New Blu-rays: 'High School Musical 3' and Oscar winners - 'Raging Bull,' 'Gandhi' and 'Amadeus'

“RAGING BULL”

Blu-ray widescreen, 1980, R for language and violence

Best extra: The 4-part feature-length documentary will satisfy fans craving the full story behind the making of this American classic.

MARTIN SCORESE’S MASTERPIECE, preserved by the Library of Congress, crowned the best film of the 1980s by Siskel and Ebert, and the 4th greatest film of all time by the American Film Institute, arrives on Blu-ray with a hi-def transfer that shows off the film's beautiful and grainy black and white film stock. Robert De Niro, who won an Academy Award for his role, gives a powerhouse performance as the savagely violent boxer who is also achingly human.

Extras are identical to the 2005 DVD special edition, which are uniformly excellent. Three commentary tracks, the first with Scorsese and longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker, is lifted from the 1991 Criterion Laser Disc, the second, with various members of the cast and crew including producer Irwin Winkler and John Tuturro, and the third with screenwriter Paul ("Taxi Driver") Schrader and La Motta himself. The four featurettes, which together make up a nearly 90-minute documentary, include De Niro recounting how it took six years of hounding Scorsese (not a sports fan) to get him to agree to direct the film, his incredible weight gain for the role, and a slew of interviews with all involved. There are wonderful details added by Michael Chapman, the cinematographer, and the film's sound recorder who assembled all the great fight sounds.

Highly recommended.  An essential purchase for any film lover's collection.

— Josh Boone

“CHANGELING”

Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2008, R for violent, disturbing content and language

Best extra: The exclusive Blu-ray interactive U-control feature, a full menu of archival photographs and newspaper articles, comparison shots of Los Angeles today, cast and crew interviews and production footage

LOS ANGELES, DIRECTOR Clint Eastwood says, is a different place from when he arrived 50 years ago.

Imagine, then, re-creating the City of Angels of 1928, when young Walter Collins disappeared and his determined mother stood up to a thuggish police department to learn what happened.

“The biggest challenge was finding houses without fences,” writer J. Michael Straczynski says on one of the U-control pop-ups. “It was a time when we were more open.”

“I think it’s when Los Angeles was at its best,” says star Angelina Jolie, who is up for a best-actress Oscar as the tormented Christine Collins. “It was so beautiful.”

Indeed. Thanks to FX magic, artistic license, sharp-eyed location scouts and a crack costume shop, the city of long ago lives and breathes. In fact, the period detail and Jolie are the best things going in this drama, which is based on a true story. Mostly, it just rambles, and the supporting roles – even John Malkovich as an influential clergyman who takes up Collins’ cause – are 2-D cutouts.

Besides the U-control feature, extras include two routine hi-def features that only sound good – “Partners in Crime: Clint Eastwood and Angelina Jolie” and “The Common Thread: Angelina Jolie Becomes Christine Collins.” Both waste too much time on back-slapping and platitudes, but in the latter, Jolie says Collins is a woman whom she came to admire. Her convincing performance is all the proof you need.

“BODY OF LIES”

Blu-ray widescreen, 2008, R for strong violence including some torture and for language throughout

Best extra: "Deconstructing Body of Lies," a collection of in-depth HD featurettes running an hour and a half, can be viewed as a seamless documentary or as Focus Points accessed during the film.

RIDLEY SCOTT REUNITES with Russell Crowe for a fourth time, bringing Leonard DiCaprio along for the ride in a formulaic but watchable film about the war on terror. Set in the Middle East, it follows the power struggle between a CIA operative (DiCaprio) on the ground in Iraq and his arrogant boss (Crowe) back at Langley who follows his progress with all the latest spyware.

"Lies" comes to Blu-ray with an impressive hi-def transfer that offers incredible detail and colors that leap off the screen. The uncompressed audio is powerful, handling booming explosions and machine gun fire as well as more subtle sounds like the bustling street market in Iraq.

