New DVD and Blu-Ray Releases to Crave This Week: The Tourist and Yogi Bear Look to Yonder Skyline

By Chris Kavan - 03/22/11 at 10:59 AM CT

Well, we can take a short break from the onslaught of critically acclaimed Oscar-winning film releases this week. Instead, we can have a little fun this time around.

1) Although it was critically panned and also wasn't a hit at the box office, I admit that Skyline is right up my alley. I don't care how many times I groan or shake my head in disbelief, bad sci-fi is always more fun to watch than any other genre - well, maybe bad horror is just as fun.

2) After crashing the Golden Globes, well, nominations at least, Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp try to bring their star power to The Tourist. While I have a feeling this might be worth a rental, I also have a feeling all it's going to be is a marginal drama with just enough action thrown in to keep things moving. If I keep my expectations low, they're bound to be met.

3) Let's hear it for the kids! Who else is going to be excited about Yogi Bear? Despite looking like some winning voice talent, there's nothing that even remotely gets me excited about this film. Just like the upcoming Smurfs, all it does is remind me that Hollywood continues to mine my childhood memories for their own misguided goals.

4) Finally, even with a talented cast with the likes of Jack Nicholson, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon, the latest from James L. Brooks continues his losing streak. How Do You Know is exactly the kind of film I go out of my way to avoid. In fact, I would gladly sit through Yogi Bear... at a birthday party filled with screaming kids rather than sit through this once.

On the Blu-Ray front, it's time to revisit your childhood, with two of my favorite coming-of-age films. First up is Stand By Me. This 25th Anniversary edition comes packed with great features, including an all-new cast reunited commentary. I've said it before, but it's too bad River Phoenix died young, as he gives a standout performance. While not quite as serious, I also have a soft spot for The Sandlot, which is just a really fun, goofy baseball movie. I'm not a huge sports fan by any means, but this is one that never leaves me bored. If you're still feeling like a kid, two animated films also make their Blu-Ray debut. Both Anastasia and Robots, while not the pinnacle of animation, should be enough to keep the kids quiet for a bit.

You can find information about all the movies on the FilmCrave New DVD Releases and FilmCrave New Blu-Ray Releases pages today.