New DVDs: ‘Blades of Glory,’ ‘Year of the Dog’

REVIEWS

By David Germain

updated 2:40 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2007

“Blades of Glory”
Will Ferrell and Jon Heder are a pair of peacocks on ice in this comedy that turns figure skating into an extreme competitive sport. The two star as rivals banned for life from the men’s competition after a brawl on the ice, but who team up and return to the sport when they discover a loophole that allows them to compete as the world’s first men’s pairs team. Along with a making-of featurette, the DVD has a segment on the movie’s wild costumes, husband-and-wife co-stars Will Arnett and Amy Poehler, and skating star Scott Hamilton, who is among the real-life skaters appearing in the film. Other extras include deleted scenes, alternate takes and a music video. DVD, $29.99; Blu-ray and HD DVD, $39.99 each. (Paramount) Read the review

Ferrell fans also can check out a new DVD version of 1998’s “A Night at the Roxbury,” in which he co-stars with Chris Kattan for a big-screen take on the club-hopping sibling dorks they created on “Saturday Night Live.” The movie is accompanied by a handful of featurettes. DVD, $14.99. (Paramount)

“Year of the Dog”

Paramount Vantage

Molly Shannon is both hilarious and heartbreaking as a perky secretary whose people skills are lacking, her only real emotional connection coming from her obsessive relationship with her pet dog. When the pooch dies, Shannon is hurled into a world of grief, denial, anger and longing as she tries to sort out which species is most deserving of her attention — the two-legged or four-legged variety. Shannon gets great support from co-stars Laura Dern, John C. Reilly, Peter Sarsgaard and Regina King in the film, written and directed by Mike White, the screenwriter of Jennifer Aniston’s “The Good Girl” and Jack Black’s “School of Rock.” White and Shannon team for commentary, and the DVD has deleted scenes and four featurettes. DVD, $29.99. (Paramount) Read the review

For more on the canine front, there’s “The Dog Problem,” starring Giovanni Ribisi as a novelist whose new pet becomes an object of obsession for everyone around him. Writer-director Scott Caan co-stars along with Mena Suvari and Lynn Collins. DVD, $27.98. (Thinkfilm)

TV on DVD:

“Heroes: Season 1” — A genetics professor discovers that a group of ordinary people around the world are developing super powers in the hit series, whose first 23 episodes come in seven-disc DVD or HD DVD sets. Extras include an extended cut of the pilot episode, deleted and extended scenes and segments on the show’s special effects, stunts and music. DVD set, $59.98; HD DVD $99.98. (Universal)

“Friday Night Lights: The First Season” — The small-screen spinoff of the sports flick centers on a town devoted to its high school football team. The first 22 episodes come in a five-disc set, accompanied by deleted scenes and a making-of featurette. DVD set, $29.98. (Universal)

“Masters of Horror: Season 1” — Big-screen fear-mongers such as John Carpenter, John Landis, Tobe Hooper and Dario Argento direct episodes of this horror anthology series, whose first 13 episodes come in a 14-disc set packaged to resemble a mausoleum. Extras include commentary and interviews with cast and crew. DVD set, $79.97. (Anchor Bay)

“Martin Lawrence Presents: 1st Amendment Standup — Season 1” — Lawrence is executive producer for this raw collection of comedy acts. More than two dozen performers are featured in the two-disc set, which has the first 10 episodes. DVD set, $29.97. (Starz)

“Dark Shadows: The Beginning — Collection 1” — A four-disc set packs the first 35 episodes of the horror soap opera that debuted in 1966, centering on a family with a dark supernatural history. This era of the cult show features episodes before the debut of the series’ eventual anchor, vampire Barnabas. DVD set, $59.98. (MPI)

“The Odd Couple: The Second Season” — Jack Klugman and Tony Randall return as unlikely roomies, the slob Oscar and finicky Felix, in the 1970s sitcom based on the stage play and movie. A four-disc set has season two’s 23 episodes. DVD set, $42.99. (Paramount)

“Rowan Atkinson Live” — The star of “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” comes out from behind that near-silent persona for this collection of 10 comedy sketches from a 1991 performance in Boston. DVD, $19.95. (A&E)

“Dangermouse: The Complete Series” — The complete adventures of the superhero rodent are gathered in a nine-disc set with all 89 episodes of the animated series from the 1980s and ’90s. Extras include the unaired original pilot episode. DVD set, $89.95. (A&E)

“Two’s Company: The Complete Collection” — Elaine Stritch and Donald Sinden star in the 1970s British comedy about a freethinking American woman and her fastidious English butler. The four-disc set has all 29 episodes. DVD set, $59.99. (Acorn)

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