‘Shrek the Third’ goes for the green

The extras on the DVD of “Shrek the Third” (DreamWorks, $30, set for release today) are mainly for the small fry. Though there are a few added features the young at heart might enjoy -- deleted scenes, clips of the actors voicing their roles and the advances in computer animation -- most adults will probably be bored to tears with the “Big Green Goofs,” “The Donkey Dance” -- complete with step-by-step instructions -- and “Shrek’s Guide to Parenthood.” But there’s one extra that should warm the cockles of Al Gore’s heart: “How to Be Green,” which gives tips to youngsters on conserving resources when it comes to activities such as taking showers and brushing teeth, and prompts them to turn off lights and recycle.

The third installment in the “Ocean’s Eleven” franchise -- “Ocean’s Thirteen” (Warner, $30) -- isn’t as good as the 2001 original starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and a few of their close friends, but a vast improvement over the convoluted “Ocean’s Twelve.” This time around, Danny Ocean (Clooney) and his gang attempt to take down a powerful Las Vegas casino owner (Al Pacino) who wronged one of the group. Extras are pretty slim.

Marion Cotillard is on the short list of performers in the running for best actress awards for the musical biographical drama “La Vie en Rose” (New Line, $28). She gives an exceptional, full-throttle performance as France’s legendary singer, the Little Sparrow -- Edith Piaf. She so inhabits the character that it’s a shock to see the real Cotillard interview in the short extras on how she got into character. Gerard Depardieu also stars in this haunting biopic.

“Paris, Je T’Aime” (First Look, $29) is an enchanting little movie of vignettes set in the arrondissements in the City of Light. Directors include the Coen brothers, Wes Craven, Walter Salles, Gus Van Sant and Alexander Payne. Among the stars -- Steve Buscemi, Gena Rowlands, Juliette Binoche, Nick Nolte and the very busy Gerard Depardieu.

The inspirational biographical drama “Amazing Grace” (Fox, $30) chronicles the life and times of 18th century British politician William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), who fought to abolish the slave trade in England. Extras include an informative documentary on Wilberforce, a behind-the-scenes documentary and thoughtful commentary from Gruffudd and director Michael Apted.

You may wish subtitles came with the commentary on the DVD of Shane Meadows’ well-received “This Is England” (Weinstein, $20), a semi-autobiographical tale of a young boy (Thomas Turgoose) who becomes involved with skinheads in 1980s England. Meadows, Turgoose and producer Mark Herbert’s working-class British accents are so strong at times, their commentary is a bit difficult to comprehend. When they speak slower and more succinctly, it’s easy to follow the jovial trio. Also included is a behind-the-scenes documentary.

Also new

“Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition” (Sony, $40): Three-disc set of Steven Spielberg’s classic sci-fi adventure starring Richard Dreyfuss and the late French director Francois Truffaut includes the original release version, the 1980 re-release that features new scenes and ending and Spielberg’s director’s cut. Included is a comprehensive retrospective documentary, the TCM documentary “Watch the Skies” and a lively new conversation with Spielberg.

“Berlin Alexanderplatz” (Criterion, $100): Along with Volker Schlondorff, Wim Wenders and Werner Herzog, Rainer Werner Fassbinder was one of the young Turks of the New German Cinema that came into the international forefront in the 1970s. Fassbinder was 37 when he died, and his career spanned just 15 years. But he made 35 feature films, two television series, three short films and four video productions and also directed 24 stage plays and four radio plays. Perhaps his greatest triumph was this 1980 TV miniseries, more than 15 hours long, based on Alfred Doblin’s classic modernist novel revolving around an ex-convict (Gunter Lamprecht) who tries to become “an honest soul” in Weimar-era Germany. The divine extras include Hans-Dieter Hartl’s revelatory 1980 documentary “Notes on the Making of ‘Berlin Alexanderplatz’ ” and Phil Jutzi’s 1931 film based on the book.

“With a Song in My Heart” (Fox, $20): Susan Hayward received a best actress nomination for her pitch-perfect performance in this 1952 biopic about singer Jane Froman, who overcame horrific injuries in a plane crash. David Wayne and Rory Calhoun are the men in her life; look for a young Robert Wagner in a small but pivotal role as a young soldier. Extras include two documentaries and a restoration comparison.

“Golden Boy” (Sony, $19): A baby-faced William Holden made his film debut in this juicy 1939 melodrama based on the hit Broadway play by Clifford Odets. Holden plays a boxer who is torn for his love of the violin. Barbara Stanwyck plays the tough-but-tender gal pal of a struggling boxing promoter (Adolphe Menjou). Extras include two vintage shorts and an episode of “Ford Theater” that aired on TV in the mid-1950s starring Stanwyck.

“Johnny Cash Christmas 1976” (Shout Factory, $15): Fans of the Man in Black will relish this TV special set at his farm in Tennessee. Guests include Tony Orlando, Roy Clark, Barbara Mandrell and Merle Travis. Even more entertaining is his 1977 Christmas special ($15), which was shot at the Grand Ole Opry and features Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison.

susan.king@latimes.com