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New releases on DVD, Blu-ray
Anthony Hopkins stars in "Hitchcock."
NEW THIS WEEK
HITCHCOCK
★★★½
Rated
PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content and thematic material
Stars
Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson
Though it sometimes goes momentarily astray, this witty, sophisticated tale of the making of “Psycho,” interlaced with a rough patch in the five-decade marriage of the Master of Suspense (Hopkins) and his uncredited collaborator Alma (Mirren), is more emotionally satisfying than you might expect. The best part, of course, is the behind-the-scenes history of Hitchcock’s most famous film, but it’s also an appealing portrait of a long, fond, occasionally tempestuous, creative and conjugal partnership. Extras include commentary by Gervasi and author Stephen Rebello, and a deleted scene.
LIFE OF PI
★★★½
Rated
PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content and thematic material
Stars
Irrfan Khan, Gerard Depardieu, Suraj Sharma
Yann Martel’s international best-seller has been created with breathtaking beauty thanks to recent advances in digital special effects — in the service of a very intimate, very human story of survival and spiritual awakening. Director Ang Lee’s most sumptuous film since “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” tells the story of a spiritually minded Indian teenager named Pi (Sharma) who finds himself adrift on a lifeboat after a shipwreck with only a hungry Bengal tiger for company. “Life of Pi” functions nicely as fairly standard (barring the bit about the big cat) of survival at sea. Its larger purpose is to function allegorically as “a story that could make you believe in God,” celebrating the wonders of life with grand-scale visual splendor and its most severe challenges with the always threatening presence of the tiger. Extras include three documentaries, a stills gallery and storyboards.
ALSO NEW THIS WEEK
ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
This 1973 BBC production of the Lewis Carroll classic features Sarah Sutton of “Doctor Who” as Alice and Judy Parfitt as the Red Queen.
RISE OF THE GUARDIANS
When evil Pitch (Jude Law) attempts to take over the world, Guardians including Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman) and Jack Frost (Chris Pine) join forces to defeat him. Veteran storyboard artist Peter Ramsey directed the animated adventure for his theatrical feature debut. Rated PG for thematic elements and some mildly scary action.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY
Written and directed by Andrew Adamson and executive produced by James Cameron, this 3D film features some of the most elaborate artistic and acrobatic performances from Cirque du Soleil’s recent productions.
THE FLAT
While cleaning out the flat that belonged to his Israeli grandparents, a documentarian discovers a shocking secret: That his parents were friends with a leading official in the Nazi propaganda ministry, before and after World War II.
JAY AND SILENT BOB GET IRISH: THE SWEARING OF THE GREEN
Filmmaker Kevin Smith and actor Jason Mewes bring their live comedy show to Dublin for two sold-out shows at the Vicor Street Theatre.
PIONEERS OF TELEVISION
More than 100 TV stars share backstage tales of America’s favorite shows in season three of the PBS series, featuring four episodes devoted to “Funny Ladies,” “Prime Time Soaps,” “Superheroes” and Miniseries.”
THE REAL VIKINGS COLLECTION
An anthology of three History channel documentaries on the Nordic warriors: “Foot Soldier: The Viking,” “The Vikings: Lost Worlds” and “Viking Terror.” Timed to coincide with History’s “The Vikings” action series, featuring Gabriel Byrne.
RED SKELTON: THE FAREWELL SPECIALS
This compilation of highlights from farewell performances at the end of his 50-year career features the comedian in “Freddie the Freeloader’s Christmas Dinner” with Vincent Price and Imogene Coca, “More Funny Faces” with Marcel Marcia, “Funny Faces III” and “A Royal Command Performance” before Britain’s royal family in London’s Royal Albert Hall.
SMASHED
A married couple (Aaron Paul, Mary Elizabeth Winstead) whose relationship is based on a mutual love of alcohol have a difficult time adjusting when the woman goes on the wagon. James Ponsoldt (“Off the Black”) directed the drama, which won a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance festival.
WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT
A cartoon-hating detective (Bob Hoskins) is the only hope Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer) has to clear his name after being accused of murder in Toontown. Robert Zemeckis (“Flight”) directed the 1988 animated adventure. Extras in this Blu-ray debut include “The Roger Rabbit Shorts,” “Toontown Confidential,” “The Valiant Files” interactive set-top gallery and a deleted scene.
ZULU DAWN
This 1979 dramatization of the Battle of Isandlwana, where Zulu warriors overwhelmed the British army, makes its Blu-ray debut and features Burt Lancaster, Peter O’Toole and Bob Hoskins. Extras include a “History of the Zulu Wars” featurette, “A Visit to the Battlefield” and the theatrical trailer.
THE HIGH FRUCTOSE ADVENTURES OF ANNOYING ORANGE: VOL. 1 ESCAPE FROM THE KITCHEN
The first 10 episodes from the Cartoon Network spin-off of the YouTube hit about an obnoxious animated orange and his pals. Featuring guest stars Tim Curry and Michael Clarke Duncan.
AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK
Early performances by the triple Oscar winner are featured in the BBC’s “Daniel Day-Lewis Triple Feature,” a woman elected to Parliament (Penelope Keith) goes up against her chauvinist colleagues in the ‘90s Brit-comedy series “No Job for a Lady,” Fred Ward motorcycles back to the Old West in the Blu-ray debut of “Timerider.”
