NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

“THE CITY OF YOUR FINAL DESTINATION,” starring Anthony Hopkins and Laura Linney. A young student (Omar Metwally, “Rendition”) travels to Uganda in hope of persuading the relatives (which include Hopkins and Linney) of a deceased author to allow him to pen his biography. As with anything directed by James Ivory (“The Remains of the Day”), “City” is lush and well-realized, but perhaps a bit too leisurely paced for some viewers. Hopkins livens things up considerably as the only family member willing to support Metwally’s cause. Rated PG-13 for a brief sexual situation with partial nudity. Running time: 1:58.

Suggested retail price: DVD $24.98; Blu-ray $29.98.

“THE LAST SONG,” starring Miley Cyrus and Greg Kinnear. Yet another Nicholas Sparks adaptation, this time starring “Hannah Montana” Cyrus as a bitter teen attempting to reconnect with her dad (Kinnear, classing up the joint as usual), finding time to make goo-goo eyes at a local boy in the process. Decent enough tween weepie (tweepie?) that should mainly please fans of its star and author. Rated PG for thematic material, some violence, sensuality and mild language. Running time: 1:47.

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.99; Blu-ray $39.99.

“CEMETERY JUNCTION,” starring Christian Cooke, Ralph Fiennes and Emily Watson. Written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. British coming-of-age comedy set in the swinging ’70s will satisfy fans of Gervais (he acts in it too), and fans of modern English film comedy. Rated R for language and some sexual material. Running Time: 1:35.

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.99; Blu-ray $39.99.

“DEXTER: THE FOURTH SEASON,” starring Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter. Showtime’s surprise hit series concerning a relatively sympathetic serial killer (played with charm and elan by the always-excellent Hall) gets even more complicated this season, which finds our Dexter attempting to balance his new career as a family man with his old one as a methodical murderer. Not rated, contains graphic violence and language. Running time: 10:32.

Suggested retail price: DVD $49.99; Blu-ray $64.99.

VIDEOPORT PICKS

“THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD,” starring Jung Woo-Sung and Kang-ho Song. Wow. Just wow. Action movies are generally a lot of fun, even the bad ones, but when a really good one comes along, it’s cause for true celebration, and “The Good, The Bad, The Weird” is just about as good as it gets. Directed by Kim Jee-woo (“A Tale of Two Sisters”) with an Asian sensibility but firmly rooted in the tradition of the American western, “Weird” simply concerns a treasure map, the none-too-savvy thief who stumbles upon it, the outlaw trying to get the map back from the thief, and the bounty hunter who wants to put the outlaw behind bars. From that bare-bones plot comes one jaw-dropping set piece after another. Rated R for nonstop violence and some drug use. Running time: 2:10.

Suggested retail price: DVD $26.98; Blu-ray $29.98.

“TEMPLE GRANDIN,” starring Claire Danes and Julia Ormond. A truly inspirational tale that sheds light on a rarely discussed hero. Grandin, diagnosed with autism, managed to overcome both her condition and her sexist peers to become one of the leading scientists in the field of humane livestock handling. Danes embodies Grandin with an award-worthy turn that never lapses into caricature or unearned sentiment. Rated PG for mild language and thematic elements. Running time: 1:43.

Suggested retail price: DVD $26.98; Blu-ray $39.98.

 

Copy the Story Link