★Anora. 139 min. Criterion. 2024. DVD UPC 715515312516. $29.95; Blu-ray UPC 715515312417. $39.95. Rated: R. DRAMEDY

A Brooklyn strip-club dancer and sex worker, Anora (Mikey Madison) gets swept off her feet by a Russian oligarch’s playboy son (Mark Eydelshteyn) and accepts his marriage proposal. But their quickie Vegas wedding faces annulment when his parents find out. Writer-director Sean Baker (The Florida Project) capitalizes on the spunk of his talented leading lady in this profanely funny and bitingly bittersweet Oscar-winning fairy tale, where class differences provide a subtext that Anora’s sheer chutzpah puts to the test. VERDICT A raucous, modern-day Pretty Woman for adventurous audiences.

Hard Truths. 97 min. Decal. 2024. Blu-ray UPC 843501043585. $29.99. Rated: R. DRAMA

An anxious and depressed middle-aged woman who’s angry with everybody from her husband and son to acquaintances and even strangers, Pansy (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) comes off as just plain mad at life. Only her upbeat younger sister Chantelle (Michele Austin) offers her a measure of solace on the impending anniversary of their mother’s death. British writer-director Mike Leigh reunites with Jean-Baptiste for the first time since 1996’s Secrets and Lies, which also dealt with family issues. VERDICT An off-putting central character requires audience endurance to stay invested for the emotional payoff.

Memoir of a Snail. 94 min. IFC. 2024. Blu-ray UPC 014381005226. $25.99. Rated: R. ANIMATION

An orphaned misfit with a fondness for ornamental snails, guinea pigs, and romance novels, Grace Pudel (voiced by Sarah Snook) gratefully makes friends with an eccentric older woman named Pinky (Jacki Weaver). Getting past her various misfortunes, including being separated from her twin brother, Grace ultimately finds the will to carry on. Writer-director Adam Elliot (Mary and Max) adroitly balances humor and pathos in this Oscar-nominated stop-motion-animated feature. VERDICT An oddly inspiring tale for viewers willing to push their comfort zone for adult animation.

★September 5. 95 min. Paramount. 2024. DVD UPC 191329275955. $24.99; Blu-ray UPC 191329276013. $30.49. Rated R: DOCUDRAMA 

At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, an ABC Sports TV crew (Ben Chaplin, John Magaro, et al.) working under network executive Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard) has to improvise on the fly to cover a rapidly developing hostage situation involving Israeli athletes. Ethical dilemmas continually rear up in balancing the need for accuracy while dealing with rumors and conjecture in place of reliable sources. Cowriter/director Tim Fehlbaum seamlessly meshes period footage with credible reenactments for a riveting docudrama. VERDICT An immersive presentation providing lots of food for thought.

The Wages of Fear. b/w. 152 min. In French w/English subtitles. Criterion. 1953. Blu-ray UPC 715515310611. $39.99. DRAMA

Four desperate men stuck in a South American backwater accept a dangerous if not impossible mission: transport two trucks of nitroglycerin over unpaved roads to put out a remote oil-rig fire. Costar Yves Montand (Jean de Florette) brings a rugged charisma to his role. Director Henri-Georges Clouzot (Diabolique) earned awards for his film, but it was trimmed for U.S. release for depicting the American oil drillers as heartlessly greedy. VERDICT Stunningly restored in 4K, this classic takes its sweet time to get in gear and hit the road.