NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

“DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS,” starring Steve Carell and Paul Rudd. Consistently amusing farce teams Carell and Rudd from “The 40 Year Old Virgin” to terrific comic effect, the former portraying a socially disastrous buffoon whom the latter invites to a work-related dinner at which attendees compete to see who can bring the goofiest guest. The key roles play ideally to the leads’ strengths, and as such, the only element preventing “Schmucks” from achieving comedy perfection is its needlessly bloated running time. Otherwise, plenty of laughs to be had here throughout. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:54.

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.98; Blu-ray $39.99.

“THE LAST EXORCISM,” starring Patrick Fabian and Ashley Bell. Faux documentary follows a dishonest minister (Fabian, “Big Love”) and a tagalong camera crew as they venture into the backwoods of Louisiana to supposedly perform an exorcism on young Nell (Bell), whose demonic possession proves to be far more legit than con artist Fabian had bargained for. Quite effective in fits and starts, “Exorcism” appears to be striving to combine the best parts of “The Exorcist” and “The Blair Witch Project” (which explains the movie’s sarcastic nickname: “The Linda Blair Witch Project”), and the results, while a far cry from either of its obvious inspirations, are often frightening. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:27.

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.95; Blu-ray $39.99.

“MACHETE,” starring Danny Trejo and Robert De Niro. Always the bridesmaid and never the bride (but please don’t tell him we said that), tough-guy character actor extraordinaire Trejo proves himself more than capable of carrying an action movie in this spinoff, having originated as one of the awesome faux coming attractions shown during director Robert Rodriguez’s “Grindhouse.” Essentially scene after scene of Trejo destroying his enemies in a variety of ridiculously violent fashions, “Machete” also boasts a supporting cast every bit as game as its star, with Jessica Alba, the indispensable Cheech Marin and even Steven Seagal joining in on the fun. Special features include an audience reaction track! Rated R. Running time: 1:45.

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.98; Blu-ray $39.99.

NEW ON DVD

“BIG LOVE: THE COMPLETE 4TH SEASON,” starring Bill Paxton and Jeanne Tripplehorn. One would imagine the life of a polygamist to be inherently fraught with conflict and drama, and as such, most of the work is already done for the canny creators of this terrific-as-ever HBO series. Season four finds the expansive Henrickson family spreading their wings in the unexpected absence of “prophet” Roman (the great Harry Dean Stanton), so much so that patriarch Bill (Paxton, in the role that will define his career) perhaps unwisely takes it upon himself to run for office. Nonstop tension, as one might imagine, but as always, the potentially somber and tragic proceedings are leavened with a good amount of humor. Not rated, contains language, violence and strong sexual content. Running time: 8:37.

Suggested retail price: $59.99.

“THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON,” starring Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Animated version of Gervais’ uproarious podcast adds a new dimension to the hilarity, with the focus as usual on the singular observations of Karl Pilkington and the resultant cruel reactions of the constantly cackling Gervais and the wonderfully deadpan Merchant. Basically three good friends hanging out in cartoon form, but for all that it’s supremely entertaining, and a special treat for the podcast’s many devoted fans. Not rated, contains language and crude humor. Running time: 6:30.

Suggested retail price: $29.98.

NEW ON BLU-RAY

“CORALINE,” animated with the voices of Dakota Fanning and Keith David. From the fantastically twisted mind of writer Neil Gaiman (creator of the beloved “Sandman” comic book series) comes this bizarrely wonderful tale of a little girl (Fanning) who discovers another world that appears to be an exact replica of her own, only everything is seemingly perfect. Oh, and everyone has buttons for eyes. It’s even creepier than it sounds, but at heart it’s an old-fashioned family frightfest the likes of which we don’t get nearly enough of these days. Rated PG. Running time: 1:36.

Suggested retail price: $26.98.

“EL MARIACHI/DESPERADO,” starring Carlos Gallardo and Antonio Banderas. In conjunction with this week’s release of “Machete,” fans are treated to a double-feature disc containing the two films that started it all for director Robert Rodriguez. Of particular note is “Mariachi,” an action-packed, stylishly shot shoot-em-up that, unbelievably, was made for a little more than $200,000 and contains more charm and imagination than most movies with a hundred times the budget. “Desperado” is essentially a retread with better funding, but is still lots of fun, with Banderas vamping it up as only he can, occasionally dispatching attackers with a guitar case/rocket launcher. Probably the best examples of Rodriguez’s guerrilla filmmaker talents, and a steal at the price. Rated R. Running time: 1:21/1:44

Suggested retail price: $19.95.

VIDEOPORT PICKS

“CATFISH,” starring Nev Schulman and Michigander Abby. There seems to be a recent influx of documentaries that blur the lines between fiction and reality to such an extent that moviegoers aren’t sure whether to fully buy what they’re seeing. Now we can add “Catfish” to the roster. It’s a fascinating you-are-there tale that, whether one accepts the proceedings as true or not, provides an invaluable and eye-opening commentary on the online lives that we create for ourselves. Director Ariel Schulman (“Jerry Ruis, Shall We Do This?”) follows her brother Nev, a photographer, whose obsession with a new online love interest leads him to seek her out in the flesh, with results that are alternately shocking and dispiriting. One of the most immediately involving films of the past year. Rated PG-13 for some sexual references. Running time: 1:27.

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.98; Blu-ray $39.98.

“HOWL,” starring James Franco and Jon Hamm. A decent reincarnation of author Allen Ginsberg, as portrayed by James Franco, who manages to capture Ginsberg’s particular fusion of passion and unease. Interspersed with footage of Franco/Ginsberg being interviewed are animated representations of the poem “Howl”‘s text, actual footage of Ginsberg, and a compelling dramatization of the 1957 obscenity trial that resulted from the poem’s publication, with Hamm radiating the usual confidence as defense attorney Jake Ehrlich. All in all, “Howl” is as rambunctiously scattershot as its source material, so those looking for a cohesive movie will probably come away frustrated. Rated R for language, sexual content and drug content. Running time: 1:24.

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.98; Blu-ray $34.99. 

— Courtesy of Videoport