DVD releases

“American Reunion”

The “American Pie” gang gets back together for their high school reunion.

The concept is fine. It’s nice to catch up with Jim (Jason Biggs), Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), Stifler (Seann William Scott), Oz (Chris Klein) and the rest of the gang.

There are some sweet moments with Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) and Vicky (Tara Reid) and some funny moments with the worldly Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas). But the few funny scenes get torpedoed by scenes of the guys hitting on teenage girls and fighting with teenage boys.

There is slight nostalgic fun to seeing the ups and downs of the lives of these friends since growing up and moving away. But screenwriters Adam Herz, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg keep trying to force these characters into the same mold from 13 years ago.

Grade: D

“Doctor Who: The Krotons”

Those of you who may have become fans of the “Doctor Who” franchise in recent years can catch up with some of the original Doctors through DVD releases.

This adventure features Patrick Troughton, the second of the 11 actors to play the time-traveling adventurer. The Doctor, Jamie (Frazer Hines) and Zoe (Wendy Padbury) find themselves on the planet of the Gonds, a world ruled and enslaved by the Krotons. The good Doctor and his traveling companions decide to put a stop to their rule.

Early episodes don’t have the large budgets of recent “Doctor Who” stories, but they are still cleverly written.

Grade: B

Also new

“The Flowers of War”: A band of outcasts emerge as unlikely heroes. Christian Bale stars.

“Father Dowling Mysteries: The Second Season”: Tom Bosley plays the inquisitive Father Frank Dowling.

Rick Bentley, Fresno, Calif., www.fresnobee.com

“You’re Nobody Till Somebody Kills You”: The hunt is on for a serial killer. James McDaniel stars.

“Sesame Street: Elmo’s Magic Numbers”: Elmo, Big Bird, Zoe and Rosita learn the importance of counting.

“Black Limousine”: A Hollywood composer tries to put his life back together.