DVD previews: 'Nightcrawler,' 'Alexander' hit video Tuesday

Here's a look at DVDs coming out Tuesday, Feb. 10:

“Nightcrawler” (R, 117 minutes, Universal): True to its title, this impressive directorial debut from screenwriter Dan Gilroy creeps under the viewer's skin much like the predatory title character, who restlessly cruises through this modern-day media allegory like Travis Bickle's long-lost, hyper-wired West Coast cousin. Lou Bloom is a young man on the make, an ambitious, mercenary margin-dweller who scrapes by as a petty criminal and then finds a way to make money by filmming crime scenes and selling the footage. Channeled by an almost unrecognizable Jake Gyllenhaal — here alarmingly gaunt, wild-eyed, rictus-grinning, his voice a high-pitched, reedy patter — Lou is the jittery, jaundiced avatar of the fatal collision of burgeoning technology, dying legacy media and a society in cultural and economic extremes. The movie's most sobering point isn't that soldiers of misfortune such as Lou exist, but the degree to which mainstream media has jumped into bed with them. The film ultimately turns its rancid gaze on the audience itself, questioning the bull market for lurid true-crime tales. “Is that blood on your shirt?” news producer Nina (Rene Russo) asks Lou at one point. Yes, and it's on his hands — and everyone else's. Contains violence and language. Extras include a making-of featurette and commentary with Gilroy, his twin brother John Gilroy (editor) and older brother Tony Gilroy (producer).

“Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” (PG, 81 minutes, Disney): Going to a live-action family film usually entails plenty of eye rolling, low expectations and overpriced concessions. So imagine the novelty of a family-friendly movie that makes parents and older siblings laugh while still firmly appealing to the elementary-school crowd. Extras: “Snappy Crocs & Punch Roos: The Australian Outback Party” featurette and the Vamps music video of “Hurricane.” Also, on Blu-ray: bloopers and featurettes.

“Rosewater” (R, 103 minutes, Universal): A harrowing and inspirational survival story, “Rosewater” also gives off more than a whiff of dark comedy — one whose subject is bureaucracy and the banality of evil. First-time writer-director Jon Stewart, the “Daily Show” host, does an impressive job of balancing the story's tonal shifts, largely keeping the melodrama at bay while at the same time modulating the film's surreal humor. “Rosewater” is both a faithful and a forceful adaptation of “Then They Came For Me,” the 2011 memoir of Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari (played by Gael Garcia Bernal). Set during the run-up to Iran's disputed 2009 presidential election and the chaotic street protests that followed, the film tells the story of Bahari's arrest and imprisonment for 118 days, under suspicion of spying. Contains violence and language. Extras include featurettes.

“Kill the Messenger” (R, 112 minutes, Universal): Inspired by the true story of Gary Webb — the San Jose Mercury News reporter known for a controversial series of articles suggesting a link between the CIA, the California crack epidemic and the Nicaraguan contras — this slightly overheated drama begins and ends with innuendo. In between is a generous schmear of insinuation. The film presents the reporter (played with roguish intensity by Jeremy Renner) as a misunderstood crusader whose reporting, while arguably flawed, was unfairly maligned by larger newspapers. As for the CIA, the agency is portrayed as a gang of goons that stoops to intimidation and, it is strongly implied, worse in their effort to silence Webb. Contains language and drug content. Extras: commentary with director Michael Cuesta, deleted scenes and featurettes.

Also: “Laggies,” “Addicted,” “Predestination,” “In Your Eyes,” “The Song,” “The Lookalike,” “RPG,” “A Day in the Country” (1936), “Don't Look Now” (1973), “Tarzan” (animated), “A Mouse Tale,” “Brotherhood of Blades,” “Frankenstein vs. The Mummy,” “Fear Clinic,” “Poker Night,” “101 Dalmatians Diamond Edition” (1961) and “Family Classics: The Easter Promise/Addie and the King of Hearts.”

Television series: “Olive Kitteridge,” “Nurse Jackie: Season Six,” “Batman: Second Season, Part 1” (original 1966 series), “Mama's Family: Sixth Season,” “The Carol Burnett Show: Together Again,” “Chuggington: Turbo Charged Chugger,” “Maison Close: Season One” (France), “Power Rangers Super Megaforce: The Silver Warrior,” “Greatest Heroes of the Bible: Volumes One, Two and Three,” “Puff the Magic Dragon Triple Feature,” “Dorothy in the Land of Oz” (1980), “Peter & The Magic Egg” (1983), “Strawberry Shortcake Double Feature,” “Digimon Fusion” and “Digimon Tamers Volume 1” (2001).