NEW ON THE SHELF

“NOAH,” Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly. The Lord meets the Lord of the Rings with this sprawling, jaw-dropping rendering of the Sunday School standby, with humble servant Noah (Crowe) tasked by God with building a massive ark and populating it with two of every species of animal while the Almighty wreaks some watery havoc on his ungrateful creations. Never one to play it safe, writer-director Darren Aronofsky (“The Wrestler”) goes all out with the special effects and sets here, with the ark itself a particularly impressive achievement. An oft-told tale, to be sure, but rest assured, Sunday school was never quite like this. Rated PG-13. Running time: 2:18. Suggested retail price: $29.99; Blu-ray $39.99.

“THE OTHER WOMAN,” Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann. Gleefully crass comedy pairs Diaz and Mann as jilted lover and wife respectively, both discovering their significant other’s (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, “Game of Thrones”) cheating upon making each other’s acquaintance, an initially angry meeting that develops into something almost resembling friendship when they take it upon themselves to team up to make the cad pay for his philandering ways. While Mann easily runs away with the picture due to her dependably manic and funny performance, “Woman” offers plenty of good (albeit, fair warning, oft scatological) laughs all around. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:49. Suggested retail price: $29.98; Blu-ray $39.99.

NEW TO DVD

“THE ANGRIEST MAN IN BROOKLYN,” Robin Williams, Mila Kunis. Redemptive dramedy from director Phil Alden Robinson (“Field of Dreams”) follows general curmudgeon Henry (Williams), after being incorrectly told by an overworked doctor (Kunis) that he only has 90 minutes to live, as he attempts to reconcile with the many people in his life that he’s alienated over the years. A compelling premise brought to life by such familiar faces as Peter Dinklage, Melissa Leo and James Earl Jones. Special features include a gag reel. Rated R. Running time: 1:23. Suggested retail price: $19.98; Blu-ray $19.99.

“MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: XXX,” Joel Hodgson, Michael J. Nelson. You read that right – this marks the 30th DVD box set of MST3K episodes, with Joel, Mike and the bots cracking wise while watching the following cinematic travesties: “The Black Scorpion,” “Outlaw (of Gor),” “The Projected Man” and “It Lives By Night.” Collect ’em all! Special features include the featurettes “Stinger of Death: Making the Black Scorpion” and “Shock to the System: Creating the Projected Man,” among others. Not rated. Running time: 8:00. Suggested retail price: $59.97.

VIDEOPORT PICKS

“ON MY WAY,” Catherine Deneuve, Nemo Schiffman. To the extent that one can buy the ever-regal Deneuve (“Belle de Jour”) as a put-upon everywoman, director Emmanuelle Bercot’s “On My Way” is a terrifically enjoyable character study that pairs petulant former beauty queen turned rundown restaurant owner Bettie (Deneuve) with her equally disagreeable 12-year-old grandson (Schiffman, “Backstage”) for an unexpected road trip after her estranged daughter shows up needing a big favor. Fed up with her small-town life and stagnant relationship anyway, Bettie agrees to transport little Charly to his grandfather’s house, an undertaking that proves less arduous along the way as the two seemingly disparate individuals find they have more in common with one another than with perhaps anyone else in their respective lives, regardless of age. While fairly predictable when all is said and done, “On My Way” is a fine showcase for Deneuve’s talents and an enjoyably loud-mouthed look at a fractured family. Not rated. Running time: 1:56. Suggested retail price: $24.98; Blu-ray $34.98.

“THE PROTECTOR 2,” Tony Jaa, RZA. Never quite the full-fledged action star he’s always deserved to be, the dazzlingly talented Jaa resurfaces in a delayed sequel to one of his most popular efforts, an enjoyably gonzo punch-and-kickfest doubling as a love story between a boy and his elephant. Said elephant is, wouldn’t you know it, abducted by bad guys (led by RZA of “The Man with the Iron Fists”) in this equally crazy follow-up, and it’s up to Jaa to get him back. A living special effect, Jaa remains a wonder to behold, and director/longtime collaborator Prachya Pinkaew (“Ong-bak”) provides him with plenty of outrageous situations and set pieces to show off his moves. Rated R. Running time: 1:44. Suggested retail price: $26.98; Blu-ray $29.98.

– Courtesy of Videoport