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January 7

The Act of Killing (2013) When the Indonesian government was overthrown in 1965, small-time gangster Anwar Congo and his friends went from selling movie tickets on the black market to leading anti-communist death squads in the mass murder of over a million people in one of the most overlooked genocides in recent history. The film ventures deep into the minds of the now-elderly killers and how they face the deadly acts they've done in a society that doesn't ask them to. In this inventive and critically-acclaimed documentary by Joshua Oppenheimer and executive produced by documentary titans, Werner Herzog and Errol Morris, the filmmakers examine a country where Indonesian death squad leaders are celebrated as heroes, challenging them to reenact their real-life mass-killings via musical numbers, action and comedy sequences and other genres of the American movies they love. The hallucinatory result of Oppenheimer's daring idea is a cinematic fever dream, an unsettling journey deep into the imaginations of mass murderers and the shockingly banal regime of corruption and impunity they inhabit. Two versions of the film: 122-minute theatrical cut and 166-minute director's cut. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: 45-minute interview with director Joshua Oppenheimer on Democracy Now!, "VICE Presents": executive producers Werner Herzog and Errol Morris on "The Act of Killing," deleted scenes, trailers, 40-page booklet featuring an essay by Morris, commentary with Oppenheimer and Herzog. (Drafthouse Films/Cinedigm).

Archer: The Complete Season Four (2013) Two-disc set with 13 episodes. Formats: DVD, $29.98; Blu-ray Disc, $39.99. Extras: "Fisherman's Daughter," "Archer Live!" (Fox).

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Badges of Fury (2013 -- China) Jet Li, Zhang Wen, Shishi Liu, Michelle Chen. Li teams up for a third time with Wen as bickering cops out to catch a prolific serial killer in this action-comedy. When a series of eerie murders erupt across Hong Kong, two troublemaking cops are assigned to the case. Young maverick Wang (Wen) is a reckless risk-taker, and grizzled vet Huang (Li) is fed up with cleaning up his rookie's messes. After discovering all the victims were former boyfriends of aspiring starlet Liu, the detectives (one now posing as her lover) are caught in a deadly game to lure out the killer. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital. Extras: Four-part "making-of" documentary ("The Guys," "The Girls," "Wen Zhang Action Scene," "Funny Stuff"), "behind-the-scenes" featurette, trailer. (Well Go USA).

Being Human: The Complete Third Season (2013) Four-disc set with 13 episodes of Syfy's re-imagining of the acclaimed BBC original series that here follows four paranormal twentysomething roommates living in a Boston brownstone -- vampire Aidan, ghost Sally and werewolves Josh and Nora. Together, they struggle to keep their dark secrets hidden from the world, while helping each other navigate the complexities of their double lives. Formats: DVD, $39.98; Blu-ray Disc, $49.98. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette, "Being Human" panel from San Diego Comic Con 2013, "The Cast on Cliffhangers," bloopers. (Entertainment One).

Big Ass Spider! (2013) Greg Grunberg, Lombardo Boyar, Ray Wise. An exterminator and his Hispanic friend are caught in an epic battle when a military assault fails to contain a giant alien spider rampaging through the city of Los Angeles. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc,Digital. (Epic Pictures).

Birth of the Living Dead (2013) In 1968 a young college drop-out named George A. Romero directed "Night of the Living Dead," a low budget horror film that shocked the world, became an icon of the counterculture, and spawned a zombie industry worth billions of dollars that continues to this day. This documentary shows how Romero gathered an unlikely team of Pittsburghers -- policemen, iron workers, teachers, ad-men, housewives and a roller-rink owner -- to shoot a revolutionary guerrilla style film that went on to become a cinematic landmark, offering a profound insight into how our society worked in a singular time in American history. Features Romero, producer Gale Anne Hurd, Larry Fessenden, film historian Mark Harris, film critic Elvis Mitchell, filmmaker Sam Pollard film critic Jason Zinoman and Bill Hinzman. Formats: DVD. Extras: Extended interview with Romero, interview with Romero at MoMA, June 16, 1970, "Bill Hinzman and the World-Record-Breaking Monroeville Zombie Walk." (First Run features).

China Beach: The Complete Season Two (1988-89) Five-disc set with 17 episodes, $29.95. Inspired by the real-life experiences of women and men who served at China Beach -- part EVAC Hospital, part USO entertainment center during the Vietnam War, with a backdrop of the iconic music of the era -- Dionne Warwick, The Righteous Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Chuck Berry, The Mamas & the Papas, Paul Anka, Jefferson Airplane and many more -- "China Beach" transports viewers to a very distinct time and place, where unforgettable, compelling and poignant stories unfolded. Along with the lauded ensemble cast, which featured Army nurse Colleen McMurphy (Dana Delany), Red Cross worker Cherry White (Nan Woods), singer Laurette Barber (Chloe Webb) and civilian worker K.C. Koloski (Marg Helgenberger), guest stars this season included Kathy Bates, Kevin McCarthy and Dennis Farina. The season deals with race riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the Tet Offensive, POWs, desertion, and the heart-shattering loss of one of their own, cut down by the straight, clean shot of a lone sniper. The season highlights include "Vets", a groundbreaking episode that made television history and became a centerpiece of the series, offering moving interviews of real-life veterans intercut with scenes from the show, as well as "Tet '68" (which TV Guide hailed as #87 on its "100 Greatest TV Episodes of All Time" list), in which Dr. Richard (Robert Picardo) and Dodger (Jeff Kober) defend the hospital during the Tet Offensive. Formats: DVD. Extras: "Voices of War: The Real China Beach" featurette; interviews with Michael Boatman, Marge Helgenberger and Robert Picardo; episode commentary. (StarVista/Time Life).

Closed Circuit (2013) Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall, Ciaran Hinds, Julia Stiles, Jim Broadbent. Read more about "Closed Circuit" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Secrets Behind the Camera: Closed Circuit" featurette. (Universal).

Copper Season Two (2013) Three-disc set with the final 13 episodes. Formats: DVD, $49.98; Blu-ray Disc, $59.98. Extras: Three set tours, three"Insider" featurettes, two Character video profiles. (BBC Home Entertainment).

Dreamworld (2012) Whit Hertford, Mary Kate Wiles, Nora Kirkpatrick, Matt Jones, Johnny Pemberton, Matt Bush, Nick Thune. Faced with a stalled career and devastating family news, Oliver, an aspiring animator, impulsively abandons his job and leaves town with Lily, a beautiful free spirited woman. In a passionate haze, the couple begins to fall in love, but as the trip continues, Oliver discovers troubling things about her. As her behavior grows more erratic, and his comforting romantic fantasy begins to fall apart, Oliver must decide if he wants to face reality or stay in the dreamworld that he's fled to. Formats: Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Filmmaker commentary, artwork, press and photos, short films, blog entries. (Sneak Attack Films/CAV Distributing).

Duck Dynasty: Season 4 (2013) Two-disc set with 13 episodes. Formats: DVD, $19.98; Blu-ray Disc, $19.99. Extras: Additional footage. (Lionsgate).

Eclipse Series 40: Late Ray The films directed by the great Satyajit Ray in the last 10 years of his life have a unique dignity and drama. Three of them are collected here: the fervent Rabindranath Tagore adaptation "The Home and the World" (1984); the vital Henrik Ibsen–inspired "An Enemy of the People" (1989); and the filmmaker's final film, the poignant and philosophical family story "The Stranger" (1991). Each is a complex, political, and humane portrait of a world both corrupt and indescribably beautiful, constructed with Ray's characteristic elegance and imbued with autumnal profundity. These late-career features are the meditative works of a master. Formats: Three-disc DVD set. (The Criterion Collection).

The Following: The Complete First Season (2013) Fifteen episodes of the TV series about an escaped serial killer (James Purefoy) and the psychologically scarred ex-FBI agent (Kevin Bacon), who returns to stop him. Formats: Four-disc DVD set, $39.98; three-disc Blu-ray/four-disc DVD Combo, $49.99. Extras: "From a Dark Place": Maximum episode mode of extended pilot, "The Thrill of Horror: The Creator Behind The Following" featurette, "The Followers' Den" featurette, "The Cult of Joe Carroll: Inside the Followers" featurette, "The Following Production Chronicles" featurette, two additional mini featurettes, final episode commentary, deleted scenes. (Warner).

For Ever Mozart BLU-RAY DEBUT and DVD (1996) Dir.: Jean-Luc Godard; Madeleine Assas, Berangere Allaux, Ghalya Lacroix, Vicky Messica, Frederic Pierrot. From the director's 1980s-1990s period, which was marked by a return to (somewhat) more traditional modes of storytelling, but still the work of a cinematic adventurer still exploring new territory. Godard shifted to a narrative grounded in a distressing reality of the day: the Bosnian War. This densely packed rumination on the need to create order and beauty in a world ruled by chaos is divided into several distinct but related stories, chiefly the attempts by an idealistic French acting troupe to stage a play in war-torn Sarajevo. Along their journey, they are captured and held in a POW camp. Amid the gunfire of war, an elderly director struggles to complete his film. Extras: Commentary, a booklet, making-of featurette, trailer. (Cohen Film Collection).

Hail Mary BLU-RAY DEBUT and DVD (1985) Dir.: Jean-Luc Godard; Myriem Roussel, Thierry Rode, Philippe Lacoste. From the director's 1980s-1990s period, which was marked by a return to (somewhat) more traditional modes of storytelling, but still the work of a cinematic adventurer still exploring new territory. Winner of a top prize at the Berlin Film Festival and one of the highest-profile films of Godard's career, "Hail Mary" drew criticism from no less than the Pope. In this modern retelling of the Virgin Birth, Mary (Myriem Roussel) is a student who plays basketball and works at her father's gas station; her boyfriend Joseph (Thierry Rode) is an earnest dropout who drives a cab. The angel Gabriel (Philippe Lacoste) must school Joseph to accept Mary's pregnancy, while Mary comes to terms with God's plan. Juliette Binoche co-stars. Extras: Commentary, a booklet, making-of featurette, trailer, Anne-Marie Mieville's short film "The Book of Mary," which was originally released as a companion piece to Godard's movie. (Cohen Film Collection).

