Films and Dvds

Ace of Hearts
(Rated G; May 6; ages 5–12): This Canadian direct-to-DVD movie stars Dean Cain as a cop who spends more time with his K-9 partner than with his wife and teenage daughter.  It’s as wholesome as it is bland – and it’s quite bland. Grade: C

Barney: Animal ABC’s
(Not rated; available now; ages 3–5): Barney, Baby Bop and BJ visit a jungle, circus, petting zoo and farm to find animals that match each letter. Kids will have super-dee-duper fun singing songs guaranteed to grind on their parents’ nerves. Grade: A-

The Golden Compass
(Rated PG-13; April 29; ages 12–16): A young girl travels to a wintry world to rescue a kidnapped friend and winds up hoping to save the world. Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards star in this sour-tasting eye candy. Grade: C

Indiana Jones Trilogy
(Rated PG and PG-13; May 13; ages 7–16): Timed with the release of the 3rd “Raiders of the Lost Ark” sequel is the release of the original and the first 2 follow-ups, all starring Harrison Ford as arguably cinema’s greatest action-adventure hero.
No. 2, “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” is the weakest, but there’s no denying the goodness of these remastered titles, sold individually and as a set. Grades: A+ (“Raiders of the Lost Ark”), B (“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”), A- (“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”)