New DVDs | 'A Serious Man,' 'The Stepfather,' 'The Time Traveler's Wife,' 'Couples Retreat'

New DVDs |

Catch a serious Oscar contender for best picture and original screenplay, out on DVD Tuesday. Star ratings are by Seattle Times movie reviewers, freelancers or wire services (for full reviews, search the movie title at seattletimes.com).

"A Serious Man" (R): Nominated for two Academy Awards, the black comedy — written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen — stars Michael Stuhlbarg as a physics professor facing an ever-lengthening list of trials in 1967 Midwestern suburbia.

"The Stepfather" (PG-13): Nelson McCormick's remake of the 1987 serial-killer-in-mommy's-bed thriller features Dylan Walsh, Penn Badgley and Sela Ward.

"The Time Traveler's Wife" (PG-13): Rachel McAdams plays the frustrated wife of a man (Eric Bana) who has a genetic disorder that inconveniently whooshes him into different time periods.

"Couples Retreat" (PG-13): Four couples, each struggling in their relationship, agree to go to a tropical resort that specializes in couples counseling. The happy eightsome: Vince Vaughn, Malin Ackerman, Jon Favreau, Kristin Davis, Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell, Faizon Love and Kali Hawk.

"Serious Moonlight" (R): This black comedy, directed by Cheryl Hines and written by Adrienne Shelly (her final movie), follows Meg Ryan and Timothy Hutton as a couple with serious problems.

TV on DVD

"Army Wives: The Complete Third Season"

"Gary Unmarried: The Complete First Season"

"JAG: The Final Season"

"The Life & Times of Tim: The Complete First Season"

"SG-U Stargate Universe: 1.0"

Lori Taki Uno: luno@seattletimes.com