Older films, 2 newer releases hit DVD

Here are some older movies that have been newly released on DVD, along with a pair of more recent films that are highly recommendable.

"The President's Analyst" (Paramount, 1967, not rated, $14.99). James Coburn stars in this dark political/social satire, a study in '60s paranoia, as a psychiatrist recruited to be the personal analyst to the U.S. president (whom we never see).

But it isn't long before Coburn has a mental breakdown, due to the pressure of harboring national secrets the president has unloaded. So he hits the road with a hippie band, until he is targeted by spies from every nation — including Canada.

Coburn is perfect, and ably aided by American spy Godfrey Cambridge and Russian spy Severn Darden in this funny black comedy. It drags a bit during the protracted hippie sequence, and some of the references are dated, but otherwise it holds up quite well. And the ending is a hoot!

Extras: Widescreen, optional English subtitles, chapters.

"Goodbye, Columbus" (Paramount, 1969, PG but with very adult sex and nudity), $14.99). This episodic social comedy/drama — adapted from Philip Roth's novel, and owing no small debt to "The Graduate" — has some witty moments but loses steam as it winds down. Richard Benjamin and Ali MacGraw, in the first film for both, star as, respectively, an aimless college-dropout currently working as a librarian and a spoiled college student, whose family (headed by Jack Klugman) is the very definition of nouveau riche.

The collection of vignettes that chronicles their romance boasts some smart, funny dialogue and some unexpectedly warm scenes, but it's also very much a film of its period. (With three songs by The Association.)

Extras: Widescreen, language options (English, French), English subtitle option, chapters.

"The Station Agent" (Miramax, 2003; R for language; $2.99). Peter Dinklage is superb in this wonderful character study of a dwarf who inherits an old, rundown train depot in New Jersey, and the offbeat characters who surround him. The rest of the cast is also quite good, including Bobby Cannavale as a food vendor and Patricia Clarkson as a woman with tragic memories.

Writer-director Tom McCarthy is a talent to watch for in the future, if this funny, heartwarming and heartwrenching film is any indication. Gee, a movie about people that touches the audience deeply; what a concept.