This week’s set of new DVDs sees a swath of films which sounded intriguing when they debuted, but gathered basically mediocre reviews. The biggest hit among them is The Adjustment Bureau: another of science fiction master Phillip K. Dick’s short stories brought to the big screen. Criticker users were also mildly approving of the Cedar Rapids, starring Ed Helms as a fish-out-of-water insurance agent.

The Adjustment Bureau – Average Tier 5.24
A congressman (Matt Damon) who’s a rising star on the political scene finds himself entranced by a beautiful ballerina (Emily Blunt), but mysterious circumstances ensure that their love affair is predestined to be a non-starter. Screenwriter George Nolfi (The Bourne Ultimatum) makes his directorial debut with this romantic adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s classic sci-fi short story “Adjustment Team.” The Adjustment Bureau @ Amazon

Unknown – Average Tier 4.59
When Martin (Liam Neeson) emerges from a coma following an auto accident in Berlin, nothing is as it should be: Not only does his wife (January Jones) no longer recognize him, but a stranger (Aidan Quinn) has apparently taken over his identity. With assassins chasing him and the police unsympathetic to his story, Harris must reassemble his world piece by piece, helped only by the one person (Diane Kruger) who seems able to grasp his plight. Unknown @ Amazon

The Eagle – Average Tier 4.20
Haunted by the disappearance of his father, who vanished with the Roman Ninth Legion on an expedition into the north of Britain, centurion Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) sets out to unravel the mystery and recover the legion’s eagle standard. But in the wilds of Caledonia, the soldier and his British slave (Jamie Bell) encounter fierce native tribes and other dangers. Kevin Macdonald directs this adaptation of Rosemary Sutcliff’s novel. The Eagle @ Amazon

Cedar Rapids – Average Tier 5.43
Terrified of leaving his tiny town for the first time, sheltered insurance salesman Tim (Ed Helms) nervously sets out for the bright lights of bustling Cedar Rapids, where he attends a chaotic insurance convention and learns how to survive in the real world. Cedar Rapids @ Amazon

Happythankyoumoreplease – Average Tier 4.00
Young people on the cusp of truly growing up, tiring of their reflexive cynicism, each in their own ways struggling to connect and define what it means to love and be loved. Happythankyoumoreplease @ Amazon