Want good time? Skip newest DVDs

These are some new-to-DVD movies released this week.

"Lookin' to Get Out! Extended Version" (Warner, 1982; R for language, nudity; $19.97). Star, co-producer and co-writer Jon Voight was the driving force behind bringing to DVD this 15-minutes-longer "director's cut" of the gambling comedy.

Apparently, director Hal Ashby 's edit of the film was locked away after the studio released a different version that flopped both with critics and at the box office (and was released on VHS).

However, despite Voight's enthusiasm, as exhibited in a new bonus featurette, this one simply proves that, as the cliche goes, you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

The story has chronic losers Voight and Burt Young leaving mob debts in New York to make a big score in Las Vegas, where they meet up with a blackjack legend (Bert Remsen) and Voight's ex (Ann-Margret). (Voight's character also finds that he has a daughter, played by his own 7-year-old daughter, Angelina Jolie.)

The biggest problem is that the characters are so unlikable — most crucially, Voight's. And, sadly, that hasn't changed with this edit.

Extras: widescreen, featurette (new interviews with Voight, Ann-Margret, Young), trailer

"The Human Contract" (Sony, 2009; R for sex, language, violence; $24.96). Jada Pinkett Smith wrote, directed and has a supporting role in this downbeat look at a high-rolling ad exec (Jason Clarke) with anger issues whose life unravels as he is led down a kinky road by a wounded woman (Paz Vega) he meets in a bar, both of them carrying heavy secrets.

Smith plays his sister, an abused wife, Joanna Cassidy is his mother and Ted Danson has two scenes as his boss. (Smith's husband Will co-produced.)

A stilted attempt at "Crash"-like melodrama, this one is sleazy and unpleasant, with a story never quite gels, despite earnest performances.

Extras: widescreen, audio commentary, featurettes, trailers

"Tunnel Rats: Unrated Director's Cut" (Vivendi, 2008, $26.99). Depressing Vietnam War picture has specially trained American soldiers (led by Michael Pare) going up against the Viet Cong in underground tunnels. Interesting idea is hard to take with characters that never quite come alive.

Extras: widescreen, deleted scenes, audio commentary, featurettes

"Sea Beast" (Genius/RHI, 2008, $14.95). The famous "Jaws" poster was unveiled in 1975, and here it is more than 30 years later and it's still being ripped off (see the box art for this title). This Sci Fi Channel movie, originally titled "Troglodyte," has computer-animated sea creatures adapting to land as they attack fishing villagers in a seacoast town. Messy shlock.

Extras: widescreen, trailers

"Backwoods" (Genius/RHI, 2008, $14.95). Another sleazy variation on "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "The Hills Have Eyes" by way of "Deliverance," this time with crazed survivalists deep in a national park attacking, raping and killing members of a corporate retreat (the cast is led by Haylie Duff). Unpleasant at best.

E-MAIL: hicks@desnews.com