New on DVD

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Paramount, $29.99; Blu-ray, $44.99

After the vulgar, witless hunk of junk that was “Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen,” director Michael Bay rebounds a bit with the third live-action “Transformers” movie, getting back to the series’ roots as a vehicle for dopey teen romance and giant-robot-fighting. “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” again stars Shia LaBeouf as the good-hearted but dorky human who helps the heroic Autobots fend off an invasion of Earth by the vicious Decepticons. The film is too long, with metal-on-metal clashes that drag on interminably, but the attempts to tie the Autobot/Decepticon war to American history and the space-race are fairly clever, and LaBeouf is charming as always. For those merely interested in checking out the movie, a bare-bones DVD and Blu-ray was issued Sept. 30. Fans of the series, however, might want to wait for the more features-packed edition that Paramount is promising to release at some unspecified date.

Carlos

Criterion, $49.95; Blu-ray, $49.95

The strange, dangerous life and times of notorious international terrorist Carlos the Jackal gets vividly depicted in Olivier Assayas’ epic five-hour biopic “Carlos.” Originally made for French television, “Carlos” is divided into three parts: The first deals with Carlos’ transition from activist to killer, the second largely centers on one tense mission, and the third tracks the terrorist’s pathetic decline. Édgar Ramírez gives a riveting performance in the title role, while Assayas uses new wave music and news broadcasts to convey the way the culture of the ‘70s changed and grew away from his protagonist, as revolutionary fervor inevitably deteriorated into something baser. Criterion’s terrific “Carlos” DVD and Blu-ray come with interviews and documentaries about the film and about the real Jackal.

Footloose: Deluxe Edition

Paramount, $14.98; Blu-ray, $24.99

Before the “Footloose” remake hits theaters, why not spend a little time with the original? A ripe slice of ‘80s cheese — starring Kevin Bacon as a dance enthusiast stranded in a dance-hating small town — “Footloose” has a simplistic plot but a snappy approach, driven by montages and high-energy pop music. The new special-edition DVD and Blu-ray are fan-friendly, adding a Bacon commentary track, vintage behind-the-scenes material and additional featurettes that cover what a sensation “Footloose” was in 1984 and how beloved it remains.

The Hour: Series One

BBC Warner, $34.98; Blu-ray, $39.98

The world of British television in the late ‘50s comes under scrutiny in “The Hour,” a BBC drama starring Ben Whishaw as an idealistic TV reporter who gets drafted to work on a new public affairs show while simultaneously investigating a Cold War conspiracy. “The Hour’s” merging of spy-thriller elements with whiz-bang retro dialogue is clumsy at times, but Whishaw is terrific as a fast-talking, quick-witted man with a cause, smitten by the pioneering female producer he secretly loves (Romola Garai) and irritated by the handsome, shallow anchor (Dominic West) who’s the face of their program. The six-episode first season DVD and Blu-ray feature sophisticated drama, as well as a pair of featurettes.

How to Make It in America: Season One

HBO, $39.98; Blu-ray, $49.99

Though hardly the highest-profile series airing on HBO, the half-hour drama “How to Make It in America” is one of the most distinctive, resembling an episodic independent film more than a conventional broadcast or cable show. Bryan Greenberg stars as a New York design student looking to fast-track his career in the fashion industry rather than paying his dues in apprenticeships and the like. The eight episodes that make up the “How to Make It in America” DVD and Blu-ray — which also contain commentary tracks, deleted scenes and featurettes — follow Greenberg’s Ben and his pal Cam (Victor Rasuk) as they hustle to sell a line of vintage-looking T-shirts, all while dealing with shady financial backers, meddlesome ex-girlfriends and the distractions of Gotham night life.

And…

Ben-Hur: 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition

Warner Bros., $49.92; Blu-ray, $64.99

The Ledge

MPI, $24.98; Blu-ray, $29.98

Viva Riva!

Music Box, $29.96

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