By Gregg Shapiro

Contributing writer

“Year of the Dog” (Paramount DVD)—“Year of the Dog,” queer screenwriter Mike White’s directorial debut, is the kind of smart and thought-provoking comedy that holds up on repeated views. (This writer has seen it three times!) That is more than likely due to Molly Shannon’s career redefining portrayal of office wallflower Peggy. She’s a good friend to co-worker Layla (Regina King), in spite of the fact that Peggy has good reason not to trust Layla’s boyfriend Don (Dale Godboldo). Peggy is also a loving and caring aunt to niece Lissie and nephew Benjy and a good sport when it comes to the parental neuroses of sister-in-law Brett (Laura Dern) and brother Pier (Tom McCarthy). Few would dispute that she is also a terrific assistant to boss Robin (Josh Pais).

But it is as devoted master to beagle Pencil that provides Peggy with the most personal fulfillment. When unexpected tragedy strikes during a late night potty break and Pencil ingests poison he finds in the yard of neighbor Al (John C. Reilly), Peggy is completely devastated. All attempts to cheer her up fail and it is only when she is contacted by gay Newt (Peter Sarsgaard), a clerk at the veterinarian’s office who also works with pet rescue groups, that Peggy finds renewed purpose. What follows is Peggy’s radical (and darkly humorous) transformation that will have viewers alternately laughing, crying and gasping in disbelief, making “Year of the Dog” not only one of the most unusual comedies in a long time, but also one of the most wonderful movies of the year. There are a kennel full of bonus features including “The Making of Year of the Dog,” featurettes on Shannon and White, deleted scenes, a gag reel and much more.

“Knocked Up” (Universal)—There’s something to be said for seeing a movie when it first opens or within the first couple of weeks that it plays in theaters. If the movie becomes a hit, you get to share in the excitement of being among those saw if before others did. You have bragging rights of a sort. Of course, not everyone can find the time to do that and with the decreasing amount of time movies play in theaters before being released on DVD, sometimes it’s just easier to wait it out and watch the movie at your leisure at home with remote control in hand to pause for bathroom visits or fast forward through boring parts.

Of course, one of the downsides is that if a movie arrives on DVD after being hyped to no end, there is always the chance that there are those who will be disappointed in what they see. Such is the case with “Knocked Up.” Promising from the get-go, “Knocked Up” should have been a sure thing under the direction of Judd (“The 40 Year Old Virgin”) Apatow. Having Katherine Heigl play Alison, the ambitious entertainment reporter who finds herself with child after a drunken one night stand also seemed pregnant with potential. Unfortunately, the male characters, led by Seth Rogen’s Ben and his pothead posse, were complete turn-offs. And that’s where this all gets interesting. Because while it may be a geeky guy’s fantasy come true that the beautiful blonde would go home with the Neanderthal and then end up carrying his child, it’s hard to imagine how that would play out in the real world. Tragically, for a comedy, the laughs were in short supply. On a more serious note, “Knocked Up” actually comes to life in the dramatic scenes. For those who can’t get enough of “Knocked Up,” the double-disc collector’s edition DVD has “over three hours of new outrageous bonus features” including more than “50 minutes of deleted and extended scenes.” Someone please call Planned Parenthood.