The Happy House (2013) Aya Cash, Khan Baykal, Marceline Hugot. Delightfully funny and offbeat horror thriller that leans a little too much to the amatuerish side with slow takes and a reliance on talk over action. With their relationship on the rocks, a young Brooklyn couple heads to a remote bed & breakfast to work things out. But from the moment they arrive at The Happy House, it's one disaster after another, and they soon begin to suspect they've wandered into a real life horror movie. Events escalate from weird to terrifying as they contend with the house's batty owner, her imposing son, a moody Swedish lepidopterist, a pedantic English professor, an extraordinarily rare butterfly, the world's best blueberry muffins, a .44 Magnum, a demented serial killer, and one very strict rule book. Formats: DVD. (First Run Features).

House of Lies Season Two (2013) Two-disc set with 12 episodes, $46.99. Don Cheadle stars as a self-loathing management consultant -- who is never above using any means (or anyone) necessary to get his way with and for his clients -- in the Corporate America-skewering comedy series that takes viewers inside the cutthroat world of a top-tier management consulting firm. Formats: DVD. (Showtime/Paramount).

I'm So Excited! (2013 -- Spain) Dir.: Pedro Almodovar; Antonio De La Torre, Hugo Silva, Miguel Angel Silvestr, Laya Marti, Javier Camara, Carlos Areces, Raul Arevalo, Jose Maria Yazpik, Guillermo Toledo, Jose Luis Torrijo, Lola Duenas, Cecilia Roth, Blanca Suarez. Read more about "I'm So Excited!" in the January Calendar. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Presenting I'm So Excited!" follows Almodovar and cast members through a day of press, Q&As and finally the New York City film premiere; "Making I'm So Excited!" (Sony).

Inequality for All (2013) Documentary on the widening income gap between the rich and the middle class and its devastating impact on the American economy. Read more about "Inequality for All" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD. Extras: Deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes interviews with the filmmakers. (RADiUS-TWC/Anchor Bay).

In Sickness and in Health/To Love and to Cherish (2013) Double-bill directed by Roger Melvin with Chico Benymon, Denise Boutte, Golden Brooks, Jennifer Freeman, Mel Jackson, Tommy Ford. "In Sickness and in Health" is about a woman who has it all but holds back a secret about her health from her husband to be, jeopardizing her marriage; "To Love and to Cherish" is about a modern woman who struggles to keep her marriage alive amid the chaos of the modern world. Formats: DVD. (One Village Entertainment).

The Killing Fields BLU-RAY DEBUT (1984) Dir.: Roland Joffe; Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, John Malkovich, Julian Sands, Craig T. Nelson, Spalding Gray. This emotional and brutally honest true story follows Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg (Waterston), who remains in Cambodia in 1975 after the government falls. He convinces his friend and translator Dith Pran (Ngor) to stay with him to report on the bloodbath perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge (which killed nearly 3 million Cambodians), one of the most brutal regimes of the 20th century, and on the United States' role in precipitating the horror. The two continue to work until the Khmer Rouge arrests them. Schanberg is eventually released and returns to New York. Pran is sent for execution but barely manages a daring escape from the killing fields and from Cambodia. With the help of Schanberg, Pran emigrates to the U.S. and becomes a staff photographer for the New York Times. Extras: 36-page Blu-ray book with rare photos, production notes and other material; commentary by Joffe; theatrical trailer. (Warner).

Legit: The Complete First Season (2013) Thirteen episodes of the new comedy that stars Australian Jim Jefferies as an edgy, foul-mouthed stand-up comic living in Los Angeles, struggling to make his life and career more "legit." Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary on all episodes, deleted scenes, gag reel, "Jim Jefferies' Journey," "Rodney Autotune," pilot -- director's cut. (Fox).

Living By the Gun (2011) Pat McIntire, Judy Rhodes, Jeffrey Babineau. To survive her quest for vengeance, a young girl becomes a ruthless killer as she hunts down the man responsible for destroying her family. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Making of Living By the Gun" featurette. (Lionsgate).

Murph: The Protector (2013) Documentary based on the exemplary life of Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael Murphy, whose extraordinary courage in battle resulted in the Congressional Medal of Honor, awarded posthumously in 2007. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital. (Anchor Bay).

Runner Runner (2013) Justin Timberlake, Ben Affleck, Gemma Arterton, Anthony Mackie. Read more about "Runner Runner" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Blu-ray extras: "House of Cards: The Inside Story of Online Poker," deleted scenes. (Fox).

Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales: For the Love of Snack! (2013) Features 13 action-packed escapades and mysteries centering on Scooby-Doo's favorite pastime, food. Formats: DVD, $19.98. (Warner).

Star Trek Enterprise: Season Three BLU-RAY DEBUT (2003-04) Six-disc set with 24 episodes. Starring Scott Bakula, Jolene Blalock, Connor Trinneer, Dominic Keating, Linda Park, Anthony Montgomery and John Billingsley, "Star Trek: Enterprise" follows the adventures of the Enterprise NX-01, the first Earth-built vessel capable of breaking the Warp 5 barrier, and her intrepid crew of brave explorers. Extras: In addition to bonus material previously released on DVD, the set includes commentary on select episodes; the newly produced "In a Time of War," a retrospective, multi-part documentary that offers fans an inside look at the making of the series' groundbreaking third season, which was the first in the franchise to feature a year-long story arc; and the featurette "Temporal Cold War: Declassified," a never-before-seen piece in which the show's creators, cast and production team reveal details about the original story arc that was never fully explored, and how the temporal cold war would have ended if the series had continued. $130.00. (CBS/Paramount).

Thanks for Sharing (2013) Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Gwyneth Paltrow, Josh Gad, Joely Richardson, Patrick Fugit, Alecia Moore. Read more about "Thanks for Sharing" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "One Step at a Time: The Making of Thanks for Sharing" featurette, commentary with co-writer/director Stuart Blumberg and co-writer Matt Winston, gag reel, deleted scenes. (Lionsgate).


Throne of Blood (1957) A vivid, visceral Macbeth adaptation, "Throne of Blood," directed by Akira Kurosawa, sets Shakespeare's definitive tale of ambition and duplicity in a ghostly, fog-enshrouded landscape in feudal Japan. As a tough warrior who rises savagely to power, Toshiro Mifune gives a remarkable, animalistic performance, as does Isuzu Yamada as his ruthless wife. "Throne of Blood" fuses classical Western tragedy with formal elements taken from Noh theater to create an unforgettable cinematic experience. New, restored 2K digital film transfer, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Dual Format Edition. Extras: Audio commentary featuring Japanese-film expert Michael Jeck; documentary on the making of "Throne of Blood," created as part of the Toho Masterworks series "Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create"; two alternate subtitle translations, by Japanese-film translator Linda Hoaglund and Kurosawa expert Donald Richie; trailer; a booklet featuring an essay by film historian Stephen Prince and notes on the subtitling by Hoaglund and Richie. (The Criterion Collection).

Top of the Lake (2013) Elizabeth Moss and Holly Hunter star in this critically acclaimed, Emmy-winning mini-series written and directed by Academy Award-winner Jane Campion. Set against the stunning, untouched backdrop of New Zealand, Moss plays Robin Griffin, a gutsy but inexperienced detective called in to investigate the disappearance of a pregnant 12-year-old girl named Tui. As she becomes more and more obsessed with the search for Tui, she finds herself knee-deep in small-town secrets. Formats: Two-disc DVD, $34.98. (BBC Home Entertainment).

12 Disasters (2012) Ed Quinn, Magda Apanowicz, Holly Elissa, Roark Critchlow, Ryan Grantham. As Christmas approaches, a local shop owner and his family struggle to survive as their idyllic small town is torn apart by a series of disasters, which reveal an incredible link between the Mayan 2012 prophecy and the familiar carol, "The 12 Days of Christmas." He soon learns that his own daughter is the key to everything, and must protect her from both the disasters and the panicked townspeople, who blame her for the destruction, all the while racing to find five ancient golden rings needed to avert the end of the world. Formats: DVD. (Anchor Bay).

The Virginian (2014) Trace Adkins, Ron Perlman. Remake of the classic TV series, about a handsome and enigmatic enforcer (Adkins) for a cattle baron (Ron Perlman) in Wyoming in the Old West, played out against a backdrop of wealth, corruption, deception and gunplay. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital. (Nasser Entertainment/Cinedigm).

The Unstoppable, Unpoppable Bubble (2014) Six episodes of the hit Nick Jr. Tickety Toc series that follows the everyday adventures of twins Tommy and Tallulah who travel through the special Tickety Toc clock to enter a fantastical CGI world of eclectic characters and exciting escapades. $14.98. Formats: DVD. Extras: 12-page Tickety Toc paint booklet. (Anchor Bay).

We Are What We Are (2013) Bill Sage, Ambyr Childers, Julia Garner. The Parkers, a reclusive family who follow ancient customs, find their secret existence threatened as a torrential downpour moves into their area, forcing daughters Iris and Rose to assume responsibilities beyond those of a typical family and threatening to expose their macabre customs. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital. Extras: "An Acquired Taste: The Making of We Are What We Are"; interviews with director Jim Mickle, cast members Bill Sage and Julia Garner; commentary with cast and crew. (Entertainment One).