Everything from the costume and production design to the shoot in Morocco and the film's special effects and stunts are explored in featurettes.  A commentary with Scott, screenwriter William Monahan, and author David Ignatus is also included, but the participants are recorded separately which makes this a rather dull affair. Also included are a selection of deleted scenes and an alternate ending. Unfortunately, Scott didn't include the deleted scenes with Carice Van Houten (who played Tom Cruise's wife in "Valkyrie"). He hired her to play DiCaprio's wife but she was completely excised from the film for length.

Last, but not least, is a digital copy for iPods.

Scott and Crowe will work together again in "Nottingham," a new take on the Robin Hood legend with Crowe playing both Robin and the Sheriff of Nottingham.

“HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: DELUXE EXTENDED EDTION”

Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2008, G

Best extra: All are pretty short and equally worth watching, especially if you like behind-scenes features

THE TRILOGY FOR Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad and Taylor, sadly, has come to an end on the big screen. Still, fans can relive the Disney hit in high-definition glory on a Blu-ray release that actually includes the HD disc, a DVD version and a digital copy – just in case you haven’t upgraded to a Blu-ray player and want to watch the flick on your iPod or PC.

The cast, and some of its new members, plus director choreographer Kenny Ortega, are featured in the bonuses. The menu doubles as a high school yearbook. It’s not necessarily clever but it works. You can look at seniors, the student body, prom, sports and graduation. There are many photos, but not every one includes a bonus when you click on it.

The Blu-ray bonus features are in high-definition, with the film’s extended version, "Senior Awards," "New Cast Profiles" and BD-Live exclusive to the Blu-ray. The music, of course, rocks in uncompressed DTS HD.

Disney has certainly left out some important features, including commentary, music videos, dance-alongs and sing-alongs, but, of course, that’s for another release.

"HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL REMIX"

Blu-ray full-screen, 2006, TV-G

Best extra: "Bringing it All Together: The Making of ‘High School Musical’"

DISNEY’S ALWAYS GOT good timing when it comes to releasing DVDs/Blu-ray discs of its older movies to coincide with its new discs, and "High School Musical" is no exception. This "Remix" version hits stores at the same time "High School Musical 3: Deluxe Extended Edition" comes out.

What viewers get is hi-def and quality sound for the movie that started the Troy/Gabriella, etc., phenomenon. This edition has two HD versions, original and the sing-along. This flick, mind you, was a TV release on Disney Channel, as was No. 2.

Unfortunately, the myriad bonus features are in standard definition.

They mirror the ones on the full-screen DVD "Remix" version that came out a couple years ago and include learning dance moves with some of the stars, i.e. Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Corbin Bleu, Ashley Tisdale; a reunion of the cast members; the Hollywood premiere; Disney Channel dance-alongs; five music videos; and, of course, the making-of featurette with the stars and director/choreographer Kenny Ortega.

If your kids were too young to have experienced the trilogy’s beginning, this could be the HD way to introduce them to it. If not, skip it, unless you have a few bucks for the Blu-ray upgrade.

“FLASH OF GENIUS”

DVD widescreen, 2008, PG-13 for brief strong language

Best extra: Nothing great, but the commentary with first time director Marc Abraham

GREG KINNEAR STARS in Abraham's David vs Goliath tale of Robert Kearns, the man who invented intermittent wipers, only to have the Big Three co-opt his idea. The movie itself is rather mundane, but Kinnear’s performance is quite good. Aside from the film, the deleted scenes are all you’re going to get. But do we really care what was left on the cutting room floor? Obviously, it wasn’t worth including, so why feature them on the DVD? The scenes are hardly worth viewing.

Add in the endless promos at the beginning of the film, which can’t be skipped, and you have a DVD barely worth its price. If you must have this movie, wait till you can grab it in a discount bin.

DVD Widescreen, 2008, R for suggestive language and brief nudity

Best extra: "Monologues Around the World" includes about a dozen worthwhile deleted scenes, and shouldn't be missed.

