NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

“J. EDGAR,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Naomi Watts. Accomplished, respectful yet unflinching biopic attempts to reveal the whole truth and nothing but the truth regarding one J. Edgar Hoover (DiCaprio), head of the FBI from 1924 until his death in 1972. By turns revered and reviled, Hoover was a complex man to say the least, and both DiCaprio and director Clint Eastwood lay bare the man’s public victories and carefully guarded private life. Spanning several decades without missing a beat, few can match Eastwood in terms of sheer professionalism, a quality Hoover himself would no doubt have admired. Rated R. Running time: 2:17

Suggested retail price: $28.98; Blu-ray $35.99

“PUSS IN BOOTS,” animated with the voices of Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. Inevitable “Shrek” spinoff features the popular swashbuckling feline in a prequel that seems more interested in delivering thrills than chuckles, with several genuinely exciting action setpieces and effective use of 3-D technology. Not as consistently humorous as the beloved films that preceded it, but every bit as entertaining. Rated PG. Running time: 1:30

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

“TOWER HEIST,” starring Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy. Building manager Stiller puts together a ragtag group of disgruntled employees to execute an ill-advised but understandable plan to break into the safe of the crooked tycoon (a deliriously slimy Alan Alda) whose embezzling depleted all of their retirement accounts. Director Brett Ratner (“Rush Hour”) and screenwriter Ted Griffin (“Ocean’s Eleven”) strike just the right tone of comedy and wish-fulfillment revenge, and a terrific cast works overtime to keep things moving. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:44

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

“THE WAY,” starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. Comeback of sorts for veteran actor Sheen finds him ably embodying mild-manner optometrist Tom, whose comfortable routine is interrupted by news of his son’s death while walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage through Spain. Initially traveling to Spain to claim the body, Tom decides to finish the trail himself to honor his son’s quest, encountering a number of colorful characters along the way while seeking an uncertain catharsis. Rated PG-13. Running time: 2:23

Suggested retail price: $26.99; Blu-ray $32.99

“WEEDS: SEASON SEVEN,” starring Mary-Louise Parker and Elizabeth Perkins. Long-in-the-tooth Showtime series relocates soccer mom-turned-pot dealer Parker to New York City, a change that succeeds in reinvigorating matters considerably. Special features include cast and crew commentaries on select episodes and a gag reel. Not rated; contains language, sexual content and drug content. Running time: 5:53

Suggested retail price: $39.98; Blu-ray $39.97

NEW TO BLU-RAY

“ANATOMY OF A MURDER,” starring James Stewart and Ben Gazzara. Terrific courtroom drama from 1959 is quite gritty for its time, unfolding the unpleasant tale of an Army officer (Gazzara, in one of his finest performances) accused of murdering the bartender who raped his wife (Lee Remick) and the small-town lawyer (Stewart, of course) working to defend him in spite of his misgivings. Special features on this Criterion release include newsreel footage from the set and a new interview with the director, among much else. Not rated; contains mild language, violence and thematic content. Running time: 2:40

Suggested retail price: $39.95

“WAR OF ARROWS,” starring Hae-il Park and Seung-yong Ryoo. Period piece meets action flick in this hit from Korea, which focuses on the bloody mayhem that ensued during the Manchu invasion of the 17th century. The bow and arrow isn’t typically one of the more showcased weapons in moviedom, but director Han-min Kim brings it back in style, ratcheting up the tension inherent in such skillful and long-distance combat. Rated R for bloody violence. Running time: 2:02

Suggested retail price: $29.98

VIDEOPORT PICK

“TINY FURNITURE,” starring Lena Dunham and Laurie Simmons. Not for all viewers, and proud of it, this acclaimed comedy of sorts from 24-year-old writer-director-star Lena Dunham manages to absolutely nail the overall feeling of dumbfounded aimlessness that accompanies the months following one’s graduation from college. The fact that she casts her actual sister and mother as themselves adds immeasurably to the believability factor, both of whom must endure her whiny listlessness when she inevitably comes back home to roost while trying not to think about whatever her next move might be. Not rated; contains language, sexual content and nudity. Running time: 1:39

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

– Courtesy of Videoport

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