Special edition of 'Footloose' on DVD

Three major Hollywood films arrive on DVD this week, including a special-edition re-release of "Footloose," which may be of interest to locals who remember the film being shot in Provo, Payson and environs in 1983.

Of particular interest is Kevin Bacon's audio commentary, wherein he recalls shooting here and makes some interesting — and some odd — comments about Utah and Mormons.

For example, did you know that Utah County was "dry"?

• "Footloose: Special Collector's Edition" (Paramount, 1984, PG, 14.99). As a film, "Footloose" holds up quite well, bolstered by a fine cast of up-and-comers, many of whom went on to much bigger things — chiefly John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest and Sarah Jessica Parker.

And this was, of course, the movie that made Bacon a star, which he admits that he fought every step of the way. (He thought of himself as a serious act-tor!)

He, of course, plays a city boy unwillingly transplanted to a small town where dancing isn't allowed. So, after some scuffles with the town fathers — led by stiff-necked minister Lithgow — he naturally organizes a dance. Lots of good music and great dance moves, and the serious moments also resonate.

In his audio commentary and interviews, Bacon is good-natured about his experience making the film in Utah, and his subsequent career.

Extras: Widescreen, optional audio commentaries (by Bacon; by producer Craig Zadan, writer Dean Pitchford), making-of featurettes, trailer, language options (English, French), subtitle options (English, Spanish), chapters.

• "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (Focus/Universal, 2004; R for language, sex, drugs, violence; $29.98). Written by the offbeat Charlie Kaufman — whose films "Being John Malkovich" and "Adaptation" are wildly overrated in my book — "Eternal Sunshine" is just as bizarre but proves to be much more appealing.

Jim Carrey stars as a New Yorker in mourning after being dumped by his girlfriend (Kate Winslet), who has had her memories of him "erased." So Carrey gets the same treatment, but then changes his mind during the procedure. As he recalls their romance, much of the movie takes place in his mind.

There's no question that the film is imaginative and warm, and the conclusion is clever and satisfying. And Carrey and Winslet demonstrate surprising chemistry. But it may simply be too strange for mainstream audiences.