(Lion's Gate, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP)

When I first heard that there was going to be a TV series based on Stephen King's The Dead Zone, I was leery. I wondered how it could keep from becoming a one-note collection of life-altering bromides – a sort-of Touched By a Psychic. Under the direction of producer (and Star Trek: TNG and DS9 vet) Michael Piller, however, it works. The basic premise - about an auto accident that leaves a school teacher in a 6 year coma, who awakens to find that his fiancée is married, his mother is dead, and he has the power to "read" the past and potential future of those he touches – is exactly the same. The episodic nature finds our hero, Johnny Smith (surprisingly well-played by Anthony Michael Hall), exploring his new-found power, and coming to grips with whether it is a blessing or a curse as he tries to put his fractured life back together. The Complete First Season contains 13 episodes across 4 discs, including audio commentaries, cast interviews, and featurettes. You can also mail away for the original pilot episode (a slot is even included in the box), whose main departure is a different actor playing Reverend Gene Purdy (portrayed in the series proper by David Ogden Stiers).

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

There's nothing highbrow about it, but dammit, I got a kick out of Bringing Down the House. Yes, its story of a staid man whose life is turned uproariously upside-down by a one-person culture clash is beyond cliché – but hey, things become cliché for a reason… because they're worth repeating, especially if done right. Uptight divorcee Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) meets what he believes to be a brainy female lawyer in an online chat room, and they make a date to meet. His expectations are blown out of the water when his lawyer turns out to be a prison escapee (Queen Latifah) who wants Peter to clear her name. Soon enough – you guessed it – Peter's life and family are affected by the welcome chaos she brings into their lives. I would be remiss if I didn't point out the funniest complication, as Peter's friend (played by Eugene Levy) flirts with the all-together alien culture before him. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary with director Adam Shankman and writer Jason Filardi, deleted scenes, a gag reel, a behind-the-scenes featurette, "The Godfather of Hop" Eugene Levy featurette, and the "Better Than the Best" music video.

(Warner Bros, Rated PG, DVD-$26.99 SRP)

Ask people what their favorite classic film is, and most often it's a toss-up between Citizen Kane and Casablanca. Personally, I've always been a Kane-ite, but Casablanca is high up on the list. Even though the film has been on DVD for quite awhile, Warner Home Video has worked their digital mojo, crafting a deluxe, fully-restored 2-disc special edition (a feat Warners is quickly cornering the market on when it comes to these classic flicks). The film has never looked better… in fact, it almost looks *too* good. The frame is so clean, I'd almost expect to see someone wearing a digital watch. Some purists don't like this level of restoration, but I'm all for any process that makes a film look as good as it possibly can. The true revelation, though, are in the bonus materials. What exactly do these discs hold? Well, you've got an audio commentary with Roger Ebert, a second audio commentary with author/historian Rudy Behlmer, an introduction with Lauren Bacall, theatrical trailers, deleted scenes and outtakes (believe it or not!), "You Must Remember This" & "Bacall On Bogart" documentaries, "The Children Remember" featurette, the Looney Toons homage "Carrotblanca", the radio adaptation, a still gallery, and the premiere episode of the 1955 TV series.

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

The episodes contained within the fourth season of Deep Space Nine are a textbook example of a show reaching maturity. Gone is the awkwardness of Seasons 1 & 2, while the drama of the coming Dominion War (first glimpsed in Seasons 2 & 3) has come firmly to the fore. The Federation's alliance with the Klingons has fallen apart, Cardassia is in ruins, the Maquis have stepped up their activities, and even the Federation is starting to fray at the edges. But what still remains important are the characters we've come to love over the years. Sisko – through decisive action and the strategic use of force – proves himself time and again to be the only worthy successor to Kirk in any of the Trek sequels (take that, wussy Archer). Joining the cast this season was a familiar face from TNG, with Worf coming aboard as Sisko's new XO, and a welcome breath of fresh air. Thankfully, the DS9 version of Worf is not the neutered comic relief that the character has become in the feature films. One final thought - I'd love to know what lessons the writers learned from Wesley Crusher that made Jake Sisko a character that was as well-rounded and likeable as Crusher was painful and awkward. The few spotlights that Jake receives this season are all enjoyable. The 7-disc set contains all 25 fourth season episodes (the season premiere was a 2-hour episode). Bonus features include "Charting New Territory" featurette, "Crew Dossier – Worf" featurette, "Michael Westmore's Aliens: Season Four" featurette, "Deep Space Nine Sketchbook: John Eaves", and the now standard collection of hidden interview segments.

(New Line, Rated R, DVD-$27.95 SRP)

Vin Diesel maniacs will probably snap up his latest one-note acting opus, A Man Apart. Diesel stars as a DEA agent who embarks on a quest for revenge when his wife is murdered by a drug kingpin. The anamorphic DVD contains deleted scenes and trailers.

Genre aficionados will go gaga over the slew of titles Warner Bros. has unleashed upon an unsuspecting public. Tops on the "must-have" list are a pair of Charlton Heston schlock classics – Soylent Green and The Omega Man (Warner Bros, