This week, we start in World War II: The Edge of Love (***) Rated R, 111 minutes. Coming Tuesday to DVD.

Capitol Films

Keira Knightley, left, and Cillian Murphy appear in The Edge of Love.

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This story of tragic obsession centers on a quartet of unstable characters during World War II. But more specifically, it concerns the destructive control genius poet Dylan Thomas had on others. Matthew Rhys (Brothers and Sisters) heads a talented ensemble cast portraying these bright young things brought together in the early days of the war, when London endured nightly bombing and young men were being sent off to fight and face death. Nightclub singer Vera (Keira Knightley) meets and falls for romantic military officer William (Cillian Murphy). But she remains friends, and perhaps more, with her Welsh compatriot Thomas (Rhys), who lives with his free-spirited wife, Caitlin (Sienna Miller), while using his writing to avoid military service. William returns a broken man, stable enough only to disrupt the ad hoc living arrangements of the left-behind trio. Director John Maybury (Love is the Devil) delivers a stylish yet well-rounded examination of Thomas and the circumstances surrounding his controversial wartime escapades. Cinematographer Jonathan Freeman captures the beauty of the Welsh seashore yet also renders the ugliness of war. Many of Alan MacDonald’s production designs originate with Thomas’ own pubs, seashores and flats.

The DVD, also on Blu-ray, offers commentary by Maybury and Rhys; a nine-minute “making of” featurette with interviews with Maybury, Knightley, Rhys and Miller; and a four-minute gag reel.

*

Ghost Month (**1/2) One-man filmmaking phenomenon Danny Draven edited, co-produced, wrote and directed this modest horror thriller that generates some genuine chills — while using minimum effects. He might resort to some standard tricks of the genre every now and then, but he plays it honestly enough for his effort to gain notice. Alyssa (Marina Resa) lands a job as housekeeper for Miss Wu (a menacing Shirley To), a Chinese-American woman living in a remote area. Alyssa begins her duties on the first of what the Chinese regard as Ghost Month. She proceeds to break some of the rules she was unaware of — such as “don’t whistle” — and unfortunately must suffer visits from otherworldly spirits. In addition, her ex-boyfriend stalks her and Blake (Rick Irvin), the next-door neighbor, seems a little too friendly. Warning signs scream out everywhere.

Rated R, 100 minutes.

The DVD offers bloopers, a “making of” featurette and commentary from Resa, To and Irvin.

*

Beach Kings Paul Nihipali Jr. wrote and directed this opus about Cameron Day (David Charvet of Baywatch and Melrose Place), a one-time college basketball standout. After spending more than a decade out of athletics, he decides he will return to glory through an arduous training program that will land him on the pro beach volleyball circuit. Of course, his plans become momentarily sidetracked by a local Manhattan Beach beauty (Torrey DeVitto). With Kristin Cavallari, Jaleel White and several volleyball pros from the AVP.

Rated PG-13, 97 minutes.

*

Coco Chanel (**1/2) Christian Duguay directed this original TV biopic about one of the most influential designers of the past century. Shirley MacLaine turns in a convincing performance as the adult Chanel, when her empire was thriving and she had already achieved icon status. Barbora Bobulova plays the young Chanel, as James Carrington’s screenplay chronicles the designer’s early years as a dressmaker’s assistant. She experiences her share of affairs and romances, while never taking her eyes off her career goals.

Rated PG, 139 minutes.

The DVD contains a “behind the scenes” featurette.

*

RiffTrax Ten DVD options are now available from what is essentially the latest incarnation of the once immensely popular — and clever — Mystery Science Theater 3000. These new packages originate with the RiffTrax.com online commentary tracks by Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and/or Bill Corbett. Celebrity guests dropping by include Neil Patrick Harris, Fred Willard and Weird Al Yankovic. Some prominent horror films pop up on the 10 titles ripped apart here, so check labels.

Not rated.

*

Lionsgate

Virginia Madsen stars in The Haunting in Connecticut.

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The Haunting in Connecticut (**) In this horror film based on a true 1987 event, Virginia Madsen (Sideways) stars as Sara Campbell. She and her family move to their new Victorian home in upstate Connecticut, where they learn that their new home just might be — guesssss? — haunted. They learn that the house was once a funeral parlor with some highly questionable goings-on inside. The former owner’s clairvoyant son Jonah (Erik Berg) was also, unfortunately, a messenger for the devil who allowed other spirits to enter. So, of course, they do. With Elias Koteas (Shooter, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Martin Donovan (The Opposite of Sex).

The cheesy movie offers surprisingly ample DVD choices: the two-disc “Special Edition” features the unrated version of the film, while the Blu-ray disc contains the PG-13 theatrical version of the film with an option to view the unrated version. Running times vary.

The “Special Edition” and Blu-ray discs contain a standard-definition digital copy of the theatrical film, audio commentaries and several “making of” featurettes, including a two-part segment with the real-life Campbells and, strangely, postmortem photography.

*

Also this week: The Butcher, One Way, Leverage — The 1st Season, Van Wilder: Freshman Year (rated and unrated).

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