NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

“INCEPTION,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Joseph Gordon Levitt. This mindbending blockbuster will either frustrate or delight, depending on the viewer’s attention span and patience levels. But for those willing to put in some work, “Inception” is a vastly rewarding sci-fi/thriller that finds DiCaprio and Gordon Levitt infiltrating dreams in order to steal and plant ideas, with assistance from Ellen Page, Dileep Rao (“Avatar”) and Tom Brady (“Bronson”). Another groundbreaking hit from director Christopher Nolan (“The Dark Knight”). Rated PG-13. Running time: 2:28.

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

“SHREK FOREVER AFTER,” animated with the voices of Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz. Very solid fourth and reportedly final entry in the fractured fairy tale series finds the big guy experiencing a midlife crisis, going so far as to strike a deal with Rumplestiltskin to revert a la “It’s a Wonderful Life” back to the single, less domesticated ogre he was back in the first film. Not surprisingly, this drastic maneuver begets more negative results than Shrek bargained for, but what is surprising is how fresh this installment feels. A fitting and quite touching end to an enjoyable franchise. Rated PG. Running time: 1:33.

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.99; Blu-ray $49.99.

“CRONOS,” starring Federico Luppi and Ron Perlman. This 1993 feature debut from director Benicio del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”) is a stylish tale of an antique scarab that turns unwitting victims into vampires. Fondly recalling classic horror flicks of the 1950s with an added dash or two of 1990s blood and guts, “Cronos” clearly heralded a promising career for the then-29-year-old director. Rated R. Running time: 1:34.

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

NEW ON DVD

“A DOG YEAR,” starring Jeff Bridges and Lauren Ambrose. Based on the bestselling book by Jon Katz, this winning if predictable dramedy from HBO finds novelist Bridges doing his severe case of writer’s block no favors by adopting a formerly abused border collie named Devon. Emotional rescue comes in the form of Lois (Lois Smith, “True Blood”), a trainer with advice for dog and owner. The film manages to paint a relatively realistic portrayal of the relationship with flawed man and flawed beast before succumbing to sap, and even then Bridges and Smith elevate the material with typically spot-on performances. Rated G. Running time: 1:20.

Suggested retail price: $26.98. 

NEW ON BLU-RAY

“LOST IN TRANSLATION,” starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. Critically beloved comedy-drama from Sofia Coppola (“The Virgin Suicides”) pairs hangdog actor Murray with restless newlywed Johansson, both adrift in Tokyo and finding an unlikely but life-affirming connection. Viewers looking for the Murray of “Ghostbusters” and “Stripes” are likely to come away underwhelmed, but he’s at the top of his game here, and Johansson matches him scene for scene. Rated R. Running time: 1:44.

Suggested retail price: $26.98.

“VIDEODROME,” starring James Woods and Deborah Harry. Long live the new flesh! Director David Cronenberg’s near-incomprehensible indictment of sorts finds sleazoid basic cable programmer Woods falling victim to subliminal messages being broadcast from a mysterious channel that appears to be airing footage of actual murders. The scene where Woods is transformed into a human VCR will be the make-or-break moment for most, but overall, “Videodrome” is a bad dream worth staying up for. Rated R. Running time: 1:29.

Suggested retail price: $39.95. 

VIDEOPORT PICKS

“BARRY MUNDAY,” starring Patrick Wilson and Judy Greer. We realize not everyone may be clamoring to watch a movie about a man whose testicles are forcibly removed, let alone a comedy featuring said plot device, but we’re going up to bat for “Barry Munday” anyway. It’s a winningly grimy and ultimately kind of touching tale of a small-town would-be lothario (Wilson, “Little Children”) whose self-discovery, oddly enough, coincides with the loss of his genitalia, when he learns post-accident that he has unknowingly impregnated one of his many one-night stands (Greer) and finds purpose in his impending fatherhood. The excellent supporting cast (which includes Malcolm McDowell and the too-rarely-seen Billy Dee Williams) is a lot of fun as well. Rated R for sexual content and language. Running time: 1:35.

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

“RESTREPO,” documentary. Unflinching, terrifyingly immediate film from director Sebastian Junger is nothing more than an hour and a half spent in the thick of actual war, joining impossibly young soldiers as they deploy to the Korengal Valley, widely considered one of the deadliest regions of Afghanistan. The horror that many of us try to forget about is displayed front and center, and as we get to know the soldiers, the film becomes more and more tense as the reality of their situation sets in. Difficult but essential viewing. Special features include interviews with filmmakers and soldiers. Rated R for language throughout, including some descriptions of violence. Running time: 1:33.

Suggested retail price: DVD $19.99; Blu-ray $34.99.

 

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