New on DVD and Blu-ray: 'Total Recall' and More

By Robert DeSalvo

December 17, 2012 / 3:00 PM

This week: There's no trip to Mars or Arnold Schwarzenegger, but the remake of "Total Recall" has Colin Farrell, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston and — by popular demand — a new three-breasted prostitute.

Also new this week is Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams in the baseball drama "Trouble With the Curve," the ensemble high school reunion romantic dramedy "10 Years" and the female-driven musical comedy "Pitch Perfect."

'Total Recall'

Box Office: $59 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 30% Rotten

Storyline: In this remake of the 1990 movie of the same name that is also based on a Philip K. Dick short story, factory worker Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) comes to believe that he's a real-life spy after visiting Rekall, a company that implants fantasy memories. Quaid then goes on the lam to find clues about his true identity in this dystopian sci-fi action movie directed by Len Wiseman. Kate Beckinsale stars as Quaid's lethal wife, Jessica Biel plays a leader of the Resistance and Bryan Cranston appears as the corrupt chancellor of the United Federation of Britain.

Extras! Both the DVD and Blu-ray contain commentary by Wiseman, a gag reel, "Science Fiction vs. Science Fact" and behind-the-scenes featurettes like "Designing the Fall," which explores the movie's most FX-heavy sequence.

We Say: People dogged this movie because, unlike its 1990 predecessor starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, it lacked a trip to Mars and the wry, satirical humor of Paul Verhoeven's film. The remake retains the three-breasted hooker and ups the action, especially when Terminatrix Beckinsale hunts down Farrell and Biel through some gorgeously rendered sets that recall superior sci-fi films like "Blade Runner." If this "Total Recall" were titled anything else, maybe viewers would have appreciated it more as a pretty decent sci-fi adventure instead of constantly comparing it to its predecessor, a movie that had a completely different tone.

'Trouble With the Curve'

Box Office: $36 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 52% Rotten

Storyline: Gus Lobel (Clint Eastwood) has been a top baseball scout for decades, but the Atlanta Braves' front office is starting to question his judgment. Gus turns to his estranged daughter, Mickey (Amy Adams), for help as she accompanies her father on a scouting trip and jeopardizes her own career as an attorney to save his. Justin Timberlake is also on board as a rival scout gunning for Gus.

Extras! Both the DVD and Blu-ray contain "Rising Through the Ranks," in which Eastwood and director Rob Lorenz talk about their 20 years of making films together, and "For the Love of the Game," in which Adams and Timberlake talk about secretly identifying with their characters.

We Say: Although the movie plods along at the long, leisurely pace of a baseball game with few hits, Eastwood still exudes charisma with his usual cantankerous-octogenarian shtick and has terrific chemistry with Adams.

'10 Years'

Box Office: $203,373

Rotten Tomatoes: 60% Fresh

Storyline: This ensemble romantic dramedy and directorial debut of Jamie Linden follows a group of friends (including Channing Tatum, Rosario Dawson, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Ari Graynor, Justin Long and many more) that still have a lot of growing up to do on the night of their high school reunion and subsequent homecoming party three years later.

Extras!: Both the DVD and Blu-ray contain deleted scenes.

We Say: This sentimental romp doesn't break any new ground, but it's difficult not to be charmed by such a likable young cast that has real chemistry together ... even though some of the characters they play are people you'd ditch on the other side of the room at a party and never call up after high school graduation.

'Pitch Perfect'

Box Office: $64 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% Fresh

Storyline: Beca (Anna Kendrick) isn't cut out for any clique at her new college but finds herself mixed up with an eclectic group of gals — mean, sweet, weird and otherwise — with only one thing in common: How great they sound when they sing together. Beca helps the group bust out with all new mash-up arrangements as they climb to the top of college music competitions in this comedy costarring Anna Camp, Brittany Snow and Rebel Wilson.

Extras!: Both the DVD and Blu-ray have deleted and extended scenes, "Line-O-Rama" and behind-the-scenes featurettes; BD exclusives include more "Line-O-Ramas" and Internet-connected BD-Live features.

We Say: This offbeat, sweet-natured ensemble effort will appeal to the "Glee" club and those that just want to enjoy some toe-tapping numbers. It is "Bridesmaids"'s Wilson, in particular, whose spirited performance makes this more entertaining than it probably should be.