This week’s new DVD releases feature a search for the past and a look to the future.
• “Detectorists”: The series sounds like it would be painfully boring. Two buddies spend their days roaming the British countryside with their metal detectors in hopes of finding historical treasure. The BBC comedy (which also can be seen on the Acorn TV streaming service) is a great example of how a production’s subject can be mundane, but the presentation is enjoyable because of great writing and acting.
Mackenzie Crook (“Game of Thrones”), who also wrote and directed the series, stars with Emmy-nominated actor Toby Jones (“Captain America”) as the two oddball metal-detecting enthusiasts. Both actors are charming, funny and talented, best observed in scenes when they are together.
This is not a show about making huge discoveries, but about friendship and passion for the hunt. Toss in some interesting personal issues provided through standout performances by Rachael Stirling (“The Bletchley Circle”), and her real mother, Diana Rigg (“Game of Thrones”), and “Detectorists” is a sweet trip with some very interesting characters.
The five-disc set features the 18 episodes of three series plus bonus behind-the-scenes featurettes, a Series 2 Christmas special, cast interviews and a photo gallery.
If you don’t live in Britain or subscribe to Acorn TV, track down this DVD release. It’s worth the search.
• “Star Trek: Discovery: Season One”: The only way to see the series before the release on DVD and Blu-ray has been via the CBS All Access streaming service. That made it a good lure for fans hungry for anything new in the “Star Trek” universe, but little more. This first season falls short of the excitement, thrill of exploration and examination of the human and alien conditions other series in the franchise have presented.
“Discovery” is a dark journey more focused on how one Starfleet officer tries to understand all things alien rather than making this a compelling trip to new worlds. Some tweaks are being made for the second season, which shows the first doesn’t boldly go where past series have gone before.
The four-disc Blu-ray and DVD collections feature all 15 episodes plus additional special features.
Also on DVD
• “The Meg”: Large sea creature stands in the way of a rescue mission to save the crew of a deep-sea submersible.
• “Mile 22”: Mark Wahlberg stars in this story of an elite government group assigned to transport a valuable package to safety.
• “Hidden”: Detective Inspector Cadi John (Sian Reese-Williams) begins investigating a young woman’s suspicious drowning after she returns home to help her sisters care for their ailing father.
• “How Long Will I Love You”: Man and a woman living in the same apartment nearly 20 years apart wake one day to find their timelines have merged.
• “The Children Act”: A British High Court judge (Emma Thompson) must rule on a case concerning a teenage boy whose religious convictions prevent him from accepting blood transfusions.
• “The Crown: Season Two”: Follows Queen Elizabeth II from 1956 to 1964 as she deals with her changing role on the global stage.
“Puzzle”: Woman finds a new love for life when she begins to compete in jigsaw tournaments.
• “Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings”: Detective Dee must defend himself against a formidable foe after being accused of wrongdoing by Empress Wu.
• “Nico, 1988”: A look at singer-songwriter Christa P?ffgen, who is leading a solitary existence in Manchester far from her ’60s glam days as vocalist for The Velvet Underground.
• “Juliet, Naked”: Annie (Rose Byrne) develops an unlikely transatlantic romance with a washed-up singer-songwriter.
• “Ancient Invisible Cities”: Professor Darius Arya leads viewers through three of the world’s most astonishing ancient cities.
• “Elementary: The Sixth Season”: Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) fights to salvage his career and his friendship with Watson.
• “The Marine 6: Close Quarters”: Jack Carter (Mike “The Miz” Mizanin) and another former Marine (Shawn Michaels) join forces to rescue a kidnapped girl.
• “Ernie Kovacs: The Centennial Edition”: Combines the previously released volumes of comedy by Kovacs to mark what would be his 100th birthday.
• “Alpha”: Teen and wolf become friends as they fight to survive during the last ice age.
• “The Third Murder”: Lawyer takes on an impossible case only to learn his client is hiding secrets.
• “Final Score”: Ex-soldier (Dave Bautista) wages a one-man war to save his niece who has been abducted by terrorists.
• “Narcos: Season 3”: Cocaine and the war on drugs move closer to home as the Cali cartel expands its operations inside America’s borders.
On digital HD
• “The Equalizer 2”: Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) faces the decision of how far he will go to get justice when that is someone he loves. Available on DVD and Blu-ray Dec. 11.
• “Searching”: A father (John Cho) uses the internet to look for his missing daughter. Set to be released on DVD and Blu-ray Nov. 27.
• “Rising”: Muslim family and their diverse neighbors struggle to survive rising floodwaters and bias.
