“Marmaduke”
The comic strip dog must deal with a move to California.
Director Tom Dey takes a serious approach to comedy by exploring how the massive Great Dane wants to fit in so much that he’ll do anything.
“Marmaduke” works because the charm of the comic strip is maintained through a story that never talks down to the audience, voice casting that sells the story and Dey’s direction.
Grade: B
“FlashForward: The Complete Series”
It didn’t take several years — like other TV series — to reveal the big secret of this show. That’s good since it lasted just one season.
The series, about an incident that causes everyone on the planet to black out for 137 seconds and awake with a glimpse of their future, is compelling, smart and well acted.
Grade: A-
Also new
“The Vampire Diaries: The Complete First Season”: Vampire brothers battle for the soul of a young woman plus her friends, family and the residents of Mystic Falls.
“The Middle: Season One”: Patricia Heaton stars in this TV comedy about an offbeat family living in Middle America.
“NCIS: Los Angeles — The First Season”: A glitzy set and an energetic performance by LL Cool J highlight this series about a West Coast team of Navy investigators.
“Parenthood (2010): The Complete First Season”: Lauren Graham heads an all-star cast in this family drama.
“House: Season Six”: Hugh Laurie plays the doctor you love to hate.
“Brothers &Sisters: The Complete Fourth Season”: The lives and loves of the Walker family creates drama. Sally Field stars.
Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee (Fresno, Calif.)
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