‘Winter Soldier’ wins big with action, acting

This week’s releases feature great action, smart writing and a dumb idea.

• “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” A: Chris Evans returns to the role of All-American hero Captain America. His efforts to adjust to the modern world are disrupted when S.H.I.E.L.D. – the organization that leads the defense of the planet from superthreats – comes under attack. The more Captain America digs into the assault, the more he begins to question what is right and what is wrong.

It’s easy to overlook the acting in big action movies. But from Evans to Robert Redford, who plays a man of power with a hidden agenda, the cast treats the story like a serious drama and sells it.

Brothers Anthony and Joe Russo had racked up a lot of directing credits before taking on “The Winter Soldier” – mostly with TV comedies. It’s a monumental leap, but the brothers make it with ease.

• “Words and Pictures,” A-: An English teacher enters into a battle with an art instructor over which is more important, words or pictures.

The film resonates with a clever and endearing energy that harkens back to the days when Doris Day and Rock Hudson dominated the box office. In a film era saturated with big special effects or teenage lust, this movie relies on the chemistry of its stars, Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche, to hold the attention of an audience.

There are times when their banter comes across as a little too scripted, but mostly it’s a welcome treat to watch two intelligent people deal with all the mishaps life has to offer.

• “Brick Mansions,” D-: Detroit detective looks into a dangerous neighborhood. Paul Walker stars.

What attempts to pass for a script by Luc Besson and Bibi Naceri is the tale of a near-future Detroit where crime is so bad in an inner city area known as the Brick Mansions that a giant wall has been built around it.

With its lack of originality, tempering of action and lame characters, it would be best to foreclose on “Brick Mansions.”

Also new on DVD:

“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: The Complete First Season”: Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) leads a team of special agents.

“Doctor Who: Deep Breath”: The 12th Doctor’s era begins with Peter Capaldi as the time traveler.

“Louder Than Words”: Couple try to put their lives together after the death of their daughter.

“Young Frankenstein 40th Anniversary”: Mel Brooks comedy starring Gene Wilder.

“Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (50th Anniversary Edition)”: Lesley Ann Warren, Ginger Rogers and Stuart Damon star in the 1965 TV special.

“The Midnight Special Collector’s Edition”: Features performances by Bee Gees, Fleetwood Mac, Marvin Gaye and many more.

“Teenage”: Documentary looks at evolution of the age group.

“The Magic School Bus: Human Body”: DVD and book bundle teaches all about the human body.

“Homeland: Season Three”: Carrie and Saul search for the truth behind the bombing of CIA headquarters.

“Secrets of Westminster”: Hidden areas of London’s House of Commons, Westminster Abbey are revealed.

“Korengal”: Sebastian Junger’s look at Afghan war vets.

“Bryan Kellen: Ballet Komedico”: Special featuring the rubber-bodied comedian.

“LeapFrog Letter Factory Adventures: Counting On Lemonade”: Tad, Lily, Leap stir up lots of learning fun.

“Perry Mason Movie Collection Double Features Four, Five and Six”: Raymond Burr stars.

“Dynasty: The Final Season, Volumes One and Two”: Iconic 1980s series stars John Forsythe, Linda Evans, Joan Collins.

“My Little Pony-Friendship Is Magic: Spooktacular Pony Tales!”: Features six episodes and a singalong.

“Regular Show: Rigby Pack”: Focuses on the mischievous raccoon.

“Monika”: Down-and-out man is pulled into a revenge mission after meeting the woman of his dreams.

“A Long Way Down”: Four strangers meet on a roof with the intent of committing suicide.

“Star Trek: The Compendium”: Includes the films “Star Trek” and “Star Trek Into Darkness.”

“Willow Creek”: Young couple face a terrifying evil.

“Worlds Together Cuba”: Tour of the nation known as the Pearl of the Antilles.

“Sabrina – Secrets of a Teenage Witch: A Witch and the Werewolf – The Movie”: Sabrina leads double life as high schooler and superhero sorceress.

“Blue Bloods: The Fourth Season”: CBS family drama starring Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg.

“Let’s Learn: Patterns and Shapes”: Includes five new episodes from “Team Umizoomi,” “Dora the Explorer,” “Blue’s Clues,” “Ni Hao Ka-lan!”

“Pumpkinhead”: Backwoods witch helps father get revenge for the death of his son.

“Supernatural: The Complete Ninth Season”: Contains 23 episodes plus deleted scenes.

“Vampire Diaries: The Complete Fifth Season”: Along with the 22 episodes are three new featurettes.

“Bee People”: Look at those helping save bees.

“Baseball’s Greatest Games: New York Yankees Postseason Heroics”: Includes four memorable games.

“The Curse of Oak Island”: History channel series about the search for treasure.

“Victim”: Young man tries to break out of a cycle of violence.

“The World Wars”: Jeremy Renner narrates.

“Godzilla Double Feature”: Includes two films featuring the giant creature.