COMEDIAN BILL MAHER has made a lucrative career by being a professional, incisive smart aleck. It only follows that his first feature documentary would poke fun at one of his biggest peeves – organized religion.

Starting with his New Jersey family, Maher's crusade takes him across the country to interview a broad cross-section of people from all faiths (a former homosexual who now leads a church, for instance). As he does on his show, he frames his questions comedically, and sometimes crudely. They are legitimate questions, however, and Maher often turns the words of his subjects against them to hilarious effect (including one blithe Arkansas congressman). Ultimately, Maher gets no closer to the answers he is seeking, but he has a lot of fun along the way trying.

Maher and director Larry Charles (who also helmed "Borat," another surreal travel film), keep the running commentary fast, loose, and very informal, talking freely about their own projects and friends as much as the conditions during each location shoot. Frequently, they take off their documentary hats and interject their own opinions on religion.

While the deleted scenes were best left deleted, "Monologues Around the World," which takes jabs at Christianity in Rome, Mormonism in Utah, etc., is filler-free, and certainly worth the look. Reminiscent of the "New Rules" segment on Maher's HBO show, they demonstrate how a few minutes of time can go a long way with the right material.

Blu-ray and DVD widescreen, 2008, R for bloody, violent content, terror and language

Best extra: Commentary with writer/director John Erick Dowdle and writer/producer Drew Dowdle provide the standard – anecdotes and technical info.

HERE’S ANOTHER FILM that falls in with “The Blair Witch Project” and “Cloverfield” – horror by camcorder, footage found by others. In this case our star/heroine is Jennifer Carpenter, “Dexter’s” sister, as a young reporter filming a nightshift at a Los Angeles fire station. Aside from an establishing shot, we never again see the cameraman who fades into the background.

Action begins once the crew is called out to a rundown building in an equally rundown neighborhood to check on an elderly resident, Mrs. Espinoza (She’s played by stuntwoman Jeannie Epper who bean work in the late ‘50s appearing in “Cheyenne Autumn,” “Wonder Woman” in the ‘70s and “Kill Bill Vol. 2.” Wow.) Horror fans know that as soon as the old lady appears, there’s going to be trouble. Right. She’s screaming, foaming at the mouth, and what’s that all over her nightgown? Could it be blood?

You bet! Chaos ensues – but when the good guys try to leave with victims in tow, they find the building locked down. A brief news report says it’s been evacuated. Still, we know – and the occupants know – that’s not the case.

Based on the well-received Spanish thriller, “rec,” “Quarantine” plays off paranoia. The picture is grainy and dark, nearly black in many scenes – a situation that doesn’t transfer well to high-def. The Dowdle’s tell us via commentary that they deliberately shot the film in that way to keep the audience guessing. It was fun to sit in the back of theaters, they say, to watch the audience as a whole shift to the right or to the left all at once, trying to see what was happening onscreen. Chances are, however, you’re going to tire of that effect sooner than the Dowdle boys. (Most Americans won’t be able to compare “Quarantine” to the original since “rec” was never released in the states.)

Sound fares better and you’ll be able to hear all the screaming and scrambling without any trouble.

Additional extras include a dull making-of (too much back patting) and a makeup effects featurette that should interest aficionados.

Blu-ray widescreen, 2005, R for violence and language

Best extra: The feature “Making of ‘Capote’ ”

“IN COLD BLOOD”

Blu-ray widescreen, 1967, R for violence and language

Best extras: None

SCORE ONE FOR the marketeer who proposed packaging these films – the 2005 Oscar winner (best actor) about Truman Capote’s efforts to write “In Cold Blood” and the 1967 adaptation featuring Conrad Hall’s Oscar-nominated cinematography.

“Capote” arrives with the same extras from the 2006 DVD – commentaries with star Philip Seymour Hoffman, director Bennett Miller and cinematographer Adam Kimmel, a documentary about Capote and a making-of feature in which Hoffman recounts the lengths he went to prepare for the role.

