Five must-see films by director Sidney Lumet

Sidney Lumet, who died this month at age 86, was known as a director who crafted smart, solid films, full of substantive topics and strong performances. Here are five of his best:

• “Fail-Safe” (1964): Featuring Henry Fonda as the even- tempered U.S. president trying to avoid nuclear annihilation.

• “12 Angry Men” (1957): Lumet’s first feature is a marvel of efficiency and precision. With the action mostly taking place inside a deliberation room where jurors argue over whether the defendant is guilty of murder, “12 Angry Men” is all about the dialogue, all about the performances.

• “Network” (1976): This satire about the softening of TV news is one of the best films ever made about television. The story of a newsman who snaps, live on-air, explores the same kind of questionable fame that pervades today’s celebrity culture.

• “Dog Day Afternoon” (1975): This was the second time Al Pacino teamed up with Lumet — 1973’s “Serpico” was their first film together — and both resulted in some of the finest work Pacino has done. He’s charismatic and unpredictable as a bank robber with some complicated motivations.

• “The Verdict” (1982): Lumet earned the last of his five Academy Award nominations for directing this drama about a lawyer who hopes to turn his career around by going to trial on a medical malpractice case instead of settling.

“Gossip Girl” (9 p.m., The CW): “Gossip Girl” fans can take a deep breath. The show returns from a long break. Is that kiss between Dan and Blair a game-changer?

“20/20” (10 p.m., ABC): Are you sick of the royal-wedding hoopla yet? If not, Barbara Walters has more tonight with an edition of “20/20” that examines the fairy-tale romance between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

DVD RELEASES

Movies available Tuesday on DVD and through digital providers include:

“The King’s Speech” (R): Great Britain’s George VI turns to a speech therapist to help his stutter as World War II erupts. Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.

“Gulliver’s Travels” (PG): A lowly mail clerk lands on an island of small people. Starring Jack Black, Emily Blunt and Jason Segel.

“The Way Back” (PG-13): Siberian gulag escapees walk 4,000 miles over land to freedom in India. Starring Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris and Colin Farrell.

“Rabbit Hole” (PG-13): Life for a happy couple is turned upside down after their young son dies in an accident. Starring Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart and Dianne Wiest.

“Somewhere” (R): A hard-living Hollywood actor re-examines his life after his 11-year-old daughter surprises him with a visit. Starring Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning and Chris Pontius.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Grateful Dead film

BOARDMAN

The 1977 concert rockumentary “The Grateful Dead Movie Event” will be screened at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Tinseltown, next to Southern Park Mall. Tickets are available at the Tinseltown box office and at FathomEvents.com.