'Kit Kittredge' a heartwarming film for the family
By Bob Bloom
(Lafayette, Ind.) Journal & Courier
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A family film, a re-imagining of a classic and a look at dinosaurs highlight the DVD offerings out this past Tuesday.
• "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl" (Warner Home Video)
The lowdown: This first "American Girl" theatrical release stars Abigail Breslin in a Depression-era story about faith and friendship.
"Kit" is a family film that was honored by the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis.
Released June 20, the movie cost $10 million to produce. It earned $17.6 million in the U.S. and had no overseas distribution.
Critics found the movie appealing, giving it a 78 percent positive rating at Rottentoma toes.com. Claudia Puig of USA Today wrote, "Though predictable and unabashedly sentimental, the film is a warmly appealing tale of a bright girl bravely navigating tough times."
The DVD offers the movie in widescreen and full-screen formats. Both feature flawless digital transfers.
Don't miss: A downloadable digital copy of the movie is the main extra.
Rated: G.
• "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (Warner Home Video)
The lowdown: Another adaptation of the Jules Verne classic, this one in 3-D and starring Brendan Fraser.
The two-sided disc also offers a flat version of the film in widescreen and full-screen formats as well as the widescreen 3-D version.
The movie cost $60 million to produce. It earned $100.5 million upon its theatrical release July 11. It took in another $85 million from global markets.
The movie garnered a decent 62 percent positive rating on the tomatometer, with Gannett News Service chief film critic Bill Goodykoontz of the Arizona Republic giving it faint praise when writing: "The real star here is the pair of 3-D glasses you're handed when you walk into the theater. With them, 'Journey' is a kick (if not much more)."
The package contains four pairs of 3-D glasses so you fully enjoy the effects. The digital transfer is sharp.
Don't miss: A downloadable copy of the movie is included.
Other extras include a featurette on what lies beneath the planet's surface, a profile of 12-year-old co-star Josh Hutcherson, a commentary track and a look at the special effects.
Rated: PG, intense action sequences, some scary scenes.
• "Essential Dinosaur Pack" (Image Entertainment)
The lowdown: A two-disc set that features Discovery Channel's "Dinosaur Planet" series that offers seven episodes from the Emmy Award-winning series.
Filled with breathtaking CGI work, the movie provides a dinosaur-eye view of a prehistoric world and its various creatures.
Not rated, No extras.