NEW ON THE SHELF

“DESPICABLE ME 2,” animated, with the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig. Enormously profitable and enjoyable sequel to the surprise family hit has ex-supervillain Gru (Carell) going undercover to assist the Anti-Villain League in taking down a seemingly unstoppable new criminal, suspected to be El Macho (Benjamin Bratt). Assisting Gru in his risky endeavor are Agent (and love interest) Lucy (Wiig), eldest daughter Margo (Miranda Cosgrove, “iCarly”), and the ever-present (and highly marketed) minions, who are decreasing in numbers due to rampant, mysterious kidnappings. If anything, part 2 is even more insane fun than its predecessor, no mean feat. Includes three all-new mini-movies. Rated PG. Running time: 1:38. Suggested retail price: $29.98; Blu-ray $34.98.

“FAST & FURIOUS 6,” Vin Diesel, Paul Walker. Both dependably rousing entertainment and an unexpected epitaph for the late Walker, the sixth entry in this seemingly endless (yet, improbably, steadily improving) action franchise offers the over-the-top stunts, thrilling chase scenes and amusingly lunkheaded banter the series’ legions of fans have come to expect. As ever, a guilty pleasure in the best sense of the term. Special features include a commentary from director Justin Lin (“Fast Five”). Rated PG-13. Suggested retail price: $29.98; Blu-ray $34.98.

NEW TO DVD

“ADORE,” Naomi Watts, Robin Wright. What in less-assured hands could have become lurid melodrama (or, let’s face it, approaching porn territory) is instead a thoughtful and controlled adult drama from director Anne Fontaine (“Coco Before Chanel”), based on a novella by Doris Lessing. Lifelong friends Watts and Wright find themselves falling hard for each other’s young sons in a plot treated as humanely and realistically as possible. “Adore” gives its characters the respect they deserve in spite of their extraordinary situation, and the results make for a refreshing if unavoidably uneasy watch. Rated R. Running time: 1:40. Suggested retail price: $29.98; Blu-ray $39.99.

“FUTURAMA: VOLUME 8,” animated. With the voices of Billy West, John DiMaggio. The eighth, and purportedly final (although we’ve heard THAT one before) season of Matt Groening’s brilliantly hilarious animated sci-fi/comedy follows the hapless crew of the Planet Express on 13 new missions, involving nose transplants that go horribly awry and a run-in with grave-robbing robots. Not rated. Running time: 4:46. Suggested retail price: $29.98; Blu-ray $39.99.

NEW TO BLU-RAY

“BIG: 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION,” Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins. In which Tom Hanks graduated from reliable comedic performer to Oscar nominee, this acclaimed family favorite from 1988 appeared to ride the then-popular “body switch” trend (represented far less memorably by such forgotten entries as “Like Father, Like Son” and “19 Again!”) but transcended its ignoble brethren. It’s a sweet-natured and observant fable of a young boy making a wish on a rundown mechanical genie to be “big,” finding his wish rather inconveniently granted upon waking the next day in the body of Tom Hanks, and chased out of the house by his screaming mother as a result. Never less than believable as a 12-year-old boy in a man’s body, Hanks was already a household name by the time “Big” rolled around, but his touching and hilarious performance here catapulted him into full-fledged movie star territory, and this deluxe edition serves as a timeless reminder of that. Special features include deleted scenes and several making-of featurettes. Rated PG. Running time: 1:44. Suggested retail price: $19.99.

VIDEOPORT PICKS

“THE HUNT,” Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen. A troubled but caring and well-liked primary school teacher (Mikkelsen, TV’s “Hannibal”) finds his already fractured world utterly shattered upon being erroneously accused of sexual abuse by his best friend’s young, confused daughter. From here, we watch it all fall apart, but exemplary performances (particularly from the ever-remarkable Mikkelsen, conveying emotions and situations no one should have to endure) and a superb script ensure that nothing is presented as a freak show or cruelty for its own sake. If you’re not a quaking ball of rage at some point during the viewing of “The Hunt,” it may not be an emotion you personally have access to, as director Thomas Vinterberg (“Submarino”) has fashioned a skillful and unrelenting exploration of mob mentality and its devastating effects, a lesson that never seems to stop being timely. Rated R. Running times: 1:55. Suggested retail price: $26.98; Blu-ray $29.98.

“MUSEUM HOURS,” Mary Margaret O’Hara, Bobby Sommer. And finally, for viewers more inclined to sit back and relax with the polar opposite of “Fast & Furious 6,” we have writer-director Jem Cohen’s “Museum Hours.” Lovely in presentation and tone, “Hours” accompanies Anne (O’Hara) from Canada to Austria to be with her ailing cousin. While there, Anne endeavors to see the sights in spite of a complete language barrier, finally tracking down an understanding ear in Johann, a security guard at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where much of this reflective film takes place. The unlikely pair forge a singular, a bit offbeat, and ultimately very touching friendship, able to confide in one another in ways they haven’t previously experienced. “Contemplative” is the operative adjective here, so short attention spans need not apply, but for viewers looking to decompress for a couple of hours with some intriguing company, “Museum Hours” provides that and more. Not rated. Running time: 1:47. Suggested retail price: $29.95: Blu-ray $34.95.

– Courtesy of Videoport

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