OnVideo Guide to Home Video Releases: DVDs

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DVD Reviews

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Links to DVD news, information and sales sites.

Catalogs of DVDs released 1999 -- 2006

DVD Releases
February 2009 Releases
February 3
February 6
February 10
February 17
February 24
September 2008
October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
January 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
February 3

Alec Guinness 5-Film Collection Collection of Alec Guiness films: "The Lavender Hill Mob," "Kind Hearts and Coronets," "The Man in the White Suit," "The Captain's Paradise" and "The Ladykillers"; $39.98. (Lionsgate).

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Becker: Season Two (1999-2000) Three-disc set with 24 episodes, $39.99. (Paramount).
Being There (1979) Dir.: Hal Ashby; Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden, Richard Dysart, Richard Basehart. Extras: "Memories From Being There" featurette. Available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
The Berenstain Bears: Springtime Surprises Mama, Papa, Brother and Sister Bear spring into song as they help Boss Bunny learn the true meaning of the holiday spirit. Four episodes including "Easter Surprise"; $12.99. (Sony).
Bewitched: The Complete Seventh Season (1970-71) Four-disc set with 28 episodes, $39.95. (Sony).
Black Swarm (2007) Robert Englund, Sebastien Roberts, Sarah Allen, Jayne Heitmeyer. A quirky scientist unleashes a mutant breed of killer bees on an unsuspecting town. Twelfth installment in the TV "Maneater" series. (Genius Entertainment).
Bottle Shock (2008) Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman, Freddy Rodriguez, Chris Pine, Rachael Taylor, Eliza Dushku, Dennis Farina. Extras: Commentary by Bill Pullman, Chris Pine and Eliza Dushku, director-producer Randall Miller, writer-producer Jody Slavin, producer J. Todd Harris and writers Ross Schwartz and Lannette Pabon; "An Underdog's Journey: The Making of Bottle Shock" featurette; "Chateau Montelena: One Winery's Search for Excellence" featurette; deleted scenes. (Fox).
Brainstorm (1983) Dir.: Douglas Trumbull; Christopher Walken, Natalie Wood, Louise Fletcher, Cliff Robertson. (Warner).
Dave's World: Season Two (1994-95) Three-disc set with 25 episodes, $42.99. (Paramount).
Depth Charge (2008) Eric Roberts, Jason Gedrick, Barry Bostwick, Chris Warren Jr. A veteran Naval Commander takes over his own submarine with the help of a band of mercenaries and blackmails the government with the threat of a nuclear attack; two of the original crew will do anything to stop the madman. (Genius Entertainment).
Diary of a Tired Black Man (2008) Jimmy Jean-Louis. Follows the love life of James, a successful man attempting to examine the relentless debate over the battle-of-the-sexes. Features fictional and factual accounts of romance by interspersing thought-evoking story lines with candid reactions from man-in-the-street style interviews by director Tim Alexander. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Dinosaur King: Downtown Showdown (2008) Five episodes of the hit Japanese animated series now on U.S. TV: The son of a world-famous paleontologist finds some mysterious dinosaur cards and a stone slate and discovers that he has the power to bring dinosaurs to life; $14.99. (Shout! Factory).
Everybody wants to Be Italian (2008) Jay Jablonski, Cerina Vincent, John Kapelos, John Enos III, Marisa Petroro, Penny Marshall. Case of mistaken ethnicity where two non-Italians pretend to be Italian to win each others hearts in Boston's North End. Extras: Commentary by writer-director Jason Todd Ipson and editor Mike Saenz, behind-the-scenes featurette, cast auditions, deleted scenes. (Lionsgate).
Fat Head (2009) Comedian and former health writer Tom Naughton replies to the "Super Size Me" crowd by losing weight on a fat-laden fast-food diet -- including plenty of double quarter-pounders and fried chicken -- while demonstrating that nearly everything we've been told about obesity and healthy eating is wrong. (Even his doctor was stunned while conducting a post-diet checkup.) $19.98. (Morningstar Entertainment).
Five (1951) Dir.: Arch Oboler; William Phipps, Susan Douglas, James Anderson, Charles Lampkin, Earl Lee. Extras: "Martini Minutes," "The Secrets of Seduction," "The Secrets of Deception," "How to Become an Arch Villain," "How to Travel in Style." (Sony Martini Movies).
Friday the 13th: Deluxe Editions Four new editions of the quintessential slasher film: "Friday the 13th Uncut -- Deluxe Edition," "Friday the 13th Part 2 -- Deluxe Edition," "Friday the 13th Part 3 3-D -- Deluxe Edition" ($16.99 each) and "Friday the 13th Uncut -- Blu-ray" ($29.99), all loaded with extras. (Paramount).
Getting Straight (1970) Dir.: Richard Rush; Elliot Gould, Candice Bergen Extras: "Martini Minutes," "The Secrets of Seduction," "The Secrets of Deception," "How to Become an Arch Villain," "How to Travel in Style." (Sony Martini Movies).
A Good Day To Be Black & Sexy (2008) Brandon Jones. Unadulterated view of black love and sexuality shown through the lives of six couples unfolding over a single day in Los Angeles. Sometimes uncomfortable but steadfastly poignant study in human behavior, as well as relationship dynamics and dysfunctions. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Gumshoe (1971) Dir.: Stephen Frears; Albert Finney, Frank Finlay, Billie Whitelaw, Janice Rule, Carolyn Seymour. Extras: "Martini Minutes," "The Secrets of Seduction," "The Secrets of Deception," "How to Become an Arch Villain," "How to Travel in Style." (Sony Martini Movies).
Gym Teacher: The Movie (2008) Christopher Meloni, Paul Dinello, Amy Sedaris, Nathan Kress. Nickelodeon original family telefilm about a former Olympic gymnast turned high school coach who must transform an athletically adverse new student into a star athlete in order to win a championship tournament. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette, bloopers, deleted scenes. (Sony).
His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th (2009) Ultimate tribute documentary about one of horror cinema's most enduring icons, hosted by legendary special effects make-up artist Tom Savini. Two-disc set, $19.97. Extras: "The Men Behind the Mask," "Final Cuts," "From Script to Screen," "Fan Films," "Closing the Book on The Final Chapter," "Fox Comes Home," "Friday the 13th in 4 Minutes," "Jason Takes Comic-Con," "The Camp Crystal Lake Survival Guide," "Inside Halloween Horror Nights," "Shelly Lives." (Anchor Bay).
Holly Hobbie: Marvelous Makeover (2007) Two adventures featuring the animated Holly Hobbie and The Hey Girls, $12.99. Extras: "Dress Up With Holly Hobbie" game. (Sony).
Inside Moves (1980) Dir.: Richard Donner; John Savage, David Morse, Diana Scarwid. Extras: Commentary by Donner and writer Brian Helgeland, making-of featurette, interviews with author Todd Walton, Donner and screenwriter Barry Levinson, stills gallery of Donner's original shooting script. (Lionsgate).
Jammin' With the Doodlebops (2009) Preschoolers can sing and dance along with the Doodlebops with four all-new, music-filled episodes and a music CD with four songs from the show. Extras: Sing-a-longs, dance-a-longs, knock knock jokes, more. (Lionsgate).
Jason Slasher Collection Three-disc set with "Jason X," "Jason Goes to Hell" and "Freddy vs. Jason," $23.97. (Warner).
Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht Season 3 Four-disc set with 33 episodes of the TLC series, $34.95. Extras: "Behind the Scenes of Jon & Kate Plus 8," "View FAQ," "Hug & a Kiss" music Video. (Genius Products).
Killer Movie (2008) Kaley Cuoco, Leighton Meester, Nestor Carbonell, Paul Wesley. In this slasher-movie satire, a reality TV director copes with a spoiled celebutante and a show gone haywire while a masked killer starts bumping off the crew. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette, digital copy. (Peace Arch Entertainment).
