New on DVD: Bardem's 'Biutiful' leads the pack

By Steve Jones, USA TODAY

Biutiful

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  By Jose Haro, Roadside Attractions

  Javier Bardem plays a devoted father, and a criminal dying of cancer, in Biutiful.

By Jose Haro, Roadside Attractions

Javier Bardem plays a devoted father, and a criminal dying of cancer, in Biutiful.

2011, Lionsgate, R, $28; Blu-ray, $40

This Oscar-nominated film stars Javier Bardem as a man who makes his living in Barcelona's underworld but has a deep, abiding affection for his preteen daughter and young son. He sacrifices everything to keep them safe, but he's dying of cancer and knows he has little time left.

His problems are exacerbated by a manic-depressive estranged wife, who works as a prostitute to support a drug habit. Alejandro Gonz�lez I��rritu creates a tale full of hope in spite of the film's grimness.

USA TODAY's Claudia Puig says: ***� out of four: "Biutiful is a love story about the bonds of parenthood with pinpoints of redemptive light amid the darkness."

Drive Angry

1. I Am Number Four
2. The Mechanic (2011)
3. Gnomeo & Juliet
4.. No Strings Attached
5. The Roommate
6. The Rite
7. The Dilemma
8. The Green Hornet
9. Little Fockers
10. Gulliver's Travels

2011, Summit Entertainment, R, $27; 3D and 2D Blu-ray, $35

Nicolas Cage is an undead killer who breaks out of hell to save his infant daughter from a Satan-worshipping cult leader (Billy Burke). He's pursued by one of the Devil's powerful henchman (William Fichtner). Car chases, sex, shootouts all contribute to the over-the-top B-movie mayhem.

Rookie Blue: The Complete First Season

2010, Entertainment One, not rated, $45; Blu-ray, $50

The Toronto-based crime drama follows the lives of five rookie cops, who all trained and now work together.

Over the 13 episodes, which aired on ABC last summer, they have to deal with both the demands of the job and issues in their personal lives. The second season begins June 23.

Once Upon a Time in the West

1969, Paramount, PG-13, Blu-ray, $25

Sergio Leone's fully restored masterpiece arrives on Blu-ray. A murderous Henry Fonda, a mysterious Charles Bronson and a gorgeous Claudia Cardinale star in this tale of a woman's fight to survive after her family is slaughtered and hold on to her land long enough for the transcontinental railroad to reach it.

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