New this week on DVD and Blu-ray:
"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" - The final film based on Stephenie Meyer's best-selling novels earned some of the best reviews for the series, at least from those who were happy to see some epic battle sequences as the good vampires and the werewolves squared off against the bad vampires. Considering how much money the previous movies made, others were content just to watch Edward and Bella stare at each other intently.
Extras includes a seven-part, making-of documentary along with a commentary track by director Bill Condon and a digital copy. And for those who are loyal members of Team Edward or Team Jacob, there is a feature that will allow viewers to jump directly to their scenes.
Also arriving at midnight Friday is an extended version of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1," which includes an additional eight minutes and a commentary track by Condon. (Summit Entertainment, $30.98 DVD/digital copy, $39.99 Blu-ray/digital copy)
"The Master" - Most of the attention for Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film focused on its Scientology roots and the performance of Joaquin Phoenix, but Philip Seymour-Hoffman's portrayal of a charismatic spiritual leader is what lingers in my mind several months after seeing the film. Hoffman's Lancaster Dodd starts a religion that proclaims man's ability to triumph over his base animal instincts only to find himself trapped by the pressures of marriage and the rules of government. In the words of Bob Dylan, "You gotta serve somebody." With that realization, the lure of a man like Freddie Quell (Phoenix), whose every action seems driven by unbridled desire, becomes intoxicating to Dodd. Phoenix, Hoffman and Amy Adams all received Academy Award nominations for their performances.
Extras include a collection of outtakes and additional scenes, behind-the-scenes footage and the 1946 documentary "Let There Be Light," which was directed by John Huston and focused on the problems WWII veterans faced returning to society. (Anchor Bay, $29.98 DVD, $39.99 Blu-ray)
"Chasing Mavericks" - Jonny Weston plays a California teen who tracks down a surfing legend (Gerard Butler) to help him prepare to ride a mythical wave in this film based on the life of surfer Jay Moriarty. Elisabeth Shue co-stars as the teen's mom. (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, $22.98 DVD, $29.99 Blu-ray)
"Chicken with
Plums" - Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud, who directed the Oscar-nominated animated feature "Persepolis," are responsible for this predominantly live-action film about a musician contemplating death after the loss of his beloved violin.
The disc includes a commentary track by the directors and a question-and-answer session with them recorded at the Tribeca Film Festival. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, $30.99 DVD)
"Company of Heroes" - The World War II-themed game has been transformed into a movie about a group of soldiers planning a raid into Nazi Germany to stop Hitler from developing an atomic bomb. Tom Sizemore, Chad Collins, Vinnie Jones, Neal McDonough and Jurgen Prochnow star.
Extras include the featurettes "In the Trenches: Filming Company of Heroes" and "Fabricating World War II." (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, $22.99 DVD, $30.99 Blu-ray)
"Holy Motors" - Denis Lavant stars in this acclaimed French film that follows on a man on his travels through Paris in a limousine, but each stop plays like an homage to a different film genre. (Indomina, $19.97 DVD, $39.95 Blu-ray)
"The Loneliest Planet" - A camping trip by an engaged couple (Gael Garcia Bernal, Hani Furstenberg) starts to unravel their initially strong ties to one another. (MPI Home Video, $24.98 DVD)
"Freaky Deaky" - Charles Matthau, son of Walter, directs this adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel with a cast that includes Christian Slater, Michael Jai White, Billy Burke, Crispin Glover and Roger Bart. (Entertainment One, $19.98 DVD)