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DVD previews: 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' 'Dolphin Tale 2'

Here's a look at DVDs coming out Tuesday, Dec. 9:

"Guardians of the Galaxy" (PG-13, 121 minutes, Disney): Under normal circumstances, the mere presence of Rocket Raccoon, a talking CGI character, might serve as a cleaver, dividing the moviegoing public into those who hate such digital chimeras - think Gollum and Caesar the chimp - and those who love them. But those on the far side of the divide might find something else to love about "Guardians of the Galaxy." It manages the trick of being both an unironic sci-fi action-adventure flick and a zippy parody of one. It's exciting, funny, self-aware, beautiful to watch and even, for a flickering instant or two, almost touching. Talented cast includes Chris Pratt, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Lee Pace, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close and Benicio Del Toro. Contains language and violence. Extras include a deleted scene and preview of Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron." Also, on Blu-ray: making-of featurettes, gag reel, commentary.

"Dolphin Tale 2" (PG, 107 minutes, Warner): America's favorite dolphin returns in a sequel as eager to charm audiences as the 2011 original. Again "inspired by true events," "Dolphin Tale 2" provides family-friendly animal fare that should engage tweens and young middle-schoolers who dream of rescuing and swimming with dolphins, but won't scare their little siblings. And if you think director Charles Martin Smith made up some of the sappier sequences, don't fast-forward through the credits. As they roll, documentary footage shows he did base those adorable rescues, releases and swims on real life. Contains mild thematic elements. Extras include a true story featurette. Also, on Blu-ray: blooper reel, a short on "Soul Surfer" survivor Bethany Hamilton meeting Winter, featurettes and music videos.

"When the Game Stands Tall" (PG, 115 minutes, Sony): Perfection is impossible. That's the message of the fact-based by-the-book sports drama based on the storied De La Salle Spartans, the high school football team whose 151-game winning streak, achieved between 1992 and 2003, remains a national record. But "Game" is more about what happened after the streak ended than how this private Catholic school in Concord, Calif., and its coach, Bob Ladouceur, achieved this remarkable feat. Based on a book by Neil Hayes, it suffers an abundance of sports clichés. Contains thematic material, violence and smoking. Extras include commentary and a making-of featurette. Also, on Blu-ray: select scene commentary, deleted and extended scenes, a football sequences featurette and a look at the man behind the De La Salle football program.

Also: "Calvary," "I Origins," "Day of the Mummy," "Finding Joy," "Time Bandits" (1981), "Safe" (1995), "The Night Porter" (1974), "The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears" (Belgium), "Dead Snow 2: Red vs Dead" (Norway) and "Exodus: The Real Story" (History Channel documentaries).

Television series: "Doctor Who: The Complete Eighth Series," "Mork & Mindy: Complete Series," "Under the Dome: Season 2," "The Jeffersons: Complete Series Deee-luxe Edition," "Mister Ed: Complete Series," "Hart to Hart: Season Three," "In Search of Aliens: Season One" and "Power Rangers Super Megaforce Volume 1: Earth Fights Back."

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