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DVD previews: 'Transformers,' 'Chef' come home Tuesday

Here's a look at DVDs coming out Tuesday, Sept. 30:

"Transformers: Age of Extinction" (PG-13, 165 minutes, Paramount): It's only natural to get a little excited about the film's title, and not because it means another installment of talking machines battling to the death. It's the word "extinction." Could this mean that Michael Bay is throwing in the towel on his loud and lumbering franchise after this fourth chapter? But, no, a fifth movie is reportedly in the works. The extinction in the title refers to the fact that some loathsome Transformers were responsible for the annihilation of dinosaurs, and they may have a similar plan for humans. This "Transformers" is technically a reboot, with a new cast of characters led by Mark Wahlberg and T.J. Miller. Contains violence, language and innuendo. Blu-ray extras include an in-depth interview with Bay; a seven-part behind-the-scenes documentary; five other featurettes including "T.J. Miller: Farm Hippie" and "The Angry Birds Transformers: Origin Story." Available in 3-D.

"Chef" (R, 115 minutes, Universal): In culinary terms, "Chef" is comfort food. It's not great art, but it's deeply satisfying, down to the soul. The feel-good story of a Los Angeles chef who opens a food truck after he loses his job in a high-end restaurant marks the return of writer, director and star Jon Favreau to the kind of character-driven indie he was once known for. Since 2008, the writer and co-star of "Swingers," his 1996 breakout, has been better known as the director of the first two "Iron Man." With "Chef," it's great to have the old guy back. Contains language and sexual situations. Extras include commentary with Favreau and chef/co-producer Roy Choi, deleted scenes.

"Third Person" (R, 137 minutes, Sony): Director Paul Haggis' film featuring interlocking stories of love, passion, trust and betrayal is filmed on location in some of the world's handsomest getaway destinations, but, as is true with so much of Haggis' work, it suffers from an airless, too-neat lack of connection with organic life. The performances are consistently impressive, especially Olivia Wilde's spiky, unpredictable mistress, Liam Neeson's moody author and Mila Kunis' strung-out young mom, who, due to her own flaws and a conspiracy of outside forces, emerges as the omnibus' most genuinely tragic figure. Contains language, sexual situations and brief nudity. Extras include filmmaker commentary, a Q&A with Haggis and a making-of featurette.

Also: "Hellion," "Decoding Annie Parker," "Lucky Them," "Sniper: Legacy," "Sordid Lives," "Cold in July," "Gone With the Wind 75th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition," "The Paranormal Diaries: Clophill," "Nova: Vaccines - Calling the Shots," "Ivory Tower," "Sundays and Cybele," "American Muscle," "The Mystery of Agatha Christie With David Suchet," "Motown 25: Yesterday - Today - Forever" (1983 TV concert), "Wolf," "Thunder and the House of Magic," "Grave Halloween," "Monster High: Freaky Fusion" and "Martin Clune's Wild Life."

Television series: "The Mentalist: Fifth Season," "Mike & Molly: Fourth Season," "24: The Complete Series" (includes this year's "24: Live Another Day," available separately, and the TV movie "24: Redemption"), "Agatha Christie's Marple, Series 6," "Time Team America: Seasons 1 and 2," "Walker, Texas Ranger: The Reunion," "The Field of Blood, Set 1" and "My Little Pony: The Complete Series."

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