But the Blu-ray is worth it for Kimmel’s exacting handiwork. In setting the tone, he lingers over a shot – perfect for soaking up the rich hi-def detail.

Extras have never been part of any version of “In Cold Blood,” but it’s unlikely anyone will complain. That’s because Hall’s B&W imagery looks spectacular in hi-def, with deep, true contrasts filling every frame. You’ll be hooked from the shadowy opening shot aboard a bus bound for the heartland.

If that’s not enough, there’s Richard Brooks’ inventive, compelling direction and memorable performances by Robert Blake and Scott Wilson as killers Perry Smith and Richard “Dick” Hickock.

“GANDHI: 25^TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION”

Best extra: The Blu-ray has an exclusive “Picture-in-Graphics Track” that includes an introduction by Sir Richard Attenborough and content that may be watched throughout the film at the viewer’s choice. An excellent director’s commentary from Attenborough is available on both editions. Expect some repetition from commentary in the “Picture-in-Graphics Track.”

BEST PICTURE, BEST actor (Ben Kingsley), Best Director (Attenborough) and Best Cinematography (Billy Williams, Ronnie Taylor) were four of the eight Oscars “Ghandi” picked up in 1982. The film also won for art and set direction, costume design, film editing and writing. Eight Academy Awards out of 11 nominations. That is what’s known as a “sweep” in any industry.

All these kudos make “Gandhi” a must-see, especially in Blu-ray. Scenery and costumes, characters and sets all look clean and new. It’s not a perfect picture – age has left its mark – but it’s hard to be distracted once involved in the epic story of the man who was an icon of peace, tolerance and freedom.

Sound also highlights source problems. You won’t achieve the results you’re used to, say, from more recent films, but you will get distinct dialogue and clean effects. A brilliant soundtrack showcases the music of Ravi Shankar. It all blends together beautifully. Don’t let the lack of absolute perfection put you off.

Both high-def and standard presentations include two discs. The second disc includes extras from an earlier collector’s edition, all in standard-def: Vintage newsreel footage; “Sir Ben Kingsley Talks about Gandhi”; “In Search of Gandhi”; “Reflections on Ben”; “Madeleine Slade: An Englishwoman Abroad”; “The Funeral”; “Looking Back”; “Shooting an Epic in India”; “Designing Gandhi”; “From the Director's Chair”; “The Words of Mahatma Gandhi” and “The Making of Gandhi Photo Montage.”

 

Best extra: A difficult choice. I’ll pick the classy 57 minute special compilation CD featuring eight tracks of music performed by Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. An insert provides details for each selection.

WOW. AND WOW again. If this film by director Milos Forman and writer Peter Shaffer is a favorite, this package has been made for you. If you’ve never treated yourself to “Amadeus,” what are you waiting for?

This stunning three-disc presentation arrives in a 35-page digibookcase with full color end sheets, production stills and biographical and production data. Discs include a neatly packaged director’s cut plus extras, a music cd and digital copy of the film.

Like the newly released “Ghandi” in Blu-ray, “Amadeus” won eight Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor (F. Murray Abraham’s scheming Salieri winning over Tom Hulce’s energetic Mozart), Best Director, Best Writing, Best Sound, Best Costume Design and Best Makeup.

History tells us that Salieri, a great composer of his time, confessed to the murder of prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Bluster or truth? Forman and Shaffer present the story, aided by outstanding performances from Abraham and Hulce. Salieri and Mozart play to their strengths and insecurities. Hundreds of years later, we’re all still wondering what went down. 

This full-blown period epic was made for high-def and it doesn’t disappoint. Fleshtones and costumes look fantastic. If anything, it seems almost overworked. Yet those who have followed “Amadeus” on video will enjoy this new look, a huge improvement over the old VHS and DVD of yore. Sound is also a vast improvement. You’ll catch every word of dialogue; the music is as grand as it should be.