The Wicker Man BLU-RAY DEBUT (1973) Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt, Christopher Lee. All-new, restored edition of director Robin Hardy's final cut. When a young girl mysteriously vanishes, Police Sergeant Howie (Woodward) travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate. But the seemingly quiet community is not as it appears, as the detective uncovers a secretive pagan society led by the strange Lord Summerisle (Lee). While the townsfolk tempt and threaten him with bizarre rituals and wanton lust, Howie must race to discover the truth behind the girl's disappearance before his clash with Lord Summerisle builds to a terrifying conclusion -- one that has cemented this cult shocker as a modern horror masterpiece. Extras: Interview with director Hardy, "Restoration Comparison" featurette, "Worshipping The Wicker Man" featurette, "The Music of The Wicker Man" featurette. (Lionsgate).

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January 14

A.C.O.D. (2013) Adam Scott, Amy Poehler, Jane Lynch, Richard Jenkins, Catherine O'Hara, Jessica Alba, Clark Duke. Comedy follows a seemingly well-adjusted Adult Child of Divorce (Adam Scott) who is forced to revisit the chaos of his parents (Catherine O'Hara and Richard Jenkins) bitter divorce all over again after his younger brother (Clark Duke) decides to get married. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Amy Poehler outtakes, cast and crew discussion, faux public service announcements: "Coping with A.C.O.D.," "Be Proud to Be an A.C.O.D.," "Have You Seen a Shaman?" "Are You Awesome?" "Commitment-Phobic?" "What Does A.C.O.D. Stand For?" (Paramount).

Be My Valentine (2013) William Baldwin, Natalie Brown, Christian Martyn, James Thomas. Hallmark Channel romantic comedy. Firefighter lieutenant Dan Farrell (William Baldwin), a widower and single dad, has no interest in a romantic relationship but when his team responds to a fire at a local florist shop, he can't help but notice the beautiful owner, Kate, and a budding relationship begins -- until Kate's ex-boyfriend returns to town with a marriage proposal. Formats: DVD. (Cinedigm).

Big Sur (2013) Jean-Marc Barr, Kate Bosworth, Josh Lucas, Stana Katic, Anthony Edwards, Radha Mitchell. In an attempt to heal from the deterioration caused by the pressures of sudden fame and too much alcohol, famous Beat author Jack Kerouac escapes to an isolated, mist-shrouded cabin in the primitive landscape of the Big Sur woods. Instead of finding the peace he desires, he is foiled once again by his own inner demons and sets off on a visceral collision course of paranoia, sex, delirium tremens, misery and madness. Formats: DVD. (Arc Entertainment).

Blind Date BLU-RAY DEBUT (1987) Dir.: Blake Edwards; Bruce Willis, Kim Basinger, John Larroquette. (Image Entertainment).

Blue Caprice (2013) Isaiah Washington, Tequan Richmond, Tim Blake Nelson, Joey Lauren Adams. Dramatizes the notorious and horrific Beltway (Washington, D.C.) sniper attacks of 2002 from the point of view of the two perpetrators, whose distorted father-son relationship facilitated their long and bloody journey across America. Formats: DVD. (IFC Films).

Carrie (2013) Chloe Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, Judy Greer, Gabriella Wilde, Michelle Nolden, Alex Russell. Read more about "Carrie" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: "Bringing Back Carrie" featurette, "Telekinetic Coffee Shop Surprise" viral video, theatrical trailer. Blu-ray adds alternate ending, deleted/extended scenes, commentary by director Kimberly Peirce, "The Power of Telekinesis." featurette. (Fox).

A Chorus Line BLU-RAY DEBUT (1985) Dir.: Richard Attenborough; Michael Blevins, Yamil Borges, Jan Gan Boyd, Sharon Brown, Gregg Burge, Michael Douglas. Extras: Trailer. (MGM/Fox).

The Contradictions of Fair Hope (2013) This powerful and riveting documentary -- executive produced by S. Epatha Merkerson -- examines a little known aspect of American history, when newly freed slaves throughout the South formed "benevolent societies" to respond to abject hunger, illness and fear of a pauper's grave. Setting the stage in rural Alabama, prior to Emancipation, the film traces the developments, struggles, contributions and gradual loss of traditions of one of the last remaining African American benevolent societies known as "The Fair Hope Benevolent Society." Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg with music by Christian McBride. Formats: DVD, $14.98. Extras: Spirituals, Prayer, Society Turnout/Foot Wash, Magic's Girls, Tales of Mike Moten, music recording studio session with the Christian McBride Band and Alyson Williams in the Avatar Recording Studio. (Shelter Island).

Enough Said (2013) Dir.: Nicole Holofcener; Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Toni Collette, Ben Falcone. Read more about "Enough Said" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Blu-ray extras: "Second Takes." (Fox).

Four (2012) Wendell Pierce, Emory Cohen, Aja Naomi King, E.J. Bonilla. A steamy July 4th night brings four people together in two tales of seduction and conflicted desire. Joe is a black, middle-aged, married man out on date with June, a young white man he met on the Internet. Abigayle is Joe's precocious daughter, out herself with a hot, wisecracking Latino basketball player named Dexter. As the two couples get to know each other intimately, their realities are tested and the outcome is bracing. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette, cast and crew commentary. (Wolfe Video).

Frankenstein: The Real Story (2014) Features three engrossing documentaries that explore the Frankenstein story from various angles: "In Search of the Real Frankenstein" looks at scientists throughout history who experimented with reviving dead animals and human corpses in attempts to find the secret force of life. "Frankenstein" explores the origins of the tale that became the first science fiction novel. Did it spring from Mary Shelley's imagination or did she base it on an 18th-century German doctor who conducted gruesome experiments on live humans? "It's Alive: The True Story of Frankenstein, Part 1" further traces the story through all its artistic renditions: 19th-century stage adaptations, silent film versions including the 1931 film starring Boris Karloff, its superb 1935 sequel "Bride of Frankenstein," Mel Brooks' hilarious satire "Young Frankenstein" and the 1994 Kenneth Branagh film starring Robert De Niro. Formats: DVD. (Lionsgate).

Fresh Meat (2012) Temuera Morrison, Nicola Kawana, Hanna Tevita, Kate Elliott. When a dysfunctional gang's prison breakout goes violently wrong, they need a hideout in a hurry. Picking the McMansion of a middle-class family in the suburbs seems like a safe bet, until it becomes clear that this particular family has reintroduced some very old-fashioned cuisine to their table. Will the gang escape the trap, or is there gangster in the casserole tonight? Formats: DVD. (Cinedigm).

Fruitvale Station (2013) Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Chad Michael Murray, Melonie Diaz, Kevin Durand, Ahna O'Reilly, Ariana Neal, Liisa Cohen. Read more about "Fruitvale Station" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). (The Weinstein Co./Anchor Bay).

Getting That Girl (2011) Gia Mantegna, Escher Holloway, Daniel Booko, Inbar Lavi, Will Rothhaar. A high school senior moves with her family from buttoned-up Washington D.C. to decidedly relaxed Los Angeles, where she's taken under the wing by the school's "mean girls," pursued by a stoner and a star football player, and learns about the wild side of high school life. Formats: DVD. (Level 33 Entertainment).

Greedy Lying Bastards (2013) Documentary follows the people and organizations casting doubt on climate science and claims that greenhouse gases are not affected by human behavior. The oil and gas business, notably ExxonMobil and Koch Industries, and affiliated think tanks, are the main culprits, together with the politicians who support them. They have turned discussions about climate change into a circus-type atmosphere where corporations and political spokespeople assert bogus facts about global warming without having any scientific background. Filmmaker and political activist Craig Rosebraugh, in association with executive producer, actress Daryl Hannah, document the impact of an industry that has continually put profits before people, waged a campaign of lies designed to thwart measures to combat climate change and used its collective clout to minimize intriguing regulations and undermine the political process in the U.S. and abroad. Formats: DVD, $19.98. Extras: Bonus materials covering topics such as: lobbying, media, Peru, Uganda and IPCC. (The Disinformation Company).

I'm in Love With a Church Girl (2013) Ja Rule, Adrienne Bailon, Michael Madsen, Stephen Baldwin, Vincent Pastore. Ex-high-level drug trafficker Miles Montego has tried to move on, but the DEA isn't convinced since he's still rolling with his old friends. When Miles meets Vanessa, a woman who is different than every other woman he's met, he's drawn to her beauty and her spirituality. As their connection grows deeper, both are tested to their last ounce of faith in God and in each other. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital. Extras: Making-of featurette, deleted scenes, "Producer Galley Molina: The Real Miles Montego," trailer. (Cinedigm).

In Montauk (2012) Nina Kaczorowski, Lukas Hassel, George Katt. Drama-romance about a photographer with a successful husband, a baby on the way and a close circle of family and friends who retreats to the wintry Long Island seascape to prepare for a show but actually embarks on a journey of self-discovery. When a prickly but brilliant composer-musician knocks on her door with an odd request, a series of events are put into motion that force her to make choices she couldn't have fathomed. Formats: DVD. (Siren's Tale Productions).

In the Heat of the Night BLU-RAY DEBUT (1967) Dir.: Norman Jewison; Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant, Larry Gates, James Patterson, William Schallert, Beah Richards. Extras: Commentary with Norman Jewison, Lee Grant, Rod Steiger and Haskell Wexler; "Turning Up the Heat: Movie-Making In the 60's," "The Slap Heard Around the World," "Quincy Jones: Breaking New Sound," theatrical trailer. (MGM/Fox).

Last of the Summer Wine: Vintage 2001 (2001) Everyone's favorite senior neer-do-wells are back in another season of the world's longest running sitcom. Formats: Two-disc DVD, $34.98. (BBC Home Entertainment).

Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013) Dir.: Lee Daniels; Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Robin Williams, Danny Strong. Read more about "Lee Daniels' The Butler" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: "Lee Daniels' The Butler: An American Story," "The Original Freedom Riders," "You and I Ain't Nothin' No More" performed by Gladys Knight and Lenny Kravitz, deleted scenes, gag reel. (The Weinstein Co./Anchor Bay).

Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did for Love (2014) American Masters bio of the man behind "The Way We Were," "Nobody Does It Better," the scores for "The Sting," "Sophie's Choice" and the Broadway juggernaut "A Chorus Line." The documentary is a deeply personal, insider portrait of one of the greatest artists of our time. Candid new interviews with Hamlisch's family, friends and A-list collaborators include wife Terre Blair Hamlisch, Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, Steven Soderbergh, Quincy Jones, Christopher Walken, Tim Rice, Joe Torre, Woody Allen, John Lithgow, Lucie Arnaz, Ann-Margret, Howard Stringer, Kelli O'Hara, Brian D'Arcy James, Idina Menzel, Melissa Manchester, songwriter Carole Bayer Sager and many others. Formats: DVD. (PBS Distribution).

Our Nixon (2013) Throughout Richard Nixon's presidency, three of his top White House aides documented their experiences with Super 8 home movie cameras. Young, idealistic and dedicated, they had no idea that a few years later they'd all be at the center of a history-making impeachment scandal. This unique and personal visual record, created by H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman and Dwight Chapin, was seized by the FBI during the Watergate investigation, then filed away and forgotten for almost 40 years. This documentary presents those home movies for the first time, along with other rare footage, creating an intimate and complex portrait of the Nixon presidency as never seen before. Formats: DVD. Extras: "Travels With Nixon," "Nixon and Friends," "Who's Who subtitle track. (Cinedigm).

Paradise: Hope (2013 -- Germany) Melanie Lenz, Verena Lehbauer, Joseph Lorenz. The third installment in Ulrich Seidl's "Paradise" trilogy tells the story of overweight 13-year-old Melanie and her first love. While her mother travels to Kenya ("Paradise: Love") and her aunt ("Paradise: Faith") does missionary work, Melanie spends her summer vacation at a strict diet camp for overweight teenagers. Between physical education and nutrition counseling, pillow fights and her first cigarette, Melanie falls in love with the camp director, a doctor 40 years her senior. Formats: DVD. (Strand Releasing).

Plus One (2013) Ashley Hinshaw, Rhys Wakefield, Logan Miller. Three college friends hit the biggest party of the year, where a mysterious phenomenon disrupts the night, quickly descending into a bloody chaos that challenges their friendships -- an unexplained paranormal phenomenon disrupts the proceedings as perfect replicas of all the partying kids suddenly appear, and what's even weirder, they are doing everything their originals did 15 minutes earlier. Formats: DVD. (IFC Films).

Power Rangers Megaforce: The Mysterious Robo Knight (2014) Four robo-charged episodes as Troy, Noah, Emma, Gia and Jake "power up" to defend Earth from evil insectoid monsters. The Rangers must use friendship, teamwork and their Megazords to overcome evil villains Beezara, Dizchord, Bluefur, Bigs, Hisser and Creepox. Formats: DVD, Digital. (Lionsgate).

Pride and Prejudice: Keepsake Edition (1995) A&E's critically-acclaimed production of Jane Austen's enduring classic starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in a new "keepsake" edition. Formats: Two-disc DVD, $19.98; Blu-ray Disc, $29.99. Extras: "The Definitive Pride and Prejudice" featurette, "Love or Money? Courtship and Marriage in Pride and Prejudice" featurette, "Lifestyles of the Wealthy in Early 19th Century England" featurette. (Lionsgate).

Rewind This! (2013) The videocassette tape, once the cutting edge of home entertainment, is now a relic, but the story of its rise and fall is compelling viewing in this loving and enlightening history of the format and the lives it helped change. Until the late 1970s, the only way to see movies uncut and uncensored was in a theater or on the new and not-widely-available pay cable. But the arrival of VHS, and its competing videotape format Beta, created a revolution that would ultimately change how movies were seen, distributed and even produced. It was an exploding industry without rules, where new terms like "fast-forward" and "direct-to-video" entered the vocabulary, and where the previously unheard of notion of owning movies became a reality. This documentary traces the story of VHS tape from its heyday as the mainstream home video format to its current status as a nostalgic relic and prize to collectors who still cherish it. Featuring interviews with both filmmakers and enthusiasts from the VHS era, including Troma Entertainment legend Lloyd Kaufman, art-house auteur Atom Egoyan and "Hobo With a Shotgun" filmmaker Jason Eisener, this is the definitive story of the format that came to be synonymous with the home entertainment revolution. Formats: DVD, $24.98. Also be available as a DVD/VHS bundle exclusively through Amazon. Extras: Original animations, a special music video, over an hour of bonus interview footage on remix culture, laserdiscs and more. (FilmBuff).

Richard the Lionheart (2013) Chandler Maness, Burton Anthony Perez, Stewart Arnold, Christopher Jones, Malcolm McDowell. The aging King Henry II has chosen his son Richard to lead England in the coming war against France. To test Richard's loyalty, honor and skill, Henry sends him to a hellish prison in which the captives must fight a never-ending stream of enemies in order to survive. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). (Lionsgate).

Riddick (2013) Vin Diesel, Jordi Molla, Matt Nable, Katee Sackoff, Karl Urban, Dave Bautista, Bokeem Woodbine, Matt Nable, Raoul Trujillo, Nolan Gerard Funk. Unrated director's cut. Read more about "Riddick" in the January Calendar. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Vin's Riddick"­ behind-the-scenes featurette, "Meet the Mercs" supporting cast featurette, ­"Riddick: Blindsided," ­a motion comic prequel to Riddick that fills in the gap since 2004's "The Chronicles of Riddick." Blu-ray adds "The Twohy Touch" behind-the-scenes featurette with the director, "Riddickian Tech" effects featurette, "The World of Riddick" featurette. (Universal).

Rififi (1955) After making such American noir classics as "Brute Force" and "The Naked City," the blacklisted director Jules Dassin went to Paris and embarked on his masterpiece: a twisting, turning tale of four ex-cons who hatch one last glorious robbery in the City of Light. Rififi is the ultimate heist movie, a melange of suspense, brutality, and dark humor that was an international hit, earned Dassin the best director prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and has proven wildly influential on decades of heist thrillers in its wake. New 2K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Dual Format Edition. Extras: Interview with Dassin; set design drawings by Alexandre Trauner; production stills; trailer; optional English-dubbed soundtrack; a booklet featuring an essay by critic J. Hoberman. (The Criterion Collection).

Short Term 12 (2013) Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr., Kaitlyn Dever, Stephanie Beatriz, Rami Malek, Alex Calloway. Grace is a twenty-something supervisor at a group home for troubled and at-risk teens who is passionate, tough, and in love with her long-term boyfriend and co-worker, Mason. But Grace's difficult past, her fierce independence -- and the arrival of a distraught new girl at the facility -- create complications that push Grace and Mason to the brink. Grace and Mason come to embrace a surprising future together, discovering truth, humor, and family in unexpected places along the way. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Deleted scenes, behind the scenes featurette, making the music featurette, cast and crew screening featuring The Shivers, "Short Term 12": The original short film, trailers, teasers and outreach partners. (Cinedigm).

A Single Shot (2013) Sam Rockwell, William H. Macy, Ted Levine, Kelly Reilly, Jason Isaacs, Joe Anderson, Jeffrey Wright. When John Moon (Sam Rockwell) accidentally shoots a young woman and discovers a bag full of cash, the isolated hunter becomes the hunted. His struggle to conceal both the death and the money triggers a cascade of events and encounters that ultimately escalates into a battle for survival. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: "The Making of A Single Shot," cast and crew interviews. (Well Go USA).

The Spectacular Now (2013) Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley , Brie Larson, Bob Odenkirk, Dayo Okeniyi, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyle Chandler. Read more about "The Spectacular Now" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Deleted scenes, commentary with director James Ponsoldt, "Now to Then: Making The Spectacular Now" four part featurette: "Inception -- Defying Hollywood," "Cast -- Finding the Voice," "Aesthetic -- Authenticity Counts" and "Real -- Bringing It All to Life." (Lionsgate).

SpongeBob and Friends: Patrick SquarePants (2013) Fourteen episodes featuring best buddies SpongeBob and Patrick in school, at work and at play. Formats: DVD, $14.99. Extras: (Nickelodeon/Paramount).

Sunrise BLU-RAY DEBUT (1927) Dir.: F.W. Murnau; George O'Brien, Janet Gaynor, Margaret Livingston, Bodil Rosing. F.W. Murnau's story of betrayal and redemption earned Oscars at the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929 for the most "Unique and Artistic Picture," Best Actress (Janet Gaynor) and Best Cinematography. The love and loyalty of a farmer and his wife are put to the ultimate test in this classic silent film. "Sunrise" used the groundbreaking Fox Movietone sound system, making it one of the first studio films with a true soundtrack, featuring music and sound effects. Extras: Original Fox Movietone version and European silent version, commentary by ASC Cinematographer John Bailey, outtakes with commentary by John Bailey, original theatrical trailer, original scenario by Carl Mayer with annotations by F.W. Murnau, Original "Sunrise" screenplay, restoration notes. Available as a Blu-ray/DVD combo. (Fox).

Terraferma (2011 -- Italy) Filippo Pucillo, Donatella Finocchiaro, Beppe Fiorello. Set on a summer tourist island off the coast of Sicily, "Terraferma" tells the story of two struggling, yet disparate families, whose members become fatefully intertwined. Teenager Filippo and his grandfather support their family by fishing, but there are fewer and fewer big hauls lately. Mom decides to rent out their house to the wealthy tourists who occasionally come ashore the little island. But when a raft of desperate Ethiopian refugees arrives, all plans change and the Sicilian family must choose between their economic survival and doing the morally right thing. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Making-of featurette, trailer. (Cohen Media).

