New to DVD & Blu-Ray - Week of 12/16/2012

A terrific ensemble cast buoys this poignant dramedy that drifts amongst the attendants at a high school reunion, from the engaged hunk (Channing Tatum) feeling sparks for the married ex (Rosario Dawson) who got away, from the band geek turned rock success (Oscar Isaac) catching up with the shy girl (Kate Mara) who inspired him. Jenna Dewan, Ron Livingston, Lynn Collins, Justin Long, Max Minghella, Chris Pratt, Anthony Mackie also star. 120 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1.

Shot in documentary style, director Shohei Imamura's compelling mystery/character study follows the search by a woman for her businessman fiance who disappeared without a trace two years earlier, one of thousands of similar missing persons cases that plague Japan each year. Also included are the Imamura films "In Search Of The Unreturned Soldiers In Malaysia" (1971) and "In Search Of The Unreturned Soldiers In Thailand" (1971), explorations of WWII veterans who opted not to go back to Japan after the war; "The Pirates Of Bubuan" (1972), a look at modern-day pirate bands operating in the Philippines; "Outlaw-Matsui Returns Home" (1973), which shows an unreturned soldier's reunion with his family; and "Karayuki-san, The Making Of A Prostitute" (1975), the harrowing true story of a woman sold into sexual servitude for the post-WWII Japanese military in Southeast Asia. 6 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: Japanese; Subtitles: English. In Japanese with English subtitles.

At age 16, hiding his homosexual urges becomes a burden for Martin (Javier De Pietro) due to his passionate crush on his recently engaged swimming instructor (Carlos Echevarria). Accordingly, he constructs a series of deceptions to wrangle an invitation to spend the night at the older man's home--where their relationship takes unexpected and suspenseful turns. Sensual thriller from Argentina co-stars Antonella Costa, Alejandro Barbero. 87 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: Spanish Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English; interview; theatrical trailer. In Spanish with English subtitles.

In the distant future, a marauding extraterrestrial race will colonize Earth, laying its major cities to waste and imprisoning its inhabitants for slavery and far worse. Los Angeles becomes the last bastion for a determined group of humans in this fearsome follow-up to "Humanity's End." Rochelle Vallese, Katharine McEwan, Don Scribner, Claudia Wells star. 95 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English DTS SD; featurettes; deleted scenes; theatrical trailer.

An Albanian student (Nik Xhelilaj) journeys home to his rural village to attend his father's funeral. Unwittingly, he becomes involved in a generations-old tribal vendetta...and when he does make an escape back to the big city, he discovers to his sorrow that old ways and old grudges die very hard. 90 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: Albanian; Subtitles: English. In Albanian with English subtitles.

In the 23rd century, scientists have designed the ultimate robotic killing machine. But when the cyber-assassins become self aware and rebel against their human creators, it's up to a band of soldiers stationed on a distant world to stop the lethal androids before they can delete mankind for good. Jeff Wills, Sarah-Doe Osborne, and Virginia Logan star in this explosive sci-fi actioner. 83 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1.

When a SoCal college boy (Will Chavez) meets up with his new girlfriend's freestyle rider brother (motocross star Beau Manley) and his gang, he swiftly gets pulled into their high-adrenaline, hard-partying lifestyle. When he learns of the group's sideline as drug couriers, will he be able to slam on the brakes? Danny Trejo, Rebekah Graf, Colin "Scummy" Morrison co-star. 89 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; featurettes; deleted scenes; theatrical trailer.

**60 episodes on 10 discs. 28 hrs.**

All 12 episodes from season five--including "JFK to LAX," "Waiting for the Miracle," "Here I Go Again," "Raw," and "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be"--are featured in a two-disc set. 5 2/3 hrs. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital stereo, Spanish Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English; bonus "House of Lies" episodes. **12 episodes on 2 discs. 5 2/3 hrs.**

Four young ladies set out for a night of wild partying only to be plunged into a gut-wrenching nightmare of horror in this grim Australian shocker. Intercepted by men with more than a hot date on their minds, the women are mercilessly stalked and, when captured, subjected to ghoulish tortures--punishment they dole out because...well, just because. Christian Radford, Kelsie Mcdonald, and Allira Jaques star. 86 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.

