NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY:

“THE KARATE KID,” starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. Purists of the ’80s are likely to turn up their noses at this inevitable remake of the beloved 1984 classic that brought the crane kick and “sweep the leg, Johnny” into the public consciousness, yet Smith and Chan have an undeniable chemistry. Director Harald Zwart (“Agent Cody Banks”) lets the story get away from him a bit, resulting in an unnecessarily bloated running time, but all in all, this revamp is top shelf as far as remakes go, and enough details are changed that the sense of deja vu isn’t overwhelming. Rated PG. Running time: 2:20.

Suggested retail price: DVD $28.96; Blu-ray $38.96.

 

“A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET,” starring Jackie Earle Haley and Rooney Mara. Speaking of unnecessary ’80s remakes, this mostly weak retread of the 1984 Wes Craven horror classic seems unlikely to spawn the impressive amount of sequels begotten by the original. However, Haley proves a suitable choice to take over for Robert Englund as otherworldly killer Freddy Krueger, he of the natty sweaters and razor gloves. Points for trying, but isn’t it about time Hollywood started churning out original horror flicks? Rated R. Running time: 1:35.

Suggested retail price: DVD $28.98; Blu-ray $35.95.

 

“SPLICE,” starring Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley. A pair of free-thinking scientists (Brody and Polley, working well together) opt to ignore the Moral Majority and continue with a controversial experiment in which human and animal DNA are spliced together to create an entirely new creature. Obviously, all does not go according to plan, else there would be no film — but suspend your disbelief, and “Splice” is a fun if often disturbing sci-fi thriller that achieves a good deal despite a low (by Hollywood standards) budget. And hey, it’s not a remake of an ’80s movie! Rated R. Running time: 1:44.

Suggested retail price: DVD $28.98; Blu-ray $35.99.

 

“BONES: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON,” starring Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz. Arguably the most likable of the never-ending glut of forensics-based TV dramas out there, “Bones” thrives on the strengths of its top-notch cast, with Deschanel and Boreanaz exhibiting a will-they-won’t-they tension not seen since the likes of “Moonlighting.” An equally engaging supporting roster includes TJ Thyne as the gleefully abrasive Dr. Hodgins and the eternally bemused John Francis Daley (“Freaks and Geeks”) as baby-faced psychologist Sweets. Not rated, contains language and violence. Running time: 16:37.

Suggested retail price: DVD $59.98; Blu-ray $69.99.

 

“THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE,” starring Dieter Laser and Ashley C. Williams. If you’ve been on the Internet at all in the past year, you probably already know the impossibly vile plotline of this Dutch monstrosity from director Tom Six (“Honeyz”). For the uninitiated, let’s just say it involves forming the titular creature via the most repellent manner possible, and that should be enough to either pique your curiosity or prevent you from making a horrible mistake. Rated R for disturbing sadistic horror violence, nudity and language. Running time: 1:32.

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

 

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

“GRINDHOUSE,” starring Rose McGowan and Kurt Russell. At long last, the original theatrical version of the sprawling, wildly creative ode to the drive-in sleaze classics of yore is available uncut, replete with outrageous fake trailers (some of which ended up not being so fake at all, e.g. “Machete”) and all the gratuitous gore and nudity you can handle, courtesy of the sick genius minds of Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. Rated R. Running time: 3:11.

Suggested retail price: Blu-ray $39.95.

 

VIDEOPORT PICKS:

“HOLY ROLLERS,” starring Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Bartha. What sounds like the setup for a one-joke comedy reveals itself to be a thoughtful and suspenseful drama in “Rollers,” a cleanly constructed and expertly acted debut from director Kevin Asch. Sam is an Orthodox Jew living in late-’90s-era Brooklyn with his folks because of a general lack of funds that ultimately dissolves his marriage plans. Enter Yosef (Bartha), an enterprising fellow of like-minded upbringing who offers Sam an opportunity: smuggling Ecstasy into the States from Amsterdam, under the accurate assumption that airport employees are unlikely to suspect or frisk anyone in Hasidic garb. Rated R for drug content and language throughout, and brief sexual material. Running time: 1:29.

Suggested retail price: $19.93.

 

“THE SECRET OF KELLS.” Animated with the voices of Brenda Gleeson and Mick Lally. This charming, beautifully animated fantasy snuck into public consciousness earlier in the year, when it was announced as one of the Oscar nominees for Best Animated Feature. This release should only further that widespread appreciation. The main narrative concerns a young boy (newcomer Evan McGuire) who embarks on a quest with an expert illustrator (Lally, “Middletown”) to complete work on a magical but unfinished book, to the vast dismay of his strict uncle. Meanwhile, the abbey where the characters reside is under threat of a barbarian attack. Not rated. Running time: 1:15.

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.95; Blu-ray $39.95.

 

— Courtesy of Videoport