Extras have been carried over from the collector’s edition DVD. Audio commentary with Forman and Shaffer and a 60-minute making-of documentary are especially good providing less glad handing and more actual info. The only thing missing is the score-only version of the film; Warner must have tried to make up for that with the CD.

"KRAMER VS. KRAMER"

Blu-ray widescreen, 1979, PG for language and brief nudity

Best extra: A lengthy, detailed documentary: "Finding the Truth: The Making of ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’"

THIRTY YEARS AFTER its release, "Kramer vs. Kramer" is still a classic story about divorce that had been largely untold in all its truth until  screenplay writer and director Robert Benton brought it to the big screen in the late 1970’s.

The standard-definition documentary, made in 2001, explains Benton’s quest to get Dustin Hoffman (Ted Kramer) as the working father who is forced to raise his 6-year-old son (Justin Henry) after his wife (Meryl Streep) suddenly leaves him. Hoffman’s candidness about how life was mirroring his role at the time is refreshing; the story would have been entirely different with another actor as the lead, and, from what Benson and Hoffman say, different with another actor as the son other than Henry.

The hi-def transfer is fairly flawless, with some close-ups, especially with Hoffman, being a tad soft. Other than that, the musical score, which is upbeat in many parts, belies the gravity of the separation and the weight it has put on Hoffman’s character.

Amazingly, this Blu-ray release isn’t a 30th anniversary edition, but, the documentary is so wonderfully done, it suffices. For all BD-Live folks, the Blu-ray has extras for you, as well.

"A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE"

Blu-ray widescreen, 2005, R for strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use

Best extra: "Acts of Violence," an hour-long documentary covering the film's production, wins here.

ONE OF DAVID Cronenberg's most acclaimed films arrives on Blu-ray. Viggo Mortenson plays a man with a past that returns to haunt him in this violent thriller which boasts powerful supporting performances by Ed Harris and William Hurt.

Though this hi-def version of "Violence" trumps the standard DVD release, it is plagued with noise reduction and edge enhancement which results in a less than pleasing image. While colors and contrast are improved, the image is drained of detail with faces becoming waxy and moving objects revealing blurring. Studios approve processing like this to reduce film grain (which is supposed to be present). It is a bad practice that needs to be stopped altogether. The lossless soundtrack is impressive with a subtle soundscape alive with ambiance.

Extras are taken directly from the standard DVD and are highly recommended. Cronenberg offers a thoughtful commentary moving from the adaptation of the graphic novel, upon which the film is based, to thoughts on the characters as well as technical insight into how the film was made. The hour long, eight-part  "Acts of Violence" documentary avoids all the trappings of lesser behind-scenes features, taking a candid fly-on-the-wall approach that illuminates many aspects of the film's production. Two shorter featurettes focus on the film's violence, showing differences between the US and international versions and an in-depth look at the deletion of a brutally violent scene Cronenberg decided was unnecessary for the final film.

Also included is a digital copy that isn't compatible with iTunes or iPods, making it essentially worthless.

— Josh Boone

Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2007, PG-13 for language, including some sexual remarks and drug references

Best extra: A commentary with co-writer/star Jimmy Tsai and co-writer/director Jessica Yu

ONCE YOU GET over the mega Chinese stereotypes thrown into this film, you’ll laugh. It’s the story about a lazy Chinese son whose parents and brother are all about ping pong, either by running a store, teaching lessons or winning tournaments. Chris Wong, or "C-dub," wants to play basketball, but finally hears his calling when his brother and mother are in a car accident, and he must defend his family’s honor; in reality, this movie is about Chris (Tsai) growing up.

The bonus features, unfortunately in standard definition, provide deleted scenes, bloopers, staff and actor bios and a refreshing commentary by Tsai and Yu, who do more than tell you about scenes, shots, etc. They explain much about Chinese culture and why certain things were used, which makes this film more than one that just pokes fun at Chinese Americans and Chinese culture. The young actors in the film are pretty funny, too.

“Ping Pong Playa’s” worth a rent, especially if you have high definition and a decent stereo system, particularly with the hip-hop music throughout the film. You’ll be tapping your toes.