In this documentary feature about the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, viewers will experience the rising tensions between U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, and Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro as the Russians' placement of offensive weapons in Cuba brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. This detailed account focuses on the three leaders' unique personalities and decision-making moments. 60 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English (SDH).

Surfing enthusiasts know Echo Beach as a mecca for the community--the Orange County destination where, in the 1980s, a wave of entrepreneurship crashed the culture with the emergence of innovative companies like Quicksilver, Rip Curl, Wave Tools, and other organizations. This documentary profiles the growth of a unique style and attitude that heated up the sands of a surfer's paradise. Narrated by Mark McGrath. 52 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English; audio commentary; bonus footage; outtakes; more.

Three-disc set includes "Evil Bong," "Evil Bong 2: King Bong," and "Evil Bong 3: The Wrath Of Bong."

To please his family and start life anew, underground fighter Shane Slavin (Gary Daniels) pledges to abandon the dangerous sport. His promise proves to be short-lived after his brother (Arkie Reece) gets mixed up with a mobster (Peter Weller) and places everyone's life in danger by racking up debts he can't pay--leading Slavin to brush up on his mortal combat skills for a savage confrontation. Canadian actioner co-stars Brian Flaherty, Vladimir Comorovschi. 100 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Audio.

This onetime Georgia cop persevered to become the first-season winner of "The Ultimate Fighter," and several years later stunned the world when he captured the UFC light-heavyweight title from Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Griffin shares a first-hand account of his underdog trek to UFC prominence, marked by footage of his greatest bouts. 4 1/2 hrs. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.

Weary from the grind of trying to keep his on-the-margins career afloat, comic/actor Fred (Fred Stoller) was genuinely looking forward to having old buddy Vinnie (Angelo Tsarouchas) as a guest in his L.A. apartment. As the days unexpectedly stretch into weeks though, the loneliness starts looking good again! Wry insider farce co-stars Fred Willard, Bill Rutkowski, Scott Chernoff. 91 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1.

Kinetic, "anti-Bollywood" effort follows the sordid existence of Gandu (Hindi for "a**hole"), an impoverished Kolkata youth who subsists by pickpocketing his prostitute mother's johns and dreams of becoming a rap star. His days are spent pursuing sex and drugs alongside his Bruce Lee-worshipping buddy Rickshaw, but will hitting a lottery give him the boost he wants? Anubrata Basu, Joyraj Bhattacharya, Kamalika Banerjee star. 85 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: Bengali Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English; featurettes. In Benagli with English subtitles.

Living in the slums of Venezuela, brothers Julio (Eliu Armas) and Daniel (Fernando Moreno) look to soccer as a means of escape and hope. Just as their fortunes seem to be on the rise with an invitation to both to try out for a professional squad, a sudden and violent event threatens to destroy their relationship and their dreams of escaping poverty and danger. Beto Benites, Gabriel Rojas co-star in this searing drama. AKA: "Brother." 97 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: Spanish; Subtitles: English. In Spanish with English subtitles.

In 1989, 19-year-old guitar prodigy Jason Becker was signed with David Lee Roth's band, and rock stardom seemed assured, when doctors diagnosed him with ALS and gave him five years to live. Two decades later, unable to move or speak, Becker still composes by communicating through eye movement. This documentary program delivers an unforgettable portrait of a transcendent talent and unbreakable spirit. 89 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1.

Based on the play by Tracy Letts (who also scripted), this darkly comedic tale stars Matthew McConaughey as a Dallas-based detective who also works as a paid killer. When he is hired to murder the mother of a debt-ridden Southerner (Emile Hirsch), he takes the man's sister as a retainer until he can be paid--resulting in plenty of conflict. With Juno Temple, Gina Gershon, Thomas Haden Church; directed by William Friedkin. Director's cut; 102 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish; featurettes.

A thirtysomething NYC college admissions officer (Josh Radnor, who wrote and directed) gets an invite to his tiny Ohio alma mater for the retirement party of his onetime mentor (Richard Jenkins). His yearnings for a simpler time in his life find root when he makes the acquaintance of a winsome theater major sophomore (Elizabeth Olsen). Engaging comedy co-stars Zac Efron, Allison Janney, John Magaro. 97 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English.

