NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY:

“SHUTTER ISLAND,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo. Master director Martin Scorsese meets master novelist Dennis Lehane (“Gone Baby Gone”) in this nail-biting adaptation, which finds U.S. Marshal DiCaprio searching for a murdering asylum escapee on the remote location of the title, an overwhelming assignment that soon leads him to question his choice of career and his own sanity.

Atmospheric and at times unbearably tense, “Island” is Scorsese in “Cape Fear” mode as opposed to “Raging Bull” or “Goodfellas.” Rated R for disturbing violent content, language and some nudity. Running time: 2:18.

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.99; Blu-ray $39.99.

 

“FROM PARIS WITH LOVE,” starring John Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Big dumb fun of the highest order courtesy of director Pierre Morel (“Taken”) and reigning king of big dumb fun Luc Besson (“The Professional”), “Paris” teams loose cannon special agent Travolta with excitement-seeking office aide Meyers on a mission to stop a terrorist attack, which of course necessitates blowing up most of the city. Gleefully over the top and proud of it, “Paris” never takes the plot too seriously, but doesn’t skimp on the action, which is as stylish and kinetic as any cinematic thrill ride in recent memory. Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, drug content, pervasive language and brief sexuality. Running time: 1:32.

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.95; Blu-ray $39.99.

 

NEW ON DVD:

“NIP/TUCK: THE SIXTH AND FINAL SEASON,” starring Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon. Relentlessly button-pushing dramedy concerning the none-too-scrupulous world of plastic surgery continues to pile on the laughs and shocks on its way out. Special features include a making-of featurette titled “Tell Me What You Don’t Like About Yourself.” Not rated, contains language, sexual content, drug content and thematic material. Running time: 13:18.

Suggested retail price: $59.98.

 

“SHAUN THE SHEEP: ONE GIANT LEAP FOR LAMBKIND.” Animated with the voices of John Sparkes and Justin Fletcher. From the creators of the award-winning “Wallace and Gromit” series comes this charming spin-off of their “A Close Shave” short, wherein the very cute barnyard animal of the title engages in a bit of extraterrestrial mischief. Expertly animated fun for young and old alike. Not rated, nothing objectionable. Running time: 0:35.

Suggested retail price: $14.98.

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

“CADDYSHACK,” starring Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield. One of the most enduring comedies of the ’80s, the penultimate snobs vs. slobs showdown is a dependable hoot to this day, with one quotable line after another and an admirable willingness to abandon the storyline entirely at a moment’s notice. The best golf comedy ever, “Happy Gilmore” be damned. Rated R for language, sexual content and crude humor. Running time: 1:38.

Suggested retail price: $24.98.

 

“THE ILLUSIONIST,” starring Edward Norton and Jessica Biel. Quietly effective period piece mystery finds poverty-stricken magician Norton calling upon his considerable abilities to woo a young woman (Biel) well out of his league. His attempts to free her from an unhappy marriage to a crown prince arouse the suspicion of canny Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti, stealing the show as always). Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence. Running time: 1:50.

Suggested retail price: $24.99

 

VIDEOPORT PICKS:

“CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM: THE COMPLETE SEVENTH SEASON,” starring Larry David and Jeff Garlin. It takes a seriously funny comedy to be able to last seven seasons, but “Curb” does audiences one better by churning out what just might be its most hilarious year yet, this time around bringing the old “Seinfeld” gang back for a supposed reunion. That things don’t go as planned goes without saying, but exactly how it all falls apart makes for a jaw-droppingly hilarious set of episodes. Put it this way: Only David would have the cajones to use Michael “Kramer” Richards’ infamous racist stand-up tirade as a plot point. Not rated, contains language, sexual content and crude humor. Running time: 5:20.

Suggested retail price: $39.98.

 

“WORD IS OUT.” Documentary. Finally available on DVD, this absolutely essential and groundbreaking 1977 documentary took an honest and unbiased look at the gay and lesbian community during a time when the general populace was far less accepting of the homosexual lifestyle than it is today. Interviewing 26 subjects from all walks of life, the film simply lets everyone have their say, relating stories of hardship and difficult upbringings that cut deep alongside humorous anecdotes. Having languished far too long in video limbo, “Word is Out” remains essential viewing. Not rated, contains language. Running time: 2:12.

Suggested retail price: $29.95.

 

— Courtesy of Videoport

 

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