short circuits

New and noteworthy experiences among DVDs, video games, gadgets and the Web.

DVD: A hero for America

The ultimate origin story from Marvel Comics' comic-book universe, the World War II-era drama "Captain America: The First Avenger" returns to its classic roots with the square-jawed forthrightness of its straight-arrow protagonist. Even his name exudes an America that time forgot: Steve Rogers (Chris Evans). Director Joe Johnston has surrounded Evans with a wonderful cast of supporting players, including Stanley Tucci as the German doctor who turns Rogers from puny to magnificent and the scene-stealing Tommy Lee Jones, who nails the movie's most amusing lines as the crusty Col. Chester Phillips. Then there's Hugo Weaving as Captain America's nemesis, Red Skull. The DVD (Paramount, $30) includes behind-the-scenes featurettes. The Blu-ray ($43-$55) adds commentary by Johnston, deleted scenes and an inside look at the Marvel Universe.

  • WASHINGTON POST

Out on DVD

  • "Attack the Block"
  • "Barney Miller" (full series, including "Fish")
  • "Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection" (10-disc set of Hal Roach films)
  • "Rare Exports"
  • "Winnie the Pooh"
  • "Wrong Turn 4"

Out on Blu-ray

  • "The Conversation"
  • "Dazed and Confused"
  • "Island of Lost Souls"
  • "Jurassic Park: Ultimate Trilogy"
  • "Tom & Jerry: Golden Collection, Vol. 1"

GAME: Hardware sales fall

Sales of video games and hardware continued to fall in September, but not as steeply as they did this past summer, according to an NPD Group report on U.S. game sales. Overall physical sales of games and hardware fell 6 percent to $1.16 billion in September. August sales fell 23 percent and July was down 26 percent, so perhaps the slide is ending. Game software sales actually grew in September -- up 3 percent to $630.2 million. But gamers spent less on hardware and accessories -- perhaps because they were buying school supplies instead. Hardware sales fell 9 percent to $349 million, and accessory sales were down 14 percent to $154.8 million.

  • SEATTLE TIMES

APP: Must stay focused

If you find that procrastination often gets the best of you and you need help focusing on your work, Focusbar is a free utility for Mac OS X (available in the Mac App Store) that can help you out. It pays attention to what application you're using to do your work and bugs you when you sneak off to do other, less productive things. For example, if you're trying to focus on e-mail, Focusbar will display a little bar with a reminder about your current activity until you go back to what you're supposed to be doing. When you're done with a particular activity, you can just head up to your menu bar and let Focusbar know you've finished. If you find it's being too annoying or not annoying enough, you can also specify just how much you want it to bug you with a handy slider. It's a simple app but can be effective if you need a persistent reminder to help focus on your tasks.

  • LIFEHACKER