'Star Wars' saga arrives in high-def

Ardent "Star Wars" fans may feel the Force tugging at their wallets this week.

On Friday, director George Lucas will unveil "Star Wars: The Complete Saga On Blu-ray" (Fox; $139.99), which marks the debut of the wildly popular sci-fi series in high definition.

The nine-disc "Complete Saga" set offers the films - "Episode I: The Phantom Menace," "Episode II: Attack of the Clones," "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith," "Episode IV: A New Hope," "Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back," and "Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" - and more than 40 hours of extras. They include deleted, extended and alternate scenes; commentary by Lucas on all six titles; and eight documentaries.

The all-new documentaries include: "Star Warriors" (a look at "Star Wars" costume enthusiasts who belong to the 501st Legion fan group, which wears accurate replicas of Imperial Stormtrooper uniforms); "A Conversation With the Masters: ‘The Empire Strikes Back' 30 Years Later" (featuring interviews with Lucas, the late director Irvin Kershner, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and composer John Williams); and "Star Wars Spoofs" (offering parodies created over the years, including clips from "Family Guy," "The Simpsons" and "How I Met Your Mother").

Less expensive packages - "Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy: Episodes I-III" ($69.99, Blu-ray Disc; $49.99, DVD) and "Star Wars: The Original Trilogy: Episodes IV-VI" ($69.99, Blu-ray only) - are also available.

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New discs arriving!

The following Blu-ray Disc and DVD titles recently landed or are coming soon to a video outlet near you.

The offerings can be mail-ordered by going to the websites amazon.com or moviesunlimited.com or rented via netflix.com, and some can be obtained via digital download, unless otherwise noted.

Movies

"Better Off Dead" (Paramount; $12.99, DVD; $22.99, Blu-ray Disc; now available) with John Cusack in a PG-rated dark comedy (1985) about a teenager considering drastic measures after his girlfriend dumps him for a more popular guy at school.

"Beverly Lewis' The Shunning" (Sony; $22.99, DVD; Sept. 13) with Michael Landon Jr. directing an unrated Hallmark Channel movie about a girl who struggles with the rules that define her sheltered Amish community.

"Dear Lemon Lima" (Phase 4; $29.99, DVD; now available) with Melissa Leo in a PG-13 family comedy about a girl who reacts to being dumped by gathering a group of misfits to help her win back her boyfriend.

"Haunting at the Beacon" (Take 2 Releasing; $19.99, DVD; Sept. 13) with Teri Polo in an unrated supernatural thriller about a mother who is depressed over the death of a child and becomes convinced that a ghost in a Texas hotel is bringing messages from her son.

"A Horrible Way to Die" (Anchor Bay; $26.99, DVD; $34.99, Blu-ray Disc; now available) with AJ Bowen in an R-rated chiller about an escaped killer terrorizing a Midwestern town.

"Just Peck" (Image; $27.99, DVD; Sept. 13) with Keir Gilchrist, Kyle Kaplan and Adam Arkin in an unrated coming-of-age comedy about a teenager who wants to be more than just average in high school.

"Leading Ladies" (Wolfe; $24.99, DVD; Sept. 13) with Melanie LaPatin and Benji Schwimmer in an unrated comedy about two sisters, their gay best friend, and an overzealous stage mom who has her family's life revolve entirely around ballroom dancing.

"Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown" (Sony; $26.99, DVD; Sept. 13) with director-star Michael Jai White in an unrated action tale about four college-age fighters training for a brutal underground fighting competition.

"Quarantine 2: Terminal" (Sony; $26.99, DVD; now available) with John G. Pogue directing an R-rated direct-to-video sequel about a deadly virus that escapes from an infected building and boards a late-night flight.

"Stake Land" (MPI; $27.99, DVD; $29.99, two-disc special-edition DVD; $34.99, Blu-ray Disc; now available) with Jim Mickle directing an R-rated tale about a lethal vampire hunter.

