→"2012”: John Cusack enters the disaster-movie genre to play a writer struggling to save his ex-wife (Amanda Peet) and children from cataclysms that result from trouble at Earth’s core. DVD extras: "making of” documentary; audio commentary; deleted scenes; alternate ending; music video. (PG-13: P, V)

 →"Where the Wild Things Are”: Director and co-screenwriter Spike Jonze brings the classic Maurice Sendak story to life, as a youngster (Max Records) escapes from household punishment as king of a fantasy land he creates in his mind. It’s inhabited by monsters who obey his rule. DVD extras: "Webisodes.” (PG: AS, P)

→"The Private Lives of Pippa Lee”: Robin Wright Penn and Blake Lively ("Gossip Girl”) share the title role in this drama, Pippa being a woman thrust into a midlife crisis by her much-older husband’s (Alan Arkin) decision that they should relocate to a retirement home. Her rebellion unlocks memories of her colorful past — a cue for flashbacks that feature Lively — and a liaison with a younger man. (R: AS, N, P)

→"Elvis”: He would team with director John Carpenter on other projects, but Kurt Russell first made his mark with the filmmaker by playing Elvis, with whom Russell had appeared in "It Happened at the World’s Fair,” in this made-for-ABC 1979 biography. Russell also married (and divorced) Season Hubley, who plays Priscilla in this portrait of the triumphs and setbacks of music’s "King.” DVD extras: "making of” documentary; audio commentary; photo gallery. (Not rated: AS, P)

→"Alice”: "Alice in Wonderland” got a big update from Syfy in this fantasy, casting Caterina Scorsone ("Edge of Darkness”) as the title heroine who goes through a looking glass into a bizarre world where she faces a sinister Queen of Hearts (Kathy Bates) and encounters a mad Hatter (Andrew Lee Potts). (Not rated: AS, P, V)

→"This Emotional Life”: Televised by PBS, this miniseries explores hurdles that prevent people from achieving true happiness. Katie Couric, Richard Gere, Chevy Chase, Larry David and Alanis Morissette are among celebrities who participate. (Not rated: P)