New releases available this week

The Blues Brothers 25th Anniversary Edition (Universal Studios Home Video)

Dan Aykroyd and John Goodman’s modern-day revival of the Blues Brothers is less a stroke of comedy genius than a dose of karaoke night at Hooters. Fight off those thoughts and pop in this 1980 classic. John Belushi and Aykroyd, a couple of white-guy hacks when it comes to music, are pitch-perfect as Jake and Elwood Blues, hard-luck brothers on a mission from God. Even the car chases — which, at the time, were required of all comedies not penned by Woody Allen — set the smash-up standard for the genre. The extras here are of mixed value: There’s an insightful documentary on the making of the film, from the genesis of the Blues Brothers to the quest for a permit to crash a car through the Daley Center’s front window. But the tribute to Belushi is all fluff and flab. Pretty much like the Blues Brothers today. (Jordan Harper)

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season Four (Warner Home Video)

Those waiting for Larry David’s HBO anti-sitcom to jump the shark will have to keep sitting on their hands: Season four may be its finest yet. Schwag is purchased, “mulatto” is uttered, hookers are taken to baseball games, and somehow it all feels very real — and very absurd. David’s comedy genius (he’s also co-creator of Seinfeld) stems from his total lack of shame: He gleefully portrays himself as petty, vindictive, and painfully neurotic. This bare-bones set features the episodes and nothing else, but with Curb Your Enthusiasm, that’s enough. (Harper)