DVD Releases

Flashing back with the new Blu-ray reissue of “Say Anything . . .’’ (1989), you start to realize how much the movie itself is like John Cusack’s model of fidgety chivalry, Lloyd Dobler. Writer-director Cameron Crowe’s filmmaking debut is a little slow to distinguish itself at first, leaning on graduation and party scenes that can feel like they’re from one of those generic teen diversions that John Hughes wrote but didn’t direct. (In a new 20-minute retrospective, Crowe notes that the studio would have been thrilled if his script read more like “Pretty in Pink.’’) Then, as Lloyd’s winningly determined pursuit of Ione Skye’s brainy Diane Court continues, and Diane’s relationship with her father (John Mahoney) grows more complicated, the story takes on real dimension, emerging as something worth celebrating 20 years on. (Consider it the happy flipside to that creepy tweet-abuse PSA asking, “When does caring becoming controlling?’’) Says Crowe, “Our feeling was, let’s give an audience credit for being able to see a movie about young characters that isn’t just about ‘Being young, man!’ and going to the prom. It’s about that, but it’s also about real love happening.’’ Crowe’s recycled commentary with Cusack and Skye is worth another listen; as the director notes, that was the first time he’d had confirmation that his actors really did fall for each other a little during production. Another bonus revelation: stills of Cusack’s alternate poses for the iconic boom box scene, which he thought might be better played with the radio sitting on the hood of his car. (Fox, $34.99; available now)

ANIMATION

UP (2009)

Never mind Pixar casting a curmudgeonly senior voiced by Ed Asner as the lead, or sending him off adventuring not in a rocket or a plane, but a house that levitates on party-balloon power. The truly improbable storytelling is the four-minute montage laying out the joys and regrets of old Carl’s life - perhaps the most heartbreaking sequence in any movie this year, and animated work as poignant as Bambi losing his mom. Extras: new Dug the dog short; commentary by director Pete Docter and co-director Bob Peterson discussing their atypical creative choices. The pair’s “Monsters, Inc.’’ also hits Blu-ray. (Disney, $39.99; single-disc edition, $29.99; Blu-ray, $44.99)

DRAMA

THE MERRY GENTLEMAN (2009)

Michael Keaton makes an impressive directorial debut with the somber, tightly woven story of a physically abused woman (Kelly Macdonald) whose bid to start over is complicated by an unwitting encounter and subsequent friendship with Keaton’s hit man. The movie savors silences, often relying only on subtle expressiveness to convey Macdonald’s sweet fragility and the push-pull of Keaton’s amorality and soul sickness. (The director doesn’t give himself a spoken line for the first half hour.) Keaton crafts a handsome film, alternating wintry grays with underlit interiors right out of the Eastwood school of visual understatement. Extras: production featurette. (Genius Products, $19.95)

TELEVISION

EDGE OF DARKNESS (1985)

What was Mel Gibson shooting in the area last year? A feature remake of this brooding BBC miniseries fusing police inspector Bob Peck’s hunt for his activist daughter’s murderer with labyrinthine nuclear industry conspiracy. (One can see where Martin Campbell, director of both versions, probably feels the environmental themes have renewed relevance.) Distinctive touches include Eric Clapton’s score, allegorical Willie Nelson riffs, and Joe Don Baker’s CIA yahoo, the wackiest plutonium jockey since Slim Pickens. Extras: In a retrospective, writer Troy Kennedy Martin confirms rumors of a scrapped, symbolism-laden coda that would have morphed Peck into a tree. (BBC Video, $34.98; available now)

THE UGLY TRUTH (2009)

Finicky morning show producer Katherine Heigl grudgingly takes some advice on her love life from chauvinist on-air personality Gerard Butler. This week’s rom-com reminder that men are from Sparta, women are from Venus, or something like that. Extras: deleted scenes; gag reel. (Sony, $28.96; Blu-ray, $39.95)

FOOD, INC. (2008)

If the first-run reviews didn’t already make clear what a probing look documentarian Robert Kenner takes at our nation’s food industry, just check out the rating info: “PG [for] some thematic material and disturbing images. Some material may not be suitable for children.’’ And how. Extras: deleted scenes. (Magnolia, $26.98; Blu-ray, $34.98; available now)

SPREAD (2009)

Studly Ashton Kutcher knows exactly how to leverage his prowess with the likes of cougary Anne Heche, but finds it’s a different story with hottie waitress Margarita Levieva. Extras: cast commentary. (Anchor Bay, $29.98; Blu-ray, $34.98)

THE ANSWER MAN (2009)

Cranky spirituality author Jeff Daniels gets a few life lessons of his own from single mom Lauren Graham and just-rehabbed Lou Taylor Pucci. Extras: commentary by Graham and filmmaker John Hindman. (Magnolia, $26.98; Blu-ray, $34.98; available now)

TWO GIRLS AND A GUY (1998)

Writer-director James Toback gives Robert Downey Jr. a suitably complicated role as a two-timer who mightily resists taking a hard look at himself when confronted by girl-friends Heather Graham and Natasha Gregson Wagner. A Blu-ray debut. Extras: NC-17 cut; new conversation with Toback. (Fox, $29.99)

Titles are in stores Tuesday unless specified.