DVDs: Moving 'Les Miz,' moral 'Lincoln,' grandpop Crystal

Les Miserables, Grade B-plus: This big-screen version of the musical based on Victor Hugo's book stars Hugh Jackman.

To transform the beloved musical from stage to screen, director Tom Hooper had to find a way to maintain, and amplify, the power of the original words and music in a big-screen production. His efforts have created a beautiful, moving version of the stage production that's loyal enough to its origins to appease Broadway-musical fans and theatrical enough to stand as a feature-film release.

Jackman's expressive face and competent singing bring depth to the role that's the centerpiece of the tale. Anne Hathaway is magnifique. Hooper was smart enough to know that while the actress might not have the singing skills of those who have played the role on stage, her acting would more than make up for that. He leaves the camera on her face as she hauntingly sings the show-stopper "I Dreamed a Dream."

Lincoln, Grade B-minus: Steven Spielberg directs Daniel Day-Lewis in the drama about the 16th president's battle to pass the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery.

It's a little-told story in the Abraham Lincoln oeuvre despite how much this effort defined his legacy. The task of portraying the ordinary man with a strong moral core goes to the British actor, whose makeup makes him look like he posed for the $5 bill. Day-Lewis plays Lincoln as a man of vision, often given to making his points through rambling stories.

Parental Guidance, Grade B: Billy Crystal plays Artie Decker, veteran voice of the Fresno Grizzlies. After a life-changing moment, he and his wife, Diane (Bette Midler), head to Atlanta to babysit their grandchildren, Harper (Bailee Madison), Turner (Joshua Rush) and Barker (Kyle Harrison Breitkopf), while their parents (Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott) are away at an awards ceremony for a week.

Crystal and Midler have such a nice chemistry that it's easy to believe their characters have been together for decades. Each has good solo moments, but they're at their best when they are on screen together.

Also new on DVD:

The Borgias, The Second Season: Jeremy Irons stars in the cable series.

Continuum, Season One: Time-traveling cable series with Rachel Nichols.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 XXVI: Includes The Magic Sword and The Mole People.

Star Trek: Enterprise, the Complete First Season: The first year of the TV series about the early days of the Enterprise is available on Blu-ray.

House Arrest: A woman (Stacey Dash) must adjust to a new life after being arrested.

 Men at Work, The Complete First Season: Four buddies count on one another to get through life.

Veep, The Complete First Season: Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars in the political comedy.

Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot, The Complete Series: Includes 26 episodes of the series that original aired in 1967.

This Is 40: A couple take a look at their marriage. Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann star.

MADtv, The Complete Second Season: Includes 22 episodes of the comedy series.

Futureworld: The 1976 sequel to Westworld is on Blu-ray.

The Collection: A madman collects humans in a booby-trapped house.

 Party of Five, The Complete Fourth Season: Matthew Fox headlines the family TV drama.

 The Carol Burnett Show, This Time Together: A collection of comedy bits from Burnett's variety series.

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries: Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis) is a sly sleuth and thoroughly modern woman of the late 1920s.

Midsomer Murders, Tom Barnaby's Last Cases: Features 15 stand-alone mysteries in the series.

Shakespeare Uncovered: Tells the stories behind the Bard's greatest plays.

Population2: A woman wanders a planet devoid of humanity.