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AnnaSophia Robb stars as Bethany Hamilton, a young woman who survived a shark attack, in
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New to DVD: 'Soul Surfer' 'Rio' and 'United States of Tara: The Third Season'

New to DVD: 'Soul Surfer' 'Rio' and 'United States of Tara: The Third Season'

' Soul Surfer'

3 stars = Good
Ratings explained

To say "Soul Surfer" belongs with other recent movies about overcoming adversity might make it seem like teen homework for Inspiration 101. But it is uplifting and entertaining, with tension built into a surfing competition that could have come from "Blue Crush" or any movie humming with a high school football rivalry.

Filmgoers might not know the name Bethany Hamilton, played with spirit by AnnaSophia Robb, but they probably recall the 2003 reports about the 13-year-old competitive surfer from Hawaii who was on her board in calm waters when a 15-foot tiger shark came out of nowhere and severed her arm.

The movie, based on the book of the same name by Ms. Hamilton, Sheryl Berk and Rick Bundschuh, spends 30 minutes introducing us to Bethany, her parents (Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid), best friend, Alana (Lorraine Nicholson, daughter of Jack), two brothers, surfing competitors and a church's youth group leader (Carrie Underwood).

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Her world seems idyllic until the day she goes surfing on Kauai's North Shore and dangles her left arm in the cool waters only to have a flash of gray appear and change her life forever.

The story tracks her transformation into a reluctant celebrity and struggle to return to a sport that typically requires two arms to paddle, hoist the body up and balance through churning tunnels, curls and rushing waves.

The PG-rated movie could have easily aired on television, where director Sean McNamara has racked up most of his credits. But the big screen does justice to the sensational surfing scenes and to the courage and maturity of a girl who could have sunk into despondency and stayed safely on the shore instead of plunging back into the water ... and life.

-- Post-Gazette

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' Rio'

3 stars = Good
Ratings explained

"Rio" is a colorful animated film from the folks behind "Ice Age."

It's about a macaw named Blu, who has been captured by poachers and, after some machinations, ends up in the cold of Minnesota. Owned by a local girl, Linda (voiced by Leslie Mann), Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) is then tracked down by a Brazilian ornithologist named Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro), who convinces Linda that Blu is the last of his kind and should be taken to Rio de Janeiro so he can mate with Jewel (Anne Hathaway)

There are more machinations as Blu and Jewel are captured by more bird smugglers and are chained together, allowing for a kids' version of "It Happened One Night." There are lots of holes in "Rio's" plot, but it's doubtful anyone will care. The film is diverting enough visually, especially if you're under 10.

-- Rob Lowman, Los Angeles Daily News

TV on DVD

' United States of Tara: The Third Season'

3 1/2 stars = Very good
Ratings explained

Showtime has ended this first-rate series starring Toni Collette. This DVD set is your chance to see the last episodes of a show that examines what it's like to live with a woman who has multiple personalities.

The season focuses on Tara's (Ms. Collette) decision to go back to school and how the emergence of her alters causes problems. Eddie Izzard guest stars.

Ms. Collette's work is what makes this series shine. She could have gone way over the top playing all the different personalities but found the right tone to make the show work.

The DVD set includes all 12 episodes.

-- Rick Bentley, McClatchy Newspapers

ALSO THIS WEEK

• "Mystery Science Theater 3000: MST3K vs. Gamera XXI": The five-DVD set includes the films "Gamera," "Gamera Vs. Barugon," "Gamera Vs. Gaos," "Gamera Vs. Guiron" and "Gamera Vs. Zigra."

• "The Music Never Stopped": J.K. Simmons stars in this film based on the true story of a father trying to reconnect with his son.

"• Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Volume 3: The Return of Heatblast": Ben must confront his past.

• "Ferris Bueller's Day Off": The Matthew Broderick comedy is being re-released for the 25th anniversary.

• "Quarantine 2: Terminal": The deadly virus is now on a late-night flight.

• "Everwood: The Complete Fourth Season": The DVD set of the last season of the family TV drama includes an alternate ending.

• "Hell's Kitchen: The Complete Fifth Season": Chef Gordon Ramsay makes things hot in the kitchen competition.

• "Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost": Tom Selleck stars in the made-for-TV movie.

• "Chuggington: It's Training Time": Features six episodes that foster preschoolers' social readiness skills.

• "Dear Lemon Lima": Efforts by a girl to win back her boyfriend's affections make matters worse. Melissa Leo stars.

• "Tracy Morgan: Black and Blue": Cable comedy special starring Tracy Morgan.

• "Better Off Dead": The John Cusack cult favorite is now on Blu-ray.

• "Outside the Law": Latest film from Academy Award nominated filmmaker Rachid Bouchareb.

• "The Perfect Game": An unlikely team makes history at the Little League World Series.

• "Streetwalkin' ": Melissa Leo's 1985 film about a teen runaway lured into a sleazy world.

• "Loopdiver: The Journey of a Dance": The program offers a behind the scenes look at an award-winning international dance company, Troika Ranch.

• "Sesame Street: Learning Letters with Elmo": Learning is as easy as A-B-C with Elmo.

-- Rick Bentley, McClatchy Newspapers

First Published: August 4, 2011, 8:00 a.m.

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AnnaSophia Robb stars as Bethany Hamilton, a young woman who survived a shark attack, in "Soul Surfer."
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