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XIV Four-disc set with "Mad Monster," "Manhunt in Space," "Soultaker" and "Final Justice," $59.99. (Shout! Factory).
Natalie Wood Collection Six-disc set with "Splendor in the Grass," "Gypsy," "Sex and the Single Girl," "Inside Daisy Clover," "Bombers B-52" and "Cash McCall"; $59.92. "Splendor in the Grass" and "Sex and the Single Girl" will also be available for $19.97 each. (Warner).
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008) Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Rafi Gavron, Aaron Yoo. Extras: Commentary by director Peter Sollett, actors Michael Cera, Kat Dennings and Ari Graynor; commentary by Peter Sollett, authors Rachel Cohn and David Levithan and screenwriter Lorene Scafaria; deleted scenes, outtakes, music video: "Middle Managemen" by Bishop Allen; storyboard animations; "A Nick & Norah Puppet Show" by Kat Dennings; "Ari Graynor's Video Diary: A Look Behind-the-Scenes"; faux interview with Michael Cera, Kat Dennings and Eddie Kaye Thomas; photo gallery; Digital copy of the film. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
Night Court: The Complete Second Season (1984-85) Three-disc set with 22 episodes, $29.98. (Warner).
Nite Tales (2008 -- TV) Two chilling urban horror dramas that aired Halloween, 2008, on BET. Hosted by Favor Flav. In "Karma," a bank heist goes bad and the would-be robbers are pinned down by a brutal and hungry foe; in "Storm," a group of college students take refuge from a storm, where, one-by-one, they're murdered. (Paramount).
Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom (2008) Darryl Stephens, Rodnet Chester, Christian Vincent, Doug Spearman. Feature-length movie based on the LOGO TV hit series about four black gay friends in Los Angeles. Extras: Making-of featurette, photo shoots, director's diaries, deleted scenes, Noah's wedding video. (Paramount).
Oliver & Company 20th Anniversay Edition (1988) Voices of Joseph Lawrence, Billy Joel, Cheech Marin, Richard Mulligan, Roscoe Lee Browne, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Dom DeLuise, Taurean Blacque, Robert Loggia, William Glover, Bette Midler. 20th anniversary edition of Disney's 27th animated feature. Extras: "The Making of Oliver & Company," "Puss Cafe" animated short, "The History of Animals in Disney Films" animated featurette, "Return of a Classic" look at the 1996 theatrical re-release of "Oliver & Company," bonus short "Lend a Paw": Pluto rescues a kitten and saves the day in this 1941 Academy Award-winning animated short, game. (Disney).
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Our Man in Havana (1959) Dir.: Carol Reed; Alec Guinness, Burl Ives, Ralph Richardson), Noel Coward, Maureen O'Hara, Jo Morrow. Extras: "Martini Minutes," "The Secrets of Seduction," "The Secrets of Deception," "How to Become an Arch Villain," "How to Travel in Style." (Sony Martini Movies).
The Partridge Family: The Complete Fourth Season (1973-74) Three-disc set with 22 episodes, $29.95. (Sony).
Peter Sellers 5-Film Collection Collection of five Peter Sellers films: "I'm All Right, Jack!" "The Smallest Show on Earth," "Carlton-Browne of the F.O.," "Two-Way Stretch" and "Heavens Above"; $39.98.(Lionsgate).
Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous (2008) Vivica A. Fox, Steve Guttenberg, Cheri Oteri, Olesya Rulin, Jill Marie Jones. A spoiled Hollywood actress suddenly finds herself broke and humiliated in the public eye after one disastrous night out. With no money, no job and no boyfriend, she ends up at an Army recruiting office and decides to trade in her high heels for combat boots in an impulsive effort to turn her life around. Extras: Making-of featurette, deleted scenes. (Sony).
Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway (2007) Will Chase, Adam Kantor, Michael McElroy, Tracie Thoms, Justin Johnstonl, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Eden Espinosa. Jonathan Larson's rock musical provides a modern interpretation of the iconic opera "La Boheme" and tells the story of a group of friends struggling to live and pay rent against the gritty background of New York's East Village while holding fast to their bohemian ideals and pursuits. Extras: "Rent: The Final Days on Broadway" retrospective documentary, "The Final Curtain Call" - past/present cast members sing "Seasons of Love" on stage one last time, "The Wall" - a rare look at the famous backstage wall, more. Available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
The Secret Life of Bees (2008) Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, Paul Bettany. Extras: Commentary, director's extended cut, deleted scenes, world premiere, "The Women and Men of The Secret Life of Bees," "Adaptation: Bringing The Secret Life of Bees to the Big Screen," "Inside the Pink House With Sue Monk Kidd." Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
Son of Rambow (2008) Will Poulter, Bill Milner, Jules Sitruk, Charlie Thrift, Jessica Stevenson, Neil Dudgeon. Two boys growing up in the dawning video age of the 1980s are blown away after first seeing "Rambo: First Blood," and, armed with a video camera, plan on making cinematic history by filming their own action-packed epic, setting them at odds with their parents and school. Extras: Commentary by director Garth Jennings, producer Nick Goldsmith, actors Bill Milner and Will Poulter; interviews; "Boys Will Be Boys: The Making of Son of Rambow" featurette. (Paramount).
Space Buddies (2009) Disney's talking puppies are back, this time shooting into outer space for an intergalactic adventure. Extras: Bloopers, music video. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Disney).
Splendor in the Grass (1961) Dir.: Elia Kazan; Natalie Wood, Warren Beatty, Pat Hingle, Zohra Lampert. (Warner).
Strawberry Shortcake: Happily Ever After (2009) Strawberry and her friends bring two fairy tales to life in magical adventures filled with berry fun: "Sleeping Beauty" and "A Princess Named Rap" (Rapunzel); $14.98. Extras: Valentine's Day greeting cards, games. (Fox).
The Tenth Circle (2008) Kelly Preston, Ron Eldard, Brittany Robertson, Michael Riley, Jamie Johnston. Lifetime telefilm about a family whose idyllic life is turned upside down when their daughter accuses the wife's ex-boyfriend of rape. When the latter dies in an apparent suicide, the family finds itself at the center of a high profile investigation that rocks their community and reveals just how far parents will go to protect their children. (Sony).
Tom and Jerry Tales Features 15 cartoons from the popular Kids' WB Series; $14.97. (Warner).
Vibes (1988) Jeff Goldblum, Michael Lerner, Peter Falk, Cyndi Laupe, Elizabeth Pena. Extras: "Martini Minutes," "The Secrets of Seduction," "The Secrets of Deception," "How to Become an Arch Villain," "How to Travel in Style." (Sony Martini Movies).
Yentil Extended Director's Edition (1983) Dir.: Barbra Streisand; Barbra Streisand, Mandy Patinkin, Amy Irving, Nehemiah Persoff, Steven Hill. Extras: Streisand's original concept reel, rehearsal/final film comparisons, storyboard montages for musical numbers, deleted scenes, more. (MGM).
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) Dir.: Kevin Smith; Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Traci Lords, Jason Mewes, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, Jeff Anderson, Tom Savini, Katie Morgan, Craig Robinson. Two-disc set. Extras: "Popcorn Porn: The Making of Zack and Miri," deleted scenes, "Money Shots" Webisodes, ComicCon 2008, "Gang Bang: Outtakes, Ad-libs and Bloopers," "Seth vs. Justin: Battle for Improvisational Supremacy." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Weinstein Co./Genius Products).