Thief (1981) American auteur Michael Mann burst out of the gate with his bold artistic sensibility fully formed with "Thief," his first theatrical feature. James Caan stars, in one of his most riveting performances, as a no-nonsense ex-con safecracker planning to leave the criminal world behind after one final diamond heist, but discovering that escape is not as simple as he hoped. Finding hypnotic beauty in neon and rain-slick streets, sparks and steel, "Thief" effortlessly established the moody stylishness and tactile approach to action that would define such later iconic entertainments from Mann as "Miami Vice," "Manhunter" and "Heat." New digital restoration from a 4K film transfer, approved by director Michael Mann, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Dual Format Edition. Extras: Audio commentary featuring Mann and Caan; new interviews with Mann, Caan, and Johannes Schmoelling of the band Tangerine Dream, which contributed the film's soundtrack; trailer; a booklet featuring an essay by critic Nick James. (The Criterion Collection).

Top Gear: Season 20 (2013) Two-disc set with six episodes, $18.98. Formats: DVD. (BBC Home Entertainment).

20 Feet From Stardom (2013) Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. In this compelling and very watchable documentary, award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 20th and 21st centuries. Read more about "20 Feet From Stardom" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: TBA. (Radius-TWC).

The Universe in 3D: A Whole New Dimension (2014) The acclaimed History series is back with three visually-stunning episodes in 3D. "Crash Landing on Mars" explores how events might play out if humans were stranded on the red planet. "Worst Days on Planet Earth" imagines how our seemingly hospitable planet has been shaped through utter chaos and destruction: how giant volcanoes scorched the Earth and darkened skies, and how asteroids the size of Everest slammed into the ocean. In "God and the Universe," physicists and theologians discuss whether the seemingly miraculous creation of a universe calibrated to support life proves the existence of a creator or can be explained by the laws of physics. Formats: Blu-ray Disc, $19.99. (Lionsgate).

Unmanned: America's Drone Wars (2013) Documentary from respected filmmaker, Robert Greenwald investigates the impact that U.S. drone strikes have across the globe. The film reveals the realities of drone warfare: The violation of international law, the loss of innocent life among children, women and elders, the far-reaching implications for the communities that live under drones, and the resulting blowback the United States faces. Formats: DVD, $19.98. Extras: Commentary by Greenwald; extended interviews; legal experts discuss President Obama's drone policy; short film – "Living Under Drones." (The Disinformation Company).

Voodoo Possession (2014) Ryan Caltagirone, Danny Trejo. A cynical man journeys to a Haitian insane asylum in search of his missing brother to discover that all the inmates and the hospital administrator are seemingly possessed by a bloodthirsty voodoo spirit. Formats: DVD, VOD. (Image Entertainment).

You're Next (2013) Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, AJ Bowen, Ti West, Rob Moran, Joe Swanberg, Wendy Glenn, Amy Seimetz, Barbara Crampton. Read more about "You're Next" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "No Ordinary Home Invasion: The Making of You're Next" featurette; commentary with director Adam Wingard, writer Simon Barrett and actors Sharni Vinson and Barbara Crampton; commentary with Wingard and Barrett. (Lionsgate).

Wolverine vs. Sabretooth (2014) Motion-animation DVD comic book documents the biggest, best and quite possibly last battle between Wolverine and Sabretooth. These sworn foes have been locked in an endless grudge match that goes back longer than either can remember, and the key to victory is eons old. Formats: DVD, $14.97. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette with Jeph Loeb and Simone Bianchi. (Shout! Factory).

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January 21

Angelina Ballerina: On With the Show (2014) Five "showtime" episodes with Angelina and her friends as the mouselings let their creativity shine and get on with the show: "Angelina's Musical Day," "Angelina and the Bandleader," "Angelina and Ms. Mimi," "Angelina's Kitchen band" and "Angelina and the Father's Day Surprise," 14.98. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. Extras: Angelina's Perfect game, "I Will Be a Star" karaoke music video. (Lionsgate).

Bad Milo (2013) Ken Marino, Gillian Jacobs, Mary Kay Place, Claudia Choi. Duncan's mounting stress starts to trigger an insufferable gastrointestinal reaction. Out of ideas and at the end of his rope, Duncan seeks the help of a hypnotherapist, who helps him discover the root of his unusual stomach pain: a pintsized demon living in his intestine that, triggered by excessive anxiety, forces its way out and slaughters the people who have angered him. Out of fear that his intestinal gremlin may target its wrath on the wrong person, Duncan attempts to befriend it, naming it Milo and indulging it to keep its seemingly insatiable appetite at bay. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary, outtakes, extended scenes, deleted scenes, "Behind Milo: Raw Take," "Making of Bad Milo!" AXS TV: "A Look at Bad Milo!" theatrical trailer. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).

Barney: Story Time With Barney (2014) Barney shows that reading is fun and that imaginations can soar in three episodes: "Fairy tales," "The Emperor's Contest" and "The Sword in the Sandbox," $14.98. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. Extras: "Short Stories With Barney" featurette. (Lionsgate).

Best Man Down (2012) Justin Long, Jess Weixler, Tyler Labine. A newlywed couple cancel their honeymoon and return to the snowy Midwest to make the funeral arrangements for their best man, who died unexpectedly after their ceremony. But getting his body back to Minneapolis is just the start of their adventure, as the well-intended sacrifice surprises at every turn. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Outtakes, interviews, AXS TV: "A Look at Best Man Down," theatrical trailer. (Lionsgate).

Black Water Vampire (2014) Bill Oberst Jr., Danielle Lozeau, Andrea Monier, Anthony Fanelli, Robin Steffen. A group of young documentary filmmakers set off to uncover the true story behind the Black Water murders, a series of brutal killings where women were found dumped in the woods, savagely slain, with their mutilated bodies completely drained of blood. Formats: DVD, VOD. (Image Entertainment).

Blue Jasmine (2013) Dir.: Woody Allen; Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Michael Stuhlbarg, Peter Sarsgaard, Alden Ehrenreich, Louis C.K., Sally Hawkins, Bobby Cannavale, Tammy Blanchard, Andrew Dice Clay. Read more about "Blue Jasmine" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Notes From the Red Carpet," in which the cast discusses making the film and their take on the characters; "Blue Jasmine" cast press conference with Cate Blanchett, Peter Saarsgard and Andrew Dice Clay. (Sony).

Borgen: Season Three (2013 -- Denmark) Danish political drama that for three seasons has intrigued audiences around the world for it's portrayal of the personal costs of the struggle for power for the people at the center of the political world and the media. Final season with 10 episodes. Formats: Four-disc DVD, $49.95. (MHz Home Entertainment).

Bullet in the Face: The Complete Series (2012) Single disc with six episodes of the series about a sociopathic criminal, shot in the face by his girlfriend during a robbery gone awry, who wakes up in the hospital with the face of a cop and who now has to work with the police and fight crime. It's all set in he intriguing, neo-noir universe of Bruteville, a dystopian city where high-octane thrills, gangster mayhem, and a generous dose of subversive, satirical bent collide. Formats: DVD, $19.97. Extras: Commentary by executive producer Alan Spencer ("Sledge Hammer!"). (Shout! Factory).

Captain Phillips (2013) Dir.: Paul Greengrass; Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed, Mahat M. Ali, Catherine Keener, Yul Vazquez, Christopher Stadulis, Corey Johnson, Michael Chernus, Chris Mulkey, John Magaro, Max Martini, Maria Dizzia. Read more about "Captain Phillips" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Capturing Captain Phillips," a three-part, behind-the-scenes look at the film's production and real events surrounding the film; commentary with director Paul Greengrass. (Sony).

Cat People Collector's Edition BLU-RAY DEBUT (1982) Dir.: Paul Schrader. Nastassja Kinski, Malcolm McDowell, John Heard, Annette O'Toole. Remake of Jacque Tourneur's 1942 horror noir classic. Features music by Giorgio Moroder with the "Cat People" theme sung by David Bowie. Extras: New interviews with writer-director Schrader, Kinski, McDowell, Heard, O'Toole, Lynn Lowry and composer Giorgio Moroder; theatrical trailer, still gallery, TV spot. (Scream Factory/Shout! Factory).

Comedy Bang! Bang! The Complete First Season (2013) Two-disc set contains all 10 episodes of IFC's series that turns the predictable TV chat show upside down and inside out. Created, written by and starring Scott Aukerman and based on his popular podcast of the same name, "Comedy Bang! Bang!" infuses celebrity appearances and comedy sketches with a tinge of the surreal. In each episode, Aukerman engages his guests with unfiltered and improvisational lines of questioning, punctuated by banter and beats provided by his bandleader, one-man musical mastermind Reggie Watts. Packed with character cameos, filmic shorts, sketches and games set amongst an off-beat world. Joining Aukerman and Watts for the first season are guests Zach Galifanakis, Amy Poehler, Jon Hamm, Michael Cera, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Ed Helms, Elizabeth Banks and Andy Samberg. Formats: DVD, $29.98. Extras: Commentaries, deleted scenes, deleted interview questions, insult supercut from "The Assassin," ultimate teaser trailer, alternate title sequence, supercut of Reggie Watt's commercial intros/outros, director Ben Berman's test shoots for special effects, IFC promos. (Anchor Bay).

Concrete Blondes (2013) Carly Pope, Samaire Armstrong, Diora Baird. Three bombshell friends face off against dangerous criminals whose money they've stolen. Formats: DVD, VOD. (Inception Media Group).

Counting Cars: Season 2 -- Volume 2 (2013) Two-disc set with 12 episodes of the History series about Danny "The Count" Koker and his Las Vegas-based crew that restores and "flips" classic autos. Formats: DVD, $14.98. Extras: Never-before-seen footage. (Lionsgate).

Crossing Lines: Season One (2013) Three-disc set with 10 episodes about a special crime unit that investigates serialized crimes that cross over European borders, hunting down criminals to bring them to justice. Formats: DVD, $29.97; Blu-ray Disc, $29.98; Digital. Extras: "Behind the Lines" featurette. (Lionsgate).

Die Monster Die (aka Monster of Terror) BLU-RAY DEBUT (1965) Boris Karloff, Nick Adams, Suzan Farmer. Loose adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's short story "The Colour Out of Space." (Scream Factory/Shout! Factory).