“THE MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN – UNRATED DIRECTOR’S CUT”

Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2008, Unrated with blood, violence, gore and language

Best extra: “Anatomy of a Murder Scene” featurette, best of the worst.

AT THE RISK OF sounding sacrilegious, Clive Barker films are not what they used to be. “Hellraiser,” “Nightbreed” and “Candyman” are classics – but that was more than 15 years ago. Nowadays, well.... “Midnight Meat Train” is a perfect example of how wrong a good idea can go. What’s surprising is that the film garnered an incredible amount of favorable reviews not only from “normal” movie reviewers, but also from alleged genre fans. The former can almost be forgiven; if you only watch one or two horror flicks a year, there’s not much to go by on comparison.

But from gorehounds?! Really?! Come on, guys, have some standards. Yes, it’s Clive Barker. Yes, it’s a cool name. Yes, there’s blood. But the story moves slower than a slug crawling off a salt lick. The entire plot is painfully obvious after the first 10 minutes and, perhaps most perplexing of all for an unrated version, most of the death scenes are shot from non-revealing angles. Unrated, remember? Who wants to just hear that huge metal mallet smash into a victim’s skull off-camera and get the tiniest sprinkling of blood on the lens? Where are the crushed bones, the eviscerated brain matter and countless other delightful bits of gore? Why does everything happen in the ever-present and overly-done shadows?

The worst thing is that there are about 90 seconds of flawless genius buried in all that dribble. One death scene is an absolutely over-the-top, superb, comic book interpretation of a gorehound’s dream. It’s bloody beautiful – and a sad harbinger of what could have been. Attempting to listen to the commentary by director Ryuhei Kitamura and Barker reveals a bit about went wrong; there’s so little passion discernible in their voices that they may as well be talking about a “Care Bear” movie.

Barker’s interview is also extremely disappointing. He’s incredibly monotonous, trapped in his own grandeur and utterly un-awe-inspiring, if there is such a thing. The only neat thing about the “Anatomy” featurette is watching the dainty stunt double squish around in fake blood with a gigantic P.O.V. camera strapped to her head. There’s also a brief look at lead baddie Mahogany.

The movie is the only element presented in hi-def. The images have been worked to present a grainy effect, but the colors have been tweaked to desaturate a lot of the blood.

Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2004, R for language, some strong sexual content and nudity

Best extra: Raucous feature-length commentary with Paul Giamatti (Miles) and Thomas Haden Church (Jack)

FOLLOWING MILES AND Jack on their wine-country road trip gets better in Blu-ray, although none of the bonus features has changed or been expanded upon since the DVD’s release four years ago.

Regardless of your love for this movie in its original DVD format, experiencing it again in high-definition has its advantages, from the commentary banter between Giamatti and Church to the behind-the-scenes featurette with the stars, director and writer.

Director Alexander Payne explains the 1970's look he was trying to capture with this film, from the pastels of wine country to the character montage of its stars that also include Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen. With sound and picture quality, the Blu-ray is a complete package.

The HD disc also contains seven deleted scenes with written commentary by Payne.

"Sideways" will always be a film you can tip a glass to.

“HOBSON’S CHOICE”

DVD full-screen, 1954, unrated

 Best extra: “The Hollywood Greats: Charles Laughton” is a BBC show on the larger-than-life actor.

CRITERION PRESENTS a beautifully restored version of David Lean’s last black and white film starring Laughton as Hobson, a widower and owner of a shoe shop in England around the turn of the 20th century. His three daughters keep the business going but also get in the way of his frequent drinking bouts and run the risk of ruining him if they get married. A charming comedy, John Mills co-stars as a meek but talented shoemaker who works for Hobson and is claimed as a husband and transformed by the eldest (and, Hobson assumed, unmarriageable) daughter.

