Theatrical releases out on DVD

A number of recent theatrical releases have found their way to DVD this week, along with some reissued favorites.

Recent films

• "Once" (Fox, 2007; R for language; $29.99). This is a charming, sweet musical romance about an Irish street musician who is approached by a Czech pianist, and how, for the next week, they get to know each other through music. Wonderful songs, natural storytelling and Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova are perfect in the lead roles. The only downbeat comes from occasional R-rated language.

Extras: widescreen, audio commentary, musical commentary

• "The Simpsons Movie" (Fox, 2007, PG-13, $29.98). If you're a fan of "The Simpsons," you'll love this feature-length animated film, which is quite faithful to the TV series. If not, why are you even reading this?

Extras: separate widescreen and full-frame editions, deleted scenes/alternate ending, audio commentaries, featurettes

• "Stardust" (Paramount, 2007, PG-13, $29.99). This fantasy is about a "star" in the sky who falls to the Earth in human form (Claire Danes) and becomes the object of desire for a young man and a witch, both with ulterior motives. The attempt here is "The Princess Bride"-style humor but it generally falls flat — except for Michelle Pfeiffer's hilarious scene-stealing turn as the witch. Robert De Niro is also on hand as a cross-dressing pirate.

Extras: widesreen, deleted scenes, featurette, bloopers

• "Illegal Tender" (Universal, 2007; R for violence, language, sex; $29.98). This crime thriller with a mother-son component has a college student (Rick Gonzalez) unaware that his mom (Wanda De Jesus) is financing his schooling with ill-gotten gains. But eventually, the bad guys show up to collect and the film devolves into dumb action. Good performances, mediocre melodrama.

Extras: widescreen, deleted scenes, featurette

• "Balls of Fury" (Universal, 2007, PG-13, $29.98). This lowbrow, extremely vulgar farce, an off-the-wall spoof of martial-arts flicks, is a showcase for Tony-winning performer Dan Fogler, but he's pretty awful as a down-on-his-luck former table-tennis champ. Christopher Walken, as an Asian gang leader, is very funny, but not enough to elevate the film.

Extras: widecreen, deleted scenes/alternate ending, featurettes