DVD reviews: 'Cabin in the Woods' and 'Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'

“The Cabin in the Woods” (2011, R, 95 min., $29.95). It's no secret that the horror genre has seen a steady decline over the past decade. Sure, there's a good one every once in a while, but most is trash. “The Cabin in the Woods,” the directorial debut of Drew Goddard, would be one of the highlights. Off of a screenplay by Goddard and Joss Whedon, “The Cabin in the Woods” is a wonderfully fun and creepingly smart picture that movie fans won't soon forget. It's at one point a tribute to all those horror movies from the past, and, at another, a film that's not afraid to poke a little fun. The film puts five friends from college together for a weekend of sun and fun at a secluded cabin in the woods. Yeah, everybody knows how these movies end, but Goddard's film doesn't follow the same path. After a few drinks and a little bit of Truth or Dare, the pack goes exploring, and they discover a basement filled with scary items. One of them awakens a pack of killers from the woods. Well, it's not so much the gang of college kids that bring on the killers, but a big operation going on behind the scenes. Extras on Blu-ray and standard DVDs are the same, and there are a few good production featurettes that are not to be missed. Commentary with Whedon and Goddard also is worth the time. 3.5 Stars.

“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” (2011, PG-13, 124 min., $29.98) A handful of senior citizens and an old Indian hotel are trying to prove that they're not going to be forgotten in “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” a drama from well-known British director John Madden. The picture focuses on the theme of redemption. Much like the seniors — played by Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie and Ronald Pickup — the hotel they're staying at is at the end of its road. However, a young go-getter named Sonny (Dev Patel) is trying to bring it back. As the seniors make their individual ways in India, the hotel also experiences some success. The film, adapted from Deborah Moggach's 2004 book “These Foolish Things,” finds its strength in a talented cast and some beautiful settings in India. Past those positives, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is a waste. The film's heavy on cliches and those predictable plot turns found in so many romantic dramas. There's not much fun to be had in this retirement trip. Some decent special features are available, but Blu-ray packages offer much more in the way of extras. A series of Blu-ray featurettes explore the hotel, the casting of legendary performers and shooting the picture in India. 2 Stars.

“Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures” (2012, PG and PG-13, $99.98). A collaboration of imaginative directors Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, “Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures” makes its way onto Blu-ray this week for the first time. The latest and worst outing for Indiana Jones — “The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008, PG-13, 122 min.) — had been available on Blu-ray, but “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981, PG, 115 min.), “The Temple of Doom” (1984, PG, 118 min.) and “The Last Crusade” (1989, PG-13, 122 min.) had only been available on standard DVD. The transfer's been handled splendidly by Paramount, as the audio and video is excellent and these action-packed pictures have never looked better. The five-disc collection also holds seven hours of special features, including making-of featurettes for all four films. Cast and crew interviews and additional peeks behind the scenes are also available. Perhaps the most remarkable extra is a restored featurette that puts viewers on the set of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” during production. For Indy fans, there's no better look inside the film. 4 Stars

“Chico & Rita” (2010, NR, 94 min., $29.95). A nominee for best animated film at the 2012 Academy Awards, “Chico & Rita” is set in 1984 Cuba, as a piano player (Chico) and a beautiful singer (Rita) chase their ambitions across the globe. While Chico and Rita aren't following their dreams, they're busy falling in love in this magically romantic tale.

Katy Perry: Part of Me” (2012, PG, 93 min., $29.99). Fans of pop princess Katy Perry will get a kick out of this documentary that puts the singer on a pedestal. Much like Justin Bieber's “Never Say Never,” “Part of Me” is a look inside Perry's life on and off stage, and it gives fans plenty of time with Perry, as she moves through her busy life.

“Hysteria” (2011, R, 100 min., $30.99). Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Felicity Jones and Rupert Everett star in this romantic comedy from Tanya Wexler about a British doctor who takes a long look at hysteria and women during the Victorian era, and ends up creating an electrical device that has the great potential to treat what ails those sufferers.

“The Babymakers” (2012, R, 98 min., $29.99). From Jay Chandrasekhar, the director of cult classics “Super Troopers” and “Beerfest,” comes a romantic comedy about a husband who goes out of his way to prove he can get his wife pregnant. When the couple (Paul Schneider and Olivia Munn) struggles to get pregnant, the rumors swirl.

