'Everybody's Fine' among releases

A number of recent theatrical films and a few that went straight to home video lead off this look at movies that are new to DVD.

"The Damned United" (Sony Classics/Blu-ray, 2009; R for language; $34.95). Michael Sheen, who impressed in "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," stars as real-life soccer coach Brian Clough, a loud but successful molder of players who has an obsession with his arch-rival, an oblivious coach named Don Revie (Colm Meaney).

Sheen is so good here that many thought he would land an Oscar nomination. Sadly, the film never caught on in the way that attracts Academy voters. But it's a highly entertaining sports film that gets quite a boost from his presence.

Extras: widescreen, deleted scenes, audio commentary, featurettes, trailers (also on DVD, $28.96)

"The Informant!" (Warner, 2009; R for language; $28.98). Matt Damon's character is both the boon and bane of this dark political satire based on a true story about the government's highest-ranking whistleblower. While he is resolute in his effort to bring down his price-fixing bosses in the food industry, he's also a smug fabricator/exaggerator and his voiceover thoughts will wear you down.

Damon is convincing and the supporting cast is fine, but Steven Soderbergh's direction is heavy-handed, with flourishes (including an abrasive musical score) that eventually make the film more annoying than amusing.

Extras: widescreen, deleted scenes, trailers

"Everybody's Fine" (Miramax, 2009, PG-13, $29.99). Robert De Niro is a widowed parent estranged from his adult children (Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale), all of whom have cancelled plans to visit him over the holidays. So he decides to surprise each of them in various parts of the country, dropping in unexpectedly.

All of the kids are keeping secrets and a fourth has gone missing in what is essentially a TV-style melodrama bolstered by a sterling cast.

Extras: widescreen, deleted/extended scenes, featurette, trailers

"The Box" (Warner, 2009, PG-13, $28.98). Cameron Diaz and James Marsden are a married couple in the 1970s who receive a mysterious box from an even more mysterious stranger (Frank Langella). If they open it and press a button, they'll receive a million dollars. And someone they don't know will die.