Ponyo

If you're looking to veg with some new entertainment on the tube, today's DVD releases should help do the trick. Check 'em out!

Where the Wild Things Are

More for adult fans of the book than today's young audience, Spike Jonze's adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are is an homage to childhood that shows the darker, sometimes scary side of being a kid. Even the puppets convey emotion in a way that tugs on the heart strings. It's no secret that Where the Wild Things Are was one of my favorite films last year, so I may have to buy this one for my library.

Special features include four webisodes, but the Blu-ray also includes the short "Higglety Pigglety Pop!" featuring the voices of Meryl Streep and Forest Whitaker.

73%

2012

Part over-the-top disaster movie, part sweet family story, and 100 percent entertaining, 2012 stars John Cusack as a divorced father. He's stuck in the middle of an apocalyptic calamity (biblical-sized floods, giant earthquake cracks, etc), trying to rescue his children and ex-wife (Amanda Peet) from the chaos. Yes, it's cheesy and falls victim to the typical blockbuster cliches, but as weekend popcorn flicks go, it's a sure bet. Bonus: in a perfect casting move, Woody Harrelson plays a wacky conspiracy theorist.

Special features include deleted scenes and an alternate ending, which has me curious — how different can an ending be when you're talking about the end of the world?

39%

One more release if you read more

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a press release today, announcing that 20 films have been submitted for Best Animated Film consideration at this year's Oscars. This means there could be five movies competing at the awards show in March. (In the history of the category, there have typically been only three.) So who is up for the honor?

Some are obvious choices. Up, for example, comes as no surprise thanks to its huge accolades. I also think Coraline stands a chance, as well as Fantastic Mr. Fox (look for my review on Friday!). But Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel seems like a long shot — even though it hasn't hit theaters yet, so I'm just making an early prediction. (Sorry, Alvin.)

With 10 movies in the Best Picture category, I wouldn't be surprised if some of these films end up with more than one nomination. Check out the full list of animated film contenders, and tell me which you think is most deserving of an Oscar when you read more