When Ben (Colin Hanks) wins the lottery, his childhood crush, Lucy (Ari Graynor), suddenly decides to marry him. As Lucy plots to steal all of her new love's money, Ben has a secret of his own that he is hiding--namely that he is a serial killer. Can the newlyweds somehow overcome their, er, quirks and make it as a couple? Offbeat comedy co-stars Jeffrey Tambor, Ann-Margret, Mimi Rogers. 103 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; audio commentary; deleted scenes; featurette; music video; theatrical trailer.

When Ben (Colin Hanks) wins the lottery, his childhood crush, Lucy (Ari Graynor), suddenly decides to marry him. As Lucy plots to steal all of her new love's money, Ben has a secret of his own that he is hiding--namely that he is a serial killer. Can the newlyweds somehow overcome their, er, quirks and make it as a couple? Offbeat comedy co-stars Jeffrey Tambor, Ann-Margret, Mimi Rogers. 103 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; audio commentary; deleted scenes; featurette; music video; theatrical trailer.

The PBS program "Nature" doesn't DUCK from offering up this detailed study of Buffleheads, Canvasbacks, Pintails, Shovelers, Widgeons, Woodies, and others--each and every species of DUCK boasting beautifully colored feathers and unique personalities. Far from being reDUCKtive, this educational DUCKumentary will only widen viewers' appreciation of these incredible birds. 60 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH).

The PBS program "Nature" doesn't DUCK from offering up this detailed study of Buffleheads, Canvasbacks, Pintails, Shovelers, Widgeons, Woodies, and others--each and every species of DUCK boasting beautifully colored feathers and unique personalities. Far from being reDUCKtive, this educational DUCKumentary will only widen viewers' appreciation of these incredible birds. 60 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English, DVS; Subtitles: English (SDH).

Deftly blending fiction and reality, this pastoral idyll from Portuguese filmmaker Miguel Gomes follows both his cast and crew and the characters portrayed. Set in the villages of rural Portugal, the movie shows townspeople and a trio of travelling musicians celebrating life and falling in love during the country's summer "vacation month." Fabio Oliveira, Sonia Bandeira star. 147 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: Portuguese Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English; deleted scenes; bonus shorts "31" (2001), "Kalkitos" (2002), "Carnival: Looking for Paulo 'Miller'" (2008), "Canticle Of All Creatures" (2010); theatrical trailer. In Portuguese with English subtitles.

Writer/director Spike Lee's blazing drama focuses on the emotionally charged journey of Flik Royale (Jules Brown), an Atlanta boy spending the summer with his preacher grandfather (Clarke Peters) in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood. As Flik is pushed to embrace religious devotion, he befriends an upbeat girl (Toni Lysaith) who becomes an anchor when his world is turned upside down. With Nate Parker, Kimberly Hebert Gregory. 120 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English DTS HD stereo Master Audio.

Writer/director Spike Lee's blazing drama focuses on the emotionally charged journey of Flik Royale (Jules Brown), an Atlanta boy spending the summer with his preacher grandfather (Clarke Peters) in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood. As Flik is pushed to embrace religious devotion, he befriends an upbeat girl (Toni Lysaith) who becomes an anchor when his world is turned upside down. With Nate Parker, Kimberly Hebert Gregory. 120 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1.

Stand-up Mike Birbiglia directs and stars in this filmic take on his acclaimed autobiographical one-man show, portraying a struggling comic as he tries to deal with a longtime girlfriend (Lauren Ambrose) looking for some signs of commitment, as well as the comic perils of a unique sleep disorder. Carole Kane, James Rebhorn, Cristin Milioti co-star. 81 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English.

Perhaps known best for his bold, single-take movie "Russian Ark," filmmaker Aleksandr Sokurov cultivated his reputation for visionary cinema with the early works presented here. Includes Blu-ray and DVD versions of "Whispering Pages" (1994), in which the writings of Dostoevsky inform a man's surreal journey through mysterious catacombs; a DVD of "Save And Protect" (1989), the "Madame Bovary"-inspired journey of a passionate woman's fall from grace; and the DVD of "Stone" (1992), offering an atmospheric study of the relationship between two men at the Chekhov Museum. Also featured on Blu-ray are the Sokurov documentaries "An Example Of Intonation" (1991), "Soviet Elegy" (1989), and "Questions About Cinema" (2008). 4 2/3 hrs. total on three discs. Standard; Soundtrack: Russian Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English; audio commentary on "Stone"; bonus short "Sonata For Hitler" (1989). In Russian with English subtitles.

