NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

“GULLIVER’S TRAVELS,” starring Jack Black and Jason Segel. Extremely loose, kid-friendly adaptation of the Swift classic finds bumbling travel writer Black put in a rare and unsurprisingly disastrous position of authority when a wrong turn during an assignment lands him on the island of Lilliput, where the tiny citizens consider him a giant and a hero. Not one of Black’s more critically lauded efforts, but undemanding fun all the same, with some funny moments and impressive effects. Rated PG. Running time: 1:25.

Suggested retail price: DVD $29.98; Blu-ray $49.99. 

“THE KING’S SPEECH,” starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. This year’s Oscar winner for Best Picture, “Speech” deserved its many accolades and then some, with Best Actor winner Firth delivering yet another peerless performance as King George IV, a mild-mannered heir to the British throne whose considerable speech impediment does little to instill confidence. Funny, a bit tense and profoundly affecting, “Speech” is one of those rare instances where we can freely recommend the film to just about anyone. Rated R. Running time: 1:59.

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

NEW ON DVD

“IP MAN 2,” starring Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung. New go-to kung fu master Yen (“Hero”) shows ’em all how it’s done in this nothing-but-action sequel, in which the unstoppable Ip Man must confront a corrupt gang of martial artists (led by genre legend Hung) who stand in the way of his dream to open a Wing Chun academy. A good old-fashioned kickfest that’s not quite as good as the original, but incredibly entertaining nonetheless. Rated R. Running time: 1:48.

Suggested retail price: DVD $24.98; Blu-ray $32.98. 

“THE WAY BACK,” starring Ed Harris and Colin Farrell. Arduous but rewarding true story concerning a group of inmates who escape a brutal Siberian prison only to face an even more unthinkable fate: a 2,500-mile journey to freedom across particularly inhospitable terrain. Director Peter Weir (“The Truman Show”) and a dedicated cast make you feel every cold night and injury, which makes for an at times grueling viewing experience. Very well made for those who feel up to the challenge. Rated PG-13. Running time: 2:13.

Suggested retail price: DVD $27.97; Blu-ray $27.97. 

NEW ON BLU-RAY

“MORTAL KOMBAT” and “MORTAL KOMBAT: ANNIHILATION,” starring Christopher Lambert and Robin Shou. To capitalize on the upcoming, long-awaited revamp of the classic video-game fighter, New Line is trotting out hi-def versions of the goofily entertaining 1995 film adaptation and its even less cerebral 1997 sequel. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:41/1:35.

Suggested retail price: $19.98.

“SHORT CIRCUIT 2,” starring Fisher Stevens and Michael McKean. “Living” robot Johnny 5 joins malapropism-spouting stereotype Stevens on a jaunt to the big city in the hopes of selling miniature versions of Johnny 5 to New Yorkers. Complications arise when they run afoul of jewel thieves, and naive Johnny is called upon to unknowingly aid and abet the criminals. Good clean ’80s fun for the most part, though a bit lacking in the heart that made the original such a nice surprise. Rated PG. Running time: 1:50.

Suggested retail price: $17.97. 

VIDEOPORT PICKS

“RABBIT HOLE,” starring Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart. Take a plot featuring a situation no one in their right mind ever wants to think about, cast it with actors noted for playing emotionally cold characters, and put a man with a penchant for going as far over the top as possible in the director’s chair — and you’d expect a recipe for disaster.

Instead, John Cameron Mitchell’s near-flawless adaptation of David Lindsay-Abaire’s Tony-winning play is one of the best and unlikeliest dramas of the years. Kidman and Eckhart both give career-high performances as Becca and Howie, a once happily married couple now struggling to maintain a sense of reality upon losing their beloved 4-year-old son in a car accident. Not an easy watch, but an essential one. Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, some drug use and language. Running time: 1:31.

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

“SOMEWHERE,” starring Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning. The fourth movie from acclaimed writer-director Sofia Coppola (“Lost in Translation”), “Somewhere” is another alienated character study that elicits an effective dramatic performance from an unexpected source — in this case, the normally underwhelming Dorff (“Public Enemies”).

Dorff is riveting here as Johnny Marco, a vice-fueled Hollywood big shot who receives a visit from his 11-year-old daughter, Cleo (a lovely performance from Fanning), which disrupts his seemingly idyllic lifestyle in unexpected ways. Quietly powerful and heartbreaking throughout. Rated R for sexual content, nudity and language. Running time: 1:37.

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

— Courtesy of Videoport