DVD’s an Optimus Prime experience

“Transformers” (Paramount, $37), the summer blockbuster based on the Hasbro toy line, arrives today on DVD.

The live-action “Transformers,” which has grossed more than $300 million in North America alone, boasts Steven Spielberg as an executive producer, director Michael Bay (“The Rock,” “Pearl Harbor”) and the next-big-thing Shia LaBeouf as the teenager who joins the good robots, called Autobots, to save the world from the evil Decepticons.

The two-disc set is overflowing with fun extras including the comprehensive documentary “Our World,” which explores the franchise. Last month, Dimension released the DVD of “Death Proof,” Quentin Tarantino’s half of the “Grindhouse” double feature, which was released to disappointing box-office results in the spring. Today, the company is bringing out the other half, “Planet Terror,” written, produced, edited, photographed and directed by Robert Rodriguez. The fast-paced double-disc of extras features one of Rodriguez’s DVD mainstays: “10 Minute Film School With Robert Rodriguez,” in which he talks about the film’s special effects. There’s also a “you-are-there” audience reaction track.

Richard Gere gives one of his most engaging performances in “The Hoax” (Miramax, $30), a lighthearted adaptation of Clifford Irving’s book about how he sold his bogus “autobiography” of Howard Hughes to a major New York publishing firm. Extras include Mike Wallace’s memories of interviewing the author on “60 Minutes.”

Michael Winterbottom directed “A Mighty Heart” (Paramount, $30), the gripping adaptation of Mariane Pearl’s bestseller about the search for her husband, journalist Daniel Pearl, after he was kidnapped in Pakistan. Angelina Jolie plays Mariane. Included is an above-average “making of” featurette.

Also new

“Crazy Love” (Magnolia, $27): Dan Klores’ fascinating documentary about the sick, strange and obsessive relationship between Linda and Burt Pugach. (He made headlines when he arranged to have her face disfigured by acid.) Extras include interviews with the director and the couple.

“Girl 27” (Westlake, $20): When writer David Stenn was researching his book on Jean Harlow, he came across news stories from 1937 about a young chorus girl named Patricia Douglas who said she had been brutally raped at a party thrown for MGM salesmen at Hal Roach’s ranch. The story, though, was quickly quieted by the powerful studio. In this heartfelt and harrowing documentary, Stenn tries to discover what happened that fateful night.

“The Reaping” (Warner, $20): Two-time Oscar-winner Hilary Swank tries her best in this silly thriller. Extras include a fascinating featurette, “Science of the Plagues,” which offers logical explanations to the plagues.

“My Best Friend” (IFC, $25): Director Patrice Leconte’s charming French comedy about an abrasive antiques dealer (Daniel Auteuil) who learns how to make friends. Extras include a “making of” featurette.

“Carlos Saura’s Flamenco Trilogy” (Eclipse, $36): In the 1980s, the noted Spanish filmmaker teamed up with the famed flamenco dancer and choreographer Antonio Gades for a series of electrifying movies.

“Icons of Horror Collection: Sam Katzman” (Sony, $25): Four yummy camp horror classics from the legendary Columbia producer who specialized in low-budget films.