“Mission: Impossible III”Tom Cruise and the Impossible Mission Force saddle up again for what was critically the best flick of the three in the franchise but the weakest commercially, with the actor’s odd behavior over his romance with Katie Holmes and his Scientology beliefs apparently cutting into his audience appeal. Directed by “Lost” and “Alias” creator J.J. Abrams, the movie puts Cruise’s superagent back into the field to rescue a stranded ally, take down a merciless arms dealer (Philip Seymour Hoffman), uncover a mole at IMF and save his endangered wife. The release comes as a single DVD with the movie, five deleted scenes, commentary from Cruise and Abrams, and a behind-the-scenes featurette, or in a two-disc set that adds eight other featurettes, including one in which Cruise and Abrams answer fan questions. The movie also is available in both high-definition DVD formats, Blu-Ray and HD DVD. Single DVD, $29.99; two-disc set, $34.99; Blu-Ray and HD DVD releases, $39.99 each. (Paramount) Read the reviews
“Keeping Up With the Steins”
This pleasant comedy features Jeremy Piven and Jami Gertz as parents who put together an outrageously excessive bar mitzvah bash for their son (Daryl Sabara of the “Spy Kids” flicks) in an attempt to stay abreast of a hypercompetitive neighbor. The cast also includes Daryl Hannah, Garry Marshall, Doris Roberts and Cheryl Hines. Marshall joins his son, director Scott Marshall, on one commentary track, while Scott Marshall teams with producer and writer Mark Zakarin for separate commentary. The DVD also has deleted scenes and a making-of segment. DVD, $29.99. (Miramax) Read the review
“It’s a Wonderful Life”George Bailey, the forever put-upon small-town hero, returns to DVD in plenty of time to spread fresh holiday cheer. The inspirational classic from director Frank Capra stars James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore and one of the most lovable supporting casts ever assembled in the story of a despondent man on the verge of suicide until an angel shows him all the good he’s done and what a darker place the world would be without him. The new DVD is billed as a 60th anniversary edition of the 1946 film, though the disc has the same extras that appeared on an earlier, out-of-print release, including a making-of documentary. DVD, $19.99. (Paramount)
“Martin & Lewis Collection: Volume One”Eight movies from the wildly popular 1950s pairing of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis are gathered in a four-disc set, including their film debut with 1949’s “My Friend Irma” and its sequel “My Friend Irma Goes West.” The set also includes “That’s My Boy,” with Lewis trying to please his dad by trying out for football and Martin playing his coach; “Sailor Beware,” following the duo’s wacky adventures in the Navy; “Jumping Jacks,” with Martin and Lewis studying to be military paratroopers; “The Stooge,” a more sober tale with Martin as a singer and Lewis as the stooge he leans on to achieve success; “Scared Stiff,” a ghostly comedy set on a Caribbean island; and “The Caddy,” with Lewis teaching Martin how to golf. DVD set, $49.99. (Paramount)
“The Tarzan Collection: Volume 2”The last six of Johnny Weismuller’s 12 movie adventures as jungle master Tarzan debut on DVD. The films made between 1943 and 1948 include two wartime propaganda tales: “Tarzan Triumphs,” with the ape-man sitting things out during World War II until the Nazis bring the fight to him; and “Tarzan’s Desert Mystery,” with our hero journeying through the Sahara to help the Allies. The three-disc set also has “Tarzan and the Amazons,” a tale set among warrior women; “Tarzan and the Leopard Woman,” with Tarzan captured by a savage tribe; “Tarzan and the Huntress,” pitting him against jungle profiteers; and “Tarzan and the Mermaids,” an aquatic adventure that was Weismuller’s last time in the gig. DVD set, $39.92. (Warner Bros.)
TV on DVD:
“Baywatch” — David Hasselhoff and his bevy of babes in red swimsuits are back on the beach, running in slow motion, with the debut of two five-disc sets packing the first two syndicated seasons of the lifeguard action series. Each set has 20 episodes from the first two years of the show’s run in syndication, plus two episodes each from its short tenure on network television. The sets also have trivia tracks and featurettes. DVD sets, $34.99 each. (First Look)
“Ghost Whisperer: The Complete First Season” — Jennifer Love Hewitt hears dead people, playing a newlywed and co-owner of an antique store trying to balance married life and business with her moonlighting gig as a supernatural counselor helping spirits make peace with their lives on Earth. The first 22 episodes come in a six-disc set, along with deleted scenes, cast and crew commentary and making-of segments. DVD set, $54.99. (Paramount)
“CSI: Miami — The Complete Fourth Season” — David Caruso and his team of Florida forensics experts hunt for fresh clues in year four of the first “CSI” spinoff. The six-disc set has 25 episodes, six featuring cast and crew commentary, plus three featurettes. DVD set, $54.99. (Paramount)
“The Kids in the Hall: Complete Series Megaset, 1989-94” — The Canadian comedy team of Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson return in the DVD debut of their fifth and final season in a four-disc set, plus a mammoth 20-disc package gathering all five years of the show. “Megaset,” $239.95; Season-five set, $59.95. (A&E)