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February 6 (Friday)

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) Voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, Alec Baldwin, will.i.am, Bernie Mac, Sherri Shepherd. Available as a single-disc DVD, two-disc Move It! Move It! set, and Blu-ray Disc. Extras: The single disc includes: "DreamWorks Animation Jukebox," commentary, "The Making of Escape 2 Africa," "Crash Landing," "African Adventure," "Jambo Jambo: Swahili Speak," test flight of "Air Penguin" game, four music videos. The two-disc set adds two episodes from Nickelodeon's new series "The Penguins of Madagascar": "Popcorn Panic" and "Gone in a Flash," "The Bronx Zoo: Madagascar" featurette, Penguin Easter Eggs, more. (DreamWorks Animation/Paramount).


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February 10

Against the Dark (2009) Steven Seagal, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Tanoai Reed, Keith David. Latest direct-to-video outing for Steven Seagal. Here he plays the leader of a special ops squad of ex-military vigilantes who goes after flesh-eating vampires in a post apocalyptic world. Extras: "Fighting the Shadows: Behind the Scenes of Against the Dark." (Sony).
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Mystery of the Easter Chipmunk (2008) Five episodes of the animated series, $16.99. (Paramount).
Blindness (2008) Mark Ruffalo, Julianne Moore, Gael Garcia Bernal, Danny Glover, Alice Braga. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Miramax).
Chocolate (2008 -- Thailand) JeeJa Yanin, Ammara Siripong, Hiroshi Abe, Pongpat Wachirabunjong. An autistic woman with powerful martial art skills looks to settle her ailing mother's debts by seeking out the ruthless gangs that owe her family money. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Clint Eastwood: American Icon Collection Three-disc set with "Play Misty for Me," "The Eiger Sanction," "Coogan's Bluff" and "The Beguiled," $19.98. Extras: <"Play It Again .... A Look Back at Play Misty for Me," "The Beguilded, Misty, Don, and Clint," "Clint Eastwood on DVD," photo montage, more. (Universal).
Curious George: Monkey Collection Volume 1 (2008) Four-disc set with 32 episodes, packed in a carrying case; $39.98. (Universal).
Curious George: Robot Monkey and More Great Gadgets (2008) Eight episodes from the PBS Kids TV series, $16.98. (Universal).
Daniel's Daughter (2008 -- TV) Laura Leighton, Sebastian Spence, Brandon Firla, Martin Doyle. A successful New York magazine editor puts her impending marriage and job on hold to return to her Massachusetts home to tend to her father's funeral, where she must confront the town and past she left behind. (Genius Entertainment).
D.E.A.: Detroit (2008) Two-disc set, $26.99. (Paramount).
December Bride (1991) Donal McCann, Saskia Reeves, Ciaran Hinds. At the beginning of the 20th century a young servant provokes an independent Irish farm community by her relationship with two brothers. (BFS Entertainment).
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Dennis Potter: 3 to Remember Three-disc set with three feature-length drams by Dennis Potter, considered one of the most important and influential creative figures in the history of British television. Often powerful and controversial, his groundbreaking works continue to enthrall audiences worldwide. Here are three exquisite but rarely-seen teleplays shot on location and specifically produced for London Weekend Television. "Cream In My Coffee" (1980), which tells the story of an elderly couple who return to the hotel where they began their affair in the early '30s. "Blade on the Feather" (1980) stars Donald Pleasance as a reclusive, elderly author living a quiet life with his wife and daughter. The household is soon turned upside down when a young man (Tom Conti) proclaiming to be a long-time admirer shows up for a visit. Neither the author nor the admirer, are really who they say they are, and a covert world of British espionage and ulterior motives is revealed. In "Rain on the Roof" (1980), a bored and sexually frustrated housewife begins reading lessons with an illiterate, mentally challenged older boy who's trying to come to terms with the death of his father. $39.98. (Koch Vision).
The Exterminating Angel (1962) Dir.: Luis Bunuel; Silvia Pinal, Claudio Brook. Double-disc set with a new, restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras: "The Last Script: Remembering Luis Bunuel," a 2008 documentary featuring Jean-Claude Carriere and Jean Luis Bunuel; interviews with filmmaker Arturo Ripstein and actress Silvia Pinal; booklet featuring a new essay by film scholar Marsha Kinder and a reprinted interview with Bunuel (The Criterion Collection).
Faerie Tale Theatre: Tales From the Brothers Grimm Updated versions of the best-loved Grimm stories "Hansel & Gretel," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Rapunzel" and "Rumplestiltskin," from the acclaimed series "Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre"; $14.98. (Koch Vision).
Faerie Tale Theatre: Funny Tales Four funny tales, "The Frog Prince," "Pinocchio," "The Princess Who Never Laughed" and "The Three Little Pigs," from the acclaimed series "Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre"; $14.98. (Koch Vision).
Foot Fist Way (2008) Danny R. McBride, Ben Best, Mary Jane Bostic. Comedy about an inept karate instructor who struggles with marital troubles and an unhealthy obsession with fellow karate enthusiast Chuck "The Truck" Williams. Extras: Commentary by director Jody Hill, actor Danny McBride and production designer Randy Gambill; behind-the-scenes featurette; bloopers; additional scenes; alternate ending: Fred murders Suzie. (Paramount).
Friday the 13th The Series: Season Two (1988-89) Six-disc set with 26 episodes, $54.99. (Paramount).
Frozen River (2008) Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, Charlie McDermott, Mark Boone Junior. Extras: Commentary by writer-director Courtney Hunt and producer Heather Rae. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
Gospel Hill (2008) Angela Bassett, Danny Glover, Julia Stiles, Adam Baldwin, Giancarlo Esposito. Set in the tightly knit but impoverished neighborhood of Gospel Hill, where the residents are making preparations to honor the 40th anniversary of the assassination of the civil rights activist Paul Malcolm, a case that had never been resolved. The town struggles with the realization that the issues of the past blend seamlessly with those of the present and the knowledge that the fight for equality didn't die decades ago -- it's in every breath the town takes. (Fox).
HIT Favorites: Here Comes Spring (2009) Collection of six spring-themed episodes from HIT preschool series: "Barney," "Bob the Builder," "Thomas & Friends," "Fireman Sam," "Kipper" and "Fifi," $14.98. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Imprint (2007) Tonantzin Carmelo, Michael Spears. Thriller about a Native American attorney who returns to her reservation and begins to hear ghostly voices and sees strange visions that cause her to re-examine beliefs she thought she left behind. (MTI Home Video).
Iowa (2005) Matt Farnsworth, Diane Foster, Mickey Jones, Muse Watson, Rosanna Arquette. Tale of love and addiction set against the (real-life) Midwestern crystal meth epidemic: Following the suspicious death of his father, Esper and his love Donna have been made recent beneficiaries to a large sum of insurance money. Hoping to escape their small town existence, they plunge into the dangerous world of crystal meth production and soon become addicts themselves. Now on the run from a dirty parole office in cahoots with a gold-digging mother, Esper finally snaps out of his drug-crazed delusion and decides he's not going down without a fight. (Koch Vision).
Joni Mitchell's the Fiddle and the Drum (2009) Blends Joni Mitchell's music and art with Alberta (Canada) Ballet Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maitre's choreography. Their resulting collaboration yields a ballet exploring the human spirit's potential to create and destroy, its ability to love and hate, its capacity for war and peace: a re-imagining of career-spanning songs that explores Mitchell's life-long concerns about environmental neglect and the warring nature of mankind. The soundtrack includes re-mastered versions of 10 songs from Mitchell's extraordinary catalog. Recorded in High Definition for Bravo! Television in Canada. Extras: Interviews, isolated version of Mitchell's own video installation from the production. $19.98. (Koch Vision).
Kennedy: The Complete Series (1983) Two-disc set of the miniseries chronicling the presidency of John F. Kennedy; starring Martin Sheen (as Kennedy), John Shea, E.G. Marshall, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Vincent Gardenia, Blair Brown; $19.98. (MPI Home Video).
Life With Derek: Let the Games Begin Four fan-favorite episodes from the Disney series that is a modern-day twist on the Brady Bunch; for kids ages 6-14; $14.98. (Koch Vision).
The Lodger (2009) Alfred Molina, Hope Davis, Simon Baker, Shane West, Donal Logue, Philip Baker Hall, Rachael Leigh Cook, Rebecca Pidgeon. A seasoned detective is on the trail of a ruthless killer intent on slaughtering prostitutes along West Hollywood's Sunset Strip: the murderer's grisly methods are identical to that of London's infamous 19th century psychopath Jack the Ripper. Extras: Deleted and alternate scenes, "Beyond the Shadows: Behind the Scenes of The Lodger." (Sony).
Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie (1993 -- TV) Lucie Arnaz hosts this emotional and honest glimpse at the extraordinary lives of her world-famous parents, highlighted by never-before-seen color family movies along with insightful interviews from family members, business associates and celebrity friends such as Bob Hope; $19.98. (MPI Home Video).
Melrose Place: The Fifth Season, Volume One (1996-97) Four-disc set with 19 episodes, $42.99. (Paramount).
Miracle at St. Anna (2008) Dir.: Spike Lee; Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso, Omar Benson Miller, Matteo Sciabordi, Valentina Cervi, Pierfrancesco Favino, John Leguizamo, Joseph Gordon Levitt. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Disney).
