'The Bank Job' British action star Jason Statham has had a hit-or-miss relationship with the big screen ever since he was introduced a decade ago by director Guy Ritchie in "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels." Ironically, Statham's latest, "The Bank Job," has a lot in common with Ritchie's work, with its cast of underworld characters, clever twists and humorous script. Most importantly, though, this film puts Statham in a role where he's succeeded in the past -- the brains of the operation. He's just one of the reasons to like "The Bank Job," a competent heist thriller by Aussie director Roger Donaldson. Based loosely on a true story from 1970s London, the film weaves together a pack of intriguing characters and an exhilarating tale to measure up to some of this genre's more-recent triumphs. As one can deduce from the title, "The Bank Job" is about a bank robbery. But that's only part of it. It's the repercussions that make this one so entertaining. Slick and action-packed, "The Bank Job" also packs a lot of intelligence. Statham can claim another quality hit with this one. The film is packaged as a single-disc or two-disc special edition, which includes a digital copy for download and a good amount of special features. Deleted scenes and commentary are available, of course, and two featurettes -- "Inside The Bank Job" and "The Baker Street Bank Raid" -- do well to give the viewer some substantial details behind the inspiration for the film and the process of putting it all together. R, 2008. Our Take: 3 Stars. Buy It: This action thriller won't heist your precious time.

'Penelope' "Penelope" isn't going to shake up the movie landscape anytime soon, but its endearing theme is magical enough to warrant some attention. The romantic fable preaches self-acceptance, something that's needed in this shallow world. Directed by Mark Palansky and written for the screen by Leslie Caveny, "Penelope" is a modern take on Hans Christian Andersen's "Ugly Duckling." The duckling in this case is Penelope (Christina Ricci), a young woman with a pig's snout for a nose. Penelope's defect stems from a family curse set forth long before her birth, and the only way to lose the snout is to marry a wealthy suitor. But no man will come close to her once he sees the snout. It also doesn't help that Penelope's overprotective mother, Jessica (Catherine O'Hara), will match up her daughter with anyone. When Penelope's had enough and escapes her house to get a look at the world outside, she begins a journey of self-discovery that leads her to realize that the curse isn't all it's cracked up to be. An average making-of featurette is the lone special feature. PG, 2008. Our Take: 2.5 Stars. Rent It: It's a safe and enjoyable pick for a family night in.

'Shutter' Coming from the same horror family as "The Grudge" (2004) and "One Missed Call" (2008) -- American re-makes of Asian pictures -- "Shutter" tumbles toward the same fate as its predecessors. The movie's paper-thin plot and poor execution make it a bottom-of-the-barrel work on this genre's landscape. "Shutter" is supposed to scare, and it does an OK job leading viewers up to the haunt a couple times, but the follow-through falls short. After a mysterious accident in the United States, newlyweds Benjamin (Joshua Jackson) and Jane (Rachael Taylor) settle into their new digs in Hong Kong. Right away, Benjamin and Jane experience bouts of the paranormal. Tying the ghost to the accident is only the beginning, as Jane soon realizes that the reason for the misery goes much deeper than she originally thought. "Shutter" will be released in rated and unrated versions. Extras include the usual deleted scenes and a good set of featurettes that give the viewer insight into the making of the film. An unusual alternate ending also is on board, and it puts a new spin on the film. PG-13, 2008. Our Take: 1.5 Stars. Skip It: Casper has produced more scares in his ghostly lifetime.

'Step Up 2: The Streets' Usually, a sequel to an urban dance film is no reason to cut a rug (see "Save the Last Dance 2"). Although it's predictable, formulaic and lacking in a quality script, "Step Up 2: The Streets" manages to challenge that notion in some instances. The choreography is superior, the music is hot and the characters are likable in this explosive story about a street dancer who works her way into a refined arts school. At the end of her rope, Andie (Briana Evigan) is forced to make a decision about her life. Stick with a crew of Baltimore street dancers, go back to school or get shipped to Texas to live with her aunt. Andie heads to the upscale arts school and is shunned by her crew. Making the most of her situation, she finds an underground movement of street dancing and guides her new friends into Baltimore's most prestigious dance-off: The Streets. In a battle for respect, Andie's new group faces off against her old crew in a battle royale of street dancing. DVD featurettes explore the dancing in the film and some of the history. A handful of music videos and deleted scenes also are available. PG-13, 2008. Our Take: 2 stars. Rent It: If you're planning a trip to the club.

Other new releases • "College Road Trip": Martin Lawrence, Raven-Symone and Donny Osmond star in a painfully unfunny comedy about an overprotective father coming to grips with his daughter going off to college. This is one less-than-inspired road trip that should've never left the garage. Special features include deleted scenes, an alternate opening and endings, commentary a Symone on-the-set diary and an average featurette. G, 2008. Our Take: 1 Star. • "The Year My Parents went on Vacation": From Brazil comes director Cao Hamburger's "The Year My Parents went on Vacation," a delectable coming-of-age story that viewers undoubtedly will take a liking to. Set in 1970, the film follows an anxious 12-year-old through a turbulent time in Brazilian history. A making-of featurette and interviews are available. PG, 2006. Our Take: 3 Stars. • Horror-movie roundup: A number of under-the-radar horror films will be released today. "Voice" (Unrated), "Steel Trap" (R), "Trapped Ashes" (R) and "Asylum" (R) make their way into stores. Each include special features. • "Saving Grace: Season One" : Holly Hunter leads the way as an Oklahoma City detective in this marvelous TNT series that found success in its first year. The four-disc set includes all 13 episodes and a large set of extras. Among those, the behind-the-scenes featurettes really go a long way in capturing the spirit of a show that'll be around for awhile. Unrated, 2007. Our Take: 3 Stars. • TV roundup: "The Best of Manswers: Season One's Top 25 Manswers" (Unrated, no special features), "Reno 911: The Complete Fifth Season" (Unrated, includes special features), "Dallas: The Complete Ninth Season" (Unrated, includes special features), "Evening Shade: Season One" (Unrated, no special features) and "Eureka: Season Two" (Unrated, includes special features) make their way into stores today.

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