DVD Details: This week's new releases

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Published: November 3, 2009

New releases

→" The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3”: Twenty-five years after John Godey’s novel about a New York subway train hijacking first was filmed, director Tony Scott ("Top Gun”) gives the tale a more overtly action-packed rendering in an update that isn’t necessarily more impactful than the original. Still, John Travolta clearly has fun as the leader of the bad guys, matching wits with a dispatcher (Denzel Washington) while seeking a $10 million ransom for the passengers. (R: P, V)

→"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra”: After the success of "Transformers,” Hasbro figured it was time to transfer another of its long-popular toy lines to the big screen. The result is expectedly big on brawn, if not brain, as Dennis Quaid plays the general in command of an elite brigade of soldiers — who are not all American and not all male — as they battle an arms developer and merchant (Christopher Eccleston). (PG-13: P, V)

→"Aliens in the Attic”: The title tells where the extraterrestrials are in this comedy-fantasy, which is likely to play better with younger viewers. Ashley Tisdale ("High School Musical”) and Doris Roberts ("Everybody Loves Raymond”) star. DVD extras: three "making of” documentaries; deleted scenes; outtakes; introduction by Tisdale; animated short subject. (PG: AS, P, V)

→"I Love You, Beth Cooper”: After the title declaration is made by a nerdy high school valedictorian (Paul Rust) during his big speech, the surprises are many in this modestly entertaining comedy that also stars Hayden Panettiere ("Heroes”) as Beth. DVD extras: three "making of” documentaries; alternate ending; deleted scenes; improvised song. (PG-13: AS, P, V)

→"Zorro”: The first and second seasons of the Walt Disney-produced adventure series finally are available in separate sets. Guy Williams — who also would have a successful television run later in "Lost in Space” — stars as the masked, sword-wielding adventurer whose alter ego is the relatively mild-mannered Don Diego de la Vega. (Not rated: V)

→"The Shield: The Complete Series Collection”: From start to finish, Michael Chiklis is absolutely compelling as Vic Mackey, the renegade Los Angeles police detective whose methods are as suspect as they are brutally effective. DVD extras: two "making of” documentaries; audio commentary by cast and crew members. (Not rated: AS, P, V)

Coming soon

→Nov. 10: "American Virgin,” "Andy Barker, P.I.: The Complete Series,” "Dawson’s Creek: The Complete Series,” "JAG: The Ninth Season,” "Justice League: The Complete Series,” "The Merry Gentleman,” "Nash Bridges: The Third Season,” "Reba McEntire: Is There Life Out There?” "Spread,” "The Ugly Truth,” "Up.”

→Nov. 17: "Star Trek,” "7th Heaven: The Ninth Season,” "Bruno,” "Farscape: The Complete Season Four,” "Hammertime: Complete Season 1,” "My Sister’s Keeper,” "Rome: The Complete Series,” "Thirst,” "Wagon Train: The Complete First Season.”

Family viewing guide key: AS, adult situations; N, nudity; P, profanity; V, violence; GV, particularly graphic violence.

From Staff and Wire Reports