtroom drama is indeed one of the most gripping movies ever made. Sidney Lumet directs and Henry Fonda stars in this 1957 masterpiece about a Puerto Rican teen on trial for murdering his father and the group of white male jurors who must decide his fate. It's a groundbreaking work, played out in real time as idealism and racism clash during deliberations. The movie's Blu-ray debut is loaded with historical and critical extras, including the original 1955 TV version of the story.
Conan the Barbarian (Lionsgate)
For the latest reboot of a character who's been around for almost 80 years, the no-name filmmakers go completely new-school, piling on the CGI and bloody beatdowns. There's really no story here, just a two-hour revenge fantasy wrapped in mumbles and muscles.
The Devil's Double (Lionsgate)
It's more flash than substance, but this true story about a guy who's forced to play body double for Saddam Hussein's son is entertaining — well, as entertaining as a movie about a psychopath can be. It doesn't go very deep, but Dominic Cooper has fun with his dual roles.Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (Anchor Bay/Dimension)
Robert Rodriguez's fourth (and worst) spy adventure for kids is short on ideas and cool gadgets. Nobody looks like they're having much fun — especially grown-ups Jessica Alba and Joel McHale, who are saddled with stinky-diaper jokes and one of the year's laziest scripts.
