This week, we start in the gym:

**1/2

Rated R, 99 minutes.

Coming Tuesday to DVD.

David Mamet works once again with his frequent themes of personal and corporate corruption in a story marked by lies and deceit. But this time, it’s within the world of Brazilian mixed martial arts, as Mamet returns to his mysterious settings populated by even more mysterious characters. At Los Angeles’ Southside Ju-Jitsu academy, Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is owner and chief instructor.

Sony Pictures Classics

Emily Mortimer, left, stars as Laura Black and Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Mike Terry in David Mamet’s film, Redbelt, coming to DVD on Tuesday. Redbelt is typical Mamet in that he has created a complex story that will capture and maintain viewer’s attention.

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One night, he uses his ju-jitsu skills to rescue second-rate movie star Chet Frank (Tim Allen), who then pretends to befriend Mike. Frank draws Mike and his wife Sondra (Alice Braga) into a select but false world. But things quickly change, as they always do in Mamet-world.

Mike wakes to find himself duped by those he thought were friends, leading to a weak third act resolution in which he involuntarily enters the professional world of mixed martial arts. Mamet’s trademark staccato dialogue may be absent, but Redbelt is typical Mamet in that he has created a complex story that will capture and maintain viewers’ attention.

The DVD offers commentary from Mamet and a 19-minute “making of” featurette. Another, separate, featurette with cast and crew interviews further examines Brazilian mixed martial arts. Elsewhere, Mamet sits for an interview as does Dana White, the president of the Ulimate Fighting Championship.  Two other segments offer looks at the film’s fighters and at the magic of magician/actor Cyril Takayama.

Virgin Territory

***

Europe’s Black Plague isn’t normal fodder for humor, but this goofy, irreverent romantic-comedy, loosely taken from several tales of The Decameron, ends up delivering unexpected laughs. Hayden Christensen plays Lorenzo, a rakish sort who desires the lovely, pampered Pampinea (Mischa Barton). Her fiancée dies only to have his place taken, against her will, by a usurping nobleman (Tim Roth).

Meanwhile, Lorenzo finds refuge in a convent by pretending to be deaf and dumb. There, the poor lad finds nuns ready to sacrifice themselves for him, while characters speak in modern argot and a contemporary soundtrack adds to the jarring effect. But it’s all played for laughs, and with the stunning Tuscan countryside and a full roster of beautiful people (except for Tim Roth), the film is also a visual treat.

Rated R. 97 minutes.

The DVD offers a 12-minute behind-the-scenes featurette, four non-shocking “Censored Scenes of Sexuality,” and a look at around 50 of David Walliams’ excellent costumes.

***

Unequal parts Steven Spielberg, David Lynch, and Alejandro Jodorowski, yet totally bizarre, this mystical-horror by Don Coscarelli is a mesmerizing, confused journey. This fourth Phantasm edition continues the diffuse path laid down by Coscarelli’s 1979 original, yet it maintains an ability to enchant viewers with its striking visuals and disconnected plot lines.

Three men are on an ill-defined quest in some place that looks like the American Southwest. But the plot shifts among several time periods so that younger and older versions of the same characters appear, causing some identity problems (many faces appear from all versions of Phantasm).

The men look either to be chasing or running away from the creepy Tall Man (again, Angus Scrimm).

Rated R. 90 minutes.

The DVD offers commentary from Coscarelli as well as a 10-minute “making of” featurette, which gives more of an idea of what the filming set was like but reveals no clues to understanding the movie.

This re-issue of Oliver Stone’s fanciful 1995 biopic may be tied in with this year’s presidential election, but it also capitalizes on Stone’s upcoming W about the current president.

In Stone’s take on the controversial Nixon, Anthony Hopkins and Joan Allen both earned Oscar nominations for their portrayals of President Nixon and his wife, Pat.

The superb supporting cast features Paul Sorvino as Henry Kissinger, James Woods as Bob Haldeman, Ed Harris as E. Howard Hunt, and Powers Boothe as Alexander Haig.

Rated R. 213 minutes. 

This twin disc Director’s Edition set, also on Blu-ray, comes re-mastered with remixed audio and a high definition video transfer. The discs also offer a new, 35 minute, documentary on Nixon, including interviews with John Dean and Gore Vidal. Plus, a 56-minute Charlie Rose interview with Oliver Stone.

In this filmed concert of the planet’s most popular young performer, Miley Cyrus plays and sings as Hannah Montana before reappearing as herself.

The recent film drew huge crowds when it played in 3-D theaters, and now this two-disc package includes 3-D glasses to capture the excitement. The Jonas Brothers also contribute, while Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) choreographs the extravaganza.

Rated G. 90 minutes.

The DVD, also on Blu-ray, offers songs not seen in the theatrical version, as well as a “personal tour” backstage with Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers.

This Disney Channel movie features the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Meaghan Martin and Alyson Stoner. Lovato plays Mitchie Torres, who lands a summer job as cook at Camp Rock. But she also wants to grab the attention of the camp’s ace instructor Shane Gray (Joe Jonas).

He hears her sing but doesn’t see her, setting off his quest to find who has such a voice. In the interim, the brothers perform numerous songs and show off their newest dance moves.

Rated TV-G. 94 minutes.

The amply packed DVD, also on Blu-ray, holds individual featurettes on the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, “How to Be a Rock Star,” a backstage look, several music videos, and more.

Also this week: Fishtales, My Sassy Girl, The Scorpion King 2, What Happens in Vegas.