New on Home Video: This week's DVD releases

"Stranger Than Fiction": Will Ferrell tones down his antics and holds his own among a gifted cast in a more dramatic role with this thoughtful comedy about a sad little man whose impending doom finally prods him to get a life. Ferrell plays a lonely, compulsive tax auditor suddenly able to hear the voice of an author (Emma Thompson) as she narrates her latest novel -- the story of his life. Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and Maggie Gyllenhaal co-star. DVD featurettes include interviews with director Marc Forster and the cast, a look at the film's Chicago locations, a segment on the graphic effects, and deleted scenes. DVD, 28.95; Blu-ray disc, 38.96. (Sony)
"Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny": Jack Black lets his ego get the better of him with this needless comedy that offers a make-believe chronicle of how he and band mate Kyle Gass started their musical duo Tenacious D. Featuring Tim Robbins, their early mentor, Ben Stiller and Meat Loaf in small roles, the movie follows two rock wannabes on a mission to retrieve a magical guitar pick, which pits them in a musical showdown with the devil. Director Liam Lynch, who co-wrote the screenplay with Black and Gass, offers introductions to deleted scenes and joins the actors for commentary. The DVD also has the duo's "The Pick of Destiny" music video. DVD, 27.95. (New Line)
"A Good Year": Russell Crowe and his "Gladiator" director Ridley Scott reunite for a romantic date flick, a genre that does not suit either in this beautifully filmed but lightweight and uninspired story about life on the edge versus life in the slow lane. Crowe plays a cutthroat London investment whiz who takes a detour to Provence in France, where he has inherited his uncle's vineyard, finding love and an excuse to kick back and smell the grapes. The DVD has commentary with Scott and screenwriter Marc Klein and a variety of background featurettes. There also is a conversation with Crowe and Scott and three music videos featuring Crowe, who has a side career as a musician. DVD, 29.98. (20th Century Fox)
"The Return": Sarah Michelle Gellar, star of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "The Grudge," returns one time too many to the supernatural world for this horror tale that proved a box-office dud. Gellar stars as a business woman overcome by visions of the violent death of an unidentified woman years earlier, sending her on a quest to unravel the mystery. Gellar is featured in a behind-the-scenes featurette, and the DVD includes an alternate ending and deleted footage. DVD, 29.98. (Universal)
"Bob Dylan: Don't Look Back -- 65 Tour Deluxe Edition": On its 40th anniversary, D.A. Pennebaker's landmark documentary of Dylan's 1965 concert tour of England returns in an expansive new DVD release. The two-disc set has the original film, accompanied by commentary from Pennebaker and the tour's road manager, Bob Neuwirth, along with an alternate version of Dylan's famous cue-card segment for "Subterranean Homesick Blues. The second disc has a newly created follow-up, "Bob Dylan 65 Revisited," crafted from previously unreleased footage. Pennebaker and Neuwirth also offer commentary. The set includes a reproduction of a 1968 companion book with a transcription of the film and hundreds of photos. DVD set, 49.95. (Docurama)
"Tideland": Terry Gilliam spins a strange one, even for him. This "Alice in Wonderland" nightmare follows a neglected girl (Jodelle Ferland) who concocts a frightening fantasy world where she can escape from the real terrors of her isolated home life. Jeff Bridges co-stars. The two-disc set has commentary and interviews with Gilliam. DVD set, 27.98. (ThinkFilm)
"The Heart of the Game": Director Ward Serrill trails along for six seasons with the girls basketball team at Roosevelt High in Seattle as they try to build a championship squad. The documentary follows the team's tough, idiosyncratic coach and star player, who finds herself in a battle to regain eligibility to play. The DVD has deleted scenes and commentary. DVD, 29.99. (Miramax)
"Alexander Revisited: The Final Cut": Oliver Stone just can't let his historical flop alone, releasing the third version of his 2004 epic starring Colin Farrell as the ancient conqueror. This edition runs 31/2 hours, adding 30 minutes to the theatrical cut. Stone provides an introduction. DVD set, 24.98. (Warner Bros.)
-- Associated Press
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