My Name Is Bruce (2007) Dir.: Bruce Campbell; Bruce Campbell, Grace Thorsen, Taylor Sharpe, Ted Raimi, Ben L. McCain, Ellen Sandweiss. B-movie legend Bruce Campbell is mistaken for his character Ash from the "Evil Dead" trilogy and forced to fight a real monster in a small town in Oregon. Extras: "Heart of Dorkness: The Making of My Name Is Bruce," "Hard Truth News From Hollywood: The Real Bruce Campbell," commentary by Campbell and producer Mike Richardson, more. (Image Entertainment).
Nights in Rodanthe (2008) Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Scott Glenn, James Franco, Christopher Meloni, Viola Davis, Mae Whitman, Pablo Schreiber. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
Obscene (2008) Biography of one of the greatest American publishers of the 20th century and one of the most influential cultural figures of his time, -- Barney Rosset. Rosset was the publisher of the influential Grove Press (1951) and Evergreen Review and embarked on a tumultuous career of publishing and political engagement that continues to inspire today's defenders of free expression. Not only was he the first American publisher of acclaimed authors Samuel Beckett, Kenzaburo Oe, Tom Stoppard, Che Guevara, and Malcolm X, but he also battled the government in the highest courts to overrule the obscenity ban on groundbreaking works of fiction such as "Lady Chatterley's Lover," "Tropic of Cancer" and "Naked Lunch." $29.95. (Moved from janaury 27). (Arts Alliance America).
Ode to Billy Joe (1976) Dir.: Max Baer Jr.; Robby Benson, Glynnis O'Connor. Extras: Vintage featurette. (Warner).
Phineas and Ferb: The Daze of Summer (2008) Five episodes from The Disney Channel series, $19.99. (Disney).
Relative Strangers (1999) Brenda Fricker, Robin Laing. British miniseries about a recently widowed wife and mother who discovers that her late husband had another wife -- and child. (BFS Entertainment).
The Ride of Their Lives (2008) Documentary about the men and women who made NASCAR, following the evolution of racers from moonshiners in the 1950s to the media darlings of the 21st century; $24.99. (Paramount).
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The Romance of Astrea and Celadon (2008 -- French) Stephanie Crayencour, Andy Gillet. Feted French auteur Eric Rohmer has, for over five decades, built an influential career on stylizing modern romance into classical love stories. It's fitting then, that for what may well be the 88 year-old Academy Award-nominated director's last film, he chose as his muse, "L'Astree", the 17th century pastoral fantasy by Honore d'Urfe about a lovelorn shepherd in 5th-century Gaul. In an enchanted, mythical forest, the shepherdess Astrea and shepherd Celadon, two star-crossed lovers, are kept apart by their feuding families in this idealized, fairy-tale-styled romance, filled with chivalrous notions of love and devotion. After Astrea believes she witnessed Celadon flirting with another at a medieval fete, she regretfully sends him away and asks that he never appear before her again. Surrounded by rivals, nymphs and druids, the two must overcome jealousy, temptations and other-worldly obstacles to keep their once pure and chaste love alive. (Koch Lorber).
Rona Barrett's Hollywood: Nothing But the Truth Rona Barrett is arguably the first TV gossip columnist, beginning in 1966 on Los Angeles' KABC-TV. This single disc contains 10 star interviews culled from her personal archives: Cher, Priscilla Presley, Raquel Welch, Robin Williams, John Travolta, John Wayne, Donna Summer, Burt Reynolds, Richard Dreyfuss and Carol Burnett; $19.98. $1 from each DVD will be donated to the Rona Barrett Foundation for the Elderly Poor. (Infinity Entertainment).
Route 66: Producer's Picks Two-disc set with 11 episodes, $19.98. (Infinity Entertainment).
Sam Elliott Western Collection Three-disc set with "The Desperate Trail," "Rough Riders" and "You Know My Name," $19.97. (Warner).
Shaun the Sheep: Back in the Ba-a-ath (2009) Eight episodes featuring Shaun the Sheep and his barnyard friends; created by Aardman Animations of "Wallace & Gromit" fame; $14.98. Extras: "Sing-along With Shaun." (Lionsgate).
She Stoops to Conquer (2008) Tim Bell, Simon Butteriss, Judi Daykin, Mark Dexter. Oliver Goldsmith's funniest and most famous play finds new life in this scrupulously faithful film adaptation, filmed entirely at a 17th-century English manor house.Two-disc set with five episodes, $39.99. (Acorn Media).
Simon & Simon: Season Two (1982-83) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.99. (Shout! Factory).
Simon of the Desert (1965) Dir.: Luis Bunuel; Silvia Pinal, Claudio Brook. new, restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras: "A Mexican Bunuel" (1995), a 50-minute documentary by Emilio Maille; interview with actress Silvia Pinal; booklet featuring a new essay by critic Michael Wood and a reprinted interview with Bunuel. (The Criterion Collection).
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60 Minutes Presents Obama: All Access -- Barack Obama's Road to the White House (2009) Beginning before he became a presidential candidate, "60 Minutes" was tracking the rise of Barack Obama. The personal and the public sides of the president come to life here in this documentary that relives memorable moments from CBS News coverage of this extraordinary political figure ... electrifying scenes already seen around the world, and quiet moments seen only on "60 Minutes." Includes never-before-seen material from exclusive "60 Minutes" interviews. Hosted by CBS News correspondent Steve Kroft, who has followed Mr. Obama's road to the White House since early 2007. $19.99. (Paramount).
The Skulls Trilogy Two-disc set with "The Skulls," "The Skulls II" and "The Skulls III," $19.98. (Universal).
Soul Men (2008)Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, Sean Hayes, Sharon Leal, Jennifer Coolidge, Isaac Hayes, Affion Crockett, John Legend, Adam Herschman, Fatso Fasano, Jackie Long Extras: Commentary by director Malcolm Lee, "The Soul Men: Bernie Mac & Samuel L. Jackson," "The Cast Of Soul Men," "Director: Malcolm Lee," "A Tribute to Bernie Mac," "A Tribute to Isaac Hayes," "Boogie Ain't Nothin': Behind-the-Scenes," "Bernie Mac at the Apollo" Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Weinstein Co./Genius Products).
Street Fighter -- Extreme Edition (1994) Jean-Claude Van Damme, Raul Julia. Extras: "The Making of Street Fighter," outtakes, deleted scenes, storyboard sequences, archives, commentary, more. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Tales From the Darkside: The First Season (1983-85) Three-disc set with 24 episodes, $39.99. This 30-minute horror/fantasy anthology series followed in the vein of "The Twilight Zone," presenting each week a standalone story of horror fantasy, and/or science fiction. Clive Barker. Many episodes also featured veteran actors of the 40's and 50's that saw very little work in their later years. (Paramount).
Thomas & Friends: Railway Friends (2009) Six new adventures with Thomas and his engine friends on the Island of Sodor, enhanced with CGI animation; $14.98. Extras: "Laying Down the Track" puzzler, "Name That Train" game, bonus episode. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Treasure Blind (2008) Brian Shoop, Daniel Brookshire. Veteran cabbie Cliff Edwards (Shoop) has nothing in his life except hunting for a legendary stash of Civil War gold. But when Henry (Brookshire), the blind grandson he never knew he had, is dropped on his doorstep, Cliff's life drastically changes. Story about the power of faith and family. Extras: Making-of featurettes, deleted scenes. (Cloud Ten Pictures/Koch Entertainment).
VeggieTales: Abe and the Amazing Promise (2009) Veggie-spun Bible classic that tells the story of Abraham and Sarah and their wait for a promised child. Bob the Tomato tries to bring the Bible story to life, but when spitting camels and a film crew of zany French peas get involved, everyone's patience is tested. $14.99. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette, game, sing-along, trivia. (Big Idea Inc.).
Viva Pinata: The Pinatas Must Be Crazy and Other Stories (2008) Five episodes of the TV series that follows the daily trials and tribulations of the inhabitants of an uncharted island, all of whom are living pinata animals. $14.99. (Shout! Factory).
W. (2008) Dir.: Oliver Stone; Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks, James Cromwell, Ellen Burstyn, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Scott Glenn, Ioan Gruffudd, Richard Dreyfus, Jesse Bradford. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Lionsgate).
Way of War (2008) Cuba Gooding Jr., J.K. Simmons, John Terry. A paramilitary operative on a mission to kill a terrorist in the Middle East stumbles upon a government conspiracy and goes on the run to expose the villains. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (First Look Studios).
What Makes Sammy Run? (1959) Based on the best-selling 1941 novel by author and screenwriter Budd Schulberg, "What Makes Sammy Run" caused a sensation when the "NBC Sunday Showcase" production originally aired in two parts in 1959. Audiences were enthralled with the character Sammy Glick (Tony award-winning Broadway actor Larry Blyden), a Jewish boy born in the ghetto of New York's Lower East Side who decides to climb the ladder of success by any means necessary. In Sammy's world, "convictions are for sale" and through backstabbing and double-crossing, Sammy fights to become the industry's top screenwriter in this rags to riches story of a hustler navigating the "dog eat dog" world of 1930's Hollywood. Also stars John Forsythe, Norman Fell, Dina Merril, Barbara Rush. Released as part of The Archive of American Television Presents line, a product of the newly formed collaboration between KOCH Vision and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. $24.98. Extras: Commentary by Dina Merrill and Barbara Rush, as well as a bonus interview with Budd Schulberg. (Koch Vision).
Wild at Heart, Series 1 (2008) Heartwarming British series combines the family drama of "The Brady Bunch" with the pastoral appeal of "All Creatures Great and Small" in a fascinating African bush setting. Two-disc set with six episodes, $39.99. (Acorn Media).
Wizards of Waverly Place: Supernaturally Stylin' (2008) Wizards-in-training Alex Russo and her brothers try to make their mark in the fashion industry in the next installment from The Disney Channel series;19.99. (Disney).

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February 17

Alice in Wondertown (1990 -- Cuba) In this iconoclastic film inspired by Lewis Carroll's classic tale, Alice is a drama teacher who goes on a cultural mission to a small town where the most bizarre occurrences are commonplace. Mirrors become doors, circus animals walk the streets, and it seems anything can happen -- and everyone except Alice seems resigned to the situation. She discovers that the town's population is made up of officials and workers who have been fired for violating rules, minor or illusionary, and now cannot find their way out of this strange town. Banned in Cuba for satirizing the opportunism and indolence embedded in Cuban bureaucracy. Extras: Booklet with an interview with director Daniel Diaz Torres, a Diaz Torres biography and filmography, and a director's note: "To Alice, On Her 17th Birthday." (First Run Features).
Alien from Earth: The Little People of Flores (2009) NOVA presents an exclusive new investigation into the sensational discovery of the bizarre ancient bones of the so-called "Hobbit" unearthed in a cave on the island of Flores, Indonesia. No more than 3 feet tall when fully grown, these tiny humans survived in the cave for tens of thousands of years, hunting the huge and fierce Komodo dragons that roamed their remote island home. NOVA explores the latest evidence in a furious scientific debate on what the Hobbit bones represent. $24.99. (WGBH Boston Video).
Alien Raiders (2008) Carlos Bernard, Mathew St. Patrick, Courtney Ford, Rockmond Dunbar. A Nerve-shredding battle for human survival against aliens that invade our world by invading our bodies. Extras: "Hidden Terror: The Making of Alien Raiders," "Blood, Sweat and Fears: The Special Effects of Alien Invaders," more. (Warner).
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American Scary (2008) Documentary on late-night TV horror show hosts, from the obscure to the famous to the infamous, including Zacherley (John Zacherle, who began his horror hosting career in the late 1950's in Philadelphia as "Roland" and became one of the most iconic nationally recognized figures in the genre), Ghoulardi (Ernie Anderson, an anarchic hipster creation who exploded on Cleveland television in the winter of 1962, and proceeded to excite and warp the minds of his fanatic followers until 1966) and Vampira (Maila Nurmi, who modeled her character on elements of Charles Addams cartoons, screen glamour queens and bondage magazines. $19.95. (Cinema Libre)
Arctic Dinosaurs: Warm-Blooded Creatures of the Cretaceous? (2009) How is it that dinosaurs managed to survive and even thrive in the gloom of the dark and frigid polar regions? It is one of paleontology's most intriguing enigmas; but now, a unique field expedition covered exclusively by NOVA will set out for Alaska's North Slope to defrost a jackpot of new fossil clues; $24.99. (WGBH Boston Video).
The Beverly Hillbillies: The Official Third Season (1964-65) Five-disc set with 34 episodes, $49.98.(Paramount).
Body of Lies (2008) Dir.: Ridley Scott; Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Golshifteh Farahani, Oscar Isaac, Simon McBurney. Available on standard DVD, two-disc Special Edition with a digital copy, and on Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary by Scott, screenwriter William Monahan, and author David Ignatius; behind-the-scene featurettes, interactive interviews. (Warner).
Changeling (2008) Dir.: Clint Eastwood; Angelina Jolie, Jeffrey Donovan, Colm Feore, John Malkovich, Amy Ryan, Michael Kelly. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Choke (2008) Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, Kelly MacDonald, Bijou Phillips, Brad William Henke. Extras: Commentary by writer-director-actor Clark Gregg and Sam Rockwell, deleted scenes, gag reel, featurettes, more. (Fox).
Christopher Titus: Love Is Evol (2009) Comedy Central stand-up airs February 14; $16.99. Extras: "Titus Vs. Cupid: Behind-The-Scenes at the Photo Shoot," "The Fans Speak: Love on the Rocks," "Countdown to V-Day," extra footage. (Paramount).
Columbia: Space Shuttle Disaster (2009)On February 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas just 16 minutes before it was due to land. All seven astronauts aboard perished; NASA responded by announcing the retirement of the shuttle program in 2010. What caused the Columbia disaster? An engineering flaw? A failure within NASA? Could this catastrophe have been avoided? Through interviews with astronauts, NASA personnel, and members of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, "Space Shuttle Disaster" gives viewers a new look at the Columbia tragedy; $24.99. (WGBH Boston Video).
Dead Like Me (2009) Callum Blue, Ellen Muth, Henry Ian Cusick, Sarah Wynter. Feature film based on the series. Set two years after the critically acclaimed Showtime series ended, the undead reapers are introduced to their new boss, Cameron Kane, whose new agenda creates disorder within the reaper clan. While Daisy and Mason fall prey to Cameron's temptations, the infamous Georgia "George" Lass creates more reaper havoc by breaking an important reaper rule: revealing herself to her Earthly family. Extras: Commentary, "Back From The Dead: Resurrecting Dead Like Me" featurette. (MGM).
Dead Like Me The Complete Collection Nine-disc set with 29 episodes as well as the "Dead Like Me" feature film, $69.98. Extras: Four featurettes, commentary, deleted scenes. (MGM).
Essential Art House: Volume II - No-frills editions of "Black Orpheus," "The 400 Blows," "Ikiru," "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp," "Pygmalion," "La Strada." Available separately at $19.95 each and in a boxed-set for $99.95. (The Criterion Collection).
The F-Word: Series One (2005) Three-disc set with nine episodes of the British cooking competition starring Britain's great chef Gordon Ramsay, $29.98. (BFS Entertainment).
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Faces (1968) Dir.: John Cassavetes; Gena Rowlands, Starring Seymour Cassel, John Marley. Double-disc set with new, restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras: Seventeen-minute alternate opening sequence, from an early edit of the film; "Cineastes de notre temps" (1968), a 48-minute episode from the French television series dedicated to Cassavetes, featuring rare interviews and behind-the-scenes footage; "Making Faces," a 2004 documentary including interviews with actors Lynn Carlin, Seymour Cassel, Gena Rowlands, and director of photography Al Ruban; "Lighting and Shooting the Film," a short documentary from 2004 in which Ruban explains how he and the crew achieved the distinct look of "Faces"; booklet featuring an essay by critic Stuart Klawans. (The Criterion Collection).
Feast III: The Happy Finish (2009) Jenny Wade, Martin Klebba, Clu Gulager, Craig Henningsen. Third installment of director John Gulager's blood-curdling "Feast" series. Picks up moments after the end of "Feast II," with the survivors getting saved by a mysterious prophet who has the uncanny ability to control the beasts. Armed with new information and a renewed interest in living, the motley crew of strangers decide to fight back and destroy the beasts once and for all. (The Weinstein Co./Dimension Extreme/Genius Products).
Flash of Genius (2008) Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, Dermot Mulroney, Alan Alda, Bill Smitrovich, Tim Kelleher, Jake Abel. (Universal).
