This week, we get serious: A Serious Man (****) Rated R, 106 minutes. Coming Tuesday to DVD.

Focus Features

Michael Stuhlbarg stars as physics professor Larry Gopnik in writer-directors Joel and Ethan Coen’s A Serious Man, out Tuesday on DVD.

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In the Coen brothers’ most personal film, an odd Job-like allegory, relatively unknown stage actor Michael Stuhlbarg plays physics professor Larry Gopnik, a meek man beset by many woes. His wife leaves him for another man — a self-described “serious man” — and his son and daughter no longer respond to him. Even his secure job seems in danger. He consults three rabbis, learning little in the process beyond his need for even more patience. The Coens loosely based their film on their 1960s upbringing in suburban Minnesota. Sly, subtle, slow to register, this quiet jewel recently was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

The DVD holds a 17-minute “making of” featurette, a 14-minute featurette on re-creating 1967 Minnesota neighborhoods, and a brief segment on the mysteries of Hebrew and Yiddish. The Blu-ray also contains Universal’s signature feature, the “BD-Live.”

*

Omnibus: King Lear (***1/2) In the prestigious Omnibus series, Orson Welles made his television debut in 1953 as the title character in Shakespeare’s epic. Peter Brook directed, while eliminating major subplots for TV expediency. Virgil Thomson composed and conducted an original score. The excellent cast included Beatrice Straight as Goneril and Alan Badel as Fool. As Lear, Welles eschews Hamlet’s advice to actors to “acquire and beget a temperance that may give it smoothness.” Alistair Cooke hosts and provides background.

Not rated, 82 minutes.

The disc includes about an hour of featurettes on the Globe Theatre, Yale University’s Shakespeare program, and drama critic Walter Kerr’s examination of different interpretations of Hamlet.

*

Couples Retreat (**1/2) Vince Vaughn stars in this erratic romantic comedy about four couples who take their vacation together to Bora Bora’s pristine beaches and beautiful scenery. But what they think will be nothing but freewheeling fun turns into a series of grueling and irritating self-help exercises mandated by their resort.

Director Peter Billingsley milks every opportunity for cheap laughs and pratfalls before conveniently bringing the bickering couples together.

Rated PG-13, 114 minutes.

The DVD includes commentary, an alternate ending, a three-minute gag reel, 10 minutes of deleted and extended scenes, and brief segments on the therapy sessions, yoga and filming in Bora Bora. The Blu-ray version offers several other additional supplements.

*

Dare (***) A handsome, likable young cast helps make this coming-of-age drama palatable despite general character and situational inconsistencies. Emmy Rossum plays Alexa, a model student who finds satisfaction in her drama studies. When surly bad boy Johnny (Zach Gilford) joins the group and becomes involved with Alexa, it threatens her relationship with her lifelong best friend Ben (Ashley Springer). An intense personal drama plays out.

Rated R, 91 minutes.

The DVD contains commentary, two deleted scenes, Emmy Rossum’s nine-minute audition tape, and director Adam Salky’s 16-minute short film, Dare.

*

For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots (***1/2) This excellent, two-disc documentary examines the prominent role played by black soldiers in this country’s wars. From the Revolutionary War to the present, the exploits of the many heroes are described and chronicled by an all-star voice cast, including Morgan Freeman, Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Walter Cronkite, Kris Kristofferson and many others. Halle Berry narrates and introduces the segments from Arlington National Cemetery.

Not rated, approximately four hours.

The DVD also holds deleted scenes and additional archival footage.

*

Love Happens (*) Aaron Eckhart plays a self-help author who struggles with the accidental death of his wife. He now thinks, however, he may have found peace, and maybe romance, with the cutesy owner of a flower shop (Jennifer Aniston). He continues to give his seminars, while knowing he might derail his one chance at true romance. Director Brandon Camp, from his and Mike Thompson’s screenplay, turns his creation into mawkish and maudlin nonsense.

Rated PG-13, 109 minutes.

The DVD, also on Blu-ray, contains commentary, six deleted scenes and a brief “making of” featurette on the visual effects.

*

And, again this week, it’s good to be young:

Little Einsteins: Animal Expedition Leo, Annie, Quincy, Rocket and June experience worldwide adventures in four episodes from the popular Disney series. They travel to the Great Lakes; Sydney, Australia; Jaipur, India; and elsewhere.

Rated TV-Y, 96 minutes.

The disc also offers the interactive feature, “The Animal Crane Game.”

*

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Bow-Tique Minnie opens her own store, a boutique devoted to bows. But she also has other pursuits in these three episodes from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Rated TV-Y, 96 minutes.

The DVD also holds an episode that will not air until April.

*

Colors are Fun Barney, Thomas and Friends, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Fifi and Kipper all appear in a color-themed episode. They are also joined by the Fowertots for a “Blueberry Surprise.”

Not rated, 53 minutes.

*

Army Wives — The Complete Third Season This breakout Lifetime hit returns, throwing a spotlight on the women left behind when their mates leave for military service. In the 18 episodes, on five discs, various dramas and struggles are played out by the excellent cast: Kim Delaney, Catherine Bell, Sally Pressman, Sterling K. Brown and others.

Rated TV-PG, 774 minutes.

The set also includes bloopers, deleted scenes, six webisodes and two separate featurettes.

*

Gary Unmarried — The Complete First Season Jay Mohr is Gary, who unexpectedly finds himself single and struggling to raise his 14-year-old son, Tom (Ryan Malgarini), and 11-year-old daughter, Louise (Kathryn Newton). Meanwhile, his ex-wife becomes engaged to their marriage counselor. Twenty episodes come on three discs.

Rated TV-14, 430 minutes.

The set also holds bloopers, a tour of the set and a pair of featurettes, one with Ed Begley Jr. and one with Mohr.

*

Also this week: Endgame, I Hate Valentine’s Day, The Time Traveler’s Wife, The People Speak, The Guild — Season Three, The Stepfather, Bronson

DR. BOO ALLEN is an award-winning film critic for the Denton Record-Chronicle.