New DVD Releases for Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Are they terrible, great, or both? You figure it out.

Links go to Amazon. Links to Netflix after each.

70100253.jpgSix in Paris. French new wave pioneers Eric Rohmer, Claude Chabrol and Jean-Luc Godard headline this 1960s-era short film anthology, featuring six vignettes centered on metropolitan life in the City of Lights. Titles include Jean Douchet’s “Saint Germain-des-Prés,” Jean Rouch’s “Gare du Nord,” Jean-Daniel Pollet’s “Rue Saint-Denis,” Rohmer’s “Place de l’Étoile,” Godard’s “Montparnasse et Levallois” and Chabrol’s “La Muette.” @Netflix

70106070.jpgSunday School Musical. When financial woes threaten their church’s future, a group of teens, led by one talented performer, enters a song and dance competition in hopes of winning a heavenly cash prize. Starring Candise Lakota as Savannah, this heartwarming and energetic Christian spin on the tremendously popular High School Musical franchise features 21 songs, including seven originals by composer Don Raymond. Rachel Goldenberg directs. @Netflix

70106186.jpgTrailer Park of Terror. When their bus crashes, stranding them in a remote area known as the Trucker’s Triangle, six troubled teens and their youth minister, Pastor Lewis (Matthew Del Negro), find themselves face-to-face with a murderous redneck named Norma (Nichole Hiltz) who keeps company with the undead. While the hapless crew is snoozing away in her trailer park, Norma’s thinking of ways to make their lives a living nightmare. @Netflix

70060008.jpgThe Strangers. In this heart-pounding thriller, young suburban couple James (Scott Speedman) and Kristen (Liv Tyler) welcome the peace and quiet of a secluded family vacation home — that is, until three masked home invaders make them realize how dangerous isolation can be. Written and directed by Bryan Bertino, the film also stars Australian supermodel Gemma Ward, Kip Weeks, Glenn Howerton and Laura Margolis. @Netflix

70106372.jpgMagical Witch Punie Chan. She may look like an ordinary girl, but Punie-Chan is really a magical princess who’s out of this world! With her lovable sidekick, Paya-tan, in tow, Punie roams the halls of her school and squashes anyone who gets in her way. Sure, she’s cute and has a flair for fashion, but the prickly Punie also has a killer ability to take down her enemies with a crushing submission hold that leaves them breathless. @Netflix