The Helen Morgan Story (1957) Dir.: Michael Curtiz; Ann Blyth, Paul Newman. (Warner).
High School Musical 3: Senior Year -- Extended Edition (2008) Extras: Available in a single-disc DVD with the theatrical version of the movie plus "Cast Goodbyes"; a two-disc Extended Edition DVD includes the extended version of the film plus "Cast Goodbyes," a sing-along feature, bloopers, deleted scenes, "It's All in the Dress" featurette, "Night of Nights" featurette, DisneyFile digital copy of the extended movie; a three-disc Blu-ray Deluxe Extended Edition includes the extended version of the film, all the bonus features from the DVD including the DisneyFile digital copy of the extended movie, plus new cast profiles, "Senior Awards," "BD Live Experience." (Disney).
Hobson's Choice (1954) Dir.: David Lean; Charles Laughton, John Mills, Brenda De Banzie. High-definition digital transfer-restoration by the BFI National Archive, funded by the David Lean Foundation and StudioCanal. Extras: Commentary by film scholars Alain Silver and James Ursini, co-authors of "David Lean and His Films"; "The Hollywood Greats: Charles Laughton," a 1978 BBC documentary about the actor's life and career, featuring interviews with his friends and colleagues; new essay by critic Armond White. (The Criterion Collection).
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (2008) Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst, Danny Huston, Gillian Anderson, Megan Fox, Max Minghella, Jeff Bridges (MGM).
I Served the King of England (2006 -- Czech Republic) Ivan Barnev, Oldrich Kaiser, Julia Jentsch. Satiric tale of an ambitious Czech waiter who finds himself collaborating with the Nazis during World War II. Latest film from director Jiri Menzel, who won an Academy Award for his Czech New Wave classic "Closely Watched Trains." (Sony).
The Kaiser's Lackey (1951) Once banned throughout Germany, now hailed as "one of the best films of all time," "The Kaiser's Lackey" is director Wolfgang Staudte's biting satire of Germany's penchant for ultra-nationalism and authoritarianism. Based on Heinrich Mann's influential novel "Der Untertan." A young boy named Diedrich is afraid of everything. But as Diedrich grows older he learns that by groveling before his superiors and manipulating or stepping on everyone else, he is capable of advancing his position in life. As he progresses from a beer swilling cadet to a ruthless factory owner and finally to a lackey for the Kaiser, Diedrich's ambition for power and prestige comes to fruition. $24.95. (First Run Features).
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit -- The Eighth Year (2006-07) Five-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. (Universal).
Moving Midway (2007) Following the real-life family commotion that swirls around one of America's most contested and controversial icons, the Southern plantation, New York-based film critic Godfrey Cheshire's critically acclaimed documentary, "Moving Midway," proves Faulkner's famous adage: "the past is not dead ... it's not even past." Humorous, poignant, probing and suspenseful, "Moving Midway is a dual-journey, in which the director explores the plantation mythology embodied in our cultural history -- from "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to "Gone with the Wind" to "Roots" -- while his own family's plantation house is literally hoisted from its foundation and transported several miles across a dramatic landscape. $24.95. (First Run Features).
Murder She Wrote: The Complete Ninth Season (1992-93) Five-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.98. (Universal).
Out at the Wedding (2008) Andrea Marcellus, Desi Lydic, Charlie Schlatter, Mike Farrell, Mink Stole. After telling her new fiance that her family is dead, Alex travels from NYC to South Carolina to serve as her sister Jeannie's bridesmaid. A rumor spreads at the wedding that Alex is gay, and when her family is surprisingly supportive, Alex decides to play along believing it's easier than telling the truth about her engagement to a Jewish black man. But when Jeannie comes to visit Alex in New York and Alex has to prove that she's a lesbian, things take an unexpected turn. LOGOS channel telefilm. Extras: Commentary by director Lee Friedlander, cast interviews. (Paramount).
The Outrage (1964) Dir.: Martin Ritt; Paul Newman, Laurence Harvey, Claire Bloom, Edward G. Robinson. (Warner).
Palo Alto, CA (2008) Ben Savage, Johnny Lewis, Justin Mentell, Tom Arnold. Comedy about college four friends looking for excitement before the end of Thanksgiving break. (Image Entertainment).
Quarantine (2008) Jennifer Carpenter, Johnathon Schaech, Jay Hernandez. Extras: Commentary by writer-director John Erick Dowdle and writer-producer Drew Dowdle, "Locked In: The Making-of Quarantine" featurette, "Anatomy of a Stunt" featurette, "Dressing the Infected: Make-Up Design" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
Rachel, Rachel (1968) Dir.: Paul Newman; Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Estelle Parsons. (Warner).
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest: Season One, Volume One (1996) Two-disc set with 13 episodes of the sequel to one of TV's first animated science fiction action-adventure series, $26.99. Extras: New and vintage bonus materials from Hanna-Barbera. (Warner).
Religulous (2008) Bill Maher. Documentary of sorts about world religion, directed by Larry Charles and starring political humorist and author Maher. (Lionsgate).
Sabrina the Teenage Witch: The Fifth Season (2000-01) Three-disc set with 22 episodes, $39.98. (Paramount).
Screamers: The Hunting (2009) Lance Henriksen, Gina Holden, Jana Pallaske. The killing machines of the cult hit "Screamers" are back and deadlier than ever. It's been 13 years since the robotic killing machines known as Screamers destroyed the human population of Sirius 6B. But now a distress signal brings a team of rescuers to the supposedly abandoned planet. Can it be a long-lost colony of human survivors? Or have the Screamers evolved into something even more sinister: a half-man/half-machine hybrid that needs to escape Sirius 6B to finish its mission: the complete annihilation of the human race? Extras: "Screamers: The Hunting Behind the Scenes" featurette. (Sony).
Shadows (1959) Dir.: John Cassavetes; Lelia Goldoni, Hugh Hurd. New, restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras: Video interviews from 2004 with actress Lelia Goldoni and associate producer Seymour Cassel, rare silent 16 mm footage of John Cassavetes and Burt Lane's acting workshop, restoration demonstration, stills gallery featuring rare behind-the-scenes production photos, booklet featuring an essay by Gary Giddins and a reprinted essay by Cassavetes. (The Criterion Collection).
The Silver Chalice (1954) Paul Newman, Pier Angeli, Virginia Mayo, Jack Palance. (Warner).
The Smurfs: Season 2, Volume One Two-disc set of the Saturday morning cartoon series ; $14.98. (Warner).
Touch the Top of the World (2008) Peter Facinelli, Bruce Campbell, Sarah Manninen. A&E Network telefilm that depicts the determination and heroism of Erik Weihenmayer, a rock and ice climber who overcomes insurmountable odds to become the first blind man to reach the top of Mount Everest. (Sony).
When Time Ran Out (1980) Paul Newman, Jacqueline Bisset, William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Edward Albert, Red Buttons, Veronica Hamel. (Warner).

