(Epic Music Video, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

If ever there was a clear musical successor to Billy Joel, it would be Ben Folds – whose mastery of the weaving of strong lyrics and gripping melody lines is as startlingly fresh as it is steeped in those who have gone before him. This disc collects over 2 hours of live performances from Folds and his "Five" (In actuality, 2 – but who's counting?) done for the illustrious Sessions At West 54^th series. What more can I say? The performances are energetic and electrifying, the sound quality is rich, and if you're not already a fan, this disc will convert you right quick.

(Universal, Rated PG, DVD-$24.98 SRP)

Back when I heard that the licensing agreement that Image Entertainment had with Universal was set to expire, I went out and hurriedly bought a copy of Midway – thinking that it wasn't a title that Universal was going to be quick to release under their aegis. I was wrong. I should have waited. Why, you ask? Well, Universal just released it as a bang-up special edition befitting this classic WWII flick. The biggest reason I'm happy is that it's anamorphic – followed closely by the fact that it contains a brand new documentary, a featurette on composer John Williams, a featurette on Sensurround Sound, production photos, additional scenes which were exclusively shot for the TV version, the film's original featurette, trailer, production notes, and cast & crew bios.

(Warner Bros, Not Rated, DVD-$14.95 SRP)

This is, by far, the best Powerpuff compilation to date. Why, you ask? Because it includes the episode "Meet the Beat-Alls" – the Powerpuff homage to all things Beatles. That alone is worth the price of admission. Add to that the inclusion of bonus materials - such as character audio commentaries, a featurette on the feature film, TV spots, and a music video – and it clinches the deal.

(Fox, Rated PG-13, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

For me, this film has always been a mixed bag. While is has a very strong, and unique, visual sense about it, it's skewed sensibilities always left me feeling disquieted. It is, however, thankfully one of Robin Williams least smarmy roles – which automatically raises the film up a notch. The anamorphic DVD contains a short making-of featurette, trailers, and TV spots.

(Columbia/Tristar, Rated R, VHS-Priced For Rental, DVD-$27.96 SRP)

With Baby Boy, director John Singleton shows us that – while growing up in the hood can be touch – being an adult is even harder. Through the story of Jody (Tyrese Gibson), an out of work father of two (by two different women) who lives at home with his mother, Singleton paints a graphic, and powerful, portrait of a man coming to terms with making a life for himself and fulfilling one's denied promise. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary with director John Singleton, a making-of featurette, storyboard comparisons, deleted/alternate scenes, music videos, outtakes reel, and theatrical trailers..

(Warner Bros, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.98 SRP)

David Lean's career came to a close with this sprawling Russian epic, set amidst snowbound vistas and hinging on revolution and love. Warner has seen fit to bestow a truly special edition upon this film, starting with a rich anamorphic transfer. Bonus materials include an audio commentary with Omar Sharif, Rod Steiger, and Sandra Lean, the 30^th Anniversary documentary "Doctor Zhivago: The Making of a Russian Epic", 10 vintage documentaries, a music-only audio track, a vintage audio track with interviews and the December 1963 New York premiere coverage, and the original theatrical trailer.

(Warner Bros, Rated PG, DVD-$19.95 SRP)

Empire of the Sun has never been one of my favorite Spielberg films – an ever decreasing number of his past works seem to be sticking in that category as time goes by. In many ways, Empire is a transitional film for Spielberg. It marks a movement towards a more rarified, paint-by-numbers approach to filmmaking – in stark contrast to his earlier, more viscerally appealing work. However, we do get Christian Bale as a kid in this flick… so it's not all bad. The anamorphic DVD contains a longform - and very intriguing – making-of documentary, and the film's original theatrical trailer.

(MGM/UA, Rated PG-13, DVD-$26.98 SRP)

Based on what I had seen of this flick in previews, I was ready to relegate it to the bin of airheaded comedies. Much to my surprise, it turned out to be a pretty witty, rather enjoyable comedy about one woman's desire to get a higher education – and she happens to be a blonde sorority girl (Reese Witherspoon). The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary - with Robert Luketic, Reese Witherspoon, Marc Platt, and the film crew – deleted scenes, two making-of featurettes, trailer, and a music video.

