(Warner Bros, Rated PG, DVD-$24.98 SRP)

There's a part of me in pain just typing this, but I really didn't enjoy Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. Up till now, Warner Animation has been surprisingly lucky when it came to the always dicey direct-to-video market. Usually filled with sub-par quickies (Any animated Disney "sequel", for instance), the Batman entries were glaring exceptions due to their well-crafted stories and better-then-average animation. While the animation skill is present in Batwoman, there's nothing even resembling an enjoyable story. Is it because Bruce Timm and Paul Dini are nowhere to be seen? I'm not sure I'll lay the blame there, because other Batman: TAS veterans (Alan Burnett, Curt Geda) are behind this outing. Rather, I think it's just the law of average coupled with too little effort. So why am I recommending it, if I was so disappointed? Because the DVD contains a bonus short titled "Chase Me" (co-written by Dini), which finds the Dark Knight in hot pursuit of a certain feline thief. It's worth picking up the disc just for that, even if goes by much to fast.

(Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$119.98 SRP)

Although the writing could veer into hokeyland, there's an undeniable charm and vibrancy to Battlestar Galactica. The show centered around a ragtag fleet hastily assembled when the human colonies are wiped out by the brutal Cylons, a robotic race that looked incredibly cool (I can't deny the geek in me). Led by the Galactica, their one hope is to find the lost colony known as Earth. There's a misconception that the show only ran one season because it was bad. Well, it wasn't. The truth is that it was an enormously expensive show (it's special effects were on par with Star Wars, which is understandable considering the crew contained many SW effects veterans), and the network couldn't afford to bring it back. Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Epic Series contains just that – all 24 episodes across six discs, plus audio commentaries with the cast, featurettes, and scores of deleted scenes. And it even comes with a 3-D Cylon head on the package!

  (Columbia/Tristar, Not Rated, DVD-$27.94 SRP)

Although it did less-than-stellar box office, there's a certain "everything and the kitchen sink" charm to Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. The story is really not that important… What really grabs you is the adrenaline-fueled cacophony. I mean, this flick is practically all eye candy. If you go in expecting more, you'll be disappointed. As it stands, the only thing I really missed was Bill Murray, but Bernie Mac did an admirable turn as Bosely's brother. The DVD is packed with featurettes, commentaries, and more. Remember my "kitchen sink" comment?

(BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$34.98 SRP)

You know, it takes watching the original UK version of Coupling to truly understand just how much NBC's Americanized version seems like an utter bastardization of a simple concept. Coupling is and always will be a rip-off of Friends – to deny that is ludicrous. However, its humor and personality comes from taking that concept of a group of romantically interconnected friends and infusing it with a British sensibility. That is its strength, which is why the US version seems so sad by comparison (specially airing, as it does, on the same night as Friends). Watching, the second season of Coupling, I think NBC – looking for an heir when Friends retires this season – would have been smarter to put the UK version of the show on the air instead of trying to translate it, and failing miserably. The 2-disc second season set contains audio commentaries with the cast and crew, interviews, and cast bios.

(Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP)

Just as James Cameron's Dark Angel was finding its footing, it was cancelled. That cancellation happened at the end of the sophomore season, which is collected, oddly enough, in Dark Angel: The Complete Second Season. Cameron's post-apocalyptic version of girl power is an effective piece of television storytelling (one of the main reasons it was cancelled, I'm sure), and Jessica Alba's Max is a convincingly conflicted heroine (who's genetically enhanced to boot). Unlike the UK release, we don't get the episodes in anamorphic widescreen, but we do get extras – audio commentaries on select episodes, featurettes, and a blooper reel.

(Paramount, Rated PG, DVD-$69.99 SRP)

The only thing that could possibly alleviate George Lucas's frustrating ignorance when it comes to releasing the original Star Wars trilogy is the release of an equally classic trilogy – Indiana Jones. Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade have all been painstakingly remastered and restored for the 4-disc The Adventures of Indiana Jones box-set. That fourth disc is loaded with almost 3 hours of newly-produced bonus features, including almost two hours of documentaries charting the development of the three films. The other featurettes focus on the sound, score, and special effects, while trailers both theatrical and teaser, but sadly missing the original teaser for Temple of Doom) round out the whole affair. Is it worth the wait? Most definitely.

