Up - BLU-RAY

From Pixar Animation comes this winsome comedy about 78-year-old Carl's attempt to keep a promise to visit the wilds of South America by tying thousands of balloons to his house and flying there. After accidentally bringing 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer Russell with him on his journey, the unlikely friends encounter such characters as Dug, a dog with a collar that allows him to speak, and Kevin, a flightless bird. With the voices of Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Christopher Plummer. 96 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack English. Three-disc set.

This film from the wizards at Pixar centers on Carl Fredericksen, a character far different from any of the animation company's previous heroes. Carl isn't a fish, or a toy, or a monster. Instead, Carl is simply a 78-year-old man, but his age doesn't keep him from having a rollicking adventure in this film featuring the voices of Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, and Pixar favorite John Ratzenberger.

In this effects-filled remake of the '50s William Castle thriller, an eccentric amusement park owner (Geoffrey Rush) holds a bizarre birthday party for his wife in an abandoned mental asylum. Five guests are offered $1 million each if they survive a night in the supposedly haunted building, but some sinister forces are out to make sure no one collects. Taye Diggs, Peter Gallagher, Famke Janssen, and Chris Kattan also star. 93 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack English; Subtitles English.