Latest DVDs, CDs, books: March 15, 2011

A look at some of the DVDs, CDs and books hitting stores this week:

DVDS

"The Fighter" (R): In this fact-based boxing tale, Massachusetts palooka "Irish" Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) fights to get a title shot -- with the help, and burden, of his crack-addicted half brother, Dicky (Oscar winner Christian Bale), in the gym and his pushy mother (Oscar winner Melissa Leo) and girlfriend (Amy Adams) outside the ring.

Director Clint Eastwood's psychological drama "Hereafter" (PG-13) focuses on a blue-collar American (Matt Damon) with a special connection to the afterlife. In the comedy "The Switch" (PG-13), a 40-something TV executive (Jennifer Aniston), determined to undergo artificial insemination, never realizes that her best friend (Jason Bateman) has replaced her sperm donor's contribution with his own.

The week's documentary debuts include the Oscar-nominated "Waste Land" (not rated), which follows artist Vik Muniz to the world's largest garbage dump; and National Geographic's "The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest" (PG), about George Mallory, the first climber to attempt the summit of Everest, and Conrad Anker -- who finds Mallory's frozen remains 75 years later.

Connie Nielson and Aidan Quinn star in the whimsical Irish tale "A Shine of Rainbows" (PG). Jack Huston and Mena Suvari headline "Hemingway's Garden of Eden" (R), based on the author's final novel, while Eric Roberts battles the sci-fi "Sharktopus" (not rated).

Today's TV-to-DVD transfers (all unrated) include "Who Do You Think You Are? -- Season One," "Laramie: The Complete First Season," "The Virginian: The Complete Third Season," "Coach: The Fourth Season" and "Babylon 5: The Movie Collection."

CDS

Rise Against, "Endgame": They're a good update on Bad Religion: Rise Against's socially conscious pummels are equal parts harmony-heavy punk and hard-rock crunch.

The band's latest, "Endgame," carries with it apocalyptic overtones, but it's as bright sounding as its themes are dark.

These dudes' Rise continues ...

Also in stores: Cornershop, "Cornershop & The Double 'O' Groove of"; Miranda Cosgrove, "High Maintenance"; The Dead Kenny Gs, "Operation Long Leash"; Al Di Meola, "Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody"; Funeral for a Friend, "Welcome Home Armageddon"; J Mascis, "Several Shades of Why"; New York Dolls, "Dancing Backward in High Heels"; Noah & The Whale, "Last Night on Earth"; Screeching Weasel, "First World Manifesto"; and Smoking Popes, "This Is Only a Test."

BOOKS

"Toys" by James Patterson and Neil McMahon: Hays Baker has it all, including superhuman strength, until a twist of fate changes everything. Hays suddenly goes from national hero to hunted fugitive, now forced to leave his perfect life to protect his own while fighting to save humans from extinction.

On the nonfiction front, Sammy Hagar reflects on his music career, his time with Van Halen and his tequila business in "Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock."

Also in stores: "The Dawn Country: A People of the Longhouse Novel" by Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear; "Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office" by Zack O'Malley Greenburg; "Midnight" by L.J. Smith; "Pacific Glory" by P.T. Deutermann; "Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100" by Michio Kaku; "Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan" by Del Quentin Wilber; "The 17 Day Diet" by Mike Moreno; "So Much Pretty" by Cara Hoffman; and "A World without Heroes" by Brandon Mull.