(Warner Bros. Not Rated, DVD-$64.92 SRP)

Ever since Disney began releasing their Treasures sets, I've been waiting on pins and needles for the time when the classic Warner cartoons would be released on DVD. We've got The Complete Mickey, but where's Bugs Bunny? It's not quite the chronological release many were hoping for in the wake of Disney's sets, but the Looney Tunes: Golden Collection is nothing to shake a stick at. The 4-disc set contains 56 beautifully remastered cartoons (seriously – they have NEVER looked this good) featuring the entire spectrum of Warners characters, from Bugs and Daffy to Foghorn and Speedy Gonzales. For animation geeks, you'll be happy to know that all the major directors are represented, including Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, Bob McKimson, and Bob Clampett. Bonus features include an introduction from Chuck Jones, audio commentaries (with animation historians and archival interviews), pencil tests, documentaries, stills, and much more. Make sure to give this set to everyone on your list, if only to ensure that a follow-up comes post-haste..

(Columbia/Tristar, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP)

Call it lowbrow, vulgar, and tacky, but the first season of Married With Children was funny. It also was one of the cornerstones of the fledgling Fox Network, whose desperate attempt to plant their flag in TV land gave their shows a certain wild exuberance and creative freedom. Here was a network who wanted to make a splash, and they found a perfect vehicle with the Bundy clan. The first season ran only 13 episodes, but the show managed to establish its bawdy reputation practically from the get-go. A quick release of future seasons would be much appreciated. The 2-disc set also contains last year's reunion special.

(Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$64.92 SRP)

I'll be up front with you – I've never liked Smallville. I just haven't. I find the liberties it takes with the Superman mythos to be more annoying than sacrilegious, especially in its X-Files first season filled with Kryptonite-spawned monstrosities. It's like Scooby-Doo with superpowers. Still, I know there are people out there who like the show, so this one's for you. I will admit that the Complete First Season is a nice box-set, featuring anamorphic transfers of the episodes in question. Bonus features include audio commentaries from the producers (on the pilot and "Metamorphosis"), deleted scenes, an interactive tour of Smallville, a storyboard-to-screen analysis of the pilot, and promo spots.

(R2 Entertainment, Not Rated, DVD-$79.95 SRP)

My memories of the 1970's are rather muddled, but the amount to a jumbled mix of Star Wars, polyester, 8 tracks, Sesame Street, flash cubes, and Sonny & Cher. That's probably why I dove into The Sonny & Cher Ultimate Collection, a 3-disc set containing some of the best moments and episodes from The Sonny & Cher Show's three season run. It's gaudy, sure, but there's no escaping the on-screen chemistry of the duo. Bonus features even include audio commentary from Cher, interviews, the original 1969 pilot, music videos, promos, and more.

(HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$99.98 SRP)

With every new season of The Sopranos comes a sense of dread – will this be the year that the other shoe drops, and everything goes downhill? There were rumblings of my fear coming to pass during the uneven third season, but the fourth rebounded in a most spectacular way. You can now experience that reaffirmation via The Sopranos: The Complete Fourth Season. Spanning four discs, the 13 episodes focus on the disintegrating relationship of Tony and Carmela, reaching a powerful climax by the time things wrap up in episode 13 (making the wait for the 5^th season horribly painful). Bonus features include audio commentaries on four episodes.

(Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$49.95 SRP)

Who could predict the irresistible power a short-pantsed sponge would hold over the masses? It took awhile for Spongebob Squarepants to work its mojo on me, but it eventually broke down my resolve and made me a fan of its surreal brilliance. If you'd like a crash course on his undersea world, pick yourself up a copy of Spongebob Squarepants: The Complete First Season. With 40 episodes across 3 discs, you'll either become a fan or a raving loon. Either way, you're having a great time. Bonus features include "The Origins of Spongebob Squarepants" documentary, recollections from the first season crew, a featurette on the voice talent, audio commentaries, a tour of Bikini Bottom, karaoke, music videos, drawing lessons, and "Spongebob's Life Strategies." Brilliant.

