New movies to be released tomorrow on DVD

Dark Matter (2008) ** Never fully succeeds in burrowing under its protagonist’s skin, despite conspicuous effort.

The Reader (2008) **½ The film is neither about the Holocaust nor about those Germans who grappled with its legacy: it’s about making the audience feel good about a historical catastrophe that grows fainter with each new tasteful interpolation.

The Spirit (2008) * Plunges into a watery grave early on and spends roughly the next 100 minutes gasping for air.

Splinter (2008) **½ There’s potential for a lot more excitement in this film, but director Toby Wilkins seems content just to bring it across the finish line.