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For the last few years, Tom Cruise has faced a seemingly impossible mission of revitalizing his career.
A combination of his public embarrassments (such as jumping on Oprah’s couch, debating with Matt Lauer about psychiatry, and – worst of all – arguing with Brooke Shields over postpartum blues) and the soft returns on “Mission: Impossible III” took a toll on the 49-year-old actor.
Even his most loyal fans wondered what happened.
His last three films fell short of a superstar level. Robert Redford’s “Lions for Lambs” (2007), Bryan Singer’s “Valkyrie” (2008) and James Mangold’s “Knight & Day” (2010) grossed $63.2 million, $200.2 million and $261 million, respectively.
For a comeback, Cruise decided to take matters into his own hands. He revived a franchise that had been very, very good for him and played agent Ethan Hunt for the fourth time.
Working with Pixar director Brad Bird (“The Incredibles”), Cruise, who also produces the “Mission: Impossible” movies, revitalized the series by creating “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” ($29.99, DVD; $44.99, Blu-ray Disc; April 17). The action-packed PG-13 thriller (partially shot with IMAX cameras) is punctuated by amazing stunts.
In the 133-minute film, the Impossible Missions Force is framed for bombing the Kremlin, and Hunt and his team must target who’s responsible. Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Ving Rhames, Michael Nyqvist and scene-stealing Simon Pegg co-star.
“Ghost Protocol” went on to collect a global gross of $693 million, and with its cool action and stunts – especially during the stunning Dubai segments atop the world’s tallest building – the title seems certain to be a favorite on DVD and, particularly, Blu-ray Disc.
“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” ranks as the highest-grossing movie worldwide starring Cruise, and that puts him back on top.
The DVD extras include two making-of featurettes and deleted scenes with optional commentary by Bird. The Blu-ray version contains nine additional making-of featurettes.
New discs arriving!
The following Blu-ray Disc and DVD titles recently landed or are coming soon to a video outlet near you.
The offerings can be mail-ordered by going to the websites amazon.com or moviesunlimited.com or rented via netflix.com, and some can be obtained via digital download, unless otherwise noted.
Movies
“Episode 50” ($27.99, DVD; April 17) with Josh Folan (TV’s “All My Children”) in an unrated chiller about the supernatural events that result when two rival television crews that specialize in paranormal events go too far in proving the existence of ghosts.
“Shame” ($39.99, DVD/Blu-ray + digital copy; April 17) with Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan in a controversial NC-17 drama about a New York City sex addict who sidesteps intimacy and seeks constant cheap thrills. The extras include profiles of Fassbender and director Steve McQueen, as well as a featurette on the story behind the title.
Documentary
“America Revealed” (PBS; $29.99, DVD; $39.99, Blu-ray Disc; April 17) with Yul Kwon (“Survivor: Cook Islands”) hosting a special designed to showcase the vastness and complexity of our country.
“The Man Nobody Knew: In Search of My Father, CIA Spymaster William Colby” ($27.99, DVD; $29.99, Blu-ray Disc; April 17) with Carl Colby directing an unrated documentary about his quest to obtain information about his parent, who accepted some of the CIA’s dirtiest assignments.
“The Presidents” (A&E; $29.99, DVD; April 17), a title based on James McPherson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “To the Best of My Ability,” about all of the commanders in chief from George Washington to Barack Obama.
Television
“Baseball’s Greatest Games: St. Louis Cardinals, Game 6” (A&E; $24.99, Blu-ray/DVD combo pack; April 17), a Major League Baseball archive title that shows how St. Louis won the critical game of the 2011 World Series.
“Ice Road Truckers: The Complete Season Five” (A&E; $29.99, DVD; April 17), a four- DVD set with 16 episodes of the History series on drivers who transport goods to dangerously remote outposts.
“Only in America With Larry the Cable Guy: Volume Two” (A&E; $19.99, DVD; April 17) with the stand-up comic delivering 11 new episodes featured on his series about offbeat journeys through the United States.
“Planet Egypt” (A&E; $24.99, DVD; April 17), a History miniseries on the ancient civilization that lasted 3,000 years.
“Top Shot: The Gauntlet – The Complete Season Three” (A&E; $29.99, DVD; April 17) with host Colby Donaldson (“Survivor”) in a four-disc set with a dozen high-def episodes from the History series about competitions for marksmen.
Family/children
“Shaun of the Sheep: Shear Madness” (Lionsgate; $14.99, DVD; April 17) with seven episodes of the series about the playful title character and his farmyard friends.