“Dark Shadows” is something of a return to form for Tim Burton following 2010’s awful “Alice In Wonderland.” The visuals pop off the screen (more so than most 3D films) and the frequent cleverness of the screenplay overshadows the weak machinations of its disappointing third act.

Rating: ★★★★ out of ★★★★★ (Very Good)

Blu-ray Special Features:

• DVD + Ultraviolet

• Focus Points

• Deleted Scenes

• Trailers

The film can be syrupy to a fault, but the personality of Pine delivers some of the necessary punch to save the film from being a total bore. Unfortunately, Orci and Kurtzman paint only in shades of black and white. Leaving out the gray – forgetting about depth – is a mistake that “People Like Us” makes repeatedly, to its ultimate demise. The movie is an appeal to the most general audience possible, lacking the necessary spark to find the right audience.

Rating: ★★ 1/2 out of ★★★★★ (Mediocre)

Blu-ray Special Features:

• Blu-ray(TM) Feature Film + Bonus

• DVD Feature Film + Bonus

• Number One With A Bullet: The Story Behind People Like Us — Inspired By True Events, Filmmakers Alex Kurtzman And Roberto Orci, Best Known For Making Big-Budget Sci-Fi Action Movies, Go Back To Their Roots And Make A Small Film From The Heart

• Taco Talk — Chris And Elizabeth Do Extended Improvisational Takes, While Chris Fulfills A Fantasy Of Shooting At His Childhood Favorite Local Taco Stand, The Legendary Henry’s Tacos

• Deleted Scenes

• Bloopers

• Audio Commentary — With Director Alex Kurtzman And Writer Jody Lambert

• Audio Commentary — With Director Alex Kurtzman And Actors Chris Pine And Elizabeth Banks

• Select Scene Commentary — With Director Alex Kurtzman And Actress Michelle Pfeiffer

-J. Olson

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