Selected home-video releases:
“Saw V”
The horror franchise that somehow outlives not only its victims, but also its perpetrators spills its latest buckets of box-office blood. The new installment continues the savage games by deceased psycho killer Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) and his “apprentice” (Costas Mandylor). An unrated version of the film is available on DVD and Blu-ray, accompanied by featurettes on the various traps the movie sets for victims, plus commentary with director David Hackl and collaborators. The R-rated theatrical cut also comes in a separate DVD edition, while the Blu-ray release has a digital copy for portable video players. A “Collector’s Edition” DVD set comes with a booklet of photos and packaging that features a spinning saw blade. DVD, $29.95; “Collector’s Edition” DVD, $39.95; Blu-ray, $39.95.
“Max Payne”
This adaptation of the video game stars Mark Wahlberg as a narcotics agent whose thirst for revenge over the deaths of his family and partner hurls him into a seedy underworld of conspiracy and supernatural hallucination. The movie comes in both its theatrical cut and an unrated version, accompanied by commentary with director John Moore. A “Special Edition” DVD and the Blu-ray release also have a digital copy, plus a making-of segment and an animated graphic novel. DVD, $29.98; “Special Edition” DVD, $34.98; Blu-ray, $39.99.
“Igor”
The animated comedy has John Cusack providing the voice for the title character, a lowly, hunchbacked lab assistant who dreams of playing a mad scientist himself. The demise of his master gives him a chance to create his own monster for the big mad scientist competition, but the female beastie (voiced by Molly Shannon) that he builds turns out to be a pussycat who prefers singing to rampaging. The DVD has deleted footage and a behind-the-scenes featurette, while the Blu-ray disc also has an alternate opening and commentary with director Tony Leondis. DVD, $29.99; Blu-ray, $39.99.
“The Express”
Dennis Quaid and Rob Brown star in a drama about football star Ernie Davis, the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy, a pioneer against fan racism who died of leukemia before he could continue his career as a pro. DVD and Blu-ray extras include a segment on Davis that features NFL hall of famer Jim Brown, a featurette on the movie’s football action and deleted scenes accompanied by commentary from director Gary Fleder. The Blu-ray disc also has a segment marking the 50th anniversary of Davis’ national championship team at Syracuse. DVD, $29.98; Blu-ray, $39.98.
“Magnificent Obsession,” “El Norte”
The latest from the DVD maestros at the Criterion Collection include Douglas Sirk’s 1954 melodrama “Magnificent Obsession,” starring Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman in the story of a rash womanizer who tries to mend his ways after his boating accident indirectly leads to the death of the heroic local doctor. The two-disc DVD set also includes the 1935 version starring Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor, along with a documentary on Sirk and interviews with filmmakers Allison Anders and Kathryn Bigelow, both Sirk admirers. Also out on DVD and Blu-ray is Gregory Nava’s 1983 drama “El Norte,” an exploration of Latin American immigrants that follows a brother and sister who journey to America from Guatemala. Nava provides commentary, and other extras include a 1972 student film by the director. DVDs, $39.95 each; “El Norte” Blu-ray, $39.95.
“Moonlight: The Complete Series”
Alex O’Loughlin, Sophia Myles and Shannyn Sossamon star in the short-lived action show about a vampire with a paying job as a private detective. A four-disc set has all 16 episodes. DVD set, $39.98.
“Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger”
Comedian Rock’s latest standup special comes in a single-disc DVD or a three-disc set that also has the three full performances from which the show was assembled. Single DVD, $19.97; three-disc DVD set, $29.98.
“George Wallace”
Gary Sinise and Angelina Jolie star in John Frankenheimer’s 1990s miniseries about Wallace, the Alabama governor and presidential candidate paralyzed by a would-be assassin’s bullet in 1972. The two-disc set includes cast and crew interviews. DVD set, $24.98.
“The Rockford Files: Season Six”
James Garner returns for his last season as an ex-con turned private eye. The three-disc set has the final 12 episodes. DVD set, $39.98.
“My Three Sons: The First Season, Volume Two”
The long-running comedy that debuted in 1960 casts Fred MacMurray as a widower raising three boys. The second half of the first season is packaged in a three-disc set. DVD set, $42.99.
“Emergency! Season Five”
The 1970s action series follows the lifesaving exploits of two paramedics (Kevin Tighe and Randolph Mantooth). Year five’s 24 episodes come in a five-disc package. DVD set, $39.98.
“The Last Detective: Complete Collection”
The British crime drama stars Peter Davison as a detective disrespected by colleagues, whose diligent methods always crack the case. All 17 installments of the show are gathered in a nine-disc set that also has a 1981 movie with Bernard Cribbins in the same role. DVD set, $99.99.
“MI-5: Volume 6”
An elite spy squad in Britain hunts down terrorists, mercenaries and other national-security threats. The five-disc set has the sixth season’s 10 episodes, plus commentary and cast interviews. DVD set, $79.98.
“Captains and the Kings”
The 1976 miniseries stars Richard Jordan and Patty Duke in the story of a Joseph Kennedylike Irish patriarch who rises to wealth and political power in America. The three-disc set includes an interview with co-star Blair Brown. DVD set, $39.98.
David Germain
Associated Press
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