Call it "Star Trek 2.0."

Director J.J. Abrams' new take on the classic science-fiction franchise offers an action-packed space romp with some changes made to the storied mythology. The most die-hard "Trek" fans may be upset, but anyone who didn't grow up with the original series won't notice the differences.

Abrams reveals a universe that's updated visually but retains the vibe of the original "Trek," and he does a better job of creating a true ensemble of characters. Pittsburgh native Zachary Quinto has the look for Spock, but is a more haunted Vulcan, befitting Quinto's ability to go to darker places. Chris Pine's Kirk is a more brash, hot-headed take on the character, and his performance is appreciably less staccato than the young Shatner.

"Trek" veteran Leonard Nimoy shows up as an older Spock from the future, but he gets saddled with the film's most egregious exposition, an unfortunate litany of telling rather than showing that gives the plot a convoluted haze, contradicting the movie's sharp, streamlined look.

Although this "Star Trek" differs from the original in the details, the tone is consistent and Abrams captures the optimistic spirit of the 1960s TV show.

"Star Trek" is available as a three-disc Blu-ray and two-disc DVD with features on the cast and reimagining of the franchise, commentary by Abrams, gag reel and deleted scenes.

-- Post-Gazette

This DVD should come with a packet of tissues and a bottle of eye drops, to get rid of the redness from crying.

Jodi Picoult's novel of the same name inspired this weeper about a couple (Cameron Diaz and Jason Patric) with three children, a son who has become a virtual ghost in their lives, a teenage daughter with leukemia and an 11-year-old who is asked to donate a kidney to perhaps save her sister's life.

That scenario sets the stage for examining parental love and fierce determination, sibling sacrifice and how a gravely ill child can send a family spinning off its axis.

Sofia Vassilieva, who plays the eldest daughter on TV's "Medium" and sacrificed her long blond hair for this role, is the stricken girl, Abigail Breslin her younger sister and Evan Ellingson their brother.

As with Picoult's book, "My Sister's Keeper" springs a surprise but abandons the novel's daring and tragic twist for an ending that's more predictable and, perhaps, palatable although no one should expect miracle cures.

"My Sister's Keeper" was released the same week as the second "Transformers" movie in late June and it was out of place amid the sunny summer blockbusters. It is no less sad at this time of year but it dovetails nicely with giving thanks for what you have.

The DVD has 16 minutes of additional or deleted scenes, with one courtroom confrontation between Diaz and Patric especially wounding. PG-13 for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, sensuality, language and brief teen drinking.

-- Barbara Vancheri, PG movie editor

Zorro was the ideal of every child of the '50s: Suave, brash, secretive, anti-authoritarian and a master of the inexplicably bloodless swordfight. It can be little wonder that, 10 years after he premiered as the first TV serial by Walt Disney, the cunning fox of Spanish California continued on as a curiously North American icon. What little white boy from the suburbs didn't want to be Zorro?

The Disney series aired from 1957 to 1959 with Guy Williams as Don Diego, a foppish and diffident Spaniard who, by night slips on a cape and mask, takes to his horse and does guerrilla warfare with the corrupt Captain Monasterio.

At the time it arrived on American TV screens, "Zorro" was an established brand. Johnston McCulley, a popular writer in early 20th century America first introduced the character in a pulp magazine in 1919. A year later, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. played him on screen.

What made Disney's "Zorro" so successful was the carefully scripted humor and production values that surpassed anything else on the screen. It was done on film with authentic sets. Too, the Williams "Zorro" often as not evaded his pursuers by trickery rather than running them through.

At 39 episodes a season," Zorro" was a wonderment even for its own workaholic age. Seen now, with fencing scenes that took as long as five hours to film, the collection -- six discs in each box ($59.99 per season, Walt Disney) -- with extra features giving the history of the story and the TV show, is something for the family to pop into the player when the gruel on Nickelodeon gets even thinner.

-- Dennis Roddy, Post-Gazette staff writer

Also This Week:

"Bruno"

: Sacha Baron Cohen ("Borat") strikes again, this time in the guise of a gay Austrian fashionista. Packed with talking penises, celebrity ambushes and butt jokes galore, this latest provoc-umentary is a crude, cringe-worthy and intermittently funny affair that triggers the gag reflex.

"Thirst": A selfless priest, given tainted blood, becomes a vampire in this film from director Park Chan-wook ("Old Boy") that was a box-office hit in Korea.

Special: "Gone with the Wind (70th Anniversary Ultimate Collectors Edition)"

• TV on DVD: "7th Heaven: The Ninth Season"; "The Best of Star Trek: The Next Generation -- Volume 2"; "The Best of Star Trek: The Original Series -- Volume 2"; "Farscape: The Complete Series"; "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas"; "Rome: The Complete Series"; "The Smurfs: Season One, Volume 1-3."