When does counterfeit money become valuable? When the scheme of releasing millions of phony bills into the economy threatens to turn the tide of battle during World War II in the Nazis' favor! Dispatched to steal the fake cash before it can be peddled, five U.S. soldiers attempt to evade capture and target the leader of the ingenious plot to use currency as a weapon. Krash Miller, Preston James Hillier, and Christopher Karl Johnson star. 87 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1.

40 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English; bonus episodes.

In this unsettling medical thriller, Orlando Bloom stars as Dr. Martin Blake, an ambitious healer eager to impress. The arrival of a young female patient with a kidney infection provides Blake with a clear opportunity to show off his skills. However, will his deep insecurities lead him to compromising important principles of care...and will his obsessive nature lead him to commit unspeakable acts? With Riley Keough, Taraji P. Henson. 91 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: Spanish; featurettes; theatrical trailer.

People say the movie business can be crooked, but these up-and-coming filmmakers take things a step too far--deciding to raise money for their indie caper script by pulling off an actual heist and filming it. Pretty actresses are cast, a (decidedly non-union) crew is hired...and then the comic hijinks commence in this colorful farce. Blanche Baker, Thomas G. Waites, Eric Etebari, and Robert Loggia star. 88 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English.

All 10 episodes from season three--including "The Model from Newark/Tim's Hair Looks Amazing," "The Caddy's Shack/The Sausage Salesman," "Strip Club Hostage Situation/Game Night," "Action Packed Heist/Fall Foliage," and "The Smug Chiropractor/Corporate Disaster"--are featured in a two-disc set. 5 hrs. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish. **10 episodes on 2 discs. 5 hrs.**

A young blogger (Owen Beckman) gets the attention of important U.S. officials after he posts articles focused on a radical political organization. Eager to shut down the controversial group, high-ranking government agents make contact with the writer and "encourage" him to act as their intermediate, setting up dangerous tensions between him and the state. Nerve-jangling thriller co-stars Jacob Tawney, Kathy Christopherson. 99 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1.

In this compelling horror tale, trusting high school student Angelica falls in with a bad crowd during her senior year. After she gets punished and is forced to miss a big party, she tunes into a pirate radio station known for granting its listeners wishes that only broadcasts on nights with a full moon. But when her so-called pals pull a prank on her, they feel the wrath of her violent desires. Catherine Georges, Sarah Christine Smith, Ryan Doom star. 94 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1; theatrical trailer.

A fall night at Toronto's Air Canada Centre heated up when Vitor Belfort sought to once again claim the UFC light-heavyweight belt by squaring off against champion Jon Jones. On the same card, Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson squared off against Joseph Benavides to be named UFC's first-ever flyweight champ, Michael Bisping met Brian Stann in a middleweight contenders' match, and more. 3 hrs. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; behind-the-scenes footage; featurette.

Can C.M. Punk "survive" as the WWE heavyweight champion as he takes on John Cena and the ever-hungry Ryback in a triple-threat title match, and who will turn the bout into a free-for-all? Will Sheamus brawl his way into taking The Big Show's world championship belt? And can Team Foley (Daniel Bryan, Kane, Kofi Kingston, The Miz, Randy Orton) get along long enough to defeat Team Ziggler (Wade Barrett, Alberto Del Rio, David Otunga, Damien Sandow, Dolph Ziggler) in a 10-man Survivor Series showdown? 180 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English, Spanish.

Can C.M. Punk "survive" as the WWE heavyweight champion as he takes on John Cena and the ever-hungry Ryback in a triple-threat title match, and who will turn the bout into a free-for-all? Will Sheamus brawl his way into taking The Big Show's world championship belt? And can Team Foley (Daniel Bryan, Kane, Kofi Kingston, The Miz, Randy Orton) get along long enough to defeat Team Ziggler (Wade Barrett, Alberto Del Rio, David Otunga, Damien Sandow, Dolph Ziggler) in a 10-man Survivor Series showdown? 180 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English, Spanish.