'Liberty Valance' among new DVDs

Extras: widescreen, audio commentary by Peter Bogdanovich, Richard Schickel, Todd McCarthy and Asner, featurettes, trailer, photo/art galleries

"3 Days of the Condor" (Paramount/Blu-ray, 1975; R for violence, language, sex; $29.99). Robert Redford stars in this government-paranoia thriller as a CIA "reader" who becomes the quintessential innocent-man-on-the-run when his workplace is wiped out while he's literally out to lunch. (Sort of "The Bourne Identity" by way of Alfred Hitchcock.)

Sydney Pollack's direction is slick, Redford is at the top of his game, Cliff Robertson and John Houseman are solid as his bosses, and Faye Dunaway deftly handles an extended cameo as a stranger who helps. But it's Max von Sydow as a cultured hitman for hire who steals the show. Fun all the way, with a perfect ending.

This also a good example of a movie that today would most certainly earn a PG-13 instead of an R. (Nice high-definition transfer but no bonus features.)

Extras: widescreen, trailer

"Paul Blart, Mall Cop" (Columbia/Blu-Ray, PG, $39.95). This is a comedy I wanted to enjoy more than I did, with affable Kevin James as the title character, a mild-mannered schlub who finds himself in the middle of a battleground when terrorists take over the mall he patrols.

Sort of a "Die Hard" spoof, this one has its moments and James does squeeze out a few laughs, but the material ultimately lets him down.

Extras: widescreen, deleted scenes, audio commentary (with James and producer Todd Garner), featuretttes, trailers; digital copy; BD-Live functions

"Black Hollywood" (Screen Edge, 1984; not rated but contains occasional foul language, and movie-clip violence; $14.95). Interesting but overly talky documentary exploring how black talent has been treated (and mistreated) by Hollywood over the years, with a sort of call-to-arms by some interviewees. (And obviously in need of an update since much has happened since this was made two-and-a-half decades ago.)

At its best when the talk is backed up by clips, especially during a discussion of the independent "black cinema" of the 1930s and '40s. Standup comic Paul Mooney's monologues occasionally pepper the discussion. (Note his gags about why America isn't ready for a black president!)

Extras: widescreen/full frame

"The Town That Was: A True Story" (Cinevolve, 2007, $22.95). Compelling documentary about the small town of Centralia, Penn., which was a successful mining town of 3,000 residents until a 1962 trash-fire ignited underground anthracite coal — starting a fire that has been burning ever since!

Interviews with experts and former townfolk are interesting but it's current resident John Lokitis who gives the film a real boost, a dedicated young man who refuses to leave, and who single-handedly provides the town's upkeep.

Extras: widescreen, featurettes, music video, photo gallery, trailers

"Infected" (Genius/RHI, 2008; R for violence, language; $14.95). Set in Boston, this Canadian TV movie is an "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" wannabe about aliens using human hosts to breed as food. Unfortunately, the special effects are cheap and cheesy, and attempts at humor fall flat, thwarting Gil Bellows and Isabella Rossellini's best efforts.

Extras: widescreen

E-MAIL: hicks@desnews.com