THE LIST: DVDs, CDs and books hitting stores week of Dec. 29

DVDS
  “Paranormal Activity” (R): A young couple (Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat) move into a suburban “starter” house — one that seems to be occupied by a demonic spirit in writer-director Oren Peli’s microbudget chiller, which mines the unknown (and unknowable), using small moments and virtually no special effects to build a this-is-really-happening vibe.
  Speaking of couples in peril, two vacationing couples (Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich, Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez) discover murderous psychos are sharing their romantic Hawaiian idyll in “A Perfect Getaway” (R). In the horror-comedy “Jennifer’s Body” (R), a high-school hottie (“Transformers” fox Megan Fox) becomes possessed by a boy-eating demon. Not to be confused with the musical “Nine” (which opened in theaters last week), the animated apocalyptic sci-fi blast “9” (PG-13), expanded from director Shane Acker’s award-winning short, follows the title rag doll (voiced by Elijah Wood) as he takes refuge from a vicious machine. And the documentary “Last Cup: Road to the World Series of Beer Pong” (not rated), which debuted at the 2008 CineVegas film festival, follows four competitors drinking for fame and glory.
  Turning to titles that never made it to local theaters, “Carriers” (PG-13) stars “Star Trek’s” Chris Pine as one of a quartet trying to survive a highly contagious disease that’s infected the United States. Tricia O’Kelley plays the title role in “Weather Girl” (R), a romantic comedy featuring Jon Cryer, Jane Lynch and Mark Harmon. Live action and animation combine in the film festival award-winner “Half-Life” (not rated), as a precocious boy and his jaded sister escape their confining home life through the power of imagination. And in the documentary “Facing Ali” (R), veteran boxers from Joe Frazier to George Foreman recall their encounters in the ring with Muhammad Ali.
  Coming Thursday in our oldies but goodies department: Robert Mitchum and Shirley MacLaine in the bittersweet 1962 drama “Two for the Seesaw” (not rated) and Gary Cooper in the 1953 South Seas odyssey “Return to Paradise” (not rated). And topping today’s TV-to-DVD transfers (all unrated): Sam Elliott as Sam Houston in the 1986 “Gone to Texas” (which initially aired as “Houston: The Legend of Texas”); “Glee, Vol. One: Road to Sectionals,” “United States of Tara: Season One,” “Emily of New Moon: The Complete First Season,” “Time Warp: Season Two” and “Whale Wars: Season Two.”

CDS
  Dave Matthews Band, “Europe 2009”: The Dave Matthews is definitely best onstage, where they twist their lengthy back catalog into new forms, stretching it out like wet taffy.
  And so this three-disc box set, which also includes a DVD, is a fittingly fiery encapsulation of what this troupe is all about.
  The only missing is the contact high.
  Also in stores: Mr. Sawed Off, “Blood Money.”

BOOKS
   “Sizzle” by Julie Garwood: Film student Lyra Prescott’s final school assignment, a documentary, turns into a horror film after she captures a shocking crime on camera. Fearing for her life, Lyra turns to her best friend, whose connections ultimately lead Lyra to FBI agent Sam Kincaid. As danger mounts, Sam and Lyra come to depend on each other, and with that trust, their relationship deepens.
  In “Altar of Eden” by James Rollins, the best-selling writer takes a break from his Sigma Force series with this thriller that combines science, history and a secret tied to the Book of Genesis.
  Also hitting shelves: “The Belly Fat Cure: Discover the New Carb Swap System and Lose 4 to 9 lbs. Every Week” by Jorge Cruise; “Cook This, Not That! Kitchen Survival Guide” by David Zinczenko; “Days of Gold” by Jude Deveraux; “Deeper than the Dead” by Tami Hoag; “Fired Up: Book One of the Dreamlight Trilogy” by Jayne Ann Krentz; “Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual” by Michael Pollan; “The Honor of Spies (Honor Bound Series No. 5)” by W.E.B. Griffin; “I, Sniper” by Stephen Hunter; “Shades of Grey” by Jasper Fforde; “The Skinnygirl Dish: Easy Recipes for Your Naturally Thin Life” by Bethenny Frankel; and “The Spark: The 28-Day Breakthrough Plan for Losing Weight, Getting Fit, and Transforming Your Life” by Chris Downie.