Little new insight in ‘Diaries’

The Motorcycle Diaries

Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna

Universal, $30

Brazilian director Walter Salles (“Central Station”) directed this acclaimed drama about the arduous journey through South America taken by a young Che Guevara (Gael Garcia Bernal) and his good friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) in the early 1950s. The two set out from Buenos Aires on an old motorcycle dubbed “The Mighty One,” but after it breaks down they hitchhike and travel by foot as they attempt to cross the continent. What begins as a lark turns into a life-changing experience for the two young men.

The extras on the DVD leave you wanting more. There are some interesting deleted scenes, including a funny sequence in which the two hitch a ride with a blind driver; a passable “making of” documentary; a short interview with the real Granado; and two forgettable Spanish-language TV interviews with Bernal. The digital edition, though, suffers due to its lack of a commentary track from Salles, the producers (which include Robert Redford) and the stars.

Saw

Danny Glover, Cary Elwes

Lions Gate, $29

“Saw” is one of the latest in the spate of low-budget R-rated horror films aimed at youth audiences. The film, which had a healthy run at the box office, stars Cary Elwes as a doctor and Leigh Whannell (who also wrote the screenplay) as a freelance photographer who wake up shackled to rusty old pipes in a dirty bathroom; in the middle of the room is a dead man. Danny Glover plays an obsessed detective.

Director James Wan and his friend Whannell have a great sense of humor in their commentary. The DVD also includes a “making of” featurette and two versions of a music video.

*

The Yes Men

Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno

MGM, $30

This documentary chronicles the exploits of Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, two political activists who target the World Trade Organization through humor. Impersonating fictional representatives of the WTO, they give outrageous speeches at conferences around the globe to raise political consciousness. Ironically, the only group that raises an eyebrow at their speeches is a college class in upstate New York, whose members begin throwing things at them when they suggest an interesting way to recycle McDonald’s foods to Third World countries.

The DVD features a few deleted scenes and commentary from the Yes Men as well as directors Chris Smith, Dan Ollman and Sarah Price.

*

Taxi

Queen Latifah, Jimmy Fallon

Fox, $30

Most critics agreed that this buddy comedy was just cruising on fumes when it was released last fall. Despite the presence of Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon, in his first post-”Saturday Night Live” gig, “Taxi” tanked at the box office. Based on a hit French comedy from Luc Besson, “Taxi” finds Fallon playing a cop with a terrible driving problem who hooks up with a female cabby with a souped-up vehicle to catch the bad guys.

The digital edition is a waste of time. There’s an extended version of the movie that’s 15 minutes longer than the theatrical release, plus some silly mini-documentaries that show Fallon mugging outrageously. Director Tim Story supplies the commentary.

*

-- Susan King

*

Also this week

“Raise Your Voice” (New Line: $27.95) and “Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War” (Columbia TriStar: $28.96).

Top video rentals

1. “The Grudge”

2. “Ray”

3. “Shall We Dance?”

4. “Alien Vs. Predator”

5. “Friday Night Lights”

What’s coming

Tuesday: “I (heart) Huckabees” and “Around the Bend”

March 1: “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie,” “Exorcist: The Beginning,” “Flight of the Phoenix” and “Incident at Loch Ness”

March 8: “Ladder 49,” “Stage Beauty,” “Lightning in a Bottle” and “Woman Thou Art Loosed”