New on DVD: Platinum pick 'The Lorax'

By Steve Jones, USA TODAY

Posted August 9, 2012

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The Lorax speaks for the trees in this environmentally friendly film featuring the voice of Danny DeVito. (Credit: Universal Pictures)

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is the week's platinum pick for many colorful, musical reasons. Or check out Robert Pattinson in Bel Ami, or the John Woo-produced historical epic Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale.

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
2012, Universal, PG, $30;
DVD+3D+digital copy+Blu-ray, $50

A classic Theodor Geisel parable about environmental protection and corporate greed is brought vividly to life in this computer-animated 3-D musical.

It tells the story of Ted (voiced by Zac Efron), a 12-year-old boy who lives in a completely artificial world and hopes to find a real tree to woo the love of his life (Taylor Swift). He learns of The Lorax (Danny DeVito), who tried to save the land from the Once-ler (Ed Helms), who helped ruin it. Three mini-movies are included in the package.

USA TODAY's Claudia Puig says *** out of four. "Someone in Hollywood ought to speak for the trees, and The Lorax does it with verve and vibrancy."

Blue Like Jazz
2012, Lionsgate, PG-13, $28; Blu-ray, $40

A devout Christian (Marshall Allman) transfers from a Texas junior college to one of the most liberal colleges in America.

He soon finds that the environment and student body are much different from what he's used to, and he has to re-examine who he is and whathe believes. It's based on Don Miller's semi-autobiographical best seller.

USA TODAY's Scott Bowles says: ** ½ out of four.

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale
2012, Well Go USA, not rated, $25; Blu-ray, $30

This John Woo-produced historical epic tells of the clash between the Seediq, a native tribe of Taiwan, and Japanese colonial powers, who held sway from 1895 to 1945.

In 1930, a Seediq led a series of sieges of Japan police stations and government offices, before Japan sent in the army to crush the rebellion.

Bel Ami
2012, Magnolia, R, $23

In this story based on French author Guy de Maupassant's 1885 novel, Robert Pattinson (The Twilight Saga) is a broke ex-soldier who rises to power in Paris by romancing the city's wealthy women, played by Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas.