New on DVD:'127 Hours,''Love& Other Drugs,''Burlesque,''Faster'

At first, we wondered why"127 Hours"(R, $29.98) wasn't released last week, beforethe Oscars. But now, the strategy makes sense: distract everyone fromJames Franco's turn as host, and remind us that he really is a great actor who deserved to be there—if only as a nominee. He's terrific in what's essentially a one-man show, holding our attention throughout as ill-fated hikerAron Ralston. And no, you won't be cheating if you hit the fast-forward button when his infamous amputation scene appears.

Coincidentally enough,Anne Hathaway's"Love& Other Drugs"(R, $29.98) is also out this week, though it's costarJake Gyllenhaal, as aViagrasalesman, who fares best in this uneven romantic dramedy.

Really, if you're looking for laughs"Burlesque"(PG-13, $28.95) is the way to go. Granted, this rags-to-riches tale of an ingénue (Christina Aguilera) at a retro nightclub is not actually meant to be funny. But even if everyone else—especially Aguilera—plays things completely straight,Cheris as cool as ever and smart enough to get in on the joke.

Speaking of cool, you could also dedicate your weekend toJohnny Depp. Just in time for the release of"Rango,"the 7-disc"‘Pirates of the Caribbean' Trilogy"(PG-13, $72.99) comes out on Blu-ray, with hours of extras including commentary from Depp, several documentaries, and nearly 20 deleted scenes.

The Rockmay not be quite as reliable, but it must be said that Dwayne Johnson can make even the worst movies at least mildly entertaining. And that's exactly what he—and Billy Bob Thornton—do in"Faster"(R, $24.96), which finds Johnson newly released from prison and settling some old scores, whileThornton's crooked cop trails him. It's not exactly art, but with heavy action, fast cars, and random explosions, it's got everything you need in a popcorn flick--well, everything but Cher in sequins.

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