THE LIST
DVDS
"Driving Lessons" (PG-13): Rupert Grint — best known as Harry Potter’s buddy Ron Weasley — stars in this British comedy as Ben, the introverted teenage son of very religious parents. He takes a job with Evie (Julie Walters), a retired actress who has advertised for a "Christian" helper. The movie’s path is as easy to follow as a one-way street bathed in floodlights: The two characters will find themselves in unusual situations, help each other and become friends. It isn’t terribly original, but it’s pleasant enough and sweetly positive.
Also out today: "Stephen King DVD Collector’s Set" (R); "The Best of Bravestarr" (Unrated); "Just the Two of Us" (R); "White Boyz in the Hood: Season 1" (Unrated); "Cherry Crush" (R); "DJ Qbert: For Intellectual Dummies" (Unrated); "George Lopez: America’s Mexican" (Unrated); and "Dora the Explorer: Summer Explorer" (Unrated).
CDS
Velvet Revolver, "Libertad": Volatile as nitro glycerine, Velvet Revolver took aim at being one of hard rock’s most debauched supergroups upon its inception a few years back.
Returning with its oft-delayed sophomore effort, the band expands upon the sweaty, swaggering riff rock of its debut with a funkier, more textured disc that sees this bunch reveling in the freedom implied by its title.
Also in stores: Sara Bareilles, "Little Voice"; Broadway Cast, "The Pirate Queen"; Circus Diablo, "Circus Diablo"; Queensryche, "Mindcrime at the Moore"; Diana Ross & the Supremes/Various, "The Remixes"; Kelly Rowland, "Ms. Kelly"; Soundtrack, "Transformers: The Movie"; T.I. Vs. T.I.P., "T.I. Vs. T.I.P."
BOOKS
"Vie Francaise" (Knopf) by Jean-Paul Dubois (translated by Linda Coverdale): This is the story of Paul Blick, born in France, son of a car dealer, househusband and wildly successful photographer of trees. But that success crumbles in the face of a catastrophe and Blick finds himself facing the hard facts of life at the dawn of the 21st century.
Also in stores, "Judas Strain" (HarperCollins) by James Rollins; "The Quickie" (Little, Brown & Co.) by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge; "Slummy Mummy: The Secret Life of Lucy Sweeney" (Riverhead) by Fiona Neill; "Shadow of the Silk Road" (HarperCollins) by Colin Thubron; and "Raw 50: 10 Amazing Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, Snacks and Drinks for Your Raw Food Lifestyle" (Clarkson Potter) by Carol Alt and David Roth.