OUT OF THE BLU

LEGO's licensed properties cast a really wide net as they entertain audiences of all ages, and so we recommend giving their fresh new spin on The Dark Knight a chance. Aficionados of late, great screen legends will surely want to check out the reclaimed Perfect Understanding, while folks looking for a more modern take on couples dynamics will likely enjoy last year's Disaster.

LEGO Batman: The Movie - DC Super Heroes Unite (Warner Premiere)
Something pretty awesome happened when LEGO met Star Wars… and Indiana Jones and Harry Potter and yes, even Batman. In addition to selling a buttload of their little plastic bricks in themed sets, these partnerships gave rise to a string of bestselling spinoff videogames. And for me the best part of the games has always been the adorable, hysterical animations or "cut scenes," which riff on the various characters and mythologies with a winning, family-friendly sense of humor.

And so we are given this footage and much more in the ceaselessly entertaining feature-length action/comedy DC Heroes Unite, which (as the title suggests) culminates in a gathering of disparate members of the famed Justice League. But first, Batman and Robin team with Superman to stand against the evil alliance of The Joker and Lex Luthor and their daunting but kid-safe schemes. Fans of The Caped Crusader's vast rogue's gallery will not be disappointed.

Neither will Blu-ray fans, as this HD presentation of the colorful, stylized computer animation is a treat for the eyes and ears. Stay tuned for a variety of video shorts, including samples from the deep DC Comics Animation "vault," plus a too-brief stop-motion snippet. We can also watch on DVD or UltraViolet, and the fun can continue when all power goes out thanks to the exclusive Clark Kent/Superman minifigure bundled right in the box!

Perfect Understanding (Cohen Media)
Produced by leading lady Gloria Swanson herself as she was struggling to transition from silent films, Perfect Understanding was the only movie she made in Britain (at London's famous Ealing Studios) and her only pairing with a relative newcomer named Lawrence Olivier. The script was written a young Michael Powell, who would go on to become one of England's most revered filmmakers. It's a frothy romantic comedy balanced by some surprisingly frank exploration of open marriage and infidelity that managed to sidestep the restrictive Hays Code governing Hollywood at the time. Quite the juicy 70-year-old tidbit, and one rarely seen for several decades.

In addition to a lovely new HD restoration and LPCM 2.0 mono audio, the disc boasts a pair of Mack Sennett short subjects of the era.

It's A Disaster (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
Todd Berger's comedy is for the adults certainly as four couples gather for their monthly get-together, but their cheerful boat is rocked first by the introduction of one member's new boyfriend, and then the possible end of the world outside. This volatile mix sets nerves on edge, and the eclectic cast—including David Cross, America Ferrera and Julia Stiles—lets it all hang out with often hilarious results. Nerve gas might kill them all shortly, but apparently that's no reason to keep their feelings bottled up.

Writer/director Berger leads a tour behind the scenes, and also joins Cross and co-stars Kevin Brennan and Jeff Grace for the audio commentary. We are also shown the Comic-Con 2012 panel and three amusing viral videos.