NEW ON THE SHELF

“CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER,” Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson. A vast improvement over the original, this box office smash managed to impress critics, fan boys and casual moviegoers alike; a rare featfor a comic adaptation. “Soldier” finds Cap labeled a traitor after daring to question the tactics of SHIELD. Rock solid movie entertainment, a gift for established fans and an attractive invitation for newcomers. Rated PG-13. Running time: 2:16. Suggested retail price: $29.99; Blu-ray $32.99.

“FED UP,” documentary. These days there are almost as many documentaries warning against the dangers of processed foods as there are junk food options, but “Fed Up” presents its sobering info plain and crystal clear. Narrated by Katie Couric and directed by Stephanie Soechtig (“Tapped”), “Fed Up” throws down the gauntlet and faces the obesity epidemic head on. Rated PG. Running time: 1:32. Suggested retail price: $24.99; Blu-ray $29.99.

NEW TO DVD

“THE HORNET’S NEST,” documentary. Short of enlisting, it’s difficult to imagine a more immersive combat experience than a viewing of this powerful doc, assembled from raw footage shot by father-son journalist team Mike and Carlos Boettcher, in which bullets nearly hit the camera lens. Largely focusing on the familial bonds forged between soldiers, “The Hornet’s Nest” doesn’t shy away from the daily horrors these men and women face, but it also emphasizes the undeniable closeness that can develop between people thrust into an unthinkable situation. Not always easy to watch, but absolutely worthwhile. Rated R. Running time: 1:37. Suggested retail price: $20.99; Blu-ray $24.99.

VIDEOPORT PICKS

“PALO ALTO,” directed by Gia Coppola. Emma Roberts, Jack Kilmer, Nat Wolff, James Franco. This nepotistic Hollywood brat pack production updates the suburban high school tragedy/comedy to the social media age. The dreamy, perpetual-summer California ambience is reinforced by the floating cinematography, menaced only by the scene-stealing performance of Wolff as the bad boy. Franco, whose semi-autobiographical short stories are the basis of the screenplay, plays a soccer coach entangled with his female players. Rated R. Running time 1:40. Suggested retail price: $19.99.

“WORDS AND PICTURES,” Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche. Deglamorizing a bit to portray a curmudgeonly, alcoholic English prof and a spitfire, arthritic art instructor respectively, Owen and Binoche channel Hepburn and Tracy as newly acquainted colleagues whose combative relationship belies an undeniable attraction. It’s refreshing to see these normally too-cool-for-school performers letting their hair down a bit, portraying characters who don’t have it all together for once, and if the script fails to get at anything particularly revolutionary, the leads ensure that “Words and Pictures” is time well spent with excellent company. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:51. Suggested retail price: $19.99; Blu-ray $24.99.

– Courtesy of Videoport