2 1/2 stars = Average
Ratings explained

There's something wrong with Esther. And because of it, there's not too much wrong with "Orphan," a quirky little thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra.

Peter Sarsgaard and Vera Farmiga star as overwrought parents who adopt a seemingly sweet 9-year-old Russian girl. Her instant siblings -- brother Daniel and hearing-impaired little sis Max -- react as polar opposites to the new arrival, with Daniel aghast at this strange stranger and Max delighted at having another girl in the family.

Esther, played to startling effect by Isabelle Fuhrman, isn't all she seems initially. Intelligent, reserved and desperate for love, she has a milk-and-cream countenance at home even in the face of ridicule at school. But as oddities surface here and there (she bathes with the door locked and refuses to wear conventional clothing, never being seen without a choker on her neck), it isn't long before some red seeps into that milky existence.

As is often the case in movies like this, the youngsters catch on to Esther long before most adults. Mom gets it before Dad, who pays a price for his ignorance.

And as for those of you who rent or buy this DVD ... well, you may be last to catch on. There's a decent little twist that sets up the climactic bad seed moment, but you won't read about it here. Let's just say Esther grows on you.

There are a few plot holes in "Orphan," and the acting is often uneven. Still, as creepy diversions go, you'll be sufficiently entertained come the closing credits.

The paltry extras are another matter. You get only a few deleted scenes and an alternate ending that appears to be tacked on just to entice a buyer or two. It is, however, notable as a kind of demented, reverse homage to "Sunset Boulevard" and Gloria Swanson's closeup.

But if you want to adopt this little "Orphan," forget the appetizers and head straight to the main meal.

-- Allan Walton, AME/Multimedia

2 stars = Mediocre
Ratings explained

A younger, significantly less smiley Simon Baker ("The Mentalist") starred in the 2001-04 Pittsburgh-set legal/relationship drama "The Guardian" ($49.99, CBS DVD) about a corporate lawyer (Baker) who is forced to work part-time at as a child advocate lawyer

The first-season DVD release comes with one minute of extras: Three 30-second series launch promos, one of which appears to momentarily show the skyline of Manhattan instead of Pittsburgh. Never fear, the Pittsburgh skyline is used in the background of the DVD menu screens.

But it is disappointing that CBS DVD felt there was enough of a market to sell "Guardian" DVDs but not enough of a market to invest in any meaningful bonus features or commentary tracks from cast members or series creator and Mt. Lebanon native David Hollander.

-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor

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