Dolmen: The Complete Series (2005 -- France) Three-disc set with six episodes, $39.95. Police officer Marie Kermeur returns to the beautiful craggy island of Ty Kern, off the coast of Brittany, to marry Christian, the man she grew up with on the island, but her plans are stymied when, one by one, members of Marie's and other well-known local families die in mysterious circumstances. Adding an element of the bizarre to each tragedy is the fact that at the moment of death, one of the large stone outcroppings on the island called "menhirs" begins to bleed with blood identical to that of the victim. Formats: DVD. (MHz Home Entertainment).

How the Universe Works Season 2 (2014) Two-disc set with eight episodes of Science Channel scientific exploration that covers planets, weather, energy, magnetism, orbits, comets, and other elements that make up this space that we call home. Formats: DVD, $32.98. (Cinedigm).

In a World ... (2013) Dir.: Lake Bell; Lake Bell, Fred Melamed, Ken Marino, Demetri Martin, Rob Corddry, Michaela Watkins, Nick Offerman, Alexandra Holden,Tig Notaro with special appearances by Eva Longoria, Geena Davis and Jeff Garlin. Read more about "In a World ..." in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary with writer-director-actor Bell, deleted scenes, gag reel, six voiceover promo trailers for the film. (Sony).

Instructions Not Included (2013 -- Mexico) Eugenio Derbez, Jessica Lindsey, Loreto Peralta, Daniel Raymont, Alessandra Rosaldo. Read more about "Instructions Not Included" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: commentary with Eugenio Derbez. (Lionsgate).

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) Stanley Kramer followed his Oscar-winning "Judgment at Nuremberg" with this sobering investigation of American greed. Ah, who are we kidding? "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World," about a group of strangers fighting tooth and nail over buried treasure, is the most grandly harebrained movie ever made, a pile up of slapstick and borscht-belt-y one-liners performed by a nonpareil cast, including Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Spencer Tracy, Jonathan Winters, and a boatload of other playing-to-the-rafters comedy legends. For sheer scale of silliness, Kramer's wildly uncharacteristic film is unlike any other, an exhilarating epic of tomfoolery. New, restored 4K digital film transfer of the general release version of the film, with 5.1 surround Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray. New high-definition digital transfer of a 197-minute extended version of the film, reconstructed and restored by Robert A. Harris using visual and audio material from the longer original road-show version -- including some scenes that have been returned to the film here for the first time -- with 5.1 surround Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Dual Format Edition: Two Blu-rays/three DVDs. Extras: New audio commentary featuring "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" aficionados Mark Evanier, Michael Schlesinger, and Paul Scrabo; new documentary on the film's visual and sound effects, featuring rare behind-the-scenes footage of the crew at work and interviews with visual-effects specialist Craig Barron and sound designer Ben Burtt; talk show from 1974 hosted by director Stanley Kramer and featuring "Mad World" actors Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, and Jonathan Winters; press interview from 1963 featuring Kramer and members of the film's cast; interviews recorded for the 2000 AFI program "100 Years ... 100 Laughs," featuring comedians and actors discussing the influence of the film; two-part 1963 episode of the CBC television program "Telescope" that follows the film's press junket and premiere; "The Last 70mm Film Festival," a program from 2012 featuring cast and crew members from "Mad World" at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, hosted by Billy Crystal; selection of humorist and voice-over artist Stan Freberg's original TV and radio advertisements for the film, with a new introduction by Freberg; original and rerelease trailers, and rerelease radio spots; a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Lou Lumenick. (The Criterion Collection).

Knight of the Dead (2013) Alan Calton, Alf Thompson, Dylan Jones, Feth Greenwood. Hunted by raiders, a band of crusading knights must escort a sacred artifact through a zombie-infested valley. Formats: DVD, VOD. (Inception Media Group).

La Vie de Boheme (1992) This deadpan tragicomedy about a group of impoverished, outcast artists living the bohemian life in Paris is among the most beguiling films by Finnish master Aki Kaurismaki ("Le Havre"). Based on stories from Henri Murger's influential mid 19th-century book "Scenes de la vie de boheme (the basis for the opera "La boheme"), the film features a marvelous trio of Kaurismaki regulars, Andre Wilms, Matti Pellonpaa and Karl Vaananen, as a poet, painter, and composer who scrape by together, sharing in life's daily absurdities. Gorgeously shot in black and white, "La vie de boheme" is a vibrantly scrappy rendition of a beloved tale. New, high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Dual Format Edition. Extras: "Where Is Musette?", an hour-long documentary on the making of the film; new interview with actor Andre Wilms; trailer; a booklet featuring an essay by critic Luc Sante. (The Criterion Collection).

Life's an Itch (2012) Roger Ali Cobrin, Rossi Morreale, Andrea Bogart, Kathleen Quinlan. A married thirtysomething father of two reaches the point where he questions everything: career, creativity, his marriage and even love. But complications and temptations arise when his wife invites her open-minded (and very sexy) yoga instructor, Gillian, to stay in the guesthouse while she's away on vacation with the kids. Formats: DVD. (Monarch Home Entertainment).

Machete Kills (2013) Dir.: Robert Rodriguez; Danny Trejo, Mel Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, Jessica Alba, Charlie Sheen/Carlos Estevez, Antonio Banderas, Cuba Gooding Jr., Lady Gaga, Amber Heard, Vanessa Hudgens, Walt Goggins, William Sadler, Demian Bichir, Alexa Vega, Marko Zaror, Samuel Davis. Read more about "Machete Kills" in the January Calendar. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Deleted and extended scenes, "Making of Machete Kills." (Universal).

My Little Pony: Classic Movie Collection Two-disc set with four "My Little Pony" movies: "Princess Promenade," "Runaway Rainbow," "Dancing in the Clouds" and "Friends Are Never Far Away." Formats: DVD, $14.93. (Shout! Factory Kids).

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy BLU-RAY DEBUT (2010) "Shockumentary" highlighting the horrifying history of Freddy Krueger featuring exclusive interviews with over 100 key cast and crew from every "Nightmare," including creator Wes Craven and Robert Englund. Extras: Extended interviews, "First Look: Heather Langenkamp's I Am Nancy," "For the Love of the Glove," "Fred Heads: The Ultimate Freddy Fans," "Horror's Hallowed Grounds: Return to Elm Street," "Freddy vs. The Angry Video Game Nerd," "Expanding the Video Game Universe: Freddy in Comic Books and Novels," "The Music of the Nightmare: Conversations With Composers and Songwriters," "Elm Street's Poster Boy: The Art of Matthew Joseph Peak," "A Nightmare on Elm Street in 10 Minutes," "Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy" teaser trailer. Two-disc collector's edition, $29.98. (Image Entertainment).

Old Goats (2010) Britton Crosley, Bob Burkholder, David Vander Wal, Benita Staadecker, Gail Shackel, Steve Stolee. Story of a trio of spirited senior citizens on a quest to make the most of their sunset years. Friends Bob, Britt and Dave -- playing themselves in a fictional framework -- are each confronting aging in his own unique fashion: straight-laced Dave rebels against his wife's plans for their new retirement, hoarder Britt struggles with online dating after decades alone on his houseboat, and lively ladies man Bob juggles a hyperactive social schedule and a fanciful memoir about his adventurous past. Rife with equal doses of attitude and charm, this slice-of-life comedy finds offbeat humor in the everyday foibles of life and love after retirement, and provides a refreshing perspective on "the golden years," proving it's never too late to chase your dreams. Formats: DVD, VOD. Extras: "Behind the Scenes of Twisted Love," a short film starring Bob Burkholder and Britton Crosley; "Old Goats on Old Goats"; deleted/extended scenes; Bob Burkholder tribute video; grandparents’ movie review; theatrical and teaser trailers. (Music Box Films).

Peanuts Deluxe Edition: Touchdown Charlie Brown! (1977) This football-inspired release is comprised of the re-mastered, animated TV special, "It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown," in which the Peanuts gang celebrate homecoming, plus three football-themed episodes of "The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show." Formats: DVD. (Warner).

The Postman Always Rings Twice BLU-RAY DEBUT (1981) Dir.: Bob Rafelson; Jack Nicholson, Jessica Lange, John Colicos, Michael Lerner, John P. Ryan, Anjelica Huston. Warner does justice to the steamy remake of the 1946 Tay Garnett crime drama (starring Lana Turner and John Garfield) with this lavish remastering of Rafelson's film (with his approval). Apparently, the 1997 DVD release was in the wrong aspect ratio in a pan-and-scan format and, according to Rafelson, contained "a host of other errors." Warner has made it good this time, adding commentary by Rafelson, Nicholson and screenwriter David Mamet. The film is justly notorious for its hot kitchen table sex scene between Lange and Nicholson. (Warner.

The Prey (2013 -- France) Albert Dupontel, Stephane Debac, Alice Taglioni, Sergi Lopez. Franck Adrien, a bank robber convicted of a heist and sentenced to six months in prison, shares a cell with seemingly weak Jean Louis Morel. But once Morel gets released from behind bars, Adrien learns that Morel is really a sadistic serial killer who now knows private details about Adrien's life. Adrien must break out of prison and catch Morel before he gets to Adrien's family ... and before France's elite police detectives hunt Adrien down. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Interview with director Eric Valette, making-of documentary. (Cohen Media Group).

Richard the Lionheart (2013) Malcolm McDowell, Burton Perez, Stewart Arnold, Christopher Jones. King Henry II tests the loyalty and honor of his son Richard by sending him to a hellish prison. In prison Richard must fight against adversaries representing the virtues of a knight. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). (Lionsgate).


Sebastian Bergman: Volume 1 (2010 -- Sweden) Two-disc, $29.95. The adventures of Sweden's most famous criminal profiler, the strong-headed, politically incorrect, intuitive, abrasive and grief stricken Sebastian Bergman. Formats: DVD. (MHz Home Entertainment).