"Thor" (Paramount; $29.99, DVD; $44.99, Blu-ray/DVD combo pack + digital copy; $54.99, three-disc combo with 3-D Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD + digital copy; Sept. 13) with muscular Chris Hemsworth as the Marvel superhero who's a god and uses a giant hammer to protect the innocent. Kenneth Branagh directed the PG-13 fantasy epic.

"True Legend" (Vivendi; $19.99, DVD; $29.99, Blu-ray Disc; Sept. 13) with Michelle Yeoh and the late David Carradine in an R-rated martial arts picture about two brothers battling to become the ultimate warrior.

"United 93" (Universal; $14.99, DVD; $26.99, Blu-ray Disc; now available) with Paul Greenberg directing the intense R-rated drama about the brave passengers fighting terrorists who plan to crash the aircraft. The extras include two featurettes ("United 93: The Families and the Film" and "Chasing Planes: Witnesses to 9/11").

Television

"The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fourth Season" (Warner; $44.99, DVD; $54.99, Blu-ray Disc; Sept. 13) with Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Raunch in 24 episodes from the fourth year of the popular sitcom with some eccentric characters. The extras include a featurette with the actors interviewing one another and a gag reel.

"Camelot - The Complete First Season" (Starz; $49.99, DVD; $59.99, Blu-ray Disc; Sept. 13) with Joseph Fiennes and Eva Green in a three-disc set with all 10 episodes from the premiere year of the adult-oriented cable series on the legend of King Arthur. The extras include making-of featurettes, bloopers and character profiles.

"Ghost Hunters: Season 6: Part 1" (Image; $24.99, DVD; $29.99, Blu-ray Disc; Sept. 13) with Grant Wilson and Jason Hawes in a three-disc set from the Syfy series about paranormal investigations.

"Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Seventh Season" (Disney; $45.99, DVD; Sept. 13) with Patrick Dempsey, Ellen Pompeo and Sandra Oh in a six-disc set with all 22 episodes from the seventh year of the drama series about young doctors in the hospital and off duty. The extras include an extended music scene, outtakes and unaired scenes.

"The Office: Season Seven" (Universal; $49.99, DVD; $59.99, Blu-ray Disc; now available) with Steve Carell in all 24 episodes from the seventh year of the sitcom favorite adapted from a British series. The numerous extras include more than 100 minutes of deleted scenes, featurettes, extended episodes and a blooper reel.

"Private Practice: The Complete Fourth Season" (Disney; $39.99, DVD; Sept. 13) with Taye Diggs, Kate Walsh and Tim Daly in a five-disc set with all episodes from the fourth year of the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff medical series about doctors dealing with complex medical cases, moral dilemmas and romantic relationships.

"Rescue Me: The Sixth Season and the Final Season" (Sony; $45.99, DVD; Sept. 13) with Denis Leary in a five-disc set with all 19 episodes from the final year of the cable series about the professional and personal lives of some brave New York City firefighters. The extras include four making-of featurettes, deleted scenes and a gag reel.

"Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" (Starz; $39.99, DVD; $49.99, Blu-ray Disc; Sept. 13) with Lucy Lawless in a double-disc set with six episodes of the bloody prequel to the cable hit "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." The extras include a battle sequence in 3-D, a featurette on weapons, a tour with Lawless, a featurette on production design ("Enter the Arena"), and bloopers.

"Supernatural: The Complete Sixth Season" (Warner; $59.99, DVD; $69.99, Blu-ray Disc; Sept. 13) with Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles in a five-disc set with all 22 episodes from the sixth year of the series about two brothers battling otherworldly forces. The extras include a gag reel, two making-of featurettes, and two bonus episodes from "Supernatural: The Anime Series."

Children/family

"Barney: Big World Adventure - The Movie" (Lionsgate; $14.99, DVD; Sept. 13) with the purple dinosaur and his friends embarking on a world adventure where they encounter princesses, kings, musicians and magicians.