NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

“JUST WRIGHT,” starring Queen Latifah and Common. Love unexpectedly blooms between a physical therapist (Latifah, lovely and likable as always) and a pro basketball player (rapper Common, acquitting himself nicely in a rare film role) recovering from a career-threatening injury. Laid-back and believable throughout, “Wright” puts its focus on well-drawn characters placed in relatable situations, resulting in a immensely enjoyable, if somewhat by-the-numbers, romantic comedy that more than gets by on the strength of its two leads and sure-handed direction from Sanaa Hamri (“Something New”). Rated PG. Running time: 1:40. Suggested retail price: DVD $29.99; Blu-ray $39.99.

“LETTERS TO JULIET,” starring Amanda Seyfried and Gael Garcia Bernal. A young wannabe writer (Seyfried, “Jennifer’s Body”) takes it upon herself to answer one of the titular pieces of correspondence: an advice-seeking letter to Shakespeare’s Juliet tacked to a wall in Verona, Italy, as part of a long-standing tradition amongst lovelorn young women of the region. When the recipient of her advice (the wonderful Vanessa Redgrave) and her cynical grandson (Christopher Egan, “Eragon”) contact her for assistance in tracking down Redgrave’s long-lost love, so begins an enjoyably chaotic journey. Really quite fun if by no means realistic, “Juliet” is a refreshingly wide-eyed and unsappily earnest romantic comedy. Includes a commentary with director Gary Winick and Seyfried. Rated PG. Running time: 1:45. Suggested retail price: DVD $26.99; Blu-ray $40.99.

“PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton. Adopted prince and sexy hunk o’ beef Daston (Gyllenhaal, having a good time and wisely taking very little of this seriously) is forced to flee to the desert upon being accused of murdering his father. Fortuitously, he happens upon a magical dagger with time-bending powers that both aids him in his escape attempts and proves useful in setting things right again. In hot pursuit throughout are the deadly Princess Tamina (Arterton, “Quantum of Solace”) and the greedy Sheik Amar (Alfred Molina, who steals scenes with his usual energy and flair). Don’t expect Criterion to release a version anytime soon, but “Prince” has more care and thought put into it than your average movie based on a popular video game. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:56. Suggested retail price: DVD $29.99; Blu-ray $44.99.

“THE BIG BANG THEORY: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON,” starring Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki. The most popular geeks on TV are back for another season of comic book references and high-brow put-downs, with Emmy winner Parsons having taken over the spotlight as the prickly but hilarious Sheldon. Clever, sweet and consistently funny. Special features include a gag reel and a tour of the set. Running time: 8:49. Suggested retail price: DVD $44.98; Blu-ray $54.97.

“GLEE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON,” starring Matthew Morrison and Jane Lynch. Those who have been residing under a rock over the past year and a half may be surprised to learn that this weekly high school saga of the lives and loves (and songs upon songs) of a put-upon glee club is smart, often hilarious (especially when Emmy winner Lynch, as a foul-mouthed and frankly terrifying cheerleading coach, is involved), and incredibly addictive viewing. Running time: 17:25. Suggested retail price: DVD $59.98; Blu-ray $69.99.

“IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA: SEASON FIVE,” starring Rob McElhenney and Danny DeVito. The most tasteless show on television is also the most hilarious; you will laugh, you will cringe, and break out laughing (guiltily) again. This season, the gang exploits the mortgage crisis, tries to get Charlie a date (with the usual horrific results), and creates a merchandising juggernaut with kitten mittens! Great commentary tracks on several episodes for even more fun, plus the gang’s dating profiles! Running time: 6:12. Suggested retail price: DVD $39.99; Blu-ray $49.99.

NEW ON DVD

“GREY’S ANATOMY: THE COMPLETE SIXTH SEASON,” starring Ellen Pompeo and Sandra Oh. The once-buzzworthy hospital series has fallen slightly out of favor in the wake of a glut of increasingly impressive TV offerings, not to mention several plot points that put off longtime viewers. But season six is a return to form of sorts for this intense and always highly watchable program, refocusing on relationship and/or drama rather than dabbling in supernatural subplots. Special features include outtakes and a featurette about cast member Chandra Wilson. Running time: 17:12. Suggested retail price: $59.99.

VIDEOPORT PICKS

“DAD’S IN HEAVEN WITH NIXON,” starring Chris Murray and Tom Murray. The Internet age has made it possible for most anyone with a video camera and a sparkle in their eye to make and release a movie, sometimes simply by filming those closest to them. In this case, director Tom Murray has turned the camera on his autistic brother, Chris, a respected artist whose condition has taken over his family for better and worse. Mainly focusing on Chris’ various interactions with his family and friends, and allowing him to memorably expound upon his own life philosophy, this singularly touching documentary manages to avoid coming off as maudlin or overly precious (common pitfalls for low-budget examples of the genre), and instead proves genuinely uplifting. Running time: 1:26. Suggested retail price: DVD $19.99.

“MY SON, MY SON, WHAT HAVE YE DONE?” starring Michael Shannon and Willem Dafoe. This noir mystery comes to viewers courtesy of a long-overdue partnership: Werner Herzog and David Lynch. That fact alone should be enough for most film buffs to give this moody crime drama a look, but even for those unfamiliar with the works of these two masters, “My Son” provides enough off-kilter thrills and general weirdness to make it worth your while. Beginning with a man slaying his mother with a sword and only getting stranger from there, Herzog’s latest concerns a pair of detectives (Dafoe and Michael Pena) attempting to glean a motive for the aforementioned murderous act, coming into contact with copiously-eyebrowed yurt dwellers, kleptomaniac ostriches, and many more curious characters and events. Patently not for everyone, but a nutty deadpan treat for those willing to go out on a cinematic limb. Rated R. Running time: 1:31. Suggested retail price: DVD $24.99.

 

 

 

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