DVD: “Les Miserables,” “Zero Dark Thirty,” “The Hobbit,” “Strange Frame,” & More!

Les Miserables
($34.98 Blu-ray, $29.98 DVD; Universal)

The sweeping big-budget musical about fallen woman Fantine (Oscar winner Anne Hathaway), reformed thief Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), and obssessed policeman Javert (Russell Crowe) comes to DVD.  The film has its critics but Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen are a treat as the degenerate Thénardiers. Blu-ray extras include a commentary track and featurettes on the movie’s unique on-set live singing technique, the building of the barricade, the show’s West End producer, recreating period Paris, Victor Hugo’s original literary masterwork, and more.

NEXT: Take An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
($44.95 3D Blu-ray, $35.99 Blu-ray, $28.98 DVD; New Line)

The first entry in Peter Jackson’s stretched-out Hobbit trilogy sees wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) recruit furry-footed Bilbo Baggins (Sherlock‘s Martin Freeman) to join a group of dwarfs in their quest to reclaim their kingdom. Amazing 3D effects aside, the Gollum sequence alone is worth picking up this release. Extras include two hours’ worth of behind-the-scenes featurettes, an online code to a sneak peek of the second installment, and more.

NEXT: The hunt for Osama in Zero Dark Thirty

Zero Dark Thirty
($40.99 Blu-ray, $30.99 DVD; Sony)

Kathryn Bigelow’s follow-up to The Hurt Locker is a suspenseful and superbly acted account of how Osama Bin Laden was finally tracked down, thanks to the obsessive efforts of a CIA operative (Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain). More importantly, the film asks “was it worth it?”

NEXT: Jupiter needs women in Strange Frame

Strange Frame
($24.95 DVD; Wolfe)

In this futuristic sci-fi flick set on one of Jupiter’s moons, singer-songwriter Naia falls for female saxophone player Parker. The ladies start a relationship, but even in the 28th century the course of true love doesn’t run smoothly. Director/co-writer GB Hajim delivers sweeping cityscapes to rival Blade Runner and voice work from George Takei, Michael Dorn and Tim Curry.

NEXT: Boy meets boy in Love Kills