Here are this week's hottest home video releases:
CHIPS
Michael Pena and Dax Shepard play mismatched motorcycle cop partners in this adaptation of the 1977-83 TV series. The laughs are hit and miss, dying out later in the film as the by-the-numbers mystery sluggishly plays out. There are plenty of nods to satisfy fans of the series, including an appearance by original star Erik Estrada. Adam Brody, Vincent D'Onorio and Kristen Bell also provide some bright spots. Extras in the Blu-ray/digital copy combo include filmmaker commentary, deleted scenes, and a slew of making-of featurettes.
The Marseilles Trilogy (Criterion)
This 1931 collection of trailblazing French filmmaker Marcel Pagnol's films "Marius," "Fanny" and "Cesar" show some bold, early attempts to bridge stage presentation to the cinematic medium. The Criterion Blu-ray set captures all three films with fresh transfers from original film stock, an introduction from French filmmaker Bertrand Travernier, a tribute booklet, a documentary on Pagnol's career and vintage actor interviews.
The Pink Panther Film Collection
Fans of Peter Sellers' memorable work as bumbling inspector Jacques Clouseau will eat up this six-disc collection of all of filmmaker Blake Edwards' films, which ranged from 1964 to 1982. "The Pink Panther," "A Shot in the Dark," "The Return of the Pink Panther," "The Pink Panther Strikes Again," "Revenge of the Pink Panther" and "Trail of the Pink Panther" are all here, each with new featurettes and commentary tracks by a film historian.
Teletubbies: Bubbles
Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po get together for their brand of adorable and often head-scratching antics in the enduring children's show. The "Bubbles" collection rounds up six bath-themed episodes, and also packs in two new featurettes: a Laa-Laa making-of film and the earworm "Heads, Shoulers Knees and Toes" video.
T2 Trainspotting
Director Danny Boyle rounds up the cast from the original "Trainspotting" -- Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Johnny Lee Miller and Robery Carlyle -- to catch up with the formerly heroin-addled blokes 21 years after the original iconic drama. Some of the magic from the original film returns, and the entire production is a treat for fans of the original. But overall, the characters just aren't as interesting in their 40s as they were in their 20s. Extras in the Blu-ray/digital copy combo include cast interviews, deleted scenes and filmmaker commentary.
The Zookeeper's Wife
In this thoughtful, meditative adaptation of the bestselling Diane Ackerman book, Niki Caro directs Jessica Chastain as Antonina, a caring matriarch who uses the insight and finesse she picked up as an animal caretaker and mother to keep her family safe during German occupation of Poland World War II. Filled with tender notes and historical insight, the film lives up to the promise of the book and is well worth a look for enthusiasts of the period. Deleted scenes, a making-of featurette and interviews with the subjects' children are included in the Blu-ray/digital copy combo.
Studios provided review screeners.
