“Hitch”Will Smith again shows why he arguably is Hollywood’s most dependable box-office performer, his winning personality turning an otherwise routine love story into a $175 million-plus hit. Action star Smith, in his first stab at romantic comedy, plays the king of Manhattan matchmakers, a whiz at teaching men such as a geeky accountant (Kevin James) how to win the women of their dreams, yet blundering down blind alleys when his own perfect mate (Eva Mendes) comes along. The DVD includes four deleted scenes, a blooper reel, five background featurettes and a music video by Amerie. DVD, $28.95. (Sony) Original theatrical review
“Jaws”Has it really been 30 years since Steven Spielberg ushered in the era of the summer blockbuster with his tale of a killer shark? “Jaws,” which remains one of the quintessential summer thrillers, gets a 30th anniversary makeover in a terrific two-disc set. The package offers the full two-hour version of a 1995 making-of documentary, which appeared in a substantially shortened form on a previous DVD release. In a vintage 1970s featurette being released for the first time, the boyish Spielberg discusses the film and the difficulties of shooting on water. The set also includes previously released deleted scenes and outtakes. DVD set, $22.98. (Universal)
“Casino”Another great American director marks the anniversary of a film. The 10th anniversary edition of Martin Scorsese’s “Casino” packs a huge number of extras unavailable on a previous bare-bones DVD release. Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci star in the story of the personal and legal entanglements that bring down a gambler running a Vegas casino for the mob. Along with the three-hour film, the DVD features commentary with Scorsese, Stone and collaborators that include Nicholas Pileggi, who co-wrote the screenplay based on his book. Other extras include a History Channel profile of mob journalist Pileggi and a handful of making-of featurettes. DVD, $22.98. (Universal)
“The Bette Davis Collection,” “The Joan Crawford Collection”Two of the biggest stars — and biggest rivals — of Hollywood’s golden age get the boxed-set treatment in these packages, each containing five of their films. The Bette Davis set offers the DVD debuts of “Mr. Skeffington” and “The Star,” a restored edition of the previously released “Dark Victory,” and the previously available DVDs of “The Letter” and “Now, Voyager.” The Joan Crawford set packs three titles making their DVD debuts, “Humoresque,” “The Damned Don’t Cry” and “Possessed,” along with the previously released “Mildred Pierce” and “The Women.” Most of the films come with background featurettes or documentaries, while some have commentary by the directors or film historians. DVD sets, $49.92 each; single DVDs, $19.97 each. (Warner Bros.)
“Heaven Can Wait”It shares a title with Warren Beatty’s “Heaven Can Wait,” a remake of “Here Comes Mr. Jordan,” and both movies have otherworldly premises, but all similarities end there. Ernst Lubitch’s 1943 comic delight stars Don Ameche as an unabashed reprobate who dies and turns up at the gates of hell, where to gain admittance, he must share with Satan the tale of his lusty life of skirt-chasing, despite a happy relationship with his wife (Gene Tierney). The DVD features a 1982 Bill Moyers profile of screenwriter Samson Raphaelson, who also is highlighted in a 1977 audio seminar. DVD, $29.95. (Criterion)
TV on DVD:
“King of Queens: 4th Season” — The working-class comedy returns with a three-disc set packing 25 episodes. Kevin James stars as the good-natured, pudgy delivery man with the sweet bombshell of a wife (Leah Remini) and a meddlesome father (Jerry Stiller) who lives in the basement. DVD set, $39.95. (Sony)
“Northern Exposure: The Complete Third Season” — The beloved tale of a snobby Manhattan doctor (Rob Morrow) doing time in Alaska continues. The three-disc set has 23 episodes, including the season-ending installment about the early 20th-century pioneers who made Cicely, Alaska, the “Paris of the north.” The package has a huge range of deleted scenes that will prove a delight to fans. DVD set, $59.98. (Universal)
“Walker, Texas Ranger: The Final Season” — Chuck Norris is a modern lawman with a rough-and-tumble sense of justice that’s a throwback to the Old West in this action series that ran from 1993 to 2001. The six-disc set has the last 23 episodes. DVD set, $49.99. (Paramount)
“Reno 911! The Complete Second Season” — The not-so-super-troopers of the Reno police squad bluster and blunder their way through outrageous days on patrol. Year two’s 16 episodes come in a three-disc set that includes deleted scenes and cast commentary. DVD set, $38.99. (Paramount)
“Gun,” “Cracker” — A pair of unusual offerings from the late ’90s come to DVD in three-disc sets. Robert Altman presented “Gun,” a series of six hourlong films following a handgun that comes into various people’s possessions (the rotating cast includes James Gandolfini, Kirsten Dunst, Martin Sheen and Daryl Hannah). “Cracker,” based on the British series, starred Robert Pastorelli as a boozy, gambling womanizer who’s also a brilliant crime psychologist. The set has the entire 16-episode series. DVD sets, $39.98 each. (Tango)
Other new releases:
“A Dirty Shame” — After a string of comparatively clean movies, bad-taste maestro John Waters (“Pink Flamingos”) returns to raunch with this comedy starring Tracey Ullman, Johnny Knoxville, Chris Isaak and Selma Blair, about a repressed woman who becomes a sex addict after a concussion. The DVD is available in NC-17 and R-rated versions. DVD, $27.95. (New Line)
“Rory O’Shea Was Here” — This warmhearted Irish buddy tale follows the adventures of two young men in motorized wheelchairs — the outrageous Rory (James McAvoy) and his meek new pal (Steven Robertson) — who strike out on their own with help from a live-in aide (Romola Garai). The DVD has deleted scenes and an alternate ending. DVD, $29.98. (Universal)