New on DVD: Bradley Cooper stars in ‘Limitless’

Limitless

20th Century Fox, $29.99; Blu-ray, $39.99

Cleverer than the average action-drama, “Limitless” stars Bradley Cooper as a struggling writer who gains access to an experimental drug and becomes an intellectual superman. Soon he finds himself in league with criminals and corporate titans (the latter played by Robert De Niro), all while fretting over his dwindling drug supply. Although “Limitless” is told in too straightforward a fashion — with an over-reliance on voice-over narration — Cooper makes an ideal anti-hero, and the story has such a strong “what will happen next” quality that its dumber elements are excusable. The DVD and Blu-ray include an unrated extended cut, plus an alternate ending and a pair of featurettes.

Peep World

MPI, $24.98; Blu-ray, $29.98

There’s a bit of indie-by-the-numbers to “Peep World,” a star-studded dark comedy undone by forced wackiness. Michael C. Hall, Sarah Silverman and Rainn Wilson play siblings who come together for their dad’s birthday, shortly after another brother has published a tell-all book about their family. Funny moments and performances bubble up out of the quirk, but director Barry Blaustein and screenwriter Peter Himmelstein seem so desperate for laughs that the film comes off as too hollow, lacking a strong emotional core.

Potiche

Music Box, $29.95; Blu-ray, $38.94

François Ozon’s colorful, energetic comedy “Potiche” stars Catherine Deneuve as a resourceful wife who takes over for her surly factory owner husband after he has a heart attack. She immediately improves the lot of the workers and sales of the company’s umbrellas, all while renewing an acquaintance with an old lover, the town’s leftist deputy mayor (played by Gérard Depardieu). Funny, twisty and at times bittersweet, “Potiche” is an effervescent film that makes good use of its 1977 setting, though it does lose some fizz in its third act. The DVD and Blu-ray add a featurette and an extra scene.

Take Me Home Tonight

20th Century Fox, $29.99; Blu-ray, $39.99

The party-comedy “Take Me Home Tonight” recalls the long-ago era of … 2007, when the movie was originally made (before being promptly shelved). But it’s meant to recall 1988, both because that’s when the story is set, and because the film is intended to have the feel of an ‘80s movie, all about a group of young folks — played by Topher Grace, Anna Faris and Dan Fogler — who get high and act crazy while trying to figure out what to do with their lives. The music and atmosphere is spot-on, but there’s a reason “Take Me Home Tonight” went unreleased for so long: Beyond the nostalgic buzz, it doesn’t have much else to offer. The DVD and Blu-ray are pretty neat though, featuring deleted scenes and a good collection of ‘80s music videos.

And…

Boyz N the Hood

Sony Blu-ray, $19.95

Dumbstruck

Magnolia, $26.98

Hey, Boo: Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird

First Run, $24.95

Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune

First Run, $27.95

Top Gear (U.S.): The Complete First Season

BBC Warner, $24.98

Torchwood: The Complete Original U.K. Series

BBC Warner, $119.98; Blu-ray, $129.98