NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

“TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON,” starring Shia Labeouf and Josh Duhamel. More giant modes of transportation turning into giant robots that proceed to fight violently amongst themselves, destroying everything in sight, while Labeouf looks on with consternation, occasionally dodging falling debris. That being said, redoubtable director Michael Bay’s kitchen-sink approach proves quite entertaining the third time around. Rated PG-13. Running time: 2:37

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.99; Blu-ray $44.99 

NEW ON DVD

“HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER: SEASON SIX,” starring Josh Radnor and Jason Segel. Consistently one of the most charming and funny sitcoms out there, HIMYM finds dour Ted (Radnor) continuing his ongoing quest for the perfect girl, while ever-chipper married couple Marshall (Segel) and Lilly (Allyson Hannigan) attempt to conceive, with some unexpected results. Meanwhile, suited ne’er-do-well Barney (scene-stealer extraordinaire Neil Patrick Harris) finally reunites with his father (a hilarious turn from John Lithgow), who turns out to be a complete basket case. Not rated; contains mild language and sexual content. Running time: 8:38

Suggested retail price: $39.98 

“HUNG: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON,” starring Thomas Jane and Jane Adams. High school teacher by day, male gigolo by night, the alternately funny and a bit depressing travails of put-upon man’s man Ray (Jane) continue in season two of HBO’s underdog dramedy, with former pimp Tanya (Adams) losing her lone client to the impossibly motivated Lenore (Rebecca Creskoff). Sympathetic and oddly addictive. Not rated; contains language and strong sexual content. Running time: 5:50

Suggested retail price: DVD $39.98; $49.99 

“JEFF DUNHAM: CONTROLLED CHAOS,” concert film. The popular comedian/ventriloquist returns in a fourth stand-up concert, reuniting receptive audiences with favorite characters such as grumpy old man Walter and manic whatsit Peanut, and introducing two new puppets: Achmed Jr., son to the tragically clumsy Achmed the Dead Terrorist, and Little Jeff, a diminutive version of Dunham himself. Good clean family fun for the most part. Not rated; contains mild language. Running time: 1:30

Suggested retail price: DVD $11.99; Blu-ray $19.99 

NEW ON BLU-RAY

“BEN-HUR,” starring Charlton Heston and Jack Hawkins. When you think “epic,” you think “Ben-Hur,” and this gorgeous hi-def remastering of director William Wyler’s 1959 classic begs to be revisited on the most gigantic screen available. Special features include a new feature-length making-of doc and a commentary from Heston and film historian T. Gene Hatcher. Rated G. Running time: 3:32

Suggested retail price: $64.99

“MIMIC,” starring Mira Sorvino and Jeremy Northam. Early sci-fi thriller from now-revered director Guillermo del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”) pits comely entomologist Sorvino against her own creation: A mammoth mutant breed of insect originally intended to kill off a disease-carrying type of cockroach but now assuming human form and wreaking havoc. Rated R. Running time: 1:52

Suggested retail price: $19.99 

VIDEOPORT PICKS

“THE HOUR,” starring Ben Whishaw and Dominic West. Thanks to the runaway success of AMC’s “Mad Men,” stylish period dramas set in the ’50s and ’60s are all the rage, and while the quality of these also-rans is inevitably going to vary, it’s a sure bet that the BBC will jump into the fray with class. This suited-and-soused look at the early years of British news media is well nigh impossible not to get sucked into. Wishaw anchors the goings-on with aplomb as controversial but brilliant journalist Freddie Lyon, eager to exploit the least pleasant news items of the day for the purpose of furthering his career. Not rated; contains mild language, brief violence, sexual content, and constant smoking/drinking. Running time: 6:00

Suggested retail price: DVD $34.98; Blu-ray $39.98 

“THE PHANTOM CARRIAGE,” starring Victor Sjostrom and Hilda Borgstrom. All the 3-D and CGI in the world couldn’t hope to generate a fraction of the dread and atmospheric tension achieved by director-star Sjostrom in this hugely influential supernatural drama from 1920, beautifully remastered and supplemented with interviews and expert commentaries by the dependable cinephiles at The Criterion Collection for this release. Not rated; contains some frightening images. Running time: 1:47

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

– Courtesy of Videoport

 

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