DVD Releases

A matter of heavenly filmmaking

For years, Martin Scorsese has acted as unofficial cinematheque guide for the sometimes underappreciated Michael Powell, trumpeting the British auteur's boldly rendered themes and visual flair in such efforts as "The Red Shoes" and "Peeping Tom." Scorsese eagerly plays this role again for the two-disc reissue "The Films of Michael Powell," which showcases the director's 1946 romantic drama "A Matter of Life and Death" (released in the US as "Stairway to Heaven"), as well as his swan song, 1969's "Age of Consent." "Matter" stars David Niven as a RAF pilot who, through a celestial slipup, impossibly survives what's actually meant to be a fatal flight, setting the stage for romance with Kim Hunter. When the afterlife's bookkeepers appear to summon Niven and correct the ledger, he demands a trial to argue that he and Hunter shouldn't be penalized for seizing opportunity and falling in love. In obvious ways, this all feels like a remix of Capra, "Here Comes Mr. Jordan," and WWII propaganda. But as Scorsese notes in a video segment, "The films aren't simply uncritical, laudatory portraits of grace under pressure." Witness the lofty (as in celestially lofty) discourse on Britain and America's respective ideals of freedom, not to mention the surreal images of the stairway of the title - more like a cosmic escalator, really. "Consent" stars James Mason as Australian artist Norman Lindsay, who finds creative renewal Down Under through the sensual naturalism of then-newcomer Helen Mirren. Mason is miscast as rough-edged, but extras feature some pleasant reminiscences from Mirren. (Sony, $24.96)

COMEDY

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS (2008)

Watching stoner James Franco giggle as he tries to hitchhike by sticking his thumb through his fly, you might crack a smile yourself - but you'll also likely conclude that the only way this one plays as hilariously as advertised is if you're inhaling the same stuff as Franco and buddy Seth Rogen. The two end up on the run when Rogen witnesses a murder, and leaves a way-pungent trail for the bad guys to follow. The big draw here is in marveling that Franco ("Spider-Man") had such wackiness in him.

Extras: Unrated footage; cast and crew commentary; improv. (Sony, $34.95; single-disc edition, $28.96; Blu-ray, $39.95)

COMEDY

GHOST TOWN (2008)

Ricky Gervais (the BBC's "The Office") has done some of the best work on TV in recent years. Finally, Hollywood gives him comparable visibility in this romantic comedy about a misanthropic dentist who has a near-death experience and finds he can see ghosts - notably, caddish Greg Kinnear, who's still jealously keeping tabs on wife Tea Leoni. When it comes to carrying a feature, Gervais certainly has no trouble playing abrasive, depressed, or comically flummoxed. Lovesick is another story, but as with Gervais's TV misfits, you pull for the guy.

Extras: Commentary by Gervais and director David Koepp. (Paramount, $29.99; Blu-ray, $39.99; available now)

ACTION

EAGLE EYE (2008)

Imagine if "Enemy of the State" had completely embraced its status as a middlebrow surveillance thriller, and dropped the pretensions of being a sequel in spirit to "The Conversation." That's what you get with this latest team-up by Shia LeBeouf and "Disturbia" director D.J. Caruso. LeBeouf plays a disaffected minimum wager who's mysteriously framed as a terrorist, then starts receiving digital orders - via everything from cellphones to news tickers - directing his frantic next move. There's enough scary-wonky tech stuff that the noisy chases are superfluous.

Extras: Alternate ending; production featurettes. (Paramount, $34.99; single-disc edition, $29.99; Blu-ray, $39.99; available now)

THE DUCHESS (2008)

Keira Knightley (above with Dominic Cooper) looks stylish in this 18th century period piece about the troubled marriage of the Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes) and his spirited young wife. If only the drama weren't so plain-Janen. Extras: Production featurettes. (Paramount, $29.98; Blu-ray, $39.99; available now)

RIGHTEOUS KILL (2008)

Al Pacino and Robert De Niro are NYPD detectives on the trail of a serial killer. Not quite the dream-teaming that "Heat" was. (Anchor Bay, $29.97; Blu-ray, $39.98)

THE WACKNESS (2008)

A coming-of-age flick with a super-sized portion of mid-'90s atmosphere. Extras: Commentary by Peck and writer-director Jonathan Levine. (Sony, $28.96; Blu-ray, $39.95)

PING PONG PLAYA (2008)

A Chinese-American wannabe hoop star (Jimmy Tsai) ends up slamming in a different sport. (Image, $27.98; Blu-ray, $35.98)

BABYLON A.D. (2008)

A convoluted sci-fi dud about a professional killer (Vin Diesel) hired as bodyguard to a future Virgin Mary. Extras: Production featurettes; graphic novel prequel. (Fox, $34.99; single-disc edition, $29.99; Blu-ray, $39.99)

TELEVISION

THE TUDORS: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON (2008)

Buff though he may be, Jonathan Rhys Meyers makes you believe that he's Henry the VIII. For those who found "The Other Boleyn Girl" too stodgy. Extras: History featurettes. (Paramount, $42.99)

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: SEASON 4.0 (2008)

The hit sci-fi revival's penultimate season arrives on disc. Extras: Commentaries; "Razor" TV movie. (Universal, $49.98)

Capsules are written by Tom Russo and titles are in stores Tuesday unless otherwise specified.