This week we start at the Improv: Funny People (***) Rated R, 145 minutes. Coming Tuesday to DVD.

Universal Studios

Funnymen Adam Sandler, left, and Seth Rogen star in Funny People, out on DVD Tuesday.

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Judd Apatow wrote and directed this erratic but often engaging semi-autobiographical comedy-drama. Adam Sandler stars as George Simmons, a famous actor-comedian (like Sandler), who reassesses his life when diagnosed with a deadly disease. Soon after, he hires struggling young stand-up comic Ira Wright (Seth Rogen) to write jokes for him. They become Apatow’s odd couple, a relationship culminating in their road trip to San Francisco to visit George’s ex-girlfriend Laura (Leslie Mann, Apatow’s wife). In contrast to George’s shallow existence, Laura has a domestic life, however uneven. Apatow pays homage to comedy, as he sets several scenes in comedy clubs and peppers his cast with many comedians.

The DVD comes in Blu-ray, a two-disc collector’s edition and a single disc. The available yet variable supplements (check labels) include an extended version of the film; commentary; two gag reels; 15 deleted, extended and alternate scenes; “Funny People Diaries,” a four-part, 75-minute “making-of” documentary; the 22-minute mockumentary “Raaaaaaandy!”; the brief “Judd’s High School Radio Show”; and much more.

*

Thirst (***) Deliciously perverse Korean director Park Chan-Wook (Oldboy) turns to vampires in his latest slice of strangeness. A priest (Song Kang-ho) volunteers for an experimental vaccine but, instead, receives the infected blood of a vampire. When he returns to his clerical duties, his life becomes one of hedonistic pursuits, family feuds and even romance. Not your routine vampire film.

Rated R, 134 minutes.

*

The Indian (**1/2) This family drama revolves around irresponsible father Skip (Sal Landi), who gave up his young son (Matt Dallas) to his — the father’s — sister. Skip returns 15 years later when it looks like only his son has the needed genes for a kidney transplant. What starts out as an attempt at deception ends in reconciliation. James R. Gorrie wrote and directed this low-keyed production that sometimes stretches credulity but succeeds in tapping into some raw emotions.

Rated PG-13, 91 minutes.

*

Taking Chances (**1/2) Justin Long stars as Chase Revere, a nerdy young man who takes great pride in running a small town’s historical museum and battlefield. When local officials bribe an American Indian tribe to erect a casino on his hallowed ground, Chase starts a protest campaign, much against the town’s wishes. He is joined by Lucy (Emmanuelle Chriqui), the village’s mysterious beauty who harbors her own secrets. A hilarious Rob Corddry plays the sleazy mayor. Uneven film delivers a steady stream of low-keyed humor.

Rated R, 100 minutes.

*

Toi et Moi (You and Me) (***) A pre-La Vie En Rose Marion Cotillard co-stars with Julie Depardieu (looking uncannily like her pop, Gerard) as sisters Lena and Ariane in this sophisticated romantic comedy. Lena plays the cello and has a boyfriend who gives her trouble. Ariane writes trashy romance novels and has a boyfriend who gives her trouble. Somehow they find solace — but not always where expected.

Not rated, 90 minutes.

*

Beautiful (**1/2) For her fifth performance concert, Margaret Cho entertained the audience at the Long Beach Terrace Theater. She delivers her standard outrageous act, riffing on everything from her self-image — a favorite target of hers — to her contentious relationships.

Not rated, 86 minutes.

The DVD contains a “behind the scenes” featurette.

*

Wild Child (**1/2) In this predictable youth fare, Emma Roberts plays a spoiled rich girl who angers her father (Aidan Quinn) once too often. So, he ships her off from her native Malibu to a boarding school in rural England. There, the American fish-out-of-water makes her share of enemies before they naturally become friends. And, of course, a handsome young Englishman falls for her.

Rated PG-13, 99 minutes.

The DVD offers commentary, 20 minutes of deleted scenes, a 12-minute “making-of” featurette, and brief segments on the lacrosse scenes, school memories and more.

*

Limits of Control (*1/2) Jim Jarmusch continues his march into oblivion with his meandering, pointless story about a mysterious man (Isaach de Bankole), who rarely speaks but travels to exotic foreign locales to complete some obscure mission. Little of consequence happens to him or in the movie. Jarmusch still somehow assembles a good cast, which includes Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Bill Murray and Gael Garcia Bernal.

Rated R, 116 minutes.

The DVD contains a nearly hourlong interview with Jarmusch. Plus, a brief segment on the film’s “Untitled Landscapes.”

*

And two notables return this week in their Blu-ray debuts:

Air America (**1/2) Robert Downey Jr. teams with Mel Gibson in this 1990 comedy adventure about two renegade pilots during the Vietnam War. Downey is the eager youngster who takes a job as pilot only to find himself working for the CIA. Gibson serves as the wise but jaded mentor.

Rated R, 113 minutes.

The new Blu-ray edition offers commentary from writer-producer John Eskow, a storyboard featurette and a new retrospective featurette.

*

Angel Heart (***) Mickey Rourke plays the angel, and Robert DeNiro is the devil (sort of) in this 1987 allegorical tale from writer-director Alan Parker. DeNiro plays a mysterious dandy who hires Rourke to find an obscure lounge singer. On his strange odyssey, Rourke-the-angel’s travels take him to Harlem and New Orleans before ending in a swampy voodoo showdown. Eerie, unsettling film.

Rated R, 113 minutes.

The Blu-ray DVD offers a new introduction from Parker as well as his commentary. Plus, selected commentary from Rourke, and separate interviews with Rourke and Parker.

*

Also this week: Alfred Hitchcock Presents — Season Four, The Jerry Lewis Show Collection, Angels & Demons, Four Christmases.

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