Digital Breakdown: Get engulfed by ‘Mist’ features

SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Writer-director Frank Darabont loves Stephen King. He made “The Shawshank Redemption,” a wonderful film, and “The Green Mile,” both based on stories by King. “The Mist,” which sounds like a bad remake of “The Fog,” also is from a King story. But “The Mist” isn’t heartwarming or symbolic. It’s about what happens when a mysterious fog rolls into an ordinary town, and people (including a super-religious crazy lady) get trapped in a supermarket. There even are nasty insect-like creatures with a taste for human flesh. It turns out the mist is actually a government experiment gone awry, leaving the townspeople fighting for their lives. The DVD’s special features are incredibly good for a major-market horror release. They include a black-and-white version of the film on the second disc, eight deleted scenes, audio commentary from Darabont, a conversation with King and five featurettes on the film’s production. Price: $32.95. Rent or buy: Buy.

THEM

Horror film fans, “Them” is right up your alley. Some viewers may mind that it is from France and subtitled. If you can get past that, try it. The creepy, atmospheric movie is about a couple in a secluded old mansion in the woods that get terrorized by “Them” — creatures roaming outside trying to get in. The simple storytelling is great; brooding photography and building tension instead of blood and gore are what scare your pants off. Three featurettes, trailers and the usual fare round out the DVD. Price: $24.98 Rent or buy: Good rental.

THE KITE RUNNER

This film, which was banned in Afghanistan, will haunt you long after it’s over. “The Kite Runner,”based on the best-selling novel, balances themes of good versus evil but thoroughly runs the gamut in between. It begins in lush, fertile Afghanistan before the Soviets invaded and before the Taliban took over. The movie follows the path of two boys, friends from childhood, who are tested beyond measure in adulthood as the invasion of Kabul is on the horizon. Unsettling and powerful, “The Kite Runner” is a film everyone should see. Price: $29.99. Rent or buy: Buy.

DAY BREAK — THE COMPLETE SERIES

ABC debuted this mid-season replacement series about a guy having his own “Groundhog Day” last year while “Lost” was on hiatus. It didn’t do so well. Only four episodes aired before it was yanked. However, in the short time it was on, it garnered a dedicated audience. Here on DVD, in addition to what was broadcast, are nine more episodes. Price: $39.98. Rent or buy: Buy, if a fan.

PARTY OF FIVE — THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON

Before Matthew Fox was on “Lost,” he appeared as the big brother in “Party of Five,“ the über-drama about family struggling to make ends meet after the parents are killed in an auto accident. The series remained a solid fan favorite even after some of its more popular actors left, and was brought back from cancellation more than once by viewers’ support. Price: $39.95 Rent or buy: Buy, if a fan.

Also coming out on DVD Tuesday: “Wristcutters: A Love Story,” “Bonnie and Clyde — Ultimate Collector’s Edition,” “Tripping the Rift: The Movie,” “Warner Bros. Pictures Gangsters Collection,” “April Fool’s Day,” “Frisky Dingo — Season One,” “PTU: Police Tactical Unit,” “Wings — The Sixth Season” and “Painkiller — The Complete Series.”

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