NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

“FRIGHT NIGHT,” starring Colin Farrell and Anton Yelchin. A surprisingly agreeable remake of the 1985 cult fave in which a teen (Yelchin) teams with his nerdy best friend (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and a willing if inept magician (David Tennant) to vanquish their possibly-a-vampire next door neighbor (Farrell). It doesn’t exactly improve on the horror-comedy charms of the original, but it’s leagues better than the average needless remake, thanks to a clever script by “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” veteran Marti Noxon and the energetic cast. Rated R. Running time:1:46

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

“KUNG FU PANDA 2,” animated with the voices of Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman. While the fact that a sequel to the 2008 megahit about a portly but eventually formidable ursine ninja (perfectly voiced as ever by Black) was immediately sanctioned came as no surprise to anyone, the fact that the second installment managed to improve on its already impressive predecessor definitely came as a shocker. Dreamworks goes for absolute broke in the animation department, bringing Po’s hilarious and occasionally breathtaking back story to vivid life. Coming along for the ride again as Po’s compatriots are Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen and Jackie Chan. Special features include a featurettes on the cast and a sneak peek at the upcoming TV series. Rated PG. Running time: 1:31

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

“RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES,” starring James Franco and Andy Serkis. Returning to the well for another attempt to reboot the talking monkey franchise, director Rupert Wyatt (“The Escapist”) fares far better than Tim Burton before him at breathing new life into the series. He benefits hugely from an amazing motion-capture performance from Serkis (Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings”) as Caesar, a genetically enhanced chimp whose intelligence proves perhaps more a curse than a blessing. Impressive effects and a compelling tale go a long way toward re-establishing audience goodwill, and sequels will no doubt follow. Rated PG-13 for intense and frightening sequences of action and violence. Running time: 1:45

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

NEW ON DVD

“FAMILY GUY, VOLUME 9,” animated with the voices of Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein. The ever ribald antics of the Griffin family continue to shock and amuse, with a murder mystery set at James Woods’ house, the introduction of Quagmire’s dad and the series’ 150th episode among the many highlights. Not rated; contains language, crude humor, violence and sexual content. Running time: 6:24

Suggested retail price: $39.98 

“THE LEGEND IS BORN: IP MAN,” starring Donnie To and Fan Siu-Wong. Although Donnie Yen (“Iron Monkey”) is of course sorely missed in the title role, To (“1911”) ably steps in as the legendary martial arts instructor in a prequel that focuses on the master’s formative years. Action somewhat takes precedence over story unlike its predecessors, but the many fights are top notch, with veterans such as Sammo Hung throwing down with gusto. Not rated; contains violence. Running time: 1:40

Suggested retail price: $24.98; Blu-ray $29.98 

NEW ON BLU-RAY

“CITY OF GOD,” starring Alexandre Rodrigues and Phellipe Haagensen. Directors Fernando Meirelles (“The Constant Gardener”) and Katia Lund (“All the Invisible Children”) stunned audiences and critics alike with this sprawling 2003 crime drama in which a pair of childhood friends growing up in Rio de Janeiro follow wildly divergent but occasionally criss-crossing career paths: One becomes a photographer while the other becomes a small-time drug kingpin. Terrifically acted by a young cast of unknowns and endlessly stylish, recalling the best efforts of Scorsese and Tarantino, “City of God” is one of the best films of the aughts. Rated R. Running time: 2:10

Suggested retail price: $19.99 

“THE ROCKETEER: 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION,” starring Billy Campbell and Jennifer Connelly. Not a big moneymaker for Disney back in 1991, this retro-minded action-adventure has since garnered a sizable cult following with its serial-styled storyline concerning a young, all-American pilot (Campbell) who embarks upon a risky career of Nazi-foiling upon discovering a jetpack. Every bit as fun as it sounds and then some. Rated PG. Running time: 1:48

Suggested retail price: $26.50 

VIDEOPORT PICKS

“THE BLACK POWER MIXTAPE 1967-1975,” documentary. Viewers looking for a comprehensive, easy-to-follow documentary on the Black Power movement of the late ’60s and early ’70s may want to seek out alternate material. This thrillingly immediate pastiche offers access to a wide variety of vintage, long-unavailable footage of intimate interviews with such figureheads of the movement as Angela Davis and Stokely Carmichael, but it is very much a “mixtape.” Culled from hours of video shot by Swedish TV journalists granted full access to the leaders behind the movement, this is as real a document of this page of history as we’re going to get. Backed by a terrific soundtrack from ?uestlove. Not rated; contains language and violence. Running time: 1:40

Suggested retail price: $24.98 

“EAMES: THE ARCHITECT AND THE PAINTER,” documentary. Baby boomers will probably recognize more than a few chairs in this engaging and enlightening doc highlighting two bastions of American post-war furniture design: Charles Eames and his wife, Ray. Pioneering a style that managed to balance a modern look with an affordable price, the Eames’ partnership proved a juggernaut despite neither designer having undergone any serious formal training. Packed with entertaining vintage clips and interviews with former employees and colleagues. Not rated; contains language. Running time: 1:23

Suggested retail price: $29.95 

– Courtesy of Videoport