(Lion's Gate, Not Rated, DVD-$34.99 SRP)

It's an embarrassing admission, to be sure, but I couldn't take my eyes off of the first season of The Anna Nicole Show – which presents such a train wreck of a life that it makes Ozzy's brood look like Father Knows Best. Spread out over 3 discs, the 14 episodes continually reinforce what a vacant, disgusting airhead Smith is… but you can't help but watch her flail. All of the episodes are uncensored, and the set contains deleted scenes, TV spots, and a surreal audio commentary from the dustbin diva herself.

(Anchor Bay, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP)

Producer Michael Mann's follow-up to his immensely successful Miami Vice with one of the grittiest crime dramas ever to hit the small screen, Crime Story. Sadly, the show was a creative hit but anemic in the ratings, and was cancelled after 2 seasons. Thanks to DVD, you can watch the complete first season's worth of hard-boiled cop Mike Torello's (Dennis Farina) quest to bring down gangster Ray Luca.

(Columbia/Tristar, Rated PG-13, DVD-$26.95 SRP)

Eight Crazy Nights is nowhere close to being Adam Sandler's finest film, but it's the holiday season, and it's a holiday film, and I can't escape that. It's also animated, so it's like a sucker punch to my quality control center. Sandler plays Davey Stone, a disgruntled small-town guy who's got no real love for the season, which lands him in jail. His old basketball referee, Whitey, bails him out and decides to put him to work doing Community Service – which doesn't exactly work out the way Whitey planned, as Davey manages to implement his bad attitude there, as well. Don't you know, it all works out in the end, though, as the reason for Davey's attitude comes to the fore. Give it a try… You just might get a small kick out of it. The 2-disc set (must have been a contractual thing) contains audio commentaries, a music video, a short film, featurettes, deleted scenes (with optional commentary), and the HBO First Look special.

(Walt Disney, Rated G, DVD-$29.99 SRP)

Based on the box office numbers, everyone and their brother has seen Pixar's latest triumph, Finding Nemo. Therefore, I won't bother with a summary… and if you haven't seen it, just walk up to anyone in the street and they'll tell you what a great flick it was. Featuring a direct transfer from the digital source, the DVD is just as beautiful as the past Pixar releases. My one complaint with the set, however, is the compromises made in the supplemental material. In the past, the bonus materials on a Pixar release were to be marveled at – they were simply stunning, and never talked down to the viewer. Sadly, Disney has begun to implement a middle-of-the-road approach, attempting to please multiple audiences at the same time - casual consumer and animation enthusiast – and winding up pleasing neither. The set contains a visual commentary with the filmmakers (including deleted scenes and recording sessions), "Making Nemo" documentary, "The Art of Nemo" featurette narrated by the artists, an exploration of the reef, Pixar's "Knick Knack" short, and a sneak peek at The Incredibles. Do I still recommend it? For the film alone, you betcha.

(Warner Bros. Not Rated, DVD-$44.98 SRP)

Even after 5 seasons, Friends managed to be as funny – and sometimes funnier – than it was in its first season. Season 5 picks up where Season 4's cliffhanger left off, with Ross having just said Rachel's name during his wedding to Emily, which proves to be the first step in a season that found Ross losing Emily, his apartment, and his job (after a rage-filled sandwich incident). Meanwhile, Chandler and Monica continue their secret relationship, which becomes slightly less secret when Joey finds out… then Rachel… then Phoebe… and then Ross. Phoebe dates a cop, Rachel has a job interview from hell, and Joey competes with Ross's son Ben for a commercial job. I'm really enjoying these full season sets, especially since all of the episodes contain additional footage. Bonus features include producer commentaries on 3 episodes ("The One Hundredth," "The One With All The Thanksgiving," and "The One Where Everybody Finds Out"), the Discovery Channel behind-the-scenes special "The One That Goes Behind The Scenes", a London featurette, and Gunther's preview of Season 6.

