Funny People
Universal, $29.98/$34.98; Blu-ray, $39.98
"Funny People" writer-director Judd Apatow might have tested his core audience a little too much with his story of a self-hating comedian (played by Adam Sandler) who gets diagnosed with cancer and asks for help from a fawning young stand-up (played by Seth Rogen). But Apatow and company don't spare the dirty jokes either, and there's something admirably uncompromising about their willingness to push for truth over likability. The special-edition DVD and Blu-ray surround the movie with complementary special features, such as hilarious deleted and alternate scenes, archival footage from Apatow and Sandler's early days, a riotous commentary track by the principals and extended glimpses at the fake movies, sitcoms and stand-up performances that fill out the background of the film. It's a remarkable set, which ought to prompt some who shrugged off "Funny People" this summer to reevaluate this heartfelt, personal film.
Angels & Demons
Sony, $28.96/$36.95; Blu-ray, $39.95
Tom Hanks returns as Dan Brown's symbologist hero Robert Langdon in "Angels & Demons," director Ron Howard's international hit sequel to "The Da Vinci Code." As with its predecessor, "Angels & Demons" follows Professor Langdon as he attempts to interpret clues buried in ancient texts and artworks to thwart a plot hatched by a secret society. And as with "The Da Vinci Code," the new movie renders a thrilling idea in a fairly dry way. The double-disc special edition DVD includes an extended version of the movie, plus featurettes that cover nearly every aspect of the production. The Blu-ray adds special interactive features and games.
Four Christmases
New Line, $28.98 ; Blu-ray, $35.99
The holiday comedy "Four Christmases" stars Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon as a young couple forced to spend Christmas day with, in succession, each of their four divorced parents and their attendant families. That's a clever idea for a movie, and the cast (which also includes Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight and Mary Steenburgen, among others) is top-flight, but the film lacks the ring of truth that makes a Christmas movie a classic. It's more forced and manic than universal. The DVD and Blu-ray are fairly blah as well, with only a few deleted scenes and a handful of behind-the-scenes featurettes as extras.
Gomorrah
Criterion, $39.95; Blu-ray, $39.95