Space Voyages (2013) Smithsonian Channel four-part series surveys the challenges and opportunities of modern space exploration: "The Moon and Beyond," "Into the Unknown," "Open for Business" and "Surviving the Void." Formats: DVD, $19.98. (Inception Media Group).

The Starving Games (2013) Maiara Walsh, Brant Daugherty, Cody Christian. Sixth in the series of cinematic spoofs of popular box-office hits by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer ("Vampires Suck," "Meet the Spartans"). When Kantmiss Evershot volunteers to take her manipulative younger sister's place in the 75th annual "Starving Games" she must leave behind her smoldering just-a-friend Dale and team up with the geeky baker's son in a fight for her life. But wait, there's more. She could also win an old ham, a coupon for a footlong sub at a six-inch price, and a partially-eaten pickle. Formats: DVD. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette. (Ketchup Entertainment).

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January 28

The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross (2013) Written and presented by Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., director of W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University, this six-hour series explores the evolution of the African-American people, as well as the multiplicity of cultural institutions, political strategies, and religious and social perspectives they developed -- forging their own history, culture and society against unimaginable odds. Formats: DVD, $34.99. (PBS Distribution).

African-American Leaders: Past & Present (2013) Five telefilms that tell the stories of five influential African-Americans. The in-depth profiles of Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Thurgood Marshall and Barack Obama delve into their lives, the experiences that shaped them and the impact they've had on history. Formats: Two-disc DVD, $14.98. (Lionsgate).

The Agatha Christie Hour: Complete Collection (2014) Ten tales of intrigue and romance from renowned mystery writer Agatha Christie: "The Case of the Middle-Aged Wife"; "In a Glass Darkly"; "The Girl in the Train"; "The Fourth Man"; "The Case of the Discontented Soldier"; "Magnolia Blossom"; "The Mystery of the Blue Jar"; "The Red Signal"; "Jane in Search of a Job"; "The Manhood of Edward Robinson." Four-disc set, $59.99. Formats: DVD. Extras: Biography of Agatha Christie, "Parker Pyne: Before Poirot." (Acorn Media).

Agatha Christie's The Queen Of Crime Collection (2014) Three feature-length Agatha Christie mysteries: "Sparkling Cyanide" (2003 adaptation starring Pauline Collins and Susan Hampshire), "Why Didn't They Ask Evans?" (1980 adaptation starring Francesca Annis) and "Seven Dials Mystery" (1981 adaptation starring John Gielgud). Three-disc set, $49.99. Formats: DVD. (Acorn Media).

Antisocial (2013) Michelle Mylett, Cody Ray Thompson, Adam Christie, Ana Alic, Romaine Waite, Ry Barrett. A New Year celebration between a small group of friends turn into a vicious fight for survival when a mysterious viral outbreak forces them to stay indoors -- and their only link to the outside world is their phones, laptops, and other tech devices. Formats: DVD. (Breaking Glass Pictures/Monster Pictures/Vicious Circle Films).

The April Fools (1969) Jack Lemmon, Catherine Deneuve, Peter Lawford, Jack Weston, Myrna Loy, Charles Boyer, Kenneth Mars, Melinda Dillon, Harvey Korman, Sally Kellerman. Howard Brubaker (Lemmon) is a newly promoted man trapped in a loveless marriage. Catherine's (Deneuve) marriage would be ideal if her husband (who, unknown to Howard, is his boss) weren't a womanizer. When Howard and Catherine meet at a trendy party for New York's corporate elite, they decide to escape and explore the city instead. Soon the pair find themselves falling in love and deciding to run off to Paris. All they have to do now is tell their spouses. (Paramount).

Argento's Dracula (2012) Thomas Kretschmann, Marta Gastini, Asia Argento, Rutger Hauer, Unax Ugalde. Horror maestro Dario Argento's luridly violent and erotic take on the Dracula legend. Formats: DVD, 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray Combo. (IFC Films).

"The Beast of Hollow Mountain/The Neanderthal Man Double Feature" A double dose of 50s high-camp: "The Beast of Hollow Mountain" (1956): Guy Madison, Patricia Medina. An American cowboy living in Mexico discovers his cattle is being eaten by a giant prehistoric dinosaur. "The Neanderthal Man" (1953): Robert Shayne, Richard Crane, Doris Merrick, Joyce Terry, Beverly Garland. A mad scientist uses his new serum on his housekeeper, turning her into an ape-woman. Like most crazed scientists, he then tries the serum on himself, creating ... The Neanderthal Man. Formats: Two-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo. (Scream Factory/Shout! Factory).

The Booker (2013) Steve Scarborough doesn't like what's happened to professional wrestling -- its metamorphosis from theater for the masses with easily recognizable "good" and "bad" characters, moral lessons about right and wrong to a reliance on shock tactics and fake fighting -- so he's set about to change it, one match at a time. This documentary chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of Scarborough's singular journey, as he takes his Platinum Championship Wrestling from idea to reality. Shot over the course of four years, "The Booker" follows Scarborough's monumental efforts to take his burgeoning wrestling school from the back room of a theater space with four students to a full-fledged wrestling show at a 2,500 seat arena. Formats: DVD, Digital. (IndiePix Films).

Cloudy With a Chance Of Meatballs 2 (2013) Voices of Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Andy Samberg, Benjamin Bratt, Neil Patrick Harris, Kristen Schaal, Will Forte, Terry Crews. Read more about "Cloudy With a Chance Of Meatballs 2" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, 3D/Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Commentary with directors Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn; Cody Simpson "La Da Dee" music video and making of the video featurette; seven new featurettes:
"Anatomy of a Foodimal": Flamangos, Cheesespiders, Hippotatomuses! Oh my! The filmmakers discuss the inspiration behind these wacky food-animal hybrids that have taken over Swallow Falls, and chat with the gang to find out how they came up with the Food-imal's creative and amusing names.
"Production Design: Back in the Kitchen": Where do you go after it rains cheeseburgers all over Swallow Falls? Back to the kitchen of course! Filmmakers Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn discuss how they came up with stories and jokes for the film.
"Awesome End Credits": The filmmakers discuss how they used a mix of 3D, 2D, stop motion and live action.
"Cloudy Cafe: Who's On the Menu?" featurette on the voice actors.
"Building the Foodimals."
"The Sasquash" featurette on all the places in the film that the sneaky Sasquash is hiding.
"Delicious Production Design."
Blu-ray adds deleted scenes and four mini-movies:
"Attack of the 50-Foot Gummi Bear" in which Flint's mischievous gummi bear grows to 50-feet by using his new food-modifying invention while Steve is in charge. Steve must frantically chase the gummi bear and transform him back to normal size before Flint returns to the lab.
"Steve's First Bath": Flint's failed date with Sam is because of Steve's mischievous ways.
"Super Manny": Manny, the Jack of all trades, saves an adorable kitty with his many skills.
"Earl Scouts": The Foodimals join Earl's scouting program but are very competitive.
(Sony).

Bonnie & Clyde (2013) Emile Hirsch, Holliday Grainger, Sarah Hyland, Elizabeth Reaser, Holly Hunter, William Hurt. Miniseries retelling of the legend of Depression-era gangsters Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, broadcast simultaneously on History, Lifetime and A&E. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Three featurettes: "Iconography: The Story of Bonnie & Clyde" behind-the-scenes featurette, "Becoming Bonnie" featurette, "Becoming Clyde" featurette. Blu-ray adds "A Legendary Story Revisited" featurette. (Sony).

Collision (2013) Frank Grillo, Jaimie Alexander, Charlie Bewley. While on their honeymoon in Morocco, Scott and Taylor Dolan set off on a day trip through the Sahara and get involved in a deadly car accident in the middle of the desert. The couple finds themselves stranded in the middle of the remote desert with no way home and soon lies and betrayals are revealed, as well a shocking discovery: nothing happens by chance. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes. (Lionsgate).

Concussion (2013) Robin Weigert, Maggie Siff, Johnathan Tchaikovsky, Janel Moloney, Ben Shankmen. A middle-class wife and mother with a growing feeling of discontent suffers a concussion that unleashes her latent sexuality that sends her on an erotic journey to take on an alter ego, Eleanor, acquire a pied-a-terre in Manhattan and work as a high-class escort while keeping her sordid new career a carefully guarded secret from her unsuspecting family. Formats: DVD. (RADiUS-TWC/Anchor Bay).

Dark Touch (2013) Missy Keating, Marcella Plunkett, Padraic Delaney, Charlotte Flyvholm. After a mysterious and bloody massacre in her isolated country house leaves her parents and younger brother dead, no one believes 11-year-old Neve that an evil force within the house caused the deaths ... until whatever killed her family follows her to her new home. Formats: DVD. (IFC Films).

Downton Abbey Season 4 (2014) "Downton Abbey Season 4" airs Sundays on Masterpiece on PBS from Jan. 5 to Feb. 23, 2014. The returning cast includes Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Joanne Froggatt, Rob James-Collier, Lily James, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton and a host of others, joined by Shirley MacLaine, who reprises her role as Martha Levinson, the forthright American mother of Cora, Countess of Grantham (McGovern). Martha again battles wits with Cora’s wickedly acerbic mother-in-law, Violet (Smith). Among the new faces are Paul Giamatti as Cora's playboy brother, Harold, who appears in the season finale; Harriet Walter as Violet's old friend Lady Shackleton; Gary Carr as jazz singer Jack Ross; Joanna David as the Duchess of Yeovil; Tom Cullen as the dashing Lord Gillingham and Julian Ovenden as an unexpected houseguest.

