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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

New on DVD Jan. 19: ‘Everest’ will take your breath away

Rick Bentley Tribune News Service

This week’s DVD releases feature an impressive film and a first-rate television drama.

“Everest” 1/2: The recounting of the tragic 1996 effort to climb the world’s tallest mountain reaches new heights in visual splendor. Director Baltasar Kormakur takes moviegoers on a journey that is so spectacularly beautiful and terrifying that it’s the closest thing to making the journey up the mountain without going to Nepal.

What stands out as the film’s biggest flaw is also one of its greatest strengths. Without the personal stories of the climbers, the movie ends up being a beautiful travelogue. It’s one thing to climb a mountain because it’s there. What’s not clear is why the climbers would gamble on such long odds.

Had the director presented as clear a picture of his characters as he does the mountain, the film would have no missteps.

“The Saint: Seasons Three and Four” : Roger Moore plays Simon Templar in this TV series from the 1960s. Despite being on the air so many decades ago, the action thriller holds up because Moore plays the role with such charm and grace.

The series also benefits from some solid writing and production values, a step up from the standard TV fare of the time.

Also new on DVD

“The Diary of a Teenage Girl”: Coming-of-age tale based on Phoebe Gloeckner’s novel.

“Straight Outta Compton”: Five young men escape from Compton through their music.

“Pound Puppies: A Rare Pair”: It’s raining cats, dogs and an alligator.

“Jem and the Holograms”: Underground video star becomes global superstar. Aubrey Peeples stars.

“Woodlawn”: In 1973, a spiritual awakening captures the hearts of the Woodlawn High School football team.

“All Things Must Pass”: Colin Hanks directed this documentary about the fall of Tower Records.

“A Girl Like Her”: Teen girl wears a hidden camera to document bullying.

“Isn’t It Delicious”: Woman races against the clock to fix her broken family.

“The Condemned 2”: Randy Orton and Eric Roberts star in this action thriller.

“I Am Thor”: Biography of metal legend Jon Mikl Thor.

“The Guardian”: Live-in babysitter creates supernatural problems.

“A Bear’s Story: Spirit’s Adventure”: Young cub ventures too far from his family.

“Time Scanners: Colosseum”: Famous Roman structure is examined.

“Sisters: Season Three”: The four Reed sisters continue their shared journey. Swoosie Kurtz stars.

“I Believe in Unicorns”: Strong-willed teenage girl escapes into a twisted fantasy life.

“Little House on the Prairie: Season Eight”: The five-disc set includes all 22 remastered episodes of the family drama.

“The Intern”: Young executive (Anne Hathaway) gets a mature intern (Robert De Niro).

“The Doctor Blake Mysteries: Season One”: Dr. Lucien Blake (Craig McLachlan) returns to his Australian hometown to take over his late father’s practice.

“Stonewall”: Based on events leading up to the 1969 riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York City.

“Swamp People: Season 6”: Troy and the other swampers go on a 30-day alligator hunt.