new this week in U.S., Canadian, and U.K. theaters: ‘Shrek Forever After,’ ‘MacGruber,’ ‘Cop Out,’ ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ more (with DVD alternatives)

U.S. AND CANADA/OPENING WIDE Shrek Forever After: Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and Puss square off against the evil tyrant Rumpelstiltskin. Scary. [trailer] review to come If you can’t make it to the multiplex, try: • Shrek 2 (2004): Still the best in the series, with one of the greatest character intros ever (for Puss in Boots). … more…

the oh-no! DVD of the week: ‘Rodney Raccoon: Fun with Fitness!’

Adults dressed in furry costumes hanging around kids’ playgrounds? Nothing suspicious about that! This fun, live-action educational fitness DVD was designed to pique the interest of young children while motivating them to learn nutrition and participate in physical activity. The video focuses on a workout that helps in the development of strong and healthy bodies … more…

retro trailer: ‘The Karate Kid’

Take a look back at an old trailer… Elisabeth Shue looks like an adult here, and Ralph Macchio looks like a kid, even though he was actually in his 20s and she was two years younger than him. That’s just weird. The Karate Kid is available on DVD in Region 1 from Amazon.com and from … more…

retro trailer: ‘Red Dawn’

Take a look back at an old trailer… Kill a Commie for Mommy… and for McDonald’s. Ah, the right-wing paranoid fantasies of the 80s were so cute. Red Dawn is available on DVD in Region 1 from Amazon.com and from Amazon.ca and in Region 2 from Amazon U.K.

May 7: DVD alternatives to ‘Iron Man 2’

There’s only one story at the multiplexes this weekend: Iron Man 2, officially the most saturated new release ever at North American theaters. The film lands at 4,380 locations today — 14 more than The Dark Knight boasted two years ago — and will be on multiple screens at many of those venues. If you … more…

retro trailer: ‘Night of the Living Dead’

Take a look back at an old trailer… Some tasty living flesh for your Sunday brunch… It’s so strange to think about a horror movie in black-and-white! We’re so used to splatter and gore and buckets of blood being integral to the experience of watching a horror movie that it’s almost impossible to think the … more…