All who tuned in last season know that Matthew Crawley -- heir to Downton Abbey, husband to Lady Mary (Dockery), and brand new father to a baby boy and successor -- lies dead on a country road next to his overturned roadster. On top of this, the family is still grieving over the death in childbirth of Sybil, Mary's youngest sister, who also left a baby behind. Season 4 opens six months later. Although it is the 1920s, Britain still observes mourning rituals that are almost Victorian in their solemnity. Nonetheless, the Crawleys are beginning to snap out of it: Robert, Lord Grantham (Bonneville), must manage the estate without his canny son-in-law; Cora suddenly faces a staffing crisis; Violet, who has seen enough tragedy, knows how to recoup quickly; Isobel (Wilton), Matthew's mother, may never recover; Edith (Carmichael), who was jilted at the altar, tempts scandal with a new beau; and Mary now finds herself the most desirable widow in Yorkshire. The servants also pick up, buck up, and get on with it -- with new arrivals, departures, rivalries, and betrayals among the downstairs staff. Life goes on at Downton Abbey. Formats: Three-disc DVD, $49.99; three-disc Blu-ray, $54.99, Digital. Extras: TBA. (PBS Distribution).

The Fifth Estate (2013) Dir.: Bill Condon; Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Bruhl, Laura Linney, Stanley Tucci, Anthony Mackie. Read more about "The Fifth Estate" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: "The Submission Platform: Visual Effects," "In Camera: Graphics," "Scoring Secrets," trailers and TV spots. (Disney).

Forward 13: Waking Up the American Dream (2013) The foreclosure crisis made personal. Caught in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, director Patrick Lovell, one of 10 million people who lost their homes, finds himself asking why he and so many Americans were blindsided by the economy's implosion. How could his pursuit of the American Dream -- starting a business, providing for his new family, and owning a home -- drive him to financial ruin? Coinciding with the exponential growth of the Occupy Wall Street movement, Lovell embarks on a cross-country journey to discover what happened to the America originally founded to be free from tyranny. Conversations with a broad spectrum of energy and political academics, OWS protestors, professional developers, real estate agents, and attorneys all lead to the same conclusion: the system is broken. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. (Cinema Libre Studio).

I Used to Be Darker (2013) Deragh Campbell, Hannah Gross, Ned Oldham, Kim Taylor, Nicholas Petr, Geoff Grace. When Taryn, a Northern Irish runaway, finds herself in trouble in Ocean City, she seeks refuge with her aunt and uncle in Baltimore. But Kim and Bill have problems of their own: they're trying to handle the end of their marriage gracefully for the sake of their daughter Abby, just home from her first year of college. In the days that follow, the family struggles to let go of the past while searching for new things to hold onto. Formats: DVD. (Strand Releasing).

It's Better to Jump (2013) The city of Akka, on the coast of Israel, has protected its citizens for centuries with a massive sea wall. However, economic and social changes are pressuring generations of Palestinians to leave. This documentary captures the spirit of Akka's Arab residents and their continuing tradition of leaping into the sea from the wall as an expression of self-determination. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. (Cinema Libre Studio).

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013) Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, Greg Harris, Georgina Cates, Kamber Hejlik. Read more about "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa" in the January Calendar. Blu-ray version includes an unrated cut crammed full of even more outrageous footage, along with the theatrical version of the film. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Blu-ray extras: Behind-the-scenes vignettes, deleted scenes, " Alternate Reactions from Real People." (Paramount).

Last Vegas (2013) Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline, Mary Steenburgen, Romany Malco, Jerry Ferrara. Read more about "Last Vegas" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Commentary with director Jon Turteltaub and writer Dan Fogelman; three featurettes: "It's Going to Be Legendary" behind-the-scenes look at the production of the film with commentary from the main cast, "Four Legends" look at the ensemble main cast and their insights on working with one another, "The Flatbush Four" glimpse at the character arcs of the four main characters. Blu-ray adds three more featurettes: "Shooting in Sin City," "The Redfoo Party" and "Supporting Ensemble." (Sony).

The Long Day Closes (1992) "The Long Day Closes" is the most gloriously cinematic expression of the unique sensibility of Terence Davies ("Distant Voices, Still Lives"; "The Deep Blue Sea"). Bursting with both enchantment and melancholy, this autobiographical film takes on the perspective of a quiet boy growing up lonely in Liverpool in the 1950s. But rather than employ a straightforward narrative, Davies jumps in and out of time, swoops into fantasies and fears, summons memories and dreams. A singular filmic tapestry, "The Long Day Closes" is an evocative, movie- and music-besotted portrait of the artist as a young man. New, high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed stereo soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Dual Format Edition. Extras: Audio commentary by Davies and director of photography Michael Coulter; episode from 1992 of the British television series "The South Bank Show" with Davies, featuring on-set footage from "The Long Day Closes" and interviews with cast and crew; new interviews with executive producer Colin MacCabe and production designer Christopher Hobbs; trailer; a booklet featuring an essay by critic Michael Koresky. (The Criterion Collection).

Nicholas Sparks Limited Edition DVD Collection Box set with the seven films based on Sparks' novels: "Safe Haven," "The Lucky One," "Dear John," "Nights in Rodanthe," "A Walk to Remember," "Message in a Bottle" and "The Notebook." Sparks is one of the world's best-selling authors and romantic storytellers: all 17 of his novels have been New York Times bestsellers, have been published in more than 50 languages, and have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide (including more than 60 million copies in the U.S.). This is the first time these films have been together in one collection. Formats: DVD, $69.97. Extras: Special postcard set with images from each film and a letter from Sparks as well as all the extras on the original DVD releases. (Warner).

A Perfect Man (2013) Liev Schreiber, Jeanne Tripplehorn. A womanizer, caught cheating by his wife, inadvertently falls back in love with her over the phone when she pretends to be another woman. Formats: DVD. (IFC Films).

Rush (2013) Di.: Ron Howard; Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl, Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara, Stephen Mangan, Christian McKay, Julian Rhind-Tutt. Read more about "Rush" in the January Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Ron Howard: A Director's Approach." Blu-ray adds a six part featurette, "Race for the Checkered Flag: The Making of Rush," with "Peter Morgan on Writing Rush," "The Making of Rush -- Finding James and Niki," "The Light of Speed and Filming F1," "Around the World in One Location," "Fashion and Styles of the 70's" and "The Making of Rush -- Ron Howard: A Director’s Approach"; three-part featurette, "The Real Story of Rush" with "Meeting James Hunt and Niki Lauda," "F1 Take 1: F1 Racing and the F1 Car" and "The Rock and Roll Circus." (Universal).

Somali Pirate Takedown: The Real Story (2009) The real story behind the Somali Pirate capture of the Maersk Alabama, including never-before-seen footage, interviews with members of the crew, new footage of the pirates, the Navy's maneuvers -- and the kill shots that saved the life of Captain Richard Phillips. From the Discovery Channel. Formats: DVD, $14.93. (Cinedigm).

Steven Spielberg Presents: Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain The Complete Series (1998-99) Two-disc set with all 13 episodes from the Daytime Emmy Award-winning Kids'-WB series. Formats: DVD, $19.98. (Warner).

Stonados (2013) Paul Johansson, Sebastian Spence, Miranda Frigon. When a tornado appears in the waters south of Boston, former storm chaser Joe Randall is intrigued by the unusual weather. But as twisters begin to strike across the Boston shoreline, Joe quickly realizes this is no ordinary storm front: the storms are hurling large stones all over the Eastern seaboard. Formats: DVD, Digital. (ARC Entertainment).

Treme: The Complete Fourth Season (2013) Beginning in 2008 and culminating at Mardi Gras 2009, the five episodes of the last season revisit the musicians, chefs, Mardi Gras Indians and other familiar New Orleanians who continue to rebuild their lives, their homes and their culture in the aftermath of Katrina. Formats: DVD, $39.98; Blu-ray Disc, $49.99; Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: TBA. (HBO).

Treme: The Complete Series BLU-RAY (2010-13) All 36 episodes from all four seasons, plus all of the extra features from each individual release that highlight the music, food and culture of the show. Also included is a bonus disc that offers more than a dozen music videos from the series. $134.99. (HBO).

Vera, Set 3 (2013) The third series of the acclaimed British mystery series, based on the award-winning novels by Ann Cleeves, stars Brenda Blethyn as a cantankerous but brilliant detective. In these four new feature-length mysteries, Blethyn imbues DCI Vera Stanhope with a monumental intelligence as she solves unthinkable crimes. Four disc set with four mysteries ("Castles in the Air," "Poster Child," "Young Gods," "Prodigal Son"), $59.99. Formats: DVD. Extras: Photo gallery, text interviews with Blethyn and David Leon. (Acorn Media).

The War Between Men and Women (1972) Jack Lemmon, Barbara Harris, Jason Robards, Herb Edelman. Peter (Lemmon), a near-sighted cartoonist, abhors women, children and dogs but falls for Theresa (Barbara Harris), a divorcee who comes bag and baggage with all three. Peter and Theresa couldn't be more wrong for one another, but Cupid has a sense of humor and soon the pair finds themselves dangerously close to living happily ever after ... if they can overcome flirtatious ex-husbands, clashing lifestyles and Peter's potential blindness. Features live-action and animated sequences based on the artwork of James Thurber. (Paramount).

Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? (1971) Dustin Hoffman, Barbara Harris, Jack Warden. The film follows Georgie Soloway (Hoffman), a hit love-song writer who ironically can't love others, or himself. Although he's rich, successful and seemingly on top of the world, he spends his days dreaming of suicide and trying to track down a man named Harry Kellerman, who has been spreading outrageous lies about him. (Paramount).

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All listings are based on information from the home video studios. Some release dates may change and titles may come out after a specified date (with no announcement from the studio). Additionally, some titles may be released with little or no advance announcement. And since all DVDs are priced at sell-through and are available for substantial discounts at both online and brick-and-mortar stores, we only list suggested retail prices for some special editions, box sets and collections.

All DVDs are screened on a reference system consisting of a Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio, a Rotel RSX-972 Surround Sound Receiver, and Phase Technology 1.1 (front), 33.1 (center), and 50 (rear) speakers and Power 10 subwoofer.

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January 1, 2014
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