Just in time for the most romantic day of the year there is lots to see in this week's new release DVDs. Almost every genre of romance is represented: romantic comedy, romantic horror/thriller, science fiction romance and independent romance.
The big release is the Vince Vaughn and John Favreau relationship comedy "Couples Retreat." The film follows four couples at a relationship retreat in Bora Bora. Of course, each couple has hilarious issues they need to work through.
The extras on the DVD include an alternate ending, deleted scenes, a few featurettes, a gag reel and an audio commentary with director Peter Billingsly (the kid from "A Christmas Story") and Vaughn.
The average price for the standard version of the film at the major stores is around $16. The Blu-ray version is averaging at around $20.
If a horror remake is more appealing this week then the updated version of "The Stepfather" might be up your alley.
The original came out in 1987 and actually starred Terry O'Quinn from "Lost." He was extremely creepy too. For the 2009 version another television star plays the lead role: Dylan Walsh from "Nip Tuck." Penn Badgley from "Gossip Girl" also stars.
The plot is the same as the original, a crazy man marries a woman, becomes part of her family and bad things start happening. Like murder. It is a horror movie after all. Both discs are advertised as unrated director's cuts, so there should be a little more action or scares involved.
Extras are pretty light on the DVD and Blu-ray discs. There is an audio commentary with the two stars and director, three featurettes and a gag reel.
"The Stepfather" is averaging at around $19 for the standard version and the Blu-ray at $25.
It's not every day a romantic film with a science fiction twist is released. "The Time Traveler's Wife" comes out today and is based on the best selling book of the same name by Audrey Niffenegger.
The film follows Eric Bana's character who can travel through time, although he has no control over when and where he travels to. He falls in love with Rachel McAdams, but it isn't the most stable of relationships when your husband vanishes from time to time.
There are not a lot of extras on the standard version. Well, really, only one. There is a feature called "A Love Beyond Words." Pretty bare bones.
The Blu-ray version includes the same featurette as well as another one called "Unconventional Love Story" and then a digital copy of the film.
The standard version of the disc is running about $17 and the Blu-ray for $25.
And last, but not least is one of the 10 films nominated for Best Picture this year at the Academy Awards: "A Serious Man."
The film is written and directed by Joel and Ethan Cohen who are Oscar winners themselves for "No Country For Old Men." The film follows a physics professor in the Midwest whose life is unraveling in front of him, like his wife leaving him and many family issues.
It is a comedy, but like with other Cohen brothers' comedies it is a black comedy. So be prepared.
Like with the other notable releases this week, this movie doesn't have a lot of extras included with the DVD/Blu-ray. There are three featurettes on the discs. That's it.
For a movie with no real extras to account for the film is not super cheap. The standard version is averaging at $19 and the Blu-ray for $25. Although Amazon.com is selling the Blu-ray for $19.49 today.
Good deal of the week: Best Buy has some other Oscar nominated films on Blu-ray for two good prices. "Star Trek," "Up," and "Inglorious Basterds" are all $19.99 and Best Picture nominee "District 9" is only $24.99.
