DVD Report

COMEDY

TAMARA DREWE (2010)

First-run reviews wondered whatever had happened to directorStephen Frears, as critics puzzled over this cheeky ensemble piece,a graphic novel adaptation that originally sprang from ThomasHardy's "Far From the Madding Crowd." Still, we hoped for minor-keyFrears, at least - maybe not "The Queen" or "Dangerous Liaisons,"but video-worthy viewing on a par with his micro-comedy "The Van."No such luck. Gemma Arterton ("Prince of Persia") plays a Britishfarm-country spitfire who returns home with a fab new career andnose job, and stumbles into mirthless shenanigans revolving around awriters' retreat. Extras: commentary with Arterton. (Sony, $28.95;Blu-ray, $38.96)

COMEDY

MIDDLE MEN (2010)

It's not exactly "The Social Network," but there's somedivertingly outrageous Internet fortune in this true-ish story of anentrepreneurial family man (Luke Wilson) who spins the online-billing innovation of computer porn dreamers Gabriel Macht andGiovanni Ribisi into billions. Wilson's likably beleaguered vibe isperfect for a scene in which the government comes calling, eager forhis character to help engineer terrorist-baiting content. But you'llwish that when Wilson is asked to play tempted-and-tormented, hedidn't just feel bummed out instead. Extras: commentary by directorGeorge Gallo; throwaway "slap montage" as quirky as the movieitself. (Paramount, $19.99; Blu-ray, $29.99)

HORROR

I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (1978/2010)

There's no pretending that these notorious rape-and-revengeflicks aren't despicable - although original director Meir Zarchitried his best to sell the story as feminism, even going so far asto float the alternate title "Day of the Woman." But the tandemrelease of Zarchi's movie and Steven R. Monroe's remake offers arevealing study in how genre priorities have shifted in the "Saw"era. Where Zarchi lingers over Camille Keaton's ordeal and seeminglyhurries through everything else, Monroe limits Sarah Butler'sassault, lavishing all the detail on her bloody retribution. Extras:director commentary on both. (Anchor Bay, 1978 film, $19.98, Blu-ray, $24.99; 2010 film, $29.97, Blu-ray, $34.99)

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