Tsotsi *** | This year’s Academy Award winner for foreign language film tells the story of a young South African street criminal suddenly confronted with moral choices, and his own humanity. Tsotsi is a brutal thug who kills a woman in a carjacking, only to discover a baby in the back seat. In his own violent, single-minded way, he tries to raise the baby while figuring out what to do next. | R | 96 minutes | Released today | Michael Booth
ATL *** | Though the specter of drugs is part of “ATL,” it isn’t a drug movie, and it doesn’t send its characters on a harrowing journey into danger. It’s a film about growing up and working, about falling in love, about planning for your future, and about the importance of friends. For Rashad (Tip Harris), the best day of the week is Sunday, because that’s when he and three friends head for the Cascade, a roller rink where they show off with intricately choreographed moves on the floor. It’s also where Rashad falls in love for the first time. | PG-13 | 105 minutes | Released today | Roger Ebert
The Second Chance *** | Christian music artist Michael W. Smith stars as Ethan, son of maverick evangelist Jeremiah Jenkins, who’s taking the message of his suburban megachurch global. Newcomer jeff obafemi carr impresses as Pastor Jake, Jeremiah’s inner-city protégé. In this engaging tale of two young ministers – one black, one white – trying to figure out what Jesus really would do, money and power square off against poverty and social justice. Ego and institutional arrogance wrestle with compassion and humility. Yet Steve Taylor’s debut delivers its parable of spiritual growth with enough tender nuance to shun the easy sin of preaching to the choir. | PG-13 | 104 minutes | Released today | Lisa Kennedy
She’s the Man * | In another telling of the gender-bending Shakespeare play “Twelfth Night,” Amanda Bynes stars as a girl who poses as her brother at an elite private school. She starts to fall in love with her brother’s roommate, who has eyes for another, who in turn has eyes for the girl she thinks is a boy. It’s not a brilliant rendering, but it’s a teen-friendly movie that doesn’t push the boundaries of an R rating. | PG-13 | 105 minutes | Released July 18 | Booth
TV ON DVD
“Perry Mason: Season 1, Vol. 1” | If you’re of a certain age, you grew up thinking that defense attorneys never lost a case. That’s because “Perry Mason” was essential viewing, and Perry was unbeatable. So for baby boomers or just those who want to see one of the original courtroom dramas, the first 19 episodes, from 1957, with great names like “The Case of the Vagabond Vixen,” are now available. The remaining 20 episodes for that season will be released later. | $49.99 each | Released July 11 | Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
OTHER RELEASES | These DVDs are also available today
Adventures of Brisco County, Jr: The Complete Series
An Early Frost
Charlie’s Angels: Third Season
Clean
Don’t Move
Edison Force
The Incredible Hulk: First Season
Intimate Stories
Jack of All Trades: Complete Series
The Pee-wee Herman Show
The Pretender: Season Four
Ren & Stimpy: The Lost Episodes
Road House: Deluxe Edition
Road House 2: Last Call
Some Like It Hot: Collectors’ Edition
SpongeBob SquarePants: Karate Island
Subject Two
Sybil
That’s So Raven: Volume 4
Touched
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING | This week’s top DVDs
Top videos in rentals and sales:
RENTALS
1. Failure to Launch
2. Eight Below
3. Annapolis
4. The Hills Have Eyes
5. Syriana
SALES
1. Eight Below
2. Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion
3. Eight Below
4. The Tyler Perry Collection: Madea Goes to Jail
5. Ultraviolet
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