New DVDs: ‘Fantastic Four,’ ‘1408’

Reviews

By David Germain

updated 5:56 p.m. ET Oct. 1, 2007

“Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”
The comic-book world’s little dysfunctional family of mutated superheroes returns, along with their archenemy and a new menace from space. With Tim Story again directing, the sequel reteams Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis and Chris Evans as the foursome who gained superpowers from cosmic radiation, this time joining forces with their evil mutant foe (Julian McMahon) to stop an emissary (voiced by Laurence Fishburne) of Earth’s destruction. The movie comes in single- or two-disc DVD releases or a Blu-ray high-definition disc, all featuring commentary with Story, producer Avi Arad and some of their collaborators. The two-disc and Blu-ray releases also have deleted and extended scenes with commentary from Story, along with featurettes on the Fantastic Four’s slick new flying car and the comic-book history of Fishburne’s Silver Surfer character. Single DVD, $29.98; two-disc DVD set, $34.98; Blu-ray, $39.98. (20th Century Fox)

“1408”

Dimension Films (The Weinstein Co)

John Cusack stars in the horror hit about a skeptic whose career as a debunker of paranormal phenomena takes a turn into terror when he checks into a New York City hotel room where 57 deaths have occurred over the years. Samuel L. Jackson co-stars in a small but memorable role as the hotel manager who discourages Cusack from staying there. The movie comes in a single-disc edition with the theatrical cut or in a two-disc set with both the theatrical version and filmmaker Mikael Hafstrom’s extended director’s cut, which includes an alternate ending. The two-disc set also has deleted scenes and a batch of postcards for the hotel where Cusack’s character stays. Single DVD, $29.95; two-disc DVD set, $32.95. (Genius)

“The Jungle Book”
For its 40th anniversary, Disney’s animated adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale returns in a two-disc set loaded with more than just the bare necessities. The film follows the adventures of Mowgli, a boy raised in the wild, among such creatures as Bagheera the panther, Baloo the bear, Kaa the python and King Louie the ape while journeying to the “man-village.” Among the DVD extras is a look at a character that did not make it into the film, an ill-tempered rhinoceros named Rocky. The set has a making-of segment, recollections with Bruce Reitherman, who provided the voice of Mowgli, and a film treatment that Walt Disney tried then abandoned in bringing Kipling’s tale to the screen. The film also has a commentary track stitched together from remarks by current animators and those who made the movie. DVD set, $29.99. (Disney)

“Caligula”
The 1979 shocker featured a top-name cast led by Malcolm McDowell in the title role, Peter O’Toole, Helen Mirren and John Gielgud in a bloody, sexually explicit portrait of Rome under the debased rule of the notorious emperor, Caligula. The three-disc set has the unrated theatrical release and an alternate version with added footage. McDowell and Mirren offer commentary, while the set also has deleted and alternate scenes, a behind-the-scenes look and interviews with director Tinto Brass and Penthouse founder Bob Guccione, a producer on the film. The movie also is being released in single-disc editions with either the unrated cut or an R-rated version. DVD set, $39.99; single DVD versions, $19.99 each. (Image)

MORE FROM DVDS

DVD reviews: ‘Prince Caspian,’ ‘Wanted’

DVD reviews: ‘Prince Caspian,’ ‘Wanted’ DVD reviews: ‘Hancock,’ ‘24: Redemption’ DVD reviews: ‘WALL-E,’ ‘Tropic Thunder’ DVD reviews: ‘Kung Fu Panda,’ ‘Hellboy II’ DVD reviews: ‘Get Smart,’ ‘Shrek the Halls’ DVD reviews: ‘Incredible Hulk,’ ‘Casino Royale’ DVD reviews: ‘Incredible Hulk,’ ‘Casino Royale’ DVD reviews: ‘Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’   Add DVDs headlines to your news reader: