DVD Spotlight: Nov. 26 - Dec. 2

Brief capsules on new DVDs worth renting.

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
Dir. David Yates

In this sixth installment of the enormously popular fantasy saga, there's nary a trace of the pixie-dust kid stuff that appeared in earlier chapters like Chris Columbus's "Sorcerer's Stone" and "Chamber of Secrets." "Half-Blood Prince" is a mature, dark and sometimes seriously scary epic, approached by the cast and crew with the utmost artistic integrity. Undoubtedly caused by a desire to please "Potter" devotees, the film lags a bit as it places too much emphasis on the teen romances brewing in the halls of Hogwarts school. Still, it is a magical, extremely impressive achievement, standing as the best "Potter" flick since "Prisoner of Azkaban." (Available Dec. 8.)

JULIE & JULIA
Dir. Nora Ephron

In what will surely land her a 16th career Oscar nomination, Meryl Streep is delectable as Julia Child in this imperfect but irresistible dramedy from writer/director Nora Ephron. Apated from the book by blogger Julie Powell, "Julie & Julia" is a breezy, largely delightful experience, even if the half with Julie (Streep's "Doubt" costar Amy Adams) pales in comparison to the Paris-set bliss of Julia's portion. It's a credit to Ephron's skill and determination that the dual-biopic approach worked at all, and strong -- albeit, sidelined -- turns from Chris Messina and the wonderful Stanley Tucci are icing on the cake. (Available Dec. 8.)

BRUNO
Dir. Larry Charles

British envelope-pusher Sacha Baron Cohen outdoes himself with "Bruno," the shocking and side-splittingly hilarious follow-up to his 2006 hit, "Borat." Plenty of scenes in this film left my face covered in tears of laughter, as Cohen proves how fearless a guerilla comedian he truly is. Certainly not for everyone (and definitely not for children), "Bruno" earns every inch of its R rating. It's also the funniest movie of the year. (Now available.)