NEW ON THE SHELF:
“Ballet 422,” documentary. In a rare streamlined and almost businesslike look at an oft and understandably romanticized art form, director Jody Lee Lipes (HBO’s “Girls”) trains his cameras on young dancer/choreographer Justin Peck, who at a mere 25 had been commissioned by the New York City Ballet to create the only new ballet for their winter 2013 season. Just how he goes about this forms the brunt of Lipes’ documentary, and by taking the fly-on-the-wall approach Lipes only heightens the fascination level. Rated PG. Running time: 1:15. Suggested retail price: $26.98; Blu-ray $29.98
“Cut Bank,” Liam Hemsworth, John Malkovich. Darkly funny small-town criminal hijinks is typically the arena of choice of the Coen Brothers and the late Elmore Leonard. But director Matt Shakman (a veteran of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” sensibilities of which are definitely apparent herein) makes an impressive claim to the territory with this twisty and twisted treat. The murder of a local postman (Bruce Dern) seemingly creates a much-needed cash reward for the hard-up everyman (Hemsworth) who happened to catch it on video, an opportunity that goes up in smoke when the victim’s body suddenly disappears. With a prone-to-vomiting sheriff (Malkovich) and a dodgy taxidermist (Michael Stuhlbarg, “A Serious Man”) thrown into the mix, “Cut Bank” gets weird in a hurry, and fans of such films as “Fargo” and “The Ice Harvest” will find this unsung gem much to their liking. Rated R. Running time: 1:34. Suggested retail price: $19.98; Blu-ray $24.99
VIDEOPORT PICKS:
“Hello Ladies: The Complete Series and the Movie,” Stephen Merchant, Lee Eisenberg. Probably best known as the gangly sidekick to Ricky Gervais in such ventures as “An Idiot Abroad,” Stephen Merchant is finally afforded the opportunity to shine as a leading man in this unfortunately short-lived but thoroughly charming series. It accompanies our gawky but agreeable hero as he attempts to secure himself a dream girl in Los Angeles, not always an easy proposition when you’re a socially awkward Englishman. So Merchant finds himself adopting a ladykiller persona that is in no way in keeping with his inept and potentially hopeless reality. The cringe humor that has become the backbone of modern comedy (and that Merchant himself helped usher in with “The Office”) is certainly present, but it’s clear that “Hello Ladies” wants this hapless protagonist to succeed, and you will too. Not rated. Running time: 4:00. Suggested retail price: $19.98
“Magician: The Astonishing Life & Work of Orson Welles.” Impeccably assembled retrospective of one of cinema’s most revered and storied personalties, director Chuck Workman’s cheeky and enlightening doc takes us through the “Life & Work” of the man who gave us both “Citizen Kane” and appearances on the “Dean Martin Show.” Such a man couldn’t help but encounter more highs and lows than the average joe, and “Magician” recounts them all through archival footage and interviews with the “Magician” himself. Not rated. Running time: 1:34. Suggested retail price: $24.98; Blu-ray $34.98
NEW TO DVD:
“Ray Donovan: Season Two,” Liev Schreiber, Jon Voight. There is no badder badass on TV right now than the formidable Schreiber as “Donovan,” a Bostonite bouncer turned Hollywood “fixer” who helps celebrities out of sticky situations when not dealing with his deplorable ex-con dad (Voight), not entirely faithful wife (Paula Malcomson, “The Hunger Games”), and endlessly difficult children. Uncompromisingly brutal, but consistently mesmerizing, “Donovan” is television’s finest offering in some time. Special features include behind-the-scenes footage. Not rated. Running time: 10:36. Suggested retail price: $39.98; Blu-ray $49.99
“Sons of Liberty,” Dean Norris, Ben Barnes. Fictionalization of the early days of the American Revolution will no doubt inspire quibbles amongst your vocal history buffs, but from a purely entertainment standpoint “Liberty” does not disappoint, rendering Samuel Adams as the action hero we’ve always known he was deep down. Not rated. Running time: 4:30. Suggested retail price: $26.98; Blu-ray $29.99
NEW TO BLU-RAY:
“Da Sweet Blood of Jesus,” Zaraah Abrahams, Stephen Tyrone Williams. Director Spike Lee’s latest joint is an effective, disturbing and ultimately rather brilliant reimagining of Bill Gunn’s cult classic “Ganja and Hess,” following archaeologist Dr. Hess Greene (Williams, “Phil Spector”) as he strives to sate his sudden thirst for human blood after his acquisition of an ancient dagger. How Lee employs this outrageous plot to comment on racial tension makes for troubling but essential viewing. Not rated. Running time: 2:04. Suggested retail price: $26.99
– Courtesy of Videoport
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