Gnomes and aliens

Topping this week's DVD releases are an animated tale for the family and what could be the launch of a sci-fi franchise.

Gnomeo and Juliet, Grade C-minus: Two gnomes from the opposite side of the fence fall in love. James McAvoy and Emily Blunt provide their voices.

It took 11 years to make the animated take on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet using garden gnomes. It feels more like it was made in days. The script lacks originality, the Elton John soundtrack feels forced, and the characters are more creepy than cuddly.

I Am Number Four, Grade B-plus: One of the last members of an alien race hides on Earth to escape the invaders who want to kill him.

The first half follows the formula for teen romance that made Twilight so popular. A high school girl falls for the new school hunk who just happens to have powers beyond mortal man. In this case it's aliens, not vampires.

The second half turns into a close encounter of the hallway kind when the high school becomes a battleground between warring alien factions.

Also new on DVD this week:

Children's Hospital: First & Second Seasons: Rob Corddry stars in the cable series that lampoons medical shows.

Lemonade Mouth: Five high school students start a band.

Melissa & Joey: Season One, Part One: Includes the first 12 episodes of the cable comedy starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence.

The Big Bang: Antonio Banderas stars in the detective thriller.

Fanboy and Chum Chum: Josh Duhamel and Jamie Kennedy provide voices in the eight adventures from the Nickelodeon animated comedy.

Eat My Dust/Grand Theft Auto: Two-pack includes Ron Howard's directorial debut.

The Royal Wedding: William & Catherine: BBC documentary on the royal wedding.

William & Kate: Planning a Royal Wedding: Go inside the social event of the new millennium.

Fighting Mad/Moving Violation: The two-pack DVD includes films from Jonathan Demme and Charles S. Dubin.

NOVA: Japan's Killer Quake: A look at the March 11 earthquake that hit Japan.

Seconds Apart: Orlando Jones stars in this story of twins who share an evil kinship.

Fertile Ground: A married couple (Leisha Hailey, Gale Harold) move to a haunting new place.