‘Pi’ pleases, ‘Guardians’ gets by and ‘Smashed’ sways on DVD

Among the movies that became available Tuesday, March 12 on Blu-ray and DVD at retail stores and rental outlets throughout the Valley are an adventure about a young man and his tiger, an animated flick about fantasy figures from early childhood and a drama about a bond built on a mutual love of alcohol.

‘Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away 3D’

Two young people journey through the dreamlike worlds of Cirque du Soleil to find each other. (PG - 97 minutes)

James Cameron really ought to focus on his follow-ups to “Avatar” and stop wasting his time and talent serving as executive producer for 3D spectacles like “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away 3D.” Director Andrew Adamson’s new motion picture that brings several pieces of the popular entertainment company’s shows to the big screen features a few mesmerizing moments, such as those from “Love” set to Beatles songs. However, watching said shows in a movie theater does not compare to seeing them in real life. After all, having grown accustomed to Hollywood’s special effects, one cannot fully appreciate the performers’ risky routines. (Grade: D)

'The First Time'

Dylan O'Brien plays a high school senior who spends most of his time pining away over a girl he cannot have. Britt Robertson plays a junior who has artistic aspirations and a boyfriend who does not quite understand her. A casual conversation sparks an instant connection and, over the course of a weekend, things turn magical, romantic and complicated. (PG-13 – 98 minutes)

“The First Time” plays out like “Before Sunrise” or “Before Sunset” had Richard Linklater made them when he was just a teenager – or at least a virgin. Writer/director Jon Kasdan's new romantic dramedy has significantly more intelligence and emotional depth than most movies made for this particular demographic. And although star Britt Robertson is a little unlikeable – in a needy, immature kind of way – and the movie is, at times, too moralizing, watching these two characters fall in what appears to be a very intimate and honest version of love is a sweetly enjoyable experience. (Grade: C)

'Hitchcock'

A love story about one of the most influential filmmakers of the last century, Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins), and his wife and partner Alma Reville (Helen Mirren). The film takes place during the making of Hitchcock's seminal movie “Psycho.” (PG-13 – 98 minutes)

If influential filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock had been alive today to direct his own biopic, it is safe to assume that it would be much more interesting than “Hitchcock.” Director Sacha Gervasi's new movie based on author Stephen Rebello's book “Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho” is jam-packed with excellent performances – especially that of Anthony Hopkins as the Master of Suspense himself – but it suffers from a sometimes simplistic and often too technical tone. In other words, it is not the least bit consistent much less lively enough to live up to its intriguing star subject. (Grade: D)

'Life of Pi'

Suraj Sharma plays a young man who survives a disaster at sea and is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an amazing and unexpected connection with another survivor – a fearsome Bengal tiger. (PG – 127 minutes)

“Life of Pi” is breathtakingly beautiful, extremely exotic and incredibly immersive. Director Ang Lee's cinematic adaptation of Yann Martel's novel takes its viewers on a majestic journey that is visually stunning, spiritually uplifting and emotionally compelling. And although David Magee's screenplay takes too long to get to the heart of this spectacular story in which a young man shares a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, the introduction includes information that is necessary in order to fully appreciate the true depth of the enlightenment that occurs over the course of this grand adventure. These two words may forever change you: Richard Parker. (Grade: A)

'Rise of the Guardians'

When an evil spirit (Jude Law) lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, a group of heroes (Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman and Isla Fisher) – each with extraordinary abilities – join forces to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world. (PG – 97 minutes)

“Rise of the Guardians” features the best animation of the year – but that does not mean that it is the best animated film. It feels far too fleeting to ever take that title. Dreamworks' latest effort – which is essentially an “Avengers”-esque story about fantasy figures from early childhood like Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy – makes one wonder whatever happened to kids' flicks that relied on more than just frantic action to entertain an audience. The story, which is based on based on author William Joyce's “The Guardians of Childhood” book series, simply lacks spirit – holiday or otherwise. (Grade: C)

'Smashed'

Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul play a young married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of alcohol and has their relationship put to the test when one of them decides to join Alcoholics Anonymous and get sober. (R – 85 minutes)

“Smashed” is a fantastic film – even if it feels as though it is missing a few pieces. As a consequence of failing to milk the movie's transitional sequences, director James Ponsoldt – who co-wrote the dramedy's screenplay with Susan Burke – is forced to tack on an extra ending just to extend a still-short runtime even though it does not add any enlightenment. In spite of this, the movie remains remarkable, anchored by a spectacular performance from Mary Elizabeth Winstead and a particularly personal approach through which one viscerally experiences how pain from past behaviors lingers well into sobriety. (Grade: B)

'This Must Be the Place'

Sean Penn plays a former rock star who discovers that his recently deceased father had been seeking revenge for a humiliation he had suffered. He then decides to pick up where his father left off and starts a journey – at his own pace – across America. (R – 118 minutes)

From its lingering on an entire performance from David Byrne of the Talking Heads to its lingering on a naked old man as he shuffles through the snow, “This Must Be the Place” is a motion picture that requires plenty of patience – for both its placid pace and its pinnacle peculiarity. The new dramedy depends on its viewer's willingness to match the murky moods that are set forth by writer/director Paolo Sorrentino. Unfortunately, none of it appears to add up to anything of much significance, leaving star Sean Penn's perplexing performance as the experience's sole acquisition. (Grade: D)