DVD Releases: November 24

[Sonnie]

Angels & Demons (2009) Dir.: Ron Howard; Stars: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierfrancesco Favino, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Armin Mueller-Stahl. Available as a single-disc DVD, two-disc DVD and two-disc Blu-ray edition.Extras: Single-disc theatrical includes "Rome Was Not Built in a Day" behind-the-scenes featurette; "Writing Angels & Demons" featurette with Dan Brown and the screenwriters; "Characters in Search of the True Story" featurette; "CERN: Pushing the Frontiers of Knowledge" featurette. Two-Disc extended DVD: All special features included on the single-disc DVD, plus "Handling Props"; "Angels & Demons: The Full Story" behind-the-scenes featurette; "This is an Ambigram" featurette introduces ambigram artist John Langdon, the inspiration for Dan Brown's leading character; "Hans Zimmer Music Studio Powered by Sequel 2." The two-disc Blu-ray includes all special features on the two-disc extended DVD plus both theatrical and extended film versions; 5.1 DTS-HD MA Audio; movieIQ feature allows fans to immediately access continuously updated information on the cast and crew and explore relevant trivia such as production facts, music and soundtrack information, all tied to scenes within the movie; "The Path of Illumination" in which viewers can follow Robert Langdon's journey through Rome, exploring architecture, discovering new facts, seeing additional behind-the-scenes footage and interviews from each location, and discovering more about the four altars of science; cinechat that allows for on-screen instant messages to friends around the world while watching the movie together; a digital copy of the film. (Sony).
Angels & Demons Decoded (2009) Timed for the DVD release of Ron Howard's "Angels & Demons." History Channel documentary examines religious conspiracies, secret "codes" hidden in Roman architecture and artwork, and controversial theories that pit science against faith - with life or death consequences. Renowned symbologists, art historians, religious scholars, scientists and other experts help unravel the mysteries and expose any diabolical plots to destroy the Church. $19.95. (A&E Home Entertainment). Extras: Also available on Blu-ray Disc.

David & Layla (2005) David Moscow, Shiva Rose. Inspired by a true story, sparks fly when a Jew and a Muslim fall in love in New York. David, a TV host of "Sex & Happiness," becomes smitten with the voluptuous Layla - a mysterious, sensual dancer. Layla turns out to be a Muslim refugee. Teased by specious tips from his ironic French cameraman, David madly pursues Layla, setting off a veiling and unveiling of the similarities - and contrasts - of their ancient cultures. (Vanguard Cinema).

Far Cry (2008) Til Schwiger, Udo Kier, Emmanuelle Vaugier. A retired special forces officer and an journalist investigate a mysterious island off the Pacific Northwest where they meet a mad scientist and inadvertently unleash the genetically engineered beasts that he's created. Based on the best-selling video game franchise. Extras: Two featurettes: a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and a look at the CGI effects; deleted scenes; commentary by director Uwe Boll.(Vivendi Entertainment).

Fastwalkers (2006) Fastwalker is a code word created by NORAD (North American Air Defense Command) to classify unidentified flying objects which approach our Earth from space and enter our atmosphere. It has been reported that from its subterranean facility deep inside Cheyenne Mountain Colorado, USA, the Air Force NORAD facility tracks a rough average of 500 of these Fastwalkers each year. This documentary provides astounding revelations by some of the world's foremost authorities on the subject of UFOs. (Vanguard Cinema).

Four Christmases (2009) Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, Jon Favreau, Tim McGraw, Dwight Yoakam, Skyler Gisondo, Jon Voight. Extras: Additional scenes, gag reel, "Seven Layer Holiday Meals in a Flash," featurettes, more, digital copy. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

Funny People (2009) Dir.: Judd Apatow; Stars: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jason Schwartzman, Jonah Hill, Aubrey Plaza, RZA, Aziz Ansari, Sarah Silverman, Norm MacDonald, Andy Dick. Available as a single-disc DVD, a two-disc DVD set and on Blu-ray. (Universal).

The Golden Age of Television (1953-58) The hugely popular live American television plays of the 1950s have become the stuff of legend. Combining elements of theater, radio, and filmmaking, they were produced at a moment when TV technology was advancing and making art accessible to a newly suburban postwar demographic. These astonishingly choreographed, brilliantly acted, and socially progressive "teleplays" constituted an artistic high for the medium, bringing Broadway-quality drama to homes across the country. The following award-winning programs -- curated for PBS in the early 1980s as the series "The Golden Age of Television," with recollections from key cast and crew members -- were conceived by such up-and-comers as Rod Serling and John Frankenheimer, and star the likes of Paul Newman, Mickey Rooney, Rod Steiger, Julie Harris, and Piper Laurie. The three-disc set includes live kinescope broadcasts of "Marty" (1953), "Patterns" (1955), "No Time for Sergeants" (1955)," A Wind From the South"" (1955), Requiem for a Heavyweight" (1956), "Bang the Drum Slowly" (1956), "The Comedian" (1957) and "Days of Wine and Roses" (1958). Extras: Commentaries by directors John Frankenheimer, Delbert Mann, Ralph Nelson, and Daniel Petrie; interviews with select cast and crew, including Frankenheimer, Andy Griffith, Julie Harris, Kim Hunter, Richard Kiley, Piper Laurie, Nancy Marchand, Jack Palance, Cliff Robertson, Mickey Rooney, Carol Serling, Rod Steiger, and Mel Torme; booklet featuring an essay by curator Ron Simon and his extensive liner notes on each program. (The Criterion Collection).

