NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

“HANNA,” starring Saoirse Ronan and Eric Bana. A thrilling departure for director Joe Wright (“Atonement”) is a tense and thoroughly intriguing action-drama, following the titular teenager (Ronan), a young woman raised in the woods by her CIA agent father (Bana, “Munich”) to be a deadly assassin. It’s a necessary evil due to the legions of enemies that dear old dad has amassed over the years, foremost of which is the always excellent Cate Blanchett as a particularly determined intelligence operative. A first-class thriller. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:51

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.98; Blu-ray $34.98

“X-MEN: FIRST CLASS,” starring James McAvoy and Michael Fassbinder. The latest installment in the ongoing series based on the popular line of Marvel comic books involving mutants and their various powers is arguably the best yet, with director Matthew Vaughn (“Kick-Ass”) breathing new life into a wheezing franchise with this retroactive prequel detailing the roots of Xavier (McAvoy, taking over for Patrick Stewart) and Magneto (Fassbinder of “Fish Tank,” proving an ideal stand-in for Ian McKellan). “Class” makes good old-fashioned storytelling its focal point, resulting in high-end Hollywood entertainment. Rated PG-13. Running time: 2:12

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.98; Blu-ray $39.99

NEW ON DVD

“COMMUNITY: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON,” starring Joel McHale and Gillian Jacobs. Consistently clever and perfectly cast, this freewheeling sitcom revolving around the antics of an eclectic group of students semi-studying at a community college has garnered a sizable cult following thanks to hilarious characters and a willingness to go way out on a limb for a laugh. Not rated; contains language and crude humor. Running time: 8:24

Suggested retail price: $39.99

“FRINGE: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON,” starring Anna Torv and Joshua Jackson. It took some time to find its footing, but J.J. Abrams’ (“Lost”) latest TV offering is now privy to one of the most rabid fan bases with its loopy, time-bending plotlines and wonderfully delivered, often hilarious interplay between leads Torv, Jackson and especially Emmy nominee John Noble as the brilliant but senile Dr. Walter Bishop. Often compared to “The X-Files,” “Fringe” is well worth catching up with. Not rated; contains language and violence. Running time: 16.52

Suggested retail price: DVD $59.98; Blu-ray $69.97

“THE OFFICE: SEASON SEVEN,” starring Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson. More awkward workplace hijinks from everybody’s favorite gang of incompetent lunatics. Season seven is notable for being Carell’s final year with the crew as manager and lovable buffoon Michael Scott. The hourlong farewell episode includes appearances from Jim Carrey, Will Arnett, James Spader, Catherine Tate and Ray Romano, all of whom are jockeying for Michael’s coveted position. Meanwhile, the diabolical Dwight (Wilson, reveling in petty villainy) manages to purchase the Dunder Mifflin building, with the expected disastrous result. Not rated; contains language and crude humor. Running time: 9:06

Suggested retail price: DVD $49.98; Blu-ray $59.98

VIDEOPORT PICKS

“EVERYTHING MUST GO,” starring Will Ferrell and Rebecca Hall. Ferrell is more in “Stranger Than Fiction” mode than “Anchorman” here, with largely favorable results. Nick, a relapsed alcoholic who has just lost his job and his wife, is attempting to sell all of his belongings in a weeklong yard sale. While still his usual funny self, Ferrell turns in a fully realized performance. Rated R for language and some sexual content. Running time: 1:37

Suggested retail price: DVD $27.98; Blu-ray $39.99

“PARKS AND RECREATION: THE COMPLETE SEASON THREE,” starring Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. Let’s try this again: Please, for the love of all that is holy, watch this wonderful, wonderful television program. We’re talking about arguably the tightest, funniest ensemble cast since the heyday of “Cheers” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” led by Poehler. Not rated; contains mild language. Running time: 7:27

Suggested retail price: $39.98

– Courtesy of Videoport

 

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