DVD Releases: September 15

[Sonnie]

The Adventures of Werner Holt (1965) Two 17 year-olds, Werner and his best friend Gilbert, are pulled out of school and into Hitler's army. While Gilbert becomes a fanatical soldier, Werner begins to understand the senselessness of war. A political and artistic masterpiece, the film was voted one of the 100 most important German films of all time. $24.95. (First Run Features).

Affairs of the Heart, Series Two Two-disc set of the classic series features six adaptations of Henry James works, including "An International Episode" and "Daisy Miller." Premiered in the U.K. in 1975. &39.99. (Acorn Media).

An American Werewolf in London Full Moon Edition (1981) Dir.: John Landis; David Naughton, Griffin Dunne, Jenny Agutter. Extras: Featurettes: "I Walked With a Werewolf," "Beware the Moon," "Making An American Werewolf in London"; interview with John Landis; make-up artist Rick Baker on "An American Werewolf in London"; "Casting of the Hand" featurette; outtakes; storyboards; photo montage; commentary with cast members David Naughton and Griffin Dunne. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).

Animal Armageddon, Target: Earth (2009) With the aid of cutting edge research, the latest scientific theories, and CGI technology, prehistoric animals are brought back to life in this intriguing mini-series that provides an intimate look at some of the most horrific disasters ever to rock the planet. These disasters forced species to either evolve or die out, eventually bringing human life to where it is today. Deadly cosmic gamma rays, volcanic explosions, tsunamis, earthquakes and a gigantic asteroid that killed off the dinosaurs are just a few of the natural events that caused unparalleled devastation. Throughout the 600-million-year history of animal existence, most of all animal life that has ever lived is now extinct. Four episodes, $14.95. (Animal Planet/Genius Products).

Army of Darkness Screwhead Edition (1992) Dir.: Sam Raimi; Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert, Ian Abercrombie. Extras: "Creating the Deadites," alternate ending. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).

Astro Boy: The Anime Series, Volumes 1-5 The anime series based on the legendary Japanese comic series by Osamu Tezuka, known as the Japanese Walt Disney, is now available in five separate volumes just in time for the new feature film due October 23. "Astro Boy" follows an atomic-powered robot who is a reluctant superhero possessing super strength, jet-rocket feet and the ability to fly. Inspired by the anime series that originally aired in Japan in 1960, "Astro Boy: The Anime Series" was updated and modernized in 2003 with state-of-the-art animation and visuals that kept the same classic style as the original "Astro Boy" manga and anime, and debuted on the Kids WB Network in 2004. Each volume, sold separately, contains 10 episodes; $14.94. (Sony).

Barbie and the Three Musketeers (2009) Barbie plays Corinne, a young country girl headed to Paris to pursue her big dream - to become a female musketeer. Animated feature. Extras: Bloopers, music videos. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).

Bionicle: The Legend Reborn (2009) Bionicle heroes come to life in this direct-to-video feature. Extras: Deleted and extended scenes. (Universal).

Blood and Bone (2009) Michael Jai White, Michelle Belegrin, Julian Sands, Eamonn Walker, Ron Yuan, Dante Basco. Post-modern Samurai movie has ex-con Isaiah Bone (Michael Jai White) fighting for justice and his life in the dangerous underground world of gangster-controlled Mixed Martial Arts combats. Extras: "Breaking the Mold" Behind-the-Scenes Featurette, commentary by director Ben Ramsey, DP Roy Wagner, and actors Michael Jai White, Michelle Belegrin and Dante Basco. (Sony).

Bonanza: The Official First Season, Volume One (1959) Four-disc set, $39.98.(Paramount).

Bonanza: The Official First Season, Volume Two (1959) Four-disc set, $39.98.(Paramount).

Camille (2007) James Franco, Sienna Miller, David Carradine, Ed Lauter, Scott Glenn. Camille, the sweetest girl in all of Kentucky, just married the only man she has ever loved, Silas, a bad boy with a sordid past - but Silas could care less about Camille and is hoping to use their "fantasy" honeymoon as a way to escape parole and flee to Canada. But an accident along the way changes everything - Camille pulls herself from the wreckage and seems unscathed, but soon Silas discovers that perhaps she didn't survive the accident after all. Something magical is happening, and Camille won't let anything stand in the way of their life together ... not even her own mortality. (National Entertainment Media).

Crash: The Complete First Season (2008-09) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $59.97. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. Extras:" Behind the Scenes of Crash" featurette, Episode 13 alternate ending, character bios, Season 2 promo; Blu-ray adds "Character Track," a feature that allows viewers to pick from selected characters and watch that particular story arc exclusively. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).

CSI: Miami: The Seventh Season (2008-09) Six-disc set with 25 episodes, $71.41. (Paramount).

Deadgirl (2008) Shiloh Fernandez, Noah Segan. Teen horror thriller thought to be too controversial to release but nevertheless went on to shock audiences at the Toronto International Film Festival and at midnight screenings. Available in two versions: the original R-rated cut and the unrated Director's Cut. High school misfits Rickie and JT cut school and go wandering in the decaying remains of a nearby abandoned mental hospital, where they make a gruesome discovery: a young woman stripped naked and chained to a table, a plastic bag over her head. She seems dead, until one of the boys touches her and she moves. Rickie wants to call the police, but JT stops him - he has more demented plans in mind for the helpless girl. Director's Cut Extras: "Making Of" documentary, cast and crew commentary, make-up effects featurette, stills gallery. (Dark Sky Films).

Directed by John Ford (2009) In 1971 Peter Bogdanovich made a fascinating documentary about legendary John Ford in which Henry Fonda, James Stewart and John Wayne revealed first-hand tales about the man often cited as America's greatest, most influential filmmaker. Thirty-five years later there were more stories to tell - by, among others, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Katharine Hepburn. Bogdanovich wove these new interviews into a re-edited, restructured documentary offering a more personal vision of the man and his work. Packed with clips, anecdotes and insights. $19.97. (Warner).

Easy Virtue (2009) Dir.: Stephan Elliot; Stars: Jessica Biel, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, Ben Barnes, Kimberley Nixon, Katherine Parkinson. Extras: Deleted scenes, blooper reel, commentary by director Stephen Elliot and writer Sheridan Jobbins. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).

Essential Art House: Volume Four Three DVD debuts: Marcel Carne's dark masterwork "Le jour se leve" (1939), starring Jean Gabin; Rene Clement's "Emile Zola" adaptation "Gervaise" (1956); and Anatole Litvak's tragic romance "Mayerling" (1936), starring Charles Boyer; plus Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" (1935); Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's "The Tales of Hoffmann" (1951) and Akira Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood" (1957). Each title features a beautiful digital transfer and informative liner notes. Available individually at $19.95 each or in a boxed set for $99.95. (The Criterion Collection).

Fame: Deluxe Musical Edition (1980) Dir.: Alan Parker; Debbie Allen, Eddie Barth, Irene Cara, Lee Curreri, Laura Dean, Antonia Franceschi. Two-disc set with the full CD soundtrack. Extras: "Class Reunion" commentary featuring director Alan Parker and co-stars Lee Curreri, Laura Dean, Gene Anthony Ray and Maureen Teefy; vintage featurette: "On Location With Fame," "Fame Field Trip" visits the school that inspired the movie. (New Line).

Fame Seasons One and Two (1982-83) Nine-disc set with 38 episodes, $39.98. Timed for the Sept. 25 theatrical release of MGM's remake of "Fame." Extras: "Fame: Then and Now" featurette. (MGM).

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood Deluxe Edition (1988) Kane Hodder, Lar Park-Lincoln, Susan Jennifer Sullivan. Extras: Killer commentary by director John Carl Buechler, actors Lar Park Lincoln and Kane Hodder; "Jason's Destroyer: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood"; "Mind Over Matter: The Truth About Telekinesis"; "Makeover by Maddy: Need a Little Touch-Up Work, My "; "Slashed Scenes." (Paramount).

Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan Deluxe Edition (1989) Todd Caldecott, Tiffany Paulsen, Scott Reeves, Jensen Daggett, Kane Hodder. Extras: Killer commentary by actors Scott Reeves, Jensen Daggett and Kane Hodder; "New York Has a Problem: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan"; gag reel; slashed scenes. (Paramount).

Full Battle Rattle (2008) A revelatory look at the soul of the American war machine - an astonishing journey inside a once top-secret military base where U.S. soldiers train to confront a new kind of enemy. In California's Mojave Desert, the U.S. Army has built a billion dollar urban warfare simulation - a cluster of towns and villages modeled on counterparts in the Middle East, complete with full-time residents played by Iraqi-Americans. With un-restricted access, the filmmakers follow an Army Battalion through the simulation as they attempt to bring peace and prosperity to one village perched on the brink of civil war. As the mood in the village shifts from friendly banter to violent clashes, the Battalion struggles to win the respect of the townsfolk and defeat an insurgency played, ironically, by American soldiers. $24.95. (First Run Features).

The Getaway Double Feature "The Getaway" (1972), directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw, Ben Johnson, Sally Struthers, Al Lettieri, Slim Pickens. Extras: Commentary by Sam Peckinpah biographers/documentarians Nick Redman, Paul Seydor, Garner Simmons and David Weddle; "Virtual" commentary by Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw and Sam Peckinpah. "The Getaway"(1994)Directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Alec Baldwin, Kim Basinger, Michael Madsen, James Woods, David Morse, Jennifer Tilly. (Warner).

Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Fifth Season (2008-09) Seven-disc set with 23 episodes, $59.99. Extras: "In Stitches: Season Five Outtakes," "Dissecting Grey’s Anatomy: Unaired Scenes," "Heaven Sent," "100th Episode: Tales from the O.R." (Disney).

Hairspray: Deluxe Music Edition (2007) John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Elijah Kelley, Nikki Blonsky, Brittney Snow. Two-disc set with the full CD soundtrack.Extras: Commentaries, five featurettes. (New Line).

Heartland: Season 1, Part 1 (2007) Two-disc set with the first seven episodes of the sprawling Canadian television series that follows two sisters and their grandfather through the highs and lows of life on a horse ranch; $24.98. (E1 Entertainment).

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season Four (2008) Three-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.95. Extras: "The Nightman Cometh Live!" performance, "Dennis Reynolds: An Erotic Life," blooper reel. (Fox)/

John Wayne - John Film Ford Collection Seven-disc set with "The Searchers" two-Disc Special Edition, "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "Fort Apache," "Wings of Eagles," "3 Godfathers" and "They Were Expendable," plus the new-to-DVD documentary "Directed by John Ford," Peter Bogdanovich's updated 1971 documentary. $59.92. (Warner).

The Lost and Found Family (2009) Lucas Till, Ellen Bry, Jessica Luza. Family drama. When her husband dies, Mrs. Ester Hobbes (Bry) learns that his wealth was just an illusion. Her only real inheritance is a run-down Southern home occupied by a foster family. She moves in with the intention of selling the house, but slowly she finds herself making unexpected connections with the family, including rebellious teen Justin (Till) and the rest of the unwanted kids. (Sony).

Marvel X-Men: Volume 3Two-disc set with 15 episodes, $23.99. The X-Men are back for more nonstop thrills and excitement in Volume 3 of the definitive animated series. (Disney).

Marvel X-Men: Volume 4 Two-disc set with 14 episodes, $23.99. The X-Men are back for more nonstop thrills and excitement in Volume 4 of the definitive animated series. (Disney).

The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack Vol. 1 (2008) Five episodes of the Cartoon Network series for boys 6 to 14, $14.97. Extras: "Adventures in Voice Acting," "Adventures in Animation," "Misadventures in Song," more. (Warner).

The Modern Con Man Collection (2009) America's #1 Con Man, Todd Robbins, shares his catalog of cons and playful scams. This three DVD set shows viewers how easy it is to scam, bet, and trick one's way to a free drink, a few extra bucks at the poker table, and laughs at the expense of co-workers. Everyone loves a good con and now, thanks to Robbins, everyone can get in on the action. $29.95. (First Run Features).

Monster Force: Volume One (1994) Single-disc with seven animated episodes, $19.98. (Universal).

My Name Is Earl Season Four (2008-09) Four-disc set with 27 episodes, $49.98. Extras: Deleted scenes, gag reel, "Earl's Fan Mail" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).

Mysteries of the Freemasons (2008) History documentary reveals the untold story of the world's oldest secret society. George Washington, Paul Revere and Ben Franklin were all members. So were Mozart and Duke Ellington. The Freemasons are the world's most famous secret society, a nearly 400-year-old organization whose influence is the subject of intense debate and a favorite subject of conspiracy theorists worldwide. Extras: Bonus program "Secret Societies" that uncovers more about the Freemasons, as well as other secret societies such as the Illumniati and Skull and Bones. $19.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).

Next Day Air (2009) Mike Epps, Wood Harris, Donald Faison, Omari Hardwick, Emilio Rivera, Darius McCrary, Cisco Reyes, Yasmin Deliz, Mos Def, Debbie Allen . Extras: Commentary by the director and producer, outtakes. (Summit Entertainment).

Nightwatching (2007) Dir,: Peter Greenaway; Martin Freeman, Emily Holmes, Jodhi May, Toby Jones. An extravagant, exotic and moving look at Rembrandt's romantic and professional life, and the controversy he created by the identification of a murderer in the painting "The Night Watch." The bold and courageous painting, exceptional in aesthetics and content, is Rembrandt's most celebrated, consolidating his reputation as a master-painter but also destroying him socially and financially. (E1 Entertainment).

One Step Beyond: The Official First Season (1959) Three-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.99. (Paramount).

Phantasm II (1988) Dir.: Don Coscarelli; James LeGros, Reggie Bannister, Angus Scrimm, Paula Irvine, Samantha Phillips.(Universal).

Primeval: Volume 2 (2008) BBC TV series. When strange anomalies in time start to appear all over England, Professor Cutter and his team have to help track down and capture all sorts of dangerous prehistoric creatures from Earth's distant past. $49.98. Extras: Commentary, behind-the-scenes featurette, "Monster Competition" featurette. (Warner).

