We start with a French favorite:

The Directors Series: André Téchiné — Lionsgate Films continues its ongoing spotlight on distinguished directors with this three-disc collection of four films from one of France’s best known craftsmen. Sixty-five-year-old André Téchiné has made only around 20 films in his 36 year career, but he has a deserved reputation for delivering works full of human drama, and creating intense situations that eventually and painfully end in personal revelations. The four films in this collection are taken from a 12-year period of Téchiné’s best work, and they give a fair representation of his career. They can also serve either as needed refreshers or valuable introductions.

Hotel America (Hotel des Ameriques — 1981) Catherine Deneuve, who often works with Téchiné, stars in this story of an awkward young man (Patrick Dewaere) who stumbles onto a beautiful, mysterious woman (Deneuve) at a posh French ski resort. She keeps him at arms’ length, escalating the mystery, and frustration.

Not rated, 95 minutes.

I Don’t Kiss (J’Embrasse Pas — 1991) A handsome young man (Manuel Blanc) arrives in Paris with hopes of becoming an actor. Instead, his plans thwarted, he drifts into male prostitution. Eventually he makes the mistake of falling for a fellow female prostitute (Emmanuelle Beart).

Not rated, 116 minutes.

My Favorite Season (Ma Saison Prefere — 1992) Catherine Deneuve again stars, this time as one part of a sister and brother (Daniel Auteuil) pair who are brought together when their mother suffers a stroke. Also starring Chiara Mastroianni, Deneuve’s real-life daughter.

Not rated, 127 minutes.

The Wild Reeds (Les Roseaux Sauvages — 1993) The highlight of this collection and considered one of Téchiné’s finest films, this youth drama is set during France’s war in Algeria. Four angst-filled youngsters in Provence fight their natural urges while having to deal with the sociopolitical events that surround them.

Not rated, 114 minutes.

All films in Dolby Stereo except Hotel America, which is in Dolby Mono.

*

Sleepwalking *** This appropriately named film features a cast of moribund characters sleepwalking through their miserable lives. In his feature debut, director William Maher works from Zac Stanford’s excellent, psychologically probing script. Charlize Theron, as seen on the DVD supplements, worked overtime as a co-producer while also playing one of the lead characters.

Overture Films

AnnaSophia Robb and Dennis Hopper star in Sleepwalking, coming to DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday.

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She plays Joleen Reedy, an irresponsible single-mother to Tara (AnnaSophia Robb) and sister to the slow-witted but caring James Reedy (Nick Stahl). Joleen disappears, leaving Tara in James’ care. The duo struggles with simple day-to-day living, causing Tara to be taken away by Child Protective Services. Hating her foster environment, she flees with James to the home of his abusive father (Dennis Hopper), where a lifetime of mistreatment finally peaks. Filmed in and near the cold environs of Regina, Saskatchewan, the bleak film renders an enthrallingly dark, deterministic picture of a troubled family.

Rated R, 101 minutes.

The DVD, also on Blu-ray, offers “A Mother’s Shame,” a 16-minute “making of” featurette. The segment reveals how the brutal Canadian weather helped to complement the dark portrait of the Reedy family.

*

Step Up 2 the Streets **1/2 This follow-up to the surprisingly huge original hit offers a bitter dance competition, a fresh soundtrack and some exciting dance sequences.

Briana Evigan plays wrong-side-of-the-tracks Andie, an intimidated new student at ritzy Maryland School of the Arts. She wants to fit in when she teams with Chase (Robert Hoffman) in an underground dance competition. The pairing causes conflict, as Andie wants to please both her new crowd and her old.

With Adam Sevani, Telisha Shaw, Will Kemp and an appearance by Channing Tatum. Music by Flo Rida, Missy Elliot, Cassie, T-Pain and others.

Rated PG-13, 98 minutes.

The DVD includes outtakes and deleted scenes, including extra dances by Jabbawockeeze and the West Coast Riders dance crews. Plus, another half dozen music videos and “Through Fresh Eyes,” a behind-the-scenes featurette.

*

College Road Trip **1/2 Martin Lawrence plays the proud protective father of a free-spirited Raven-Symone in this innocuous family comedy from Disney. Raven, the popular star from the Disney Channel, plays Melanie Porter, a high school scholar who wants to attend Georgetown University.

She plans a trip to Washington D.C. with a group of her friends, but her overbearing father, a police chief, wants her to stay near their Chicago home. And he doesn’t hide his sneaky attempts to keep her there. What follows is a natural result of plans gone awry. The synergetic casting sees fellow Disney Channel stars Brenda Song and Lucas Grabeel in supporting roles.

Rated G, 83 minutes.

The DVD includes two commentaries, one with director Roger Krumble and Raven-Symone, and another with the two writers. Plus, a gag reel, alternate openings and endings, deleted scenes with commentary from director Krumble, a music video and Raven’s video diary. Also, a behind-the-scenes featurette, “On the Set.”

*

Brutal Massacre *** Horror fans will enjoy this mockumentary about a famous but now destitute horror director as he embarks on his latest project, one that looks like it might be his last.

Financing, pre-production, shooting and the premier are all mockingly documented in the latest film from Harry Penderecki, played by one-time An American Werewolf in London star David Naughton, now a pudgy, middle-aged man.

Similar to a Christopher Guest-inspired spoof, Brutal Massacre is wildly uneven, but with more than its share of funny moments.

Many of the supporting roles are taken by staples of past horror classics.

Fun albeit silly piece of horror-themed entertainment.

Rated R, 95 minutes.

The DVD holds a whopping 17 extended and deleted scenes, and a hilarious 16-minute “making of” featurette, which is also a mockumentary.

*

Also this week: Death Valley, High and Low, Picture This.