This week: The origin of the fright franchise's supernatural terror is explored in the prequel "Paranormal Activity 3," Hugh Jackman plays a former boxer who promotes robot fighters in the futuristic family flick "Real Steel," and two classic comedies -- "Stripes" and "Annie Hall" -- make their Blu-ray debuts.
'Paranormal Activity 3'
Box Office: $104 million
Rotten Tomatoes: 66% Fresh
Storyline: This "Paranormal Activity" prequel features found VHS footage of Katie and Kristi Featherton when they were little girls in 1988. It seems that supernatural shenanigans have followed the sisters for years, and their mother's boyfriend, a wedding photographer, records every devilish thing that goes bump in the night.
Extras! The "Lost Tapes" on the DVD and Blu-ray feature some more footage of the mother's boyfriend (Christopher Nicolas Smith) trying to scare her (Lauren Bittner), but any footage of the sex tape the two tried to make at the beginning of the movie remains regrettably "lost." Both the DVD and Blu-ray contain the theatrical version as well as an unrated cut.
We Say: An improvement over the previous installment, this found-footage spook show features some clever "boo" moments, an awesomely '80s retro setting and a hint-of-"Rosemary's Baby" ending that helps explain why paranormal activity follows the sisters.
Also Check Out: Secrets of "Paranormal Activity 3" Revealed
'Real Steel'
Box Office: $85 million
Rotten Tomatoes: 59% Rotten
Storyline: In the year 2020 when human boxing has been outlawed, former middleweight fighter-turned-promoter Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) loses a few one-ton robots in the ring until he is reunited with the son he never knew and the two mold a metal champion together.
Extras! Exclusive to the Blu-ray is "Countdown to the Fight: The Charlie Kenton Story," a clever faux news special in which all the actors remain in character as Charlie's history is explored.
We Say: This PG-13 father-son action film might initially attract the attention of "Transformers" fans with its cool boxing robots, but "Real Steel" aims real young underneath its shiny videogame surface with its Lifetime-caliber story about a young boy desperately trying to win his father's love.
Also Check Out: Q&A: Hugh Jackman Keeps It "Real" for Our Fan Interviewer
'Stripes' (Blu-ray)
Box Office: $85 million
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Fresh
Storyline: Bill Murray plays a cab driver who loses his job, his car and his girlfriend in the span of a few hours and decides to join the army with his best friend in this 1981 comedy classic directed by Ivan Reitman and costarring Harold Ramis, Warren Oates and John Candy.
Extras! A two-part retrospective documentary takes you back to basic comedy training.
We Say: This fun '80s comedy favorite has Murray perfecting his gently sardonic style and features a breakout performance by the late Candy. This high-def debut brightens up the picture and is the one thing about "Stripes" that is no laughing matter.
Also Check Out: The 25 Most Essential '80s Comedies
'Annie Hall' (Blu-ray)
Box Office: $38 million
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% Fresh
Storyline: The relationship between a neurotic comedian named Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) and the free-spirited eponymous character (Diane Keaton) is explored over several years in this 1977 romantic comedy that won four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay and Best Director.
Extras! Typical of Allen films, the only extra is the film's trailer.
We Say: Allen's most celebrated film is an honest exploration of love in the anything-goes '70s. Despite the Blu-ray debut's disappointing lack of bonus features, this is the best "Annie Hall" available for purchase.
Also Check Out: The Top 9 Romantic Comedies for Dudes
Also New This Week:
"50/50"
"Whistleblower"
"The Woman"
"Manhattan" (Blu-ray)
"Notorious" (Blu-ray)