(MGM/UA, Rated PG-13, $27.95 SRP)

There's something insidious about Reese Witherspoon. Despite the utilization of every last bit of willpower that I possess, I can't help but like her. I know… it's wrong. I felt very ashamed while enjoying Legally Blonde 2, which finds pink-loving college graduate Elle Woods heading to Washington. Hey… It has Bob Newhart in it. Now I don't feel so bad. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary with the cast (sans Witherspoon), deleted scenes, a gag reel, a featurette, music video, photo gallery, and trailers.

(Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$139.99 SRP)

In its final seasons, Star Trek: The Next Generation petered out with an agonized fizzle, containing very few episodes that could be deemed memorable. Deep Space Nine, on the other hand, managed to keep the momentum it had built throughout its run, and nowhere is the difference more evident than in its 6^th season. The Dominion War was running at full gallop, the station had to be retaken at the beginning of the season, the Romulans entered the fight, the Prophets began to set things in motion for the final season, new facets of all the major characters were explored, and classic episodes abounded. Of particular note, this season contained the episode "Far Beyond the Stars," which found Sisko, under the influence of the Prophets,  living the life of a 1950's science fiction writer in New York City, dreaming of equality and a space station named Deep Space Nine, surrounded by all the major characters (out of make-up!). I would be remiss if I didn't mention that this was the season that introduced holographic lounge singer Vic Fontaine, one of my favorite characters in the entire series. The 7-disc set contains the standard complement of behind-the-scenes featurettes ("Mission Inquiry: 'Far Beyond the Stars'," "24 ^th Century Wedding," "Crew Dossier: Julian Bashir," "Crew Dossier: Quark," "DS9 Sketchbook: John Eaves"), hidden featurettes, and a photo gallery.

(Epic, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP)

Fans have been clamoring for it for years, and their prayers have finally been answered – The D have arrived on DVD. Tenacious D, that is. Everything a fanatic of the righteous rock duo could want is contained within the 2-disc Tenacious D: The Complete Masterworks– all of the HBO episodes and short films, a full concert, music videos, TV appearances (on MadTV, Conan, and Crank Yankers, and a road documentary. Are you happy now?

(Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$149.48 SRP)

During the previous few seasons, The X-Files had begun to show stress factors all over the place, but it wasn't until Season 8 that is burst apart at the seams. Series producer Chris Carter became mired in the show's increasingly annoying mythology (eventually, I stopped caring) and star David Duchovny opted to spend the majority of the season off camera. This necessitated a replacement, which came in the form of Robert Patrick's Agent John Doggett. With Scully shifted to the "believer" position formerly occupied by Mulder (really, how long could she ignore what was in front of her eyes without seeming like a colossal idiot), Doggett was the ultimate nonbeliever, surpassing even Scully's dogmatic skepticism. But even with my dislike of the season as a whole, I did enjoy Patrick's performance… I just wish he had come along either a) sooner or b) in a show that had more of a chance of surviving. The 6-disc set contains featurettes, audio commentaries on select episodes, character profiles, deleted scenes, and TV spots.

(New Line, Rated PG-13, DVD-$27.95 SRP)

It's Film 101 time, and this week's lesson is on how to take a decent script for a sequel to a moderately classic comedy, and completely screw it up in every form and fashion (including wasting the talents of Eugene Levy, which should be deemed a crime against humanity). Our focus this week is on Dumb and Dumberer. Essentially a prequel that takes us back to Harry and Lloyd's high school days, this film is packed with failed joke after botched sight gag, all of which move at the pace of a tree slug. Please, let this film be a lesson to you all. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary, deleted scenes, bloopers, and featurettes.

(Paramount, Rated PG, DVD-$14.99 SRP)

My enjoyment of Fairy Tale: A True Story probably owes to the "True Story" part. The story in question revolves around two young girls in 1917 who claim to have captured photographic evidence of fairies, which draws the attention of renowned skeptic Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel) and renowned believer  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole). Okay, so the only true part that provided the inspiration was the girls forgery (they admitted it as such years later) and Doyle's gullibility (Houdini never entered the picture). Still, I enjoyed the film's fictionalized (and fantasy-heavy) presentation of the tale.