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February 24

The Bible's Buried Secrets: Beyond Fact or Fiction NOVA special presents the results of more than 100 years of excavation and centuries of biblical scholarship, digging deep into the origins of the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament. This archeological detective story tackles some of the biggest questions in biblical studies: Where did the ancient Israelites come from? Who wrote the Bible, when, and why? How did the worship of one god -­ the foundation of modern Judaism, Christianity, and Islam ­- emerge? $24.99. (WGBH Boston Video).
The Brain (2008) History Channel documentary uses simple analogies, real-life case studies, and state-of-the-art CGI to explore how the brain works, the frequent battle between instinct and reason, and the mysteries of memory and decision-making; $24.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Breaking Bad: The Complete First Season (2008) Three-disc set with seven episodes, $29.95. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, photo gallery, commentary, screen tests, more. (Sony).
Canterbury's Law: The Complete Series (2008) Two-disc set with six episodes, $29.95. (Sony).
Cities of the Underworld: The Complete Season Two (2008) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.95. Leave the metropolitan chaos behind to travel deep beneath urban streets into the meandering tunnels, abandoned train lines, dark dungeons, eerie tombs, clandestine hideouts, and forgotten cities that have been lost to the hands of time: This is the stuff of fantasy, exploring secret chambers and forbidden passages beneath city streets, unlocking mysteries of the past and discovering forgotten relics. In metropolises around the world today, skyscrapers loom overhead, traffic blares and vendors hawk their wares. But below hide city upon city, each with its fascinating and unknown history. (A&E Home Video).
Conspiracy? Three-disc set of History Channel documentaries: Vol. 1: "TWA Flight 800/Majestic Twelve: UFO Cover-Up/FDR and Pearl Harbor/Area 51," Volume 2: "Who Killed Martin Luther King Jr.?/Princess Diana/Lincoln Assassination/Oklahoma City Bombing," Volume 3: "CIA and the Nazis/Jack Ruby/RFK Assassination/Kecksburg UFO," $29.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
The Cult Spy Collection Megaset Fourteen disc-set collection of debut episodes includes Roger Moore and Tony Curtis as wealthy playboys who unravel criminal cases in "The Persuaders"; Patrick McGoohan's classic and mysterious British series "The Prisoner; "The Champions," a trio of crime fighters with special power bestowed by a lost Tibetan civilization; and Robert Vaughan as a London private eye in the stylish series "The Protectors," $99.85. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Cyclops (2008) Eric Roberts, Kevin Stapleton, Frida Show. Sci Fi Channel telefilm about the ferocious one-eyed monster that slaughters those foolish enough to enter his forest domain and the Roman Emperor who has a plan to please the bloodlust of the people: capture the creature and unleash him in the arena against his condemned slaves. (Anchor Bay).
Einstein (2008) History Channel documentary. The remarkable, little told story of Albert Einstein and his decades-long battle to prove his Theory of General Relativity amid the violence of war and his tumultuous personal life; $24.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Enemy at the Door, Series 1 (1978) Four-disc set with 13 episodes of the ITV British series that explores the human drama of the long Nazi siege of Britain's Channel Islands during WWII; $59.99. (Acorn Media).
The Founding of America Megaset Fourteen-disc set of History Channel programming -- dramas and documentaries -- including "Founding Fathers" (miniseries), "Founding Brothers" (miniseries) as well as "1776," "Washington & Arnold," "Birth of the Republic," "The Revolution" (series), "Washington the Warrior," "Ben Franklin," "Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor," more. $99.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Freezer Burn: Invasion of Laxdale (2008) Tom Green, Crispin Glover. Comedy about aliens from outer space who buy a local farm company with the promise of creating jobs for the failing town; instead, their goal is to use crop circles to heat up the Earth's temperature and turn the planet into a Club Med for extra-terrestrials. (Monarch Home Video).
FTA (1972) Available for the first time since it mysteriously disappeared in 1972 after only one week in theaters, this raucous film is a riveting slice of the Vietnam anti-war movement. Reviving the wonderfully campy, yet biting theater of Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland's "Free the Army" (or, more popularly, "F*** The Army") Tour, "FTA" captures the entertaining magic and mayhem of the anti-war and pro-labor show as it rallies and rouses dissident GIs stationed along the Pacific Rim. A gritty mix of rollicking performances and GI interviews, FTA juxtaposes lighthearted political satire with the somber realities of war, occupation, and the absurdities of military life, a barbed rebuke to the staid USO program. From Okinawa to the Philippines, stirred by the show's provocative message, the members of the U.S. military find courage to speak out candidly in front of the camera. $26.95. (Docurama).
Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder (2009) Fourth feature-length animated adventure has mankind standing on the brink of a wondrous new Green Age. But ancient forces of darkness, three years older than time itself, have returned to wreak destruction. Even more shocking: Bender's in love with a married fembot, and Leela's on the run from the law -- Zapp Brannigan's law! Fry is the last hope of the universe ... so if you're in the universe, you might want to think about going somewhere else. Could this be the end of the Planet Express crew forever? Extras: Commentary by Matt Groening, David X. Cohen, John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche, Michael Rowe, Lee Supercinski, Patric M. Verrone and Peter Avanzino; storyboard animatic: "Into the Wild Green Yonder, Part 1"; "Matt Groening and David X. Cohen in Space!" featurette; "Docudramarama: How We Make Futurama So Good"; "Louder! Louder!: The Acting Technique of Penn Jillette"; "Golden Stinkers: A Treasury of Deleted Scenes"; "How To Draw Futurama In 10 Very Difficult Steps"; "Bender's Movie Theater Etiquette"] more. $29.98. (Fox). Available on Blu-ray Disc.
Girlfriends: The Sixth Season (2005-06) Three-disc set with 22 episodes, $36.98. (Paramount).
The Haunting of Molly Hartley (2008) Chace Crawford, Haley Bennett, AnnaLynne McCord, Jake Weber, Josh Stewart, Nina Siemaszko, Randy Wayne, Jessica Lowndes, Shannon Marie Woodward, Marin Hinkle. Extras: Interviews with cast and crew. (Fox).
Hell on Wheels (2008) From body-blocks and fishnet stockings to headlocks and tears, it ain't easy to start a roller derby revolution. Fast, fun and inspiring, this is the true tale of a group of hard-hitting Austin, Texas, women who resurrect the sport of roller derby, only to find internal strife ripping the fledgling organization apart. Shot over a five-year period by filmmakers Bob Ray and Werner Campbell and using a mix of verite footage and interviews, "Hell on Wheels" captures the true grit of the glam-rock retro sport -- a dizzying clash of athleticism, exhibitionism, egos, politics, and business that is 21st century roller derby. $24.95. (Indipix).
History Presents: The 60s Megaset Fourteen-disc set with "1968 With Tom Brokaw," "The 1960's," "Days of Rage and Wonder," "King," "Hippies," JFK: A Presidency Revealed," "The Race To The Moon," "The Vietnam War," $99.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
How'd They Build That? (2009) Behind-the-scenes series that looks at this country's most renowned assembly plants showing how different types of trucks are built, using live action and 3-D animation. The two latest offerings: "School Bus" and "Concrete Truck," $8.99 each. (Marvelous Media).
Jacked: Auto Theft Task Force: The Complete Season One (2008) Five-disc set with 13 episodes, $24.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Jam (2006) ­They were the television sports stars of the '60s and '70s, a bigger draw than Major League Baseball. Then, virtually overnight, they disappeared. "Jam" is the story of American Roller Derby League, a group of veteran Roller Derby stars who are determined to make the sport a national sensation once again. To make this visually stunning debut feature, director Mark Woollen spent seven years and thousands of feet of 16mm film chronicling his subject's lives on and off the banked track. Beyond the rough and tumble action, Woollen delves into the private lives of these remarkable men and women and crafts a story that is as much about the power of dreams as it is about the wallop of the full body check. Winner of the 2006 Grand Jury Prize of the South by Southwest Film Festival. $19.95. Extras: "A Day With Ann Calvello," "Reflections on Jam," filmmaker Q&A, deleted scenes, "Jam" Trading Cards, "The Super Fan." (Virgil Films & Entertainment, formerly Arts Alliance America).
