'Miss Potter'
Director Chris Noonan's tribute to Beatrix Potter is about as deep as one of the female author's children's books. While the film, starring Renee Zellweger as Potter, most definitely has heart-warming potential, it never seems to scratch the surface of its characters. With no rhyme or reason, the plot plods along, making moves with little explanation. Emily Watson and Ewan McGregor join Zellweger in supporting roles in a film that is a little too shallow in moving toward that expected happy ending. Commentary by Noonan, a making-of featurette and a bio piece on Potter, who penned the tale of Peter Rabbit, are available as special features. The bio piece is interesting and worth a look. PG; 2007. 
Rent It: If you don't want to do too much thinking.
'Reno 911!: Miami -- The Movie'
The bumbling cops from Comedy Central make their big-screen debut in "Reno 911!: Miami -- The Movie," basically an 84-minute episode of the show. A trip to Miami Beach and a heightened sense of raunchiness seem to be the only differences here. While the film packs some laughs, jokes eventually become stale and a total lack of originality soon sets in. It's clear that the group is overextended, as cameos by Paul Rudd, Danny DeVito, Paul Reubens and Michael Ian Black can't even save this un-arresting comedy. Led by Lt. Jim Dangle (Thomas Lennon), the Reno Sheriff's Department heads East for a police convention. When all the other police in town are exposed to a dangerous chemical, Dangle and his crew must save the day. The film comes in rated and unrated versions. The unrated version packs all of the special features, though. Commentary by the stars -- in character -- is hilarious, some funny public service announcements and extended scenes make up the extras. R; 2007. 
Rent It: Resist arrest at all costs.
'Gray Matters'
Another romantic comedy is set in motion with "Gray Matters," the story of a 30-something woman named Gray (Heather Graham), who realizes that she's a lesbian after falling for her brother's new wife, Charlie (Bridget Moynahan). Although the premise might seem interesting, the harebrained methods in which the story unfolds make this film a dreadful venture. A terrible script, cockamamie plot twists and an annoying Molly Shannon might even serve to conjure up new and wonderful memories of Drew Barrymore romantic comedies of days gone by. The lone special feature is a short behind-the scenes featurette that isn't particularly interesting. PG-13; 2007. 
Rent It: If only for a long passionate kiss between Graham and Moynahan.
'The Secret of NIMH'
Some cartoons don't age well, meaning a much-beloved animation from childhood loses that something special when seen through adult eyes. Not so with "The Secret of NIMH," a beautifully animated and heartfelt classic making its DVD debut for its 25th anniversary. Animator Don Bluth ("An American Tail") masterfully blends whimsy, drama, comedy, sci-fi and magic in a story about a mother mouse who summons her courage to save her family from the farmer's plow. She finds help from a clumsy but well-meaning crow (Dom DeLuise) and a mysterious clan of super-intelligent rats. This dying art of traditional hand-drawn animation avoids the mega-commercialism and smack-talking pop culturisms that pervade today's "Shreks" and various 3-D penguin movies. The two-disc set is packed with goodies: deleted scenes, commentary, games and an interesting look at the struggle to bring the story to the big screen in "Secrets Behind the Secret." G, 1982. 
Rent it: Aren't we all a little sick of penguins by now?
-- Jessica Severs/Tribune-Review
'Picket Fences: Season 1'
TV heavyweight David E. Kelly is on a roll, or maybe he's just hurting for money. A week after the first season of lawyer drama "The Practice" hit stores, another Kelly product, "Picket Fences," is set for consumption. "Picket Fences," which ran for four seasons on CBS in the early-to-mid '90s, follows Sheriff James Brock (Tom Skerritt) and his family in a small Wisconsin town with its fair share of irregular events. Skerritt and Kathy Baker (Brock's wife) -- both Emmy winners during the show's run -- lead a strong cast. The three-disc set, featuring the first 22 episodes, includes a comprehensive featurette on the show with appearances by Kelly and many of the cast members. UR; 1992. 
Rent It: Because Kelly can't miss on the tube.
New to DVD'The Al Pacino Collection'
Al Pacino is a lot more than Michael Corleone and Tony Montana, and that fact is backed up in his new collection. The four-disc Al Pacino Collection includes "Chinese Coffee" (2000, R), "The Local Stigmatic" (1990, NR), "Looking for Richard" (1996, PG-13) and "Babbleonia" (NR). While the first three titles are lesser-known pieces that Pacino starred in or directed, "Babbleonia" is an in-depth look at his career. There are plenty of special features available in the set.
Rent It: If you really think you're a big Pacino fan.
'Die Hard Collection'
John McClane gets beat up, knocked down, shot at and blown up in this hard-hitting collection focused on the cop with no quit. Bruce Willis, of course, stars as McClane in this ever-popular series that's won its fair share at the box office. The four-disc collection includes "Die Hard" (1988, R), "Die Hard 2: Die Harder" (1990, R), "Die Hard with a Vengeance" (1995, R) and a bonus disc packed with special features. Each film also packs special features to go with McClane saving the day.
Rent It: Because you need to brush up for next week's "Live Free or Die Hard" release
'The Shaw Brothers Classic Collection'
The Shaw Brothers did kung fu movies like nobody's business. These flicks inspired the likes of Quentin Tarantino ("Kill Bill") and hip-hop artist-composer the RZA ("Wu-Tang Clan: The Disciples of the 36 Chambers"). Four of the brothers' classics get an outstanding remastering for DVD: one of the best martial-arts films ever made, "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin" (1979, 4 stars); the kung-fu chick with awesome chops, "My Young Auntie" (1981, 3 stars); the man who won't let a hand-crushing stop his Iron Palm, "King Boxer: Five Fingers of Death" (1972, 2.5 stars); and the guy who single-handedly cuts down the bad guys, "The One-Armed Swordsman" (1967, 2.5 stars). Each disc comes loaded with special features, including commentary (including Tarantino on "Five Fingers"), interviews (including RZA on "36th Chamber) and more.
Rent it: Who needs the Matrix⢠After these flicks, you'll know kung fu -- sort of.
-- Jessica Severs/Tribune-Review