“The Salt of Life” (2011, NR, 90 min., $29.99). A follow to Gianni De Gregorio's “Mid-August Lunch” (2010), this Italian comedy is about a retiree who's looking for an extracurricular love life to fill his spare time. The man struggles in his venture, and it equals out to some hilarious results.

“The Magic of Belle Isle” (2012, PG, 109 min., $26.98). Rob Reiner is back in the director's chair for this warm story about a famous novelist who's lost his passion for writing. When he decides to vacation for the summer in the town of Belle Isle, the writer again finds his inspiration. Morgan Freeman and Virginia Madsen star.

“The Woman in the Fifth” (2011, R, 85 min., $29.95). Ethan Hawke and Kristin Scott Thomas star in a psychological thriller from Paul Pawlikowski about an American writer in Paris trying to put his life back together and win back the love of his estranged wife. When things don't go according to plan, he ends up in a difficult spot.

“Salvation Boulevard” (2011, R, 96 min., $26.99). A great cast, including Pierce Brosnan, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Greg Kinnear and Marisa Tomei, stars in this comedy set in the world of fundamentalist Christians. When a man's framed by the pastor of his church, he finds himself on the run from parishioners trying to protect their leader.

“Speak” (2012, NR, 89 min., $24.95). If you've got a real fear of public speaking, this documentary from Paul Galichia and Brian Weidling might cure what ails you. The filmmakers explore the lives of six individuals as they prepare for the championship at the Toastmasters International Speech Contest.

“The Victim” (2011, R. 83 min., $22.98). Michael Biehn makes his directorial debut with a grindhouse-type picture about a solitary woodsman who's dragged into the middle of a difficult situation when a young woman on the run knocks on his door. Biehn, who also wrote the screenplay, stars in one of the lead roles, pulling off triple duty.

“Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta!” (2012, G, 89 min., $29.99). The little dog's back for yet another adventure, as Disney presents another family comedy about a pack of Chihuahuas getting by in the posh neighborhood of Beverly Hills. Voices are provided by George Lopez, Odette Annable and Emily Osment.

“The Revenant” (2011, R, 117 min., $26.98). A favorite on the horror film festival circuit, “The Revenant,” starring David Anders, Chris Wylde and Louise Griffiths, tells the tale of a soldier who's died in battle, but, surprisingly, still finds himself among the living. To stay alive, he'll need to supply himself with fresh blood.

“The Do-Deca Pentathlon” (2012, R, 76 min., $22.98). Two brothers take sibling rivalry to the next level, striving to finish 25 competitive events, including ping-pong and laser tag, in order to prove which one is superior. Written and directed by Mark and Jay Duplass, the comedy stars Steve Zissis and Mark Kelly as the competitors.

“Beyond the Black Rainbow” (2010, R, 110 min., $26.98). Set in 1983, this hypnotic picture tracks a young woman with specialized powers who is trying to break out of a medical facility. An obsessed captor has no plans of freeing her.

TV ON DVD

• “Suburgatory: The Complete first Season” (Jane Levy and Jeremy Sisto, three discs, 22 episodes, $44.98)

• “Body of Proof: The Complete Second Season” (Dana Delany and Jeri Ryan, four discs, 20 episodes, $39.99)

• “The Mentalist: The Complete Fourth Season” (Simon Baker and Robin Tunney, five discs, 24 episodes, $59.98)

• “Supernatural: The Complete Seventh Season” (Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, six discs, 23 episodes, $59.98)

• “Hawaii Five-O: The Second Season” (Scott Caan and Alex O'Loughlin, six discs, 23 episodes, $64.99)

• “Army Wives: The Sixth Season, Part One” (Catherine Bell and Kim Delaney, three discs, 13 episodes, $39.99)

• “Rawhide: Season Five, Volume One” (Eric Fleming and Clint Eastwood, four discs, 16 episodes, $42.99)

• “Rawhide: Season Five, Volume Two” (Eric Fleming and Clint Eastwood, four discs, 15 episodes, $42.99)

• “Cajun Pawn Stars: Season One” (reality series, one disc, eight episodes, $19.95)

• “Best of Ancient Aliens” (history series, two discs, four episodes, $19.95)

MISC. RELEASES

• “Katt Williams: Kattpacalypse” (standup comedy from Los Angeles, 2012, NR, 60 min., $19.98)

• “America's Book of Secrets” (History channel, 2012, NR, 268 min., $29.95)

• “Secret Access: The Presidency” (History channel, 2012, NR, 268 min., $29.95)

• “James Bond Gadgets” (History channel, 2012, NR, 90 min., $19.95)