Private Practice: The Complete Second Season (2008-09) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.99. Extras: "Patient Confidentiality" discussion with creator-executive producer Shonda Rhimes, executive producer Betsy Beers and actors Paul Adelstein and Amy Brenneman about the controversial issues encountered on Season 2; "Life Through the Lens: The Pictures of Chris Lowell"; extended episodes; deleted scenes; bloopers. (Disney).

Rumba (2009) Latin dance and black comedy make strange bedfellows. From the Belgian directorial/performing trio of husband-and-wife Dominique Abel (L'iceberg) and Fiona Gordon and Bruno Romy comes an old-fashioned silent film comedy re-worked into a modern day fairy tale and filled with memorable visual gags. Set in a rural Belgian community, Rumba opens with mild-mannered, provincial schoolteachers Dom (Abel) and Fiona (Gordon) who share a common passion - Latin Dance. After rehearsing for weeks to win a dance contest, they capture the trophy; however, their joy is short-lived when they crash their car on the way home. But, although Fiona loses her leg and Dom loses his memory, there's nothing that can keep them off the dance floor - not even a clumsy wooden leg or a burned-down house. Extras: Deleted scenes, outtakes. (Koch Lorber).

Sanctuary (2008) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $44.98. Extras: Commentaries by cast and crew including Amanda Tapping, creator Damian Kindler, director Martin Wood and more; three making-of featurettes ("Welcome to the Sanctuary," "Sanctuary Residents" and "Sanctuary Visual Effects"); the original Sanctuary webisodes (which provided the inspiration for the television series); bloopers reel; behind-the-scenes photo gallery; sneak peek at Season 2. (E1 Entertainment).

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Volume 2: Clone Commandos (2009) Four episodes from the animated TV series, $14.98. (Warner).

The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit (2009) New, CGI feature-length movie has Strawberry Shortcake and her friends trying to safely remove a huge boulder that a terrible storm dropped into their town, threatening everything they hold dear. $19.98. Extras: Sing-along. (Fox).

The Transformers: Season Two Volume, One 25th Anniversary Edition Four-disc set with 28 episodes, $29.99. (Shout! Factory).

Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death (2008) First half hour Wallace & Gromit adventure since 2005. The hilarious duo is back, brought to life through seamless stop-motion animation and brilliant storytelling from Oscar-winner Nick Park. Wallace and Gromit have opened a new bakery business -- Top Bun -- but a deadly murderer is targeting all the bakers in town. Wallace couldn’t care -- he’s found true love in the shape of Piella Bakewell, former star of the Bake-O-Lite bread commercials. Can Gromit discover the identity of the Cereal Killer before Wallace becomes the next victim? Extras: "How They Donut" making-of featurette, commentary by director Nick Park and editor David McCormick, "Wallace & Gromit Grand Adventure" video game demo. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).

Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Collection All four Wallace & Gromit outings: "The Wrong Trousers," "A Close Shave," "A Grand Day Out" and their latest title, "A Matter of Loaf and Death." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).

White Night Wedding (2008) Hilmir Snaer Gudnasson, Laufey Eliasdottir. Adaptation of Anton Chekhov's drama of marital discord, "Ivanov." Iceland's official entry for 2009 best foreign-language film. A middle-aged professor, Jon, is preparing to marry an ex-student half his age. But not everyone thinks this "blessed union" is a good idea, among them the parents of his future wife, Thora. For one thing, Jon's first wife committed suicide and he remains racked with guilt. For another, Thora's parents run the only store, hotel and bar on the island of Flatey where the wedding is to take place, and Jon owes his future mother-in-law money. Even the reverend who is to conduct the ceremony thinks the marriage is doomed. As the guests flock to Flatey, the groom begins to get cold feet. Can love survive one final night under the midnight sun? (IFC Films).

The Wolf Man Special Edition (1941) Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi, Maria Ouspenskaya. Two-disc set. Extras: "Monster by Moonlight,: commentary, "The Wolf Man Archives," production notes, cast and filmmakers. (Universal Legacy Series)

The Wonder of It All (2009) Documentary commemorates the 40th anniversary of humankind's first step on the moon. Astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Eugene Cernan, Charlie Duke, Edgar Mitchell, Harrison Schmitt and John Young reflect on their lives with NASA footage and rarely seen private family photos. Film looks at their childhoods, their training, the tragedies, the camaraderie and the extraordinary accomplishment of setting foot on another world. (Indican Pictures).

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) Hugh Jackman, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, will.i.am, Dominic Monaghan, Daniel Henney. Available as a single-disc DVD, two-disc Special Edition DVD and two-disc Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary by director Gavin Hood; commentary by producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter; "The Roots of Wolverine: A Conversation with X-Men Creators Stan Lee and Len Wein"; "Wolverine Unleashed: The Complete Origins" featurette; deleted and alternate scenes; digital copy; more. (Fox).