Valkyrie

The true story of the German military conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler makes a generally effective thriller and provides a good role for Tom Cruise as the fiercely loyal German officer disgusted with the Nazification of command. Handsomely mounted and smartly done, it's best at charting the execution and unraveling of the plot. But, like the characters, it is more coldly efficient than emotionally involving. Features two commentary tracks (one by director Bryan Singer with Cruise and screenwriter/producer Christopher McQuarrie, the other with McQuarrie and co-writer Nathan Alexander), and the History Channel documentary "The Valkyrie Legacy," along with a general production featurette. A Blu-ray edition is also announced, but Fox is not making copies available for review before it hits the streets.