Short circuits

short circuits

New and noteworthy experiences among DVDs, video games, gadgets and the Web.

DVD

Seriously good films Now available for your consideration, two new films worthy of Oscars. "The Hurt Locker" (Summit, $27-$35) -- a harrowing drama about U.S. soldiers who defuse bombs in Iraq -- has been a critical darling going into Sunday's Golden Globe awards. It also is expected to vie in major Oscar categories when those nominations are announced Feb. 2. Things are unfairly quieter, though, for "Moon" (Sony, $28-$38), from first-time director Duncan Jones. The small-but-smart sci-fi film features one of the year's best acting performances, by Sam Rockwell, but is getting no awards buzz. Rockwell stars as the sole occupant of a lunar base, whose life spins out of control when his replacement arrives. Storywise, "Moon" works better than does its earthbound counterpart, but both films hold viewers rapt and inspire philosophical discussions about what transpired. Jones delves into some of those issues in commentary and Q&A sessions on the "Moon" Blu-ray and DVD, while "The Hurt Locker" director Kathryn Bigelow largely sticks to production issues in extras on her discs.

RANDY A. SALAS

Also out: "The Brothers Bloom," "Departures," "8 1/2" (Blu-ray), "ER" (Season 12), "Fame," "Halloween II," "House of Payne" (Vol. 5), "I Can Do Bad All by Myself," "In the Loop," "Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht" (Season 5), "Passing Strange," "Post Grad," "Robin Hood" (Season 3), "The Simpsons" (Season 20), "Top Gear" (Seasons 11 & 12).

GADGET

iPhone takes flight The recent Consumer Electronics Show was dominated by news of 3-D technology, tablet computers, e-book readers, thinner TVs, Android-powered phones and full-body motion control for the Xbox 360. But there's always some gee-whiz toy that debuts at CES that grabs geeks' attention. This year's entry was the Parrot AR Drone. It's a remote-controlled "quadricopter" that can be steered using an iPhone or iPod Touch. Special gadgetry and gyros help keep it stable if your hands are unsteady. Best part: A nose camera sends real-time video to your screen while it's in the air. Cool! It's expected later this year for about $500. Check it out at ardrone2.parrot.com.

RANDY A. SALAS

GAME

Play with a princess Chiefly a collection of mini-games based on the recently released Disney film, "The Princess and the Frog" ($50 for Wii; rated Everyone) doesn't have much to it, but it carries an appeal similar to the "Mario Party" or "Rabbids" series. Up to four players can take part in a variety of games, such as highlighting heart-shaped leaves, shaking spices into a pot of gumbo or playing music to annoy a character or two from the movie. The controls are simple and easy to grasp, so even young gamers should be able to play. Playing the main campaign mode unlocks new outfits and other items for the heroine, Tiana, and her friends, and opens up upgrades for the restaurant she's renovating. There are also other activities, such as cooking in Tiana's kitchen.

JUSTIN HOEGER, SACRAMENTO BEE