New on DVD: '27 Dresses,' 'The Golden Compass'

May 2, 2008

Three movies that are new on DVD, with Newsday's reviews:

(4 STARS) THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY (R). The world as seen through the left eye of a man suddenly stricken with locked-in syndrome, from the true-life memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby. The visual lyricism and irascible humor of Julian Schnabel's screen adaptation makes for a life-against-the-odds drama like none you've ever seen. 1:52 (nudity, sexual content and some language). In French with English subtitles

(2 1/2 STARS) THE GOLDEN COMPASS (PG-13). The first of Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy is bracing entertainment part of the way, but freezes up as the geography turns north. Dakota Blue Richards is no great shakes in the demanding role of a resilient girl who does battle with an authoritarian regime. Nicole Kidman embodies the latter, with luster. Written and directed by Chris Weitz. 1:54 (fantasy violence).

(2 STARS) 27 DRESSES (PG-13). Some woman's idea of a fantasy come true: Dad is a handsome hardware shop owner, Mom is dead, boss is Edward Burns and the hound nipping at your heels is James Marsden. Happily, the dreamer in question is Katherine Heigl, who transcends the assembly-line doings of screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna's determinedly vivacious romantic comedy. 1:47 (language, some innuendo, sexuality).