New this week on DVD and Blu-ray:
"The Amazing Spider-Man" - Rebooting this superhero franchise only a decade after Sam Raimi's first "Spider-Man" movie seemed like a questionable move artistically. However, Sony had no trouble justifying it commercially with a worldwide gross topping $700 million. And while it may be too soon for another version of the origin story, this movie largely works on its own and finds different ways to tell that familiar story.
The best thing about the film is the new Peter Parker / Spider-Man. Andrew Garfield doesn't really look like teenager or an outcast, but he brings a youthful exuberance to the character and makes the viewer feel Parker's sense of discovery as he explores the extent of his new powers. The movie also prominently features Howland native Chris Zylka as Parker's high school nemesis.
The DVD includes deleted scenes, stunt rehearsals, an image gallery and a commentary track with director Marc Webb and producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach. The Blu-ray edition adds 90 minutes of behind-the-scenes documentaries and a second-screen app that allows viewers to access additional information on an iPad or tablet computer. The 3D Blu-ray version comes with an image progression reel and the "3D 101 with Marc Webb" featurette. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, $30.99 DVD, $40.99 Blu-ray / DVD combo, $55.99 3D Blu-ray / Blu-ray/DVD combo)
"Arthur Christmas" -Despite the title, this has nothing to do the aardvark from the popular children's books and PBS series. Instead, this Arthur is the son of Santa, and when one kid mistakenly is left off the Christmas delivery list, he makes it his mission to get the present delivered in time. James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent and Imelda Staunton provide the voices.
Extras include animation progression reels, an elf recruitment video and the featurette "Un-Wrapping Arthur Christmas." (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, $30.99 DVD, $40.99 Blu-ray/DVD combo, $55.99 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD combo)
"Fire with Fire" - A cast that includes Bruce Willis, Josh Duhamel, Rosario Dawson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Julian McMahon and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson still couldn't get this action film a wide theatrical release. Duhamel plays a man who witnesses a double murder and goes into witness protection as he prepares to testify against a crime boss.
Veteran television director David Barrett and cinematographer Christopher Probst are featured on one commentary track, and actors D'Onofrio, McMahon, James Leasure and Eric Winter provide the commentary on a second track. Other extras include extended interviews with Barrett, Duhamel, Jackson, McMahon, Winter, Leasure and producer Randall Emmett. (Lionsgate Home Entertainment, $19.98 DVD, $24.98 Blu-ray)
"360" - Anthony Hopkins, Rachel Weisz, Jude Law and Ben Foster star in a drama about the intertwined lives of a group of seemingly unconnected characters. (Magnolia Home Entertainment, $26.98 DVD, $29.98 Blu-ray)
"Your Sister's Sister" Mark Duplass, Emily Blunt and Rosemarie DeWitt star in this comedy drama about an awkward weekend at a remote cabin involving a guy still-grieving his brother's death, the brother's ex-girlfriend and her sister, who is dealing with her own emotion issues. (MPI Home Video, $24.98 DVD, $29.98 Blu-ray)
"[REC] 3: Genesis" -Nothing ruins a wedding like a deadly virus. Leticia Dolera and Javier Botet star in the third film of the horror series. Extras include outtakes and deleted scenes. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, $22.99 DVD)
"Red Dog" - Josh Lucas stars in a family drama about dog in the Australian Outback. (Arc Entertainment, $20.99 DVD, $24.99 Blu-ray)