NEW ON THE SHELF

“GETAWAY,” Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez. Fairly brainless but exciting action-thriller teams Hawke with Disney starlet turned “Spring Breaker” Gomez as they attempt to carry out dangerous, illegal favors for a master criminal known only as The Voice (Jon Voight, overacting with his usual aplomb) while simultaneously attempting to rescue Hawke’s wife, who has been kidnapped by the very same criminal. In no way plausible, but director Courtney Solomon (“An American Haunting”) keeps the action sequences coming fast enough to forgive the occasional gaping plot hole. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:30. Suggested retail price: $28.98; Blu-ray $29.98.

“JOBS,” Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney. One’s appreciation for this solid biopic depends heavily upon one’s ability to accept Kelso from “That 70’s Show” as a revolutionary genius in the world of technology. As Apple mastermind “Jobs,” Kutcher outfits himself well enough, but the film prides itself so heavily on a warts-and-all presentation that it becomes hard to root for the man, whose bullheaded determination and single-mindedness towards success largely comes across as heartless after one too many scenes of employees being berated and colleagues trampled. That aside, “Jobs” is a compelling look at a beloved but polarizing figure in recent American history, as well an effective walk through the history of the personal computer itself. Includes a commentary from director Joshua Michael Stern (“Swing Vote”). Rated PG-13. Running time: 2:08. Suggested retail price: $29.98; Blu-ray $34.98.

“RED 2,” Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren. Thanks to Sylvester Stallone’s popular “Expendables” franchise, the senior citizen action movie is officially in vogue, and this follow-up to the surprise 2010 hit doesn’t stray far from the formula that made the original such a success: Willis dodging bullets between quips, Mirren wielding advanced weaponry with style and grace, and John Malkovich hamming it up splendidly throughout. This time around, the always welcome Anthony Hopkins joins in the fun as a reclusive nuclear scientist, and Catherine Zeta-Jones is on hand as Willis’ former old flame. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:56. Suggested retail price: $29.95; Blu-ray $39.99.

NEW TO DVD

“BREAKING BAD: THE FINAL SEASON,” Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul. Sure to leave a legacy as one of the best televised drama in the history of the medium, the saga of teacher-turned-meth-kingpin Walter White (Cranston) and his younger partner in crime Jesse (Paul) comes to a fittingly explosive conclusion in a finale that seemingly left no longtime viewer dissatisfied, a rare feat indeed. Special features include cast and crew commentary on every episode, deleted scenes, a gag reel, and much more. Not rated. Running time: 6:31. Suggested retail price: $55.99; Blu-ray $65.99.

“THE CANYONS,” Lindsay Lohan, James Deen. More infamous for a particularly revealing and notoioius magazine article depicting its troubled production than for the content itself, “The Canyons” is worth a look for curiosity alone, with director Paul Schrader (“Taxi Driver”) and writer Bret Easton Ellis (“American Psycho”) pooling their rather similar sensibilities for this trashy parable of upper crust debauchery, something star Lohan doesn’t appear to have to stretch too far to convey. In the end, it’s neither especially good trash nor MST3K-worthy inept fun, but it does hold ones attention from a “what were they thinking?” standpoint. Rated R. Running time: 1:39.Suggested retail price: $24.98; Blu-ray $29.98.

“POIROT: SERIES 10,” David Suchet, Zoe Wanamaker. Reliably masterful adaptation of the enduring mystery novels by Agatha Christie remains led by the undisputed king of the Poirots: Suchet, who embodies the pugnacious detective like none before or since. Included in this set are “The Mystery of the Blue Train,” “Cards on the Table,” “After the Funeral,” and “Taken at the Flood.” Special features include a behind-the-scenes featurette. Not rated. Running time: 6:28. Suggested retail price: $39.99; Blu-ray $49.99.

NEW TO BLU-RAY

“TANK GIRL,” Lori Petty, Naomi Watts. A critically derided box office bomb upon its original release back in 1995, this hellzapoppin adaptation of the popular comic book by Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett has since developed a rabid cult following, rightly appreciative of the oddball set design and enjoyable over the top characterization, particularly from Petty (“A League of Their Own”) in the lead and Malcolm McDowell stealing scenes with his trademark abandon as the evil Kesslee. Worth revisiting if you remember being disappointed; time has been kind. Rated R. Running time: 1:44. Suggested retail price: $24.97.

VIDEOPORT PICKS

“ALL IS BRIGHT,” Paul Giamatti, Paul Rudd. The relentless cheeriness of the holiday season inevitably inspires filmmakers to channel their inner Grinch (see “Bad Santa,” “The Ref,” etc.), and “All is Bright” is the type of film the Grinch might throw on after a hard night of drinking and stealing present from children. Concerning ex-con Dennis (Giamatti) and his efforts to save up to buy his daughter a piano for Christmas via a shady tree-selling operation alongside his old pal Rene (Rudd), a tenuous partnership at best considering the fact that Rene happens to be shacked up with his former wife, “Bright” is as shambling as its protagonists, allowing the characterizations and tension to unfold organically, a ploy that hits more often than misses thanks to the acting talent on display, with Giamatti channeling his oft-displayed inner curmudgeon with growly gusto and Rudd playing a bit against type as his long-suffering, less assertive companion. Think “It’s a Terrible Life,” a proudly unfestive yuletide offering for those of us currently complaining about stores putting out the Christmas stuff before it’s even Thanksgiving yet. Rated R. Running time: 1:47. Suggested retail price: $26.98; Blu-ray $29.99.

“BIG STAR: NOTHING CAN HURT ME,” documentary. Though universally beloved by critics in the early ’70s, power pop group Big Star (comprised of Alex Chilton, Chris Bell, Andy Hummel, and Jody Stephens) couldn’t sell a record to save their life, only managing to release a few albums before unceremoniously disbanding. Championed by such devoted fellow musicians/fans as Paul Westerberg of The Replacements and Mike Mills of R.E.M. (both of whom count Big Star as huge influences on their work), the band finally began to feel the love when a new generation of music fans discovered their modest but wonderful discography in the mid-’80s. A textbook case of “better late than never,” directors Drew DeNicola and Olivia Mori (“All Day Long”) have fashioned a film that functions equally well as retrospective and love letter, ideal for new fans and old. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:53. Suggested retail price: $26.98; Blu-ray $29.98.

– Courtesy of Videoport

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