Latest DVDs, CDs, books: March 1, 2011

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

DVDS

"127 Hours" (R): In this fact-based drama, ill-fated adventurer Aron Ralston (Oscar nominee James Franco) resorts to desperate measures when he's trapped under a boulder in Utah's Canyonlands.

Elsewhere in the recent-release realm, Franco's Oscar co-host, Anne Hathaway, plays a commitment-phobic free spirit who entrances a freewheeling Viagra salesman (Jake Gyllenhaal) in "Love and Other Drugs" (R). "Burlesque" (PG-13) stars Cher as the proprietor of an L.A. nightclub where a small-town hopeful (Christina Aguilera) hopes to find stardom. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson plays an ex-con out to avenge his brother's death in "Faster" (R), while a quirky angel (John Ratzenberger) helps a high-powered executive (Kevin Sorbo) rediscover his religious calling in "What If ... " (PG).

Also in stores: the Blu-ray Disc debuts of the animated Disney classic "Bambi" (G) and the George Clooney-Jennifer Lopez thriller "Out of Sight" (R); the musical documentaries "Troubadours: The Rise of the Singer-Songwriter" and "Harry Connick Jr.: In Concert on Broadway" (both unrated); Melissa Joan Hart and Robert Guillaume in the Vegas-set "Satin" (not rated); Beau Bridges and Alyssa Milano in "My Girlfriend's Boyfriend" (PG); and the TV titles (all unrated) "If Tomorrow Comes," "Pony Excess," "Robert Kennedy & His Times," "Dickens in America," "Pioneers of Television: Season Two" and "Leave It to Beaver: Season Six."

CDS

Dropkick Murphys, "Going Out in Style": The album title's a lie, and that's the truth.

The Dropkick Murphys aren't packing it in any time soon.

Why would they?

The latest from these Boston Irish punk bruisers is freewheeling, fierce and one of their more invigorated-sounding efforts.

Seriously, these dudes aren't going anywhere -- except maybe to the bar to order another round.

Also in stores: American Heritage, "Sedentary"; Beady Eye, "Different Gear, Still Speeding"; Big Head Blues Club, "100 Years of Robert Johnson"; DeVotchKa, "100 Lovers"; Eisley, "The Valley"; Ari Hest, "Sunset Over Hope Street"; Lykke Li, "Wounded Rhymes"; Buddy Miller's Majestic Silver Strings, "Buddy Miller's Majestic Silver Strings"; John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours, "John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours"; Ron Sexsmith, "Long Player, Late Bloomer"; Mike Watt, "Hyphenated-Man"; and Lucinda Williams, "Blessed."

BOOKS

"Sing You Home" by Jodi Picoult: The queen of the plot twists returns with a same-sex relationship story featuring music therapist Zoe Baxter, whose love for another woman will turn some she trusts against her.

Fans of epic fantasy will be flocking to stores this week to pick up Patrick Rothfuss' "The Wise Man's Fear," in which the story of Kvothe continues as the young hero leaves the University in search of a patron and clues about his parents' killers.

Also in stores: "Blood, Bones and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef" by Gabrielle Hamilton; "Demonglass" by Rachel Hawkins; "Excavation" by James Rollins; "River Marked" by Patricia Briggs; "Minding Frankie" by Maeve Binchy; "The Night Season" by Chelsea Cain; "Revolt!: How to Defeat Obama and Repeal His Socialist Programs" by Dick Morris; "Run!: 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss" by Dean Karnazes; "Scones & Bones" by Laura Childs; "Townie" by Andre Dubus III; "Twilight's Dawn" by Anne Bishop; and "Where Shadows Dance" by C.S. Harris.