“Mr. and Mrs. Smith”
Just when did the presumed romance between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie begin? When he put a bullet through her windshield? When she tried to snuff him by crashing his elevator? When they tore after each other with guns blazing through every room of their house? The hit action comedy stars Hollywood’s current tabloid king and queen as a couple in a tired marriage who learn it’s all a sham — that they’re actually rival assassins whose next target is each other. The DVD offers some amusing deleted and extended sequences, especially those featuring co-star Vince Vaughn, who steals his scenes in a comic-relief role as Pitt’s mama’s boy associate. Commentary tracks feature director Doug Liman, the screenwriters and technical crew, while the DVD has a making-of featurette. DVD, $29.98. (20th Century Fox) Original theatrical review
“March of the Penguins”
Every year it seems a hit comes out of nowhere about life in Antarctica. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this chronicle of the mating rituals of emperor penguins turned into a surprise sensation, topping $70 million at the domestic box office to become the second-highest-grossing non-concert and non-IMAX documentary ever, behind only “Fahrenheit 9/11.” The film follows the arduous trek the penguins take each year, leaving their familiar and relatively cozy habitat to waddle 70 miles to one of Earth’s harshest, coldest landscapes so they can pair off and reproduce. On DVD, the film is accompanied by a full-length making-of documentary revealing the tough process the filmmakers went through to capture both grand landscapes and intimate images of the birds. Also included is the classic Bugs Bunny cartoon where the screwy rabbit tries to return a pesky penguin to the South Pole. DVD, $28.98. (Warner Bros.) Original theatrical review
“Sky High”
High school’s a drag when you have no superpowers. This cute family flick stars Michael Angarano as a teen who starts high school with colossal pressure to succeed, since he’s the son of the world’s biggest superheroes (Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston). Only he’s a late-bloomer with no apparent hidden abilities, initially relegated to the geek squad as a sidekick until his powers assert themselves and he and his pals take on a super-villain bent on a vengeful plot against the hero community. Along with an alternate opening and a blooper reel, the scant DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, a segment on the movie’s stunts and a music video. DVD, $29.99. (Disney) Original theatrical review
“The Frighteners”Before he was the heavyweight behind “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and the upcoming “King Kong” remake, Peter Jackson specialized mainly in cult horror tinged with black comedy. His 1996 fright flick stars Michael J. Fox as a con man of a ghostbuster who is partners with the paranormal pests he’s supposedly exterminating — until he’s forced to hunt down a deadly spirit carrying out a string of murders. The new DVD version has Jackson’s director’s cut, incorporating 14 extra minutes of footage. Jackson provides an introduction and audio commentary, and he, Fox and co-stars Trini Alvarado, Dee Wallace Stone, Jake Busey and others offer comments in interviews. The disc also features a glimpse of Jackson’s special-effects outfit at his New Zealand home base. DVD, $26.98. (Universal)
“The Muppet Movie,” “The Great Muppet Caper,” “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” “Muppet Treasure Island”Marking the 50th anniversary of Kermit the Frog are these DVD reissues of four Muppets feature films. “The Muppet Movie” from 1979 stars Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and their pals, along with such celebrities as Steve Martin, Mel Brooks and Orson Welles, in a swamp-to-riches tale of the frog’s rise to stardom. “The Great Muppet Caper” puts the gang on the trail of a jewel thief (Charles Grodin), “The Muppet Christmas Carol” casts Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, and “Muppet Treasure Island” pits Kermit and crew against Long John Silver (Tim Curry). DVD extras offer gag profiles of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie and Gonzo, while Brian Henson — son of Muppets creator Jim Henson — offers commentary on “Muppet Christmas Carol,” which he also directed. DVDs, $19.99 each. (Disney)
TV on DVD:
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation — The Complete Fifth Season” — Year five of the show that launched the forensics franchise arrives in a seven-disc set with 25 episodes, including a season-ending two-parter directed by Quentin Tarantino. DVD extras include an engaging featurette on motormouth Tarantino, a big fan of the show who talks at length about his participation. DVD set, $62.99. (Paramount)
“Family Guy: Volume Three” — Canceled after three seasons, the animated series about Quahog, Rhode Island’s most outrageous family returned to the air by popular demand of devoted fans. A three-disc set packs the first 13 episodes of the show’s return engagement, with commentary on 10 and a featurette about the fan sensation that revived the series. DVD set, $39.98. (20th Century Fox)
“Aeon Flux: The Complete Animated Collection” — As Charlize Theron heads into theaters in a live-action version, a three-disc set offers the full 10 episodes of the animated series about the anti-hero in a post-apocalyptic future, along with the original “Aeon Flux” cartoon shorts. Series creator Peter Chung provides commentary. DVD set, $39.99. (Paramount)
“The Tomorrow People: Set 2” — A four-disc set collects all 26 episodes from seasons three through five of the 1970s British sci-fi series, which follows the adventures of teens who mark the next stage of evolution with telekinetic and teleportation powers. DVD set, $59.95. (A&E)
“Unknown Chaplin” — This three-part documentary series created for British TV uses rare archival footage and outtakes to offer a rich behind-the-scenes look at Charles Chaplin’s genius, from his early short films through feature-length masterpieces such as “City Lights” and “The Gold Rush.” DVD, $24.95. (A&E)
Other new releases:
“Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo” — Rob Schneider’s charm as a ladies man ran out with this flop sequel that sends his loverman-for-hire across the Atlantic to help a friend (Eddie Griffin) suspected of killing a top European gigolo. The DVD has deleted scenes and making-of featurettes. DVD, $28.95. (Sony) Original theatrical review
“The Beautiful Country” — This powerful tale of cross-cultural yearning follows a Vietnamese man (Damien Nguyen) on a harrowing journey to America in search of the G.I. father (Nick Nolte) he never knew. Director Hans Petter Moland offers commentary, and the DVD has an interview with screenwriter Sabina Murray. DVD, $24.96. (Sony) Original theatrical review
“Murderball” — A rousing documentary tells the story of some of the athletic world’s fiercest competitors — quadriplegics in souped-up wheelchairs clashing like medieval jousters in international quad-rugby tournaments. The DVD has deleted scenes, updates on some of the participants and a Larry King interview with players. DVD, $29.99. (ThinkFilm) Original theatrical review