Selected home-video releases:
“Resident Evil: Extinction”: Genetically enhanced zombie slayer Milla Jovovich gets some new allies in her fight to rid Earth of those pesky undead cadavers with a hankering for human flesh. The third chapter in the action franchise based on the video game sends Jovovich and old pals Oded Fehr and Mike Epps into the Nevada desert, where their new crew of zombie fighters includes Ali Larter and Ashanti.
The DVD ($28.95) and Blu-ray ($38.96) high-definition releases feature a batch of deleted scenes and a preview of “Resident Evil: Degeneration,” a computer-animated movie based on the game. Director Russell Mulcahy joins writer-producer Paul W.S. Anderson, who directed the first movie in the series, for commentary, and there are a handful of features on visual effects, the evolution of the zombies and other behind-the-scenes matters. (Sony)
“War”: Jet Li and Jason Statham go fist to fist in this East-meets-West action thriller. Li stars as a shadowy assassin pursued by FBI guy Statham, a lawman overwhelmed by a compulsion for vengeance over the murder of his partner. This cat-and-mouse scenario explodes into full-scale combat as the two opponents are swept up in a war between rival crime gangs.
Along with deleted and extended scenes, the DVD has a making-of feature, nine behind-the-scenes vignettes and two audio commentary tracks, one with director Philip G. Atwell, the other with the screenwriters. The Blu-ray disc adds more behind-the-scenes vignettes and a video game, while Atwell’s commentary can be accessed visually. DVD, $29.95; Blu-ray, $39.99. (Lionsgate)
“Shoot ‘Em Up”: Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti have their own cat-and-mouse game to play in this far-over-the-top spectacle that lives up to its title and then some, right from the opening shoot-‘em-up scene. Owen stars as a mystery man with a flair for violence and gunplay, who in his first moments on screen saves a pregnant woman from murderous thugs and delivers her baby amid a shootout, then becomes protector to the child for the rest of the movie as a deranged hitman (Giamatti) pursues them. Monica Bellucci is thrown in as the impossibly gorgeous hooker who becomes Owen’s ally and a surrogate mom to the little tyke.
The DVD ($27.98) and Blu-ray disc ($35.99) have deleted scenes with commentary from writer-director Michael Davis, who also provides commentary for the full movie. There’s also a making-of segment. (New Line)
TV on DVD
“The Tudors: The Complete First Season”: Cate Blanchett became a star as the young queen in “Elizabeth.” Now Jonathan Rhys Meyers has a go at Elizabeth’s dad in his youthful days, playing 16h century Britain’s King Henry VIII, who came to the throne at age 19 and lived a scandalous life of sex and intrigue that would have made the tabloid coverage of today’s monarchy look like the staid society pages. A four-disc set has the first 10 episodes, plus making-of segments on the show’s costume designs and London locations. $42.99. (Paramount)
“Weird Science: The Complete Seasons 1 &2”: The 1990s comedy series based on John Hughes’ 1985 flick follows the adventures of two high school geeks (Michael Manasseri and John Mallory Asher) who use their computer skills to create their own perfect woman (Vanessa Angel), a bombshell who’s also super-brilliant and able to grant the teens’ every wish. The four-disc set has the first 27 episodes, with commentary from cast members on three. $44.95. (A&E)
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