(MGM/UA, Rated PG-13, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

Gary Sinise's wonderfully nuanced adaptation of John Steinbeck's classic  finally gets a DVD release, with a beautiful anamorphic picture to boot. My big disappointment is that the only extra we get is the film's trailer… I would love to hear Sinise and John Malkovich speak about the film. Maybe next time.

(MGM/UA, Rated PG, DVD-$99.96 SRP)

MGM wraps up their three-volume Woody Allen Collection with arguably the least interesting of the director's works – his peak material being almost wholly contained in Volume 1. This set includes Broadway Danny Rose, Hannah And Her Sisters, A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy, The Purple Rose Of Cairo, Radio Days, and Zelig. Not horrible films on the whole, but definitely not his best work. All of the discs in the set are, thankfully, anamorphic, but the extras are almost non-existent, with every disc containing only the film's original trailer.

(Columbia/Tristar, Rated PG-13, VHS-Priced For Rental, DVD-$27.96 SRP)

Gwen and Eddie (Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Cusack) are the world's most famous married couple – a couple which has broken up after Gwen fell for an emotionally intense Spanish costar (Hank Azaria). Unfortunately, the press screening for their latest film has arrived – a film which the director has stolen. Left to pick-up the pieces is a veteran publicist (Billy Crystal) who must try and get the battling couple to get back together in order to distract the press. Stuck in the middle, however, is Gwen's assistant Kiki (Julia Roberts), who also has feelings for Eddie. An amiable enough comedy, if not sparkling, it still manages to deliver a couple of industry-based punches. The anamorphic DVD contains deleted scenes and theatrical trailers.

(Fox, Rated PG, DVD-$29.98 SRP)

Hank Greenberg was major league baseball's first Jewish star. More importantly, Hank Greenberg was an amazing man and an inspiration to fans and sportswriters alike. This wonderfully engaging (especially for a non sports fan, like myself) documentary details the life and career of Greenberg, supplementing its narrative with fellow players, celebrities, and fans. The DVD contains a commentary with writer/producer/director Aviva Kempner, additional interviews, Hang Greenberg biography and stats, filmmaker bio, director's notes, trailer, and reviews.

(Paramount, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.99 SRP)

Who said big screen versions of video game franchises weren't great? If you can't find that person, ring me up – because I will second that belief. With the cinematic premiere of adventuring archeologist Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie), we get nothing more than an estrogen-laced Indiana Jones wanna-be encumbered with horrid special effects, a minimalist story (read: lame) and shallow characters. The anamorphic DVD, however, is jam-paced with special features – why is it always the bad flicks that get this treatment? The DVD contains a making-of featurette, a featurette on Jolie's physical training, stunts featurette, visual effects featurette, commentary with director Simon West, deleted scenes, alternate main title sequence, U2 music video, and a trailer.

(Universal, Rated PG, DVD-$26.98 SRP)

I grasped for awhile at this, but I finally hit upon a similar film to this – one which adapted a printed cartoon character into an odd, disquieting feature film. That first film was called Popeye, and it wasn't until watching Grinch that I found myself squirming in a similar fashion. Maybe it's the odd pacing, the skewed humor, or the disturbing make-up appliances on the Who's of Whoville… All I know is that my seat grew increasingly more uncomfortable as the film wore on. So, is there any upside? Well, Jim Carrey's performance was exceptionally expressive – no small feat under a mile of make-up. I also liked Max the dog… I really liked Max. Of course, with all of my reservations on the merits of the film, Universal would have to open the floodgates on interesting bonus materials – making the decision to purchase or not to purchase far more complicated. The anamorphic DVD contains a making-of featurette, deleted scenes, outtakes, "Who School" featurette, a make-up application and design featurette, a set decoration featurette, visual effects featurette, Faith Hill music video, recipes, trailer, production notes, sing-alongs, a read-along, and cast & crew bios.