DVD releases

These DVDs were released this week:

"Charlie Wilson's War"

Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) is a Texas congressman who loves to party. He is on a subcommittee where the budget to help Afghanistan oppose the former Soviet Union is small. He learns from his friend Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts), a right-wing socialite, what is really going on. He goes to Pakistan and sees for himself what is needed. With the aid of CIA rebel Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Charlie leads a campaign that diverts half-a-billion dollars to Afghanistan, which helps bring down the Soviet empire. It is a well-written and acted film in which Hoffman steals every scene he's in.

"Cloverfield"

A group of friends is recording a farewell party in New York with a hand-held camera. As the camera moves, it captures the images of a monster causing havoc. We follow the monster as skyscrapers collapse, the Statue of Liberty loses its head, other structures are destroyed, and devastation abounds. There is high tension and drama that will remind you of "The Blair Witch Project."

"One Missed Call"

Teenagers receive messages on their cell phones that tell them when and how they are going to die. Beth Raymond (Shannyn Sossamon) has lost a couple of friends, and now she is next. Only teenagers will find this scary.

"Savages"

This film will touch those dealing with a parent who has demetia and Alzheimer's, and must decide a course of action. Laura Linney, nominated for Best Actress, stars with Philip Seymour Hoffman, as a brother and sister carrying emotional scars from their childhood as a result of their father. Now in their 40s and single, they must take care of their father's needs and each other.

Available next week

• "27 Dresses"

• "Bernard and Doris"

• "Driving Bell and the Butterfly"

• "Golden Compass"

• 'I Spy: Seasons One and Two"

• "Moondance Alexander"

• "Nanking"

• "Weekend"

Jeff Tuckman, videoanswerman@comcast.net