Gomorrah (2008) Toni Servillo, Gianfelice Imparato, Salvatore Cantalupo. Matteo Garrone's "Gomorrah" is a stark, shocking vision of contemporary gangsterdom, and one of cinema's most authentic depictions of organized crime. In this tour-de-force adaptation of undercover Italian reporter Roberto Saviano's best-selling expose of Naples; Mafia underworld (known as the Camorra), Garrone links five disparate tales in which men and children are caught up in a corrupt system that extends from the housing projects to the world of haute couture. Filmed with an exquisite detachment interrupted by bursts of violence, :Gomorrah" is a shattering, socially engaged true-crime story from a major new voice in Italian cinema. Extras: "Five Stories," a 60-minute documentary on the making of "Gomorrah," new video interviews with Garrone and actor Toni Servillo, interviews with writer Roberto Saviano and actors Gianfelice Imparato and Salvatore Cantalupo, deleted scenes, booklet featuring an essay by critic Chuck Stephens. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Criterion Collection).

Law & Order: Criminal Intent - The Fourth Year (2004-05) Five-disc set with 23 episodes, $59.98. (Universal).

Life on Mars, Series 2 (2007) Four-disc set with eight episodes of the original BBC series, concluding the brilliant time-warping detective series starring John Simm and Philip Glenister, $59.99. Extras: "The Return of Life on Mars" documentary, behind-the-scenes footage and tour of the set, "The End of Life on Mars" featurette. (Acorn Media).

The Magic of Illusion (2009) Documentary about how we see, what we see, or what it is we think we see. Al Roker guides viewers on a journey into the secrets of illusion, using special effects to illustrate the artistic and visionary discoveries of the Renaissance. While Copernicus and Columbus were changing our understanding of the world, the Renaissance masters were dramatically changing the way we see that world. The film uses new technology to look at old masters in new ways. $19.99. (Microcinema International).

Shorts (2009) Dir.: Robert Rodriguez; Stars: Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, Kat Dennings, Jimmy Bennett, Devon Gearhart, Leo Howard, Trevor Gagnon, Rebel Rodriguez, Jake Short, Jolie Vanier, James Spader. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

Superman: The Complete Animated Series (1996-2000) Seven-disc set with all 54 episodes, $53.82. Follow the entire history of Superman from start to finish in this long-awaited set. Extras: Commentary by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Alan Burnett, Dan Riba, Glen Murakami, Curt Geda, Jason Hillhouse, James Tucker and Butch Lukic; selectable pop-up trivia tracks; "Superman: Learning to Fly" featurette; "Building the Mythology: Superman's Supporting Cast"; "Menaces of Metropolis: Behind the Villains of Superman"; "Superman: Behind the Cape" with David Kaufman (the Voice of Jimmy Olsen); "Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman" excerpt from the new documentary produced by Bryan Singer and Kevin Burns; bonus disc featuring the new documentary "The Despot Darkseid: A Villain Worthy of Superman." (Warner).

The 2000 Year Old Man: The Complete History (2009) Newly remastered for the 50th anniversary of the birth of Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks' "The 2000 Year Old Man," this three-CD/one-DVD box set contains all five legendary comedy albums released by the duo, including "The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000," for which they received a Grammy Award in 1998. The DVD features a new exclusive interview with Reiner and Brooks discussing the history of the routine, the 1975 animated "2000 Year Old Man" TV special, and vintage clips of the two appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The New Steve Allen Show." Also includes extensive liner notes, rare photos and tributes from some of the biggest names in comedy. (Shout! Factory).

Valley of the Heart's Delight (2006) Pete Postlethwaite, Diana Scarwid, Gabriel Mann. When a wealthy California family's son is kidnapped it ignites a firestorm of suspicion and rage in idyllic 1933 San Jose, California. As the local sheriff rounds up suspects on flimsy evidence a young, hard-nosed and principled reporter investigates the town's actions and takes on the powers that-be to prevent the lynching of two innocent men. Based on the true story of the last lynch mob in California. (Indican Pictures).