DVD releases

“Anna Karenina”

Keira Knightley stars in the latest film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel.

Movies like “Anna Karenina” are what people mean when they talk about Hollywood magic. Director Joe Wright has taken the much-told tale of the late 19th-century Russian heroine and cast a cinematic spell to make his film version as compelling as it is creative.

It’s not only one of the best and most beautifully staged movies of the past year, it easily belongs in that category for any movies released since the start of the 21st century.

Grade: A

“Argo”

An agent poses as a filmmaker to save six Americans during the Iran hostage crisis in this Oscar-nominated film for Best Picture. Ben Affleck stars and directs the film.

The plot sounds like a rejected plot line for “Mission: Impossible.” If the film weren’t based on a real story, the audacity and absurdity of what transpires would be almost too ridiculous even in a fictional story. But this fact-based story ends up as compelling and as exciting as any adventure James Bond ever had.

Affleck has shown again with his solid direction of “Argo” that he’s not just another actor who wants to sit in the director’s chair. His latest work is a brilliant blend of a first-rate story delivered with skill and attention to detail.

Grade: A-

Also new

“Game of Thrones: The Complete Second Season”: Superb cable series starring Peter Dinklage.

“Top Gun”: The film about hot shot pilots is available in 3D. Tom Cruise stars.

“Battlestar Galactica: Blood &Chrome”: Takes place in the midst of the first Cylon war.

“The Thief of Bagdad”: The 1924 film starring Douglas Fairbanks is available on Blu-ray.

Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee (Fresno, Calif.)

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

A stroll on Rome's ancient Appian Way is a kind of time travel. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves on the Appian Way, Rome’s ancient superhighway

Twenty-nine highways fanned out from Rome, but this one was the first and remains the most legendary.

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

The 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV has room for up to six or seven passengers, depending on seat configuration. (Photo provided by Kia)
Kia’s all-new EV9 electric SUV occupies rarified air

Roomy three-row electric SUVs priced below 60 grand are scarce.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD (Photo provided by Toyota)
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD

The compact SUV electric vehicle offers customers the ultimate flexibility for getting around town in zero emission EV mode or road-tripping in hybrid mode with a range of 440 miles and 42 mile per gallon fuel economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.