Digital Breakdown: 'Semi-Pro' is semi-funny

SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Will Ferrell cranks out yet another semi-inspired comedy, again traveling back to the 1970s. But instead of delving into local news, as in “Anchorman,” he stumbles, bumbles and fumbles as pro basketball star Jackie Moon, a character who tries to take a loveable bunch of losers to National Basketball Association play. Unlike “Anchorman” or “Talladega Nights,” “Semi-Pro’s” humor seems forced. It’s almost as if Ferrell has lost his snappiness and the desire to take off his clothes and run around naked.

Yet it does have a few laugh-out-loud moments. The unrated DVD edition opens up the comedy; it’s more fun than the PG-13 rated theatrical release. The set has a second disc with four featurettes, new interviews with old NBA players and music videos and more. The Blu-ray edition has even more extras. Price: $34.99 to $39.98. Rent or buy: Rent

RESCUE ME — THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON

Tommy and the gang at the firehouse are back again battling fires, personal demons and post-9/11 stress. In the fourth season, Tommy faces arson charges and deals with his older daughter running away; folks in the rest of the crew have their own problems, including the fate of Chief Reilly.

“Rescue Me” showcases cool guest stars; season four features Susan Sarandon, Gina Gershon and Jennifer Esposito. The DVD’s special features include seven production featurettes, deleted scenes, a blooper reel and minisodes shown on the Internet. Price: $49.95. Rent or buy: Buy

THE EYE — SPECIAL EDITION

Hollywood doesn’t need to think up new horror film ideas; it just can continue borrowing from the East. Following leads by Sarah Michelle Gellar, Naomi Watts and Kristen Bell, Jessica Alba stars in an Asian horror import in which she can see dead people thanks to a corneal eye transplant that restores her sight, but comes with a special bonus: glimpses of the dead among the living. This movie gets its source material from a 2002 Korean film also called “The Eye.”

This version fails to live up to the original; it’s packed with half-baked scares, lousy acting and a plotline that’s impossible to get behind. The DVD’s second disc has four featurettes, deleted scenes, audio commentary, trailers and a digital copy that may be transferred to an iPod or computer. Price: $34.98 $39.99. Rent or buy: Rent

MEET THE SPARTANS UNRATED

Just in case “Date Movie,” the four “Scary Movies,” “Epic Movie” and about half-dozen other parody films weren’t enough, “Meet the Spartans” will help those who need to satisfy their big-budget-movie-spoof fix. This time, “300” is the main focus, but “American Idol,” “Dancing With the Stars,” “Stomp the Yard,” Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and “Transformers” are fodder for a faucet of lowbrow gags (many we’ve heard and seen before). Audio commentary, a gag reel, three behind-the-scenes featurettes and a pop-up trivia game round out the DVD. Price: $29.98 to $39.98. Rent or buy: Rent

WEEDS — SEASON THREE

Showtime is changing “Weeds” completely in the fourth season as a result of what happened at the end of the third season — the town where it takes place was burned down. If you want to begin watching the broadcasts, now’s the time to jump on. The intriguing series is about a housewife who’s forced to sell pot to make ends meet after her husband dies suddenly. Eight audio commentaries, three featurettes, gag reel bios, trivia and a soundtrack sampler accompany the 15 episodes on three discs. This is one of the few TV shows offered in Blu-ray. Price: $39.98. Rent or buy: Buy

GET SMART — THE COMPLETE SERIES

Unfortunately, this isn’t the original series, but the ill-fated, lame remake from 1995, again starring Don Adams and Barbara Feldon. But this one lasted just seven episodes before getting yanked. This updated “Get Smart” wasn’t able to recapture the character and humor of the original. But with the new movie of the same name coming out soon, someone figured die-hard fans would be interested in this cheap buy. Price: $19.98. Rent or buy: Buy, if a fan

Other DVDs out Tuesday: “American Crude,” “The Onion Movie,” “I Love New York — Season Two,” “Flavor of Love — Season Three,” “Flawless,” “Mannix: Season One,” “Boarding Gate” and “The Animation Show — Volume 3.”

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