April 9, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 33 Tolkien tale is visually striking but overly long by Dennis Seuling “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” (Warner Home Video) continues the adventures of title character Bilbo Bag- gins (Martin Freeman) as he travels with the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and 13 dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield (Rich- ard Armitage), on an epic quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. At the beginning of their unexpected journey, they encounter skin-changer Beorn (Mikael Persbrandt) and a swarm of giant spiders in the treach- erous forest of Mirkwood. After escaping capture by the dangerous wood elves, they make their way to Lake-town and finally to Lonely Mountain, where they must face the greatest danger of all, Smaug (voice of Benedict Cumberbatch) — a creature more frightening than any other, one that will test the depth of their courage and the limits of their friendship. Though the film has its high points, Peter Jackson’s decision to expand a fantasy novel into a three-film epic has resulted in a top-heavy, padded slog that tests view- ers’ patience, particularly young audience members. Production values are excellent, but the script is ponderous. Think of the best Grimm or Andersen fairy tale bloated and drawn out, and you have an idea of what Jackson has done with the J.R.R. Tolkien novel. A three-disc edition contains 3D Blu- ray, 2D Blu-ray, DVD and digital HD Ultra- violet versions. Bonuses include production videos showing how scenes were shot and scored, a featurette about the New Zealand locations where the movie was shot, and a featurette in which director Jackson pro- vides a tour through the movie’s sets. “August: Osage County” (Anchor Bay) is the grimmest look at family dysfunction on the big screen since “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” A funeral gathers the Weston clan at Violet’s Oklahoma home- stead. This matriarch Violet (Meryl Streep) is stricken with cancer, hooked on painkill- ers, and masterful at spewing venomous barbs at daughters Barbara (Julia Roberts), Karen (Juliette Lewis), and Ivy (Julianne Nicholson). The sisters bring along the men in their lives and viewers see there are many problems in this extended family. Based on the play by Tracy Letts, this film is a brutal look at the extent to which parental cruelty can destroy lives. Streep once again works her cinematic magic in painting a disturbingly real human being whose horrible childhood has left life- long scars. The superb supporting cast also includes Margo Martindale, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Dermot Mul- roney, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Sam Shepard. Extras on the Blu-ray edition include commentary by director John Wells, a making-of featurette, and a profile of Tracy Letts and the art of writing. “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones” (Paramount) is the latest installment of the “found footage” horror franchise. This time, the setting is Oxnard, Califor- nia’s Hispanic community. Directed by Christopher Landon (Michael Landon’s son), this edition traces the downfall of teenagers Jesse (Andrew Jacobs) and Hector (Jorge Diaz), high-schoolers who spend their post-graduation days partying heavily while filming themselves on their (continued on Crossword page) Martin Freeman reprises his role as Bilbo Baggins in ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.’