Short circuits 8/23: Gibson returns in 'The Beaver'

"The Beaver" draws us into the story that Mel Gibson and director Jodie Foster want to tell. That story begins with Walter (Gibson), a man living apart from his wife (Foster) and two sons, sleepwalking through his job as a toy company CEO and self-medicating by drinking. He tries to commit suicide, but he can't even pull that off. He turns to a beady-eyed beaver puppet, a castoff item from home. Suddenly, Walter is talking to himself using the beaver as his proxy. He tells Walter to get up and pull himself together. And that's precisely what the man does. Weaning himself from the Beaver, who sounds like Michael Caine, proves more problematic. The DVD and Blu-ray (Summit, $27-$31) include commentary by Foster and deleted scenes.

Also out on DVD Tuesday

Out on Blu-ray Tuesday

Amazon recently announced its new Kindle Cloud Reader Web app (www.amazon.com/cloudreader), which is basically just the standard Kindle app but which can be accessed through a website. It's clearly aimed at iPad users, because Amazon says the page works only with the Safari browser on iPad, Safari on desktop and Google's Chrome browser. Just go to www.amazon.com/cloudreader in a supported browser.

Ever get that sinking feeling that you'll accidentally drop your cellphone in the lake or in your beer? Next time you travel, protect the phone in a waterproof case. Overboard USA makes cases that are submersible in up to 19 feet of water. They allow you to see and use the functions on your iPhone, Droid or Blackberry even when the phones are encased in the waterproof pouch. The cost is $25 at www.overboardusa.com. Find other brands and choices at the Waterproof Store (www.thewaterproofstore.com).

Exploring the atmosphere of "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet" ($15 download for Xbox 360; rated Everyone) is akin to wandering around a country without knowing the language, and that's where its genius lies. "Planet" marries traditional 2-D space-shooting game play with the kind of nonlinear exploration found in the likes of "Metroid," populating regions you visit early on with areas you can access only when you return later with a gadget that can pave the way. "Planet" isn't as sharp as "Metroid," but the game redeems itself with the variety of gadgets you collect and the clever way it challenges you to figure out the right tool for every job.