Video Reviews: 'North Country,' 'Rent'

'North Country' (R) Oscar nominees Charlize Theron and Frances McDormand give stellar performances in "North Country," a gut-wrenching drama that underperformed at the theatrical box office, but should find success on home video given its awards attention.

Inspired by a true story, "North Country" chronicles the events that led to the first-ever class-action lawsuit for sexual harassment -- filed by female Iron Range mine workers in northern Minnesota after vile treatment by their male counterparts on the job.

Theron plays single mother Josey Aimes (based on Lois Jenson, the mine worker who won the landmark lawsuit in 1984), who meets resistance by her family and male workers as she begins her job on the Iron Range. Her fellow female workers, including her close confidant Glory (McDormand), appear willing to put up with the harassment, until a chain of events compels Josey to stand-up to the intolerance.

While the film's familiar courtroom drama elements drags it down at times, "North Country" overcomes any shortcomings with a slate of impressive performances.

While Theron and McDormand have received the most praise for the film, there are several great supporting performances that can't be overlooked -- chief among them Richard Jenkins as Josey's stern father and reluctant co-worker at the mine and Woody Harrelson as the lawyer who dares to take on Josey's case.

DVD Features: Deleted scenes, documentaries on the true-life events, and more. (Warner Home Video)

Also New This Week:

'Rent' (PG-13): The late Jonathan Larson's Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical about friends in New York coping with the AIDS epidemic in 1989 made a shaky transition to the big screen with a lukewarm box office in the fall. Hopefully, it won't suffer the same fate on home video.

Even if you haven't seen the stage version, the musical -- which features most of its original Broadway cast -- is an entertaining and emotional ride. The biggest advantage for "Rent" newcomers on DVD is closed captioning, so use the option the first time out if you want to fully grasp the narrative in song.

The highlight of the film is the lavish production number "Tango Maureen" (which rivals "Chicago's" "Cell Block Tango"), but you're certain to be gripped by the inspirational finale. The two-disc DVD set includes cast and crew commentary, production featurettes and more. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

'Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild' (G): Michael J. Fox, Geena Davis and Hugh Laurie all return to the third installment in the "Stuart Little" movie series, which this time transitions from a live-action/computer animated films into an full-blown animated feature.

Fox is as charming as ever voicing Stuart, who teaches a skunk named Reeko (Wayne Brady) about self-esteem and the values of friendship during family camping outing. For it's technical shortcomings, it doesn't match up to the first two films, but it's a satisfying sequel nonetheless. DVD features include kids activities, "Reeko's Funk" music video and more. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

'Domino' (R): Prior to her Oscar nominated turn for "Pride and Prejudice," Keira Knightley played the title role about model-turned-bounty hunter Domino Harvey (the daughter of actor Laurence Harvey), a woman, who met her untimely death at 35, just months before the film's release.

DVD features include filmmaker commentary from director Tony Scott and others, production featurettes and more. (New Line Home Entertainment)