(Warner Bros., Rated R, DVD-$26.99 SRP)

Although I still get bogged down in its length, I can't keep my eyes off of Oliver Stone's JFK, even during the 40 hour Director's Cut . Okay, I'm exaggerating… but not by much. This cut and the supplements found in this 2-disc set were previously only available in the massive Oliver Stone Collection from a few year's back, but it's now available as a stand-alone with the addition of a new documentary.

(Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP)

I was impressed with the Simpsons DVD sets when they first started coming out, but was soon more impressed with the treatment of Futurama . With the second season of King of the Hill, I think Fox has found a way to further solidify their position as the premier practitioners of presenting TV on DVD. Not only do we get more audio commentaries with the characters themselves (a sublime carryover from the season one set), but there are 197 deleted/alternate scenes, featurettes, and more. Color me shocked and thoroughly overjoyed. Put this puppy on the stocking-stuffer list.

(Walt Disney, Not Rated, DVD-$24.99 SRP)

Filling the shoes of Robert Preston in a remake of The Music Man is quite a tall order, but Matthew Broderick manages to find a voice all his own in playing the shifty con man out to swindle River City, Iowa. Only on Broadway could the con be a grandiose scheme involving teaching kids to play in a marching band. The DVD contains a making-of featurette and an exclusive performance of "Till There Was You."

(Warner Bros., Rated R, DVD-$29.95 SRP)

I wanted to hate Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. I really did. Knives sharpened, I plunged in… and came out liking it's bombastic chutzpah. Like many franchises that make it to this point, it begins taking liberties with its backstory (the most major of which involves the impending apocalypse believed to have been averted at the end of T2). This go round, we've got a new actor playing an older Connor (Nick Stahl) and a female Terminator as the villain du jour (I hear T4 will feature a shape-shifting ferret). But you know, you're not getting a story when you view this film – you come for the spectacle, and the film is canny enough to know that… Unlike The Matrix sequels. The anamorphic 2-disc set features an introduction from Schwarzenegger, 2 audio commentaries, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, a gag reel, and a photo gallery.

. (Anchor Bay, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

John Ritter passed away a week before he was to begin working on supplemental material for Anchor Bay's planned release of Three's Company on DVD. After his passing, the company decided to release the first season (which consisted of a scant 6 episodes since it was a midseason replacement) as a bare-bones disc to be followed by a supplement filled second season set down the road. As a show, Three's Company was never terribly intelligent – but it never tried to be. It accomplished handily its goal of being a well-constructed piece of light entertainment, led by Ritter's skillful burlesque as Jack Tripper.

(Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP each)

One of the brightest spots on Cartoon Network has been their weekly Adult Swim line-up on Sunday nights, featuring shows like Sealab 2021, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, The Brak Show, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and the venerable Space Ghost: Coast to Coast. Those last two shows are the inaugural releases of DVD sets from Adult Swim, and they couldn't have chosen better. Both are double-disc sets loaded with extras, including deleted scenes, rare promos, and audio commentaries. I hope the second volumes of both series arrive quickly – as well as the rest of the programming block.

(Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP each)

I don't know about you, but the live action version of The Cat in the Hat looks like a celluloid monstrosity. If you'd rather preserve your fond memories of all things Seussian, check out The Best of Dr. Seuss, which contains the animated versions of "The Butter Battle Book," "Daisy-Head Mayzie," and "Horton Hatches the Egg!". Also available is the "documentary" In Search of Dr. Seuss, which presents Ted Geisel's life story via his creations in live action segments that are fascinating for their inventiveness alone (though having actors like Robin Williams, Patrick Stewart, Christopher Lloyd, and Andrea Martin on hand doesn't hurt).

(Columbia/Tristar, Not Rated, DVD-$39.95 SRP)

It didn't take long for Kevin James to move The King of Queens out of the shadow of its parent show, Everybody Loves Raymond. Chalk it up to a winning combination of writing, ensemble casting, and James himself, whose suburban travails evoke another overweight everyman from a little show called The Honeymooners. The 3-disc set contains the complete first season, while bonus features include an audio commentary on the pilot (with James and show creator/producer Michael Weithorn), a behind-the-scenes featurette, bonus episodes, and a reel of all the funniest moments from season one.

