DVD releases

Published 12:01 am Friday, October 28, 2011

“Captain America: The First Avenger”

Chris Evans — the guy who put the heat in the Human Torch in the “Fantastic Four” movies — steps into the boots of the latest comic-book-inspired film champion.

He plays Steve Rogers, a 90-pound weakling who, through the magic of science, b

ecomes the hunky Captain America. The film isn’t a major disaster, but it generally could use some work. Director Joe Johnston’s uneven direction, combined with some iffy special effects, has the film spinning from heroic to horrific.

Grade: C-

“Barney Miller: The Complete Series”

The DVD contains all eight seasons of this television classic. The show’s a smart comedy that created a blueprint for the gritty portrayal of police departments in many dramas.

The strength of “Barney Miller” is the writing and acting. Typical plotlines are elevated by the intelligent — and still goofy — approach used to deal with each situation. Hal Linden and the first-rate cast, which includes Abe Vigoda, Ron Glass and Max Gail, take the stories and give them heart. The series is one of television’s all-time best.

Grade: A

Also new

“Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection”: The 10-disc set includes 58 shorts and feature films.

“The Conversation”: The Gene Hackman classic is available on Blu-ray for the first time.

“The Original Christmas Classics”: Contains Blu-ray versions of “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” and “Frosty Returns.”

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