‘Virgin’ DVD rips into that chest-waxing scene

Selected home-video releases:

“The 40-Year-Old Virgin” – Steve Carell stars in the comedy hit about a middle-aged electronics-store clerk whose co-workers set out to find him a woman after they discover he’s never had sex.

The DVD comes in the R-rated theatrical version or an unrated edition that adds 17 minutes of footage. Among the DVD extras are deleted and expanded sequences that include fantasy scenes by Carell’s character and more exchanges between co-stars Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen doing their often hilarious “You know how I know you’re gay?” routines.

Carell also is featured in a painful behind-the-scenes glimpse at his chest-waxing sequence, in which the actor had patches of his hairy hide stripped to the skin for real, on camera.

Director Judd Apatow and Carell, who co-wrote the script, are joined by other cast members for commentary. $29.98. (Universal)

“Sin City: Recut, Extended, Unrated” – A two-disc set packs the R-rated theatrical version of Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller’s adaptation of Miller’s noir crime graphic novels, along with a new unrated version that runs 23 minutes longer.

With an ensemble cast led by Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Mickey Rourke and Clive Owen, the film uses computer-generated scenery to create a dark, visually innovative world of mugs, molls and mad dogs.

Rodriguez teams with co-director Miller for one commentary track and with buddy Quentin Tarantino – who directed one sequence – for separate commentary.

An extended version of Tarantino’s segment is included, and the set also has a reprint of Miller’s first “Sin City” graphic novel. $39.99. (Dimension)

“The Island” – A rare commercial flop for blockbuster director Michael Bay (“Pearl Harbor,” “Armageddon,” “The Rock”), this science-fiction thriller arguably is a better movie than many of his hits.

Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson star as clones in a future world who go on the lam after they discover they’re destined to become spare parts for their wealthy prototypes.

Bay offers commentary, and the DVD has a making-of segment on the movie’s elaborate computer animation and stunt sequences. $29.99. (DreamWorks)

“The Bad News Bears” – Director Richard Linklater (“School of Rock”) and Billy Bob Thornton fouled out with this update of the 1970s baseball comedy. Thornton stands in for the original’s Walter Matthau as an ex-pro ballplayer who signs on to coach a team of inept Little Leaguers. The DVD has deleted scenes, outtakes and four behind-the-scenes features, while Linklater teams up with the screenwriters for commentary. $29.99. (Paramount)

“Airplane! ‘Don’t Call Me Shirley!’ Edition” – The 1980 laugh riot is back in the air with a new DVD edition. The movie stars Robert Hays as a traumatized pilot, Julie Hagerty as a ditzy flight attendant and Leslie Nielsen as a deadpan doctor, along with Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges and Peter Graves, in a spoof of air-disaster flicks. Writer-directors Jim Abrahams and Jerry and David Zucker join producer Jon Davison for commentary, and the DVD has deleted scenes, trivia about the movie and interviews with cast and crew. $19.99. (Paramount)

“King Kong: Peter Jackson’s Production Diaries” – A giant-sized movie demands a giant-sized promotional lead-in. A day before Peter Jackson’s mammoth remake of “King Kong” hits theaters, this lavish package arrives containing two DVDs and a 52-page book packed with behind-the-scenes material and photos of the production. The DVDs offer 54 video segments that provide a meticulous study of Jackson at work with stars Naomi Watts, Jack Black and Adrien Brody, along with background on visual effects, design, stunts and action sequences, among them giant ape Kong’s battle with a gang of tyrannosaurs. The set also has four prints created by artists who worked on the film. $39.98. (Universal)

TV on DVD

“The Simpsons: The Complete Seventh Season” – The first family of cartoon mayhem returns with a four-disc set containing year seven’s 25 episodes, led by the conclusion of season six’s cliffhanger, “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening and collaborators provide commentary, and the set has deleted scenes and a feature on a lentil-soup recipe from Paul and Linda McCartney, guest voice stars in one episode. $49.98. (20th Century Fox)

“The Gilmore Girls: The Complete Fifth Season” – Ma Gilmore (Lauren Graham) has a big year with the opening of her inn and an unexpected romance with an old friend. Daughter Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) has a tough sophomore year at Yale as campus life grows more complex. The six-disc set packs 22 episodes, with commentary on two. $59.98. (Warner Bros.)

“Miami Vice: Season Two” – Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas dress chic, drive fast and bust more bad guys in a three-disc set with 22 episodes of the 1980s cop show that was powered by pop tunes from U2, the Who and Phil Collins, who also makes a guest appearance. $59.98. (Universal)

“Reba: The Complete Second Season” – Reba McEntire returns as a divorced mom struggling for peaceful coexistence with her daughter and son-in-law, her ex-hubby and his intrusive new wife. Year two’s 24 episodes come in a three-disc set, with commentary on four episodes by the executive producers. $39.98. (20th Century Fox)

Other new releases

“Roll Bounce” – Bow Wow stars in a flashback to the 1970s, playing a hotshot roller-skater whose local rink shuts down, forcing him and his pals to start fresh at a rival skating arena. The DVD has deleted scenes, two features and commentary by Bow Wow, some of his co-stars and director Malcolm Lee. $27.98. (20th Century Fox)

“Valiant” – Ewan McGregor, Jim Broadbent, John Cleese and John Hurt lead the voice cast in this tepid animated adventure about a small-fry bird who joins England’s homing-pigeon service carrying messages for the Allies during World War II. The DVD has a blooper reel. $29.99. (Disney)

Some DVD issues may not have corresponding VHS releases. VHS prices vary widely.

Steve Carell (left), Paul Rudd, Romany Malco and Seth Rogen star in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.”