(Rhino, Not Rated, DVD-$79.95 SRP)

The complete run of The Monkees TV show wraps up with the release of the 2^nd (and final) season on DVD. If possible, this season was even more anarchic than the first, as the independence of each band member began to assert itself (which would eventually lead to their interesting yet impenetrable feature film, Head). Regardless, the show was still a fun bit of surreality, but the end was clearly in sight. The 5-disc set is again cased within a sturdy cardboard replica of a portable turntable (Rhino always delivers on the memorable packaging), and bonus features include commentaries with the Monkees on select episodes (even the elusive Mickey Dolenz, who was missing from Set 1) and the post-series special "33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee."

(Columbia/Tristar, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP)

You know TV on DVD is booming when you get the complete release on DVD of a swiftly cancelled show like My Big Fat Greek Life. Was it the disaster everyone made it out to be? Now you can watch the complete 7 episode run and make your own call.

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

Every once in awhile, you sit down to watch a DVD of a film that blows you away on two fronts – the quality of the film itself, and the quality of the presentation. The DVD of Sergio Leone's classic western epic Once Upon a Time in the West. Restored, uncut, and remastered, it's a beautiful, almost operatic masterpiece of violence. The 2-disc set features an all-star commentary (with John Milius, John Carpenter, Alex Cox, and more), 3 brand-new documentaries, featurettes, a location gallery, a production gallery, and the original theatrical trailer.

(Walt Disney, Rated G, DVD-$29.99 SRP)

Despite the best efforts of my intellect, my gut couldn't help but enjoy Santa Clause 2. I'm very, very ashamed that I was so easily won over by its earnest exuberance and persuasive amiability. Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) has been Santa Claus for the eight years since the original film, and his elves think he's doing a top-notch job. But then his son lands on the "naughty" list, and Calvin learns of another little clause – if he doesn't marry by Christmas Eve, he'll stop being Santa forever. Can you guess what ensues? The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary with director Michael Lembeck, a tour the North Pole, interviews, a special effects featurette, deleted scenes, and a gag reel.

(Paramount, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.95 SRP)

The first Tomb Raider caused my brain to shut down. Literally. Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life was not a wonderful film, but at least it was enjoyable enough and attempted to have a plot (unlike the first film). The specifics of the story don't really matter – as long as you know that Laura travels the world looking for a powerful artifact with a past lover in tow and a madman on her tail, then you know enough to take the plunge. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary with director Jan De Bont, deleted/alternate scenes with optional commentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes, Gerard Butler's screen test, and music videos.

(New Line, Not Rated, DVD-$39.99 SRP)

If you sit down to watch the Two Towers: Extended Edition with the intention of fully appreciating all it offers, prepare to sign away a week of your life. Not since… well, not since the Fellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition has so stunning an accomplishment in DVD presentation been delivered to film fans the world over. Regardless of whether you dug the film or not (I did), you have to appreciate the work that went into assembling this 4-disc set. In fact, the extended cut of the film (which fleshes out many of the characters in almost 40 minutes worth of new scenes) is almost an afterthought when one begins delving into the supplements on discs 3 and 4. There's so much there, it should be measured as much by volume as by quality (which is top notch). If you picked up last year's Extended Edition, you know what to expect – every aspect of production from conception to release is analyzed in detail. If you ever had a question about the making of this film, odds are you'll find the answer in here somewhere. New Line and Peter Jackson continue to set the bar higher and higher, and the format is better off for their amazing efforts.

(MGM/UA, Rated G, DVD-$29.98 SRP)

Like Mary Poppins, Annie, and The Wizard of Oz, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is one of those films that is etched in my brain due to sheer repetition during childhood. A lackluster edition has long been available, but this 2-disc collector's edition is a VAST improvement (and not just because we get a wonderful anamorphic widescreen transfer). There are plenty of bonus features, including newly-produced documentaries, Sherman Brothers song demos, a vintage advertising gallery, and more. So until you get a flying jalopy of your own, you can listen to Dick Van Dyke sing about one in all his DVD glory.

(HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

It's been a long time since Ellen Degeneres took to the stand-up stage, but in her appearance at New York's Beacon Theater, Ellen Degeneres: Here and Now , she's back in top form and funny as hell. After her successful turn in Finding Nemo, it was good to see her back in action.

(A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP)

Okay, you know me and my thing for documentaries. I spent almost 5 hours riveted to JFK: A Presidency Revealed, which takes the viewer on a candid, exhaustive, warts-and-all look at the man and his administration. There's a ton of footage that's never been seen before, including audiotapes and even Soviet footage. The 2-disc set also contains two episodes of Biography, JFK: A Personal Story and Joseph Kennedy, Sr.: Father of an American Dynasty.

  (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP)

Am I the only one who considers R. Lee Ermey a treasured national icon? If anyone doubted the appeal of the gruff ex-Marine (made famous as the take-no-prisoners drill instructor in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket), they need look no further than his History Channel program, Mail Call, to come around to my point of view. Like a Mr. Wizard for war buffs, Ermey answers viewer questions – such as "How do grenade launchers work?" and "How did the tank get its name?" – in his own unique style, delivering the information with all of the gusto that we've come to expect. As a history lesson goes, it's the kind of trivia that I get a real kick out of – that sort of "Ohhhhh, so that's why…." Revelation. Mail Call: The Best of Season 1 (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP) contains almost 3 hours of material, as well as original launch promos and an Ermey bio. So where's Volume 2?

(Paramount, $9.99 SRP each)

The 1970's were the golden age of the filmed adaptations of Neil Simon's plays, and Paramount was the studio that had them all. Following the success of The Odd Couple, the next three years saw the release of The Out-Of-Towners (Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis as a hapless couple at the mercy of the big city), Plaza Suite (three separate vignettes taking place in Suite 719, and each featuring Walter Matthau as a different lead character), and Last of the Red Hot Lovers (Alan Arkin as a middle-aged man desperate to have just one extra-marital affair). All three are incredibly funny films and worth checking out if you only know Neil Simon for The Odd Couple .

(A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$79.95 SRP)

I was as shocked as you will soon be to learn that Roger Moore and Tony Curtis once starred in a TV show together. The show was The Persuaders, and it paired Moore and Curtis as a playboys duo – one aristocratic English, the other rough-edged Yank – forced by a judge to go after criminals he's been obliged to let walk. It's a totally 70's cult show all the way, and thank goodness A&E realizes that our profound curiosity over these obscure "gems" will always get the better of our taste. The 4-disc set contains an audio commentary on the pilot episode (with Moore, producer Robert Baker, and Executive in Charge of Production Johnny Goodman), bios, and a photo gallery.

(A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$99.95 SRP)

Before CSI was a glimmer in the eye of giddy CBS execs, NBC had Profiler. The show's focus is forensic psychologist Dr. Samantha "Sam" Waters, who possesses the uncanny ability to interpret the often disparate clues left at a crime scene and "see" what happened. Her life is thrown into turmoil when a serial killer murders her family. Brought out of self-imposed exile by the Bureau, she attempts to pick up where she left off – solving crimes, with the help of a team of experts. More character driven than CSI, Profiler was a taut drama that I'm more than happy has finally made it to DVD. The 6-disc set features all 19 second season episodes. Bonus features include an audio commentary with Investigative Criminal Profiler Pat Brown on "Victims of Victims" and cast biographies.

(Fox, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.98 SRP)

Unlike many people out there, I did not think X2 was a great film. The dialogue was clunky, the acting was often lackluster, and the direction was marginal. However, after the atrocity that was the original X-Men film, the sequel looks like a gem. Casting Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler was a bonus, but he's not as well integrated into the film as I would have preferred. Still, it's a decent watch… but I hope they replace Bryan Singer should another sequel be in the offing. The anamorphic 2-disc set contains an interactive multi-angle scene study, "Wolverine/Deathstrike Fight Rehearsal" featurette, "The Second Uncanny Issue of X-Men" featurette, a making-of documentary, "The Secret Origin of X-Men" featurette, "Nightcrawler Reborn" featurette, "Introducing the Incredible Nightcrawler" character study, "FX2" effects featurette, 11 deleted/extended scenes, still galleries, and theatrical trailers.