The 1978 documentary on Laughton’s life contains revealing interviews with his widow, Elsa Lanchester; the actress Lillian Gish; one of his brothers; writer Christopher Isherwood; director Billy Wilder, and many others. Lanchester tells how she found out, two years after their marriage, that Laughton was homosexual. Nevertheless, the couple stayed together for 29 years.

A very fine, insightful commentary by two film scholars and Laughton biographers is also included. They talk about the main themes of “Hobson”: Feminism, illustrated by the “powerful dynamics between father and daughter,” and temperance vs. alcoholism – which reflected the rise of women’s suffrage and the industrialization of England.

“THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES: THE OFFICIAL THIRD SEASON”

Full-screen 1964-1965, Not Rated

Best Extra: “The Legend of the Beverly Hillbillies,” a featurette hosted by singer Mac Davis, is a fictitious, where-are-they-now treat that brings us up to date with the characters of the iconic CBS comedy series.

SWIMMING POOLS … MOVIE STARS. “The Beverly Hillbillies” is the story of Jed Clampett (Buddy Ebsen), who went hunting one day in the Ozarks and discovered oil on his property, making him and his family rich enough to move to Beverly Hills.

Heading out West with Jed is Granny (Irene Ryan), daughter Elly May (Donna Douglas) and dim-witted nephew Jethro (Max Baer Jr.). The comedy starts and keeps coming in this five-disc set after the transplanted Clampetts are “mentored” by their banker, Mr. Drysdale (Raymond Bailey) and his loyal, assistant, Jane Hathaway (Nancy Kulp).

The third season of this show includes 34 episodes in which the Clampetts continue their unique navigation the world of the “sophisticated.” Among some of the funnier ones: “Back to Marineland” — Jethro is determined to become a jarhead; “Double Naught Jethro” — Jethro, having given up on becoming a brain surgeon, decides he wants to become a spy, like James Bond, agent 007. “Elly in the Movies’ is funny, too, when Hollywood “heartthrob” Dash Riprock mistakes Miss Jane for his new leading lady, Elly May Clampett.

The documentary was filmed in 1993 and showcases cast members Ebsen, Douglas and Baer Jr. Ryan died in 1976 and, at the time of this featurette, other principal cast members — Bailey  and Kulp – had also died. To account for these absences, “The Legend of the Beverly Hillbillies” talks about how Mr. Drysdale, for example, had been jailed for embezzlement. The only cast member whose death is alluded to is Granny.

What helps make this featurette is an appearance by G. Gordon Liddy – talking about how he tried Jethro out as an “operative.” There’s also a cameo of Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor from “Green Acres” talking about the Clampetts. Viewers will also find the original episode sponsor opening and closings, and a photo gallery.

As Jed Clampett would say, “Weeeeeeeeeeee, doggies!”

“I SERVED THE KING OF ENGLAND”

DVD widescreen, 2006, R for lots of sex and nudity

Best extra: None

THIS IMAGINATIVE, charming and risqué Czech film about the life and gradual education of a diminutive but ambitious young man is a hoot. The protagonist gradually works his way up from being a waiter in a pub to becoming a millionaire, as he’d always dreamed. But he achieves his goal by marrying a fanatical German woman during the rise of the Nazis, thereby betraying his country and his people. Flashbacks tell the story after he is released from a long prison sentence, from which he emerges older and much wiser.

“THE ROMANCE OF ASTREA AND CELADON”

DVD Widescreen, 2007, unrated but contains nudity

Best extra: None

FRENCH DIRECTOR Eric Rohmer (“Claire’s Knee”) adapted a 1610 Romeo and Juliet-type novel about 5th century young lovers, both shepherds, whose families’ hatred tries to keep them apart. When Astrea mistakenly thinks Celadon is wooing another girl, she banishes him. Distraught, he tries to drown himself, but is rescued by nymphs and druids. Astrea, thinking he is dead, discovers he was never unfaithful and is overcome with grief. Like a series of dreamy paintings by Fragonard, these beautiful characters wander the magical countryside until Astrea and Celadon are together again.