Just Shoot Me: The Complete Third Season (1998-99) Three-disc set with 25 episodes, $39.95. (Sony).
The Last House on the Left Collector's Edition (1972) Dir.: Wes Craven; Sandra Cassell, Lucy Grantham, David Hess, Fred J. Lincoln, Jeramie Rain, Marc Sheffler. When two young girls are kidnapped and brutalized by a vicious group of escaped convicts, one of the victim's parents takes matters into his own hands and seeks ultimate vengeance. Extras: Commentary by actors David Hess, Marc Sheffler and Fred Lincoln; more than 80 minutes of featurettes including all-new interviews with Wes Craven; a deleted scene featuring Mari dying at the lake; never-before-seen outtakes; Craven's annotated shooting scripts. Timed for the release of the theatrical remake. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (MGM).
The Librarian: Curse of Judas Chalice (2008 -- TV) Noah Wyle, Bob Newhart, Stana Katic, Jane Curtin, Bruce Davison. Third installment in the "Librarian" series of adventures. Extras: Deleted scenes, visual effects deconstruction sequences, "A Look Behind the Monastery Scene" featurette. (Sony).
Lullaby (2008) Melissa Leo, Joey Dedio, Lisa-Marie Schneider, Kyle Siebert. An American mother whose drug-addled son has been kidnapped journeys to Johannesburg, South Africa to pay the ransom, only to run into violent and dangerous obstacles as she faces the kidnappers in the mean city streets. (Peace Arch Entertainment).
The Moon & the Stars (2007) Dir.: John Irvin; Alfred Molina, Jonathan Pryce, Catherine McCormack. Together in Rome just prior to the outbreak of World War II to shoot a film, a German actress (McCormack) and an English actor (Pryce) contend with forces that complicate their romance as well as the production itself. (Lightyear Entertainment).
Paid (2006) Tom Conti, Corbin Bernsen, Anne Charrier, Murilo Benício. A six-year-old Brazilian boy enters the lives of a 28-year-old Parisian call girl working in Amsterdam and a young hit man, forcing them to rethink their futures in the middle of a war between a pair of European drug lords. (Lightyear Entertainment).
Painted Lady (1997) Helen Mirren, Iain Glen, Franco Nero. Semi-retired, with wine glass in one hand and cigarette in the other, former '60s rock singer Maggie Sheridan (Helen Mirren) seems resigned to life on a crumbling country estate, ruminating about her past. But everything changes when a botched robbery leaves her friend dead and one of his priceless paintings stolen. Determined to retrieve the masterpiece and find the killer, Maggie plunges into the deadly underworld of the art trade. PBS Masterpeice Theatre miniseries, $24.99. (Acorn Media).
Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge (2008) Jesse Jane, Evan Stone, Belladonna, Sasha Grey, Shay Jordan, Katsuni. R-rated version of the adult film about swashbuckling female pirates. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (MTI Home Video).
Protégé (2007 -- Hong Kong) Andy Lau, Daniel Wu, Louis Koo, Jingchu Zhang. A young cop infiltrates the deepest levels of a secret drug ring in this Hong Kong actioner. Extras: Commentary by Hong Kong cinema expert Bey Logan, "The Making of Protege," "Undercover & Over the Edge: An Exclusive Interview With Leading Man Daniel Wu," "Chasing the Dragon: An Exclusive Interview With Leading Lady Zhang Jing-chu," "The Dealer: An Exclusive Interview With Producer Peter Cha." (Dragon Dynasty/The Weinstein Co./Genius Products).
Red Sands (2009) Shane West, J.K. Simmons, Callum Blue. U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan discover an ancient stone statue hidden deep within an ancient ravine; using the relic for target practice, they destroy it, unwittingly releasing a vengeful supernatural force that is about to wage a horrifying war on them. Extras: Deleted scenes, director and writer commentary, "The Screenwriter Diaries: The Making of Red Sands" featurette, "Red Sands Set Tour" featurette. (Sony).
Sex Drive (2008) James Marsden, Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, Katrina Bowde, Seth Green, Clark Duke. Theatrical and unrated (extended) cut. Extras: Ad libs, outtakes, more. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
S.I.S. (2008) Keith David, Matt Nable, Peter Stebbings, Omari Hardwick, Colleen Porch. Spike TV psychological crime thriller about an elite covert unit of the Los Angeles Police Department. (Sony).
Strictly Sexual: A Love Story (2008) Amber Benson, Kristen Kerr, Johann Urb, Stevie Long. Romantic-comedy about a sexual agreement made by two successful L.A. women, sick and tired of dating and relationships, looking to fulfill their erotic desires: they hire two out-of-work men to live in a cabana and sexually please them -- without any strings attached. Although love was not on the agenda, emotions begin to brew between both couples while conflicts ignite, causing fierce battles in the name of love. Extras: Behind-the-scenes photo gallery, deleted scenes, commentary by the director and cast. (Virgil Films & Entertainment, formerly Arts Alliance America).
Summer Heights High (2009) In this mockumentary series set in a real Australian high school, creator and comedian Chris Lilley brings to life three hilarious characters: Jonah, a 13-year-old delinquent breakdancer from Tonga; Mr G, an ego-driven drama teacher with delusional showbiz dreams; and Ja'mie, a spoiled private school girl on a student exchange. Two-disc set, $29.98. (HBO Video).
The Universe: Collector's Edition Megaset Fourteen-disc set includes "The Universe: The Complete Season One," "The Universe: The Complete Season Two," "The Planets," "How the Earth Was Made," more. $99.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
What Just Happened (2008) Dir.: Barry Levinson; Robert De Niro, Sean Penn, Bruce Willis, Catherine Keener, John Turturro, Stanley Tucci, Robin Wright Penn, Kristen Stewart, Michael Wincott. Extras: Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
The Whole Shootin' Match (1978) Three-disc special edition of the long-lost indie film by Eagle Pennell, about two Texas losers who never give up their hope for success; Robert Redford was said to have been inspired by the film to create the Sundance Institute. Disc One contains the restoration of "The Whole Shootin' Match." Disc Two features an original, feature-length documentary, "The King Of Texas," that tracks the tragic life of Eagle Pennell, the birth of the Austin music scene and the beginning of the American independent film movement. It also hosts Eagle's first short film, "A Hell of a Note," restored, and a rare archival interview with Eagle shot just after he blew his first big Hollywood deal. Disc Three is a bonus CD of the restored "Shootin' Match" soundtrack plus the original music for "The King Of Texas." Also included in the box-set is a 48-page booklet further exploring the rise and fall of a notorious American independent filmmaker. (Watchmaker Films: www.watchmakerfilms.com).
The Wiggles Present Dorothy the Dinosaur (2009) Nineteen new songs and special features from the best-selling musical artists that cater to the preschool set; $14.98. (Warner).
Yella (2007 -- Germany) Nina Hoss, Devid Striesow, Hinnerk Schonemann. In this suspenseful mystery that won four German Lolas, a young woman flees her volatile ex-husband in east Germany for a new life in the West but buried truths haunt her and threaten her newfound happiness. Extras: "Nothing Ventured" documentary that inspired the film, more. (New Yorker Video).

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All listings are based on information from the home video studios. Some release dates may change and titles may come out after a specified date (with no announcement from the studio). Additionally, some titles may be released with little or no advance announcement. And since all DVDs are priced at sell-through and are available for substantial discounts at both online and brick-and-mortar stores, we only list suggested retail prices for some special editions, box sets and collections.



All DVDs are screened on a reference system consisting of a Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio, a Rotel RSX-972 Surround Sound Receiver, and Phase Technology 1.1 (front), 33.1 (center), and 50 (rear) speakers and Power 10 subwoofer.


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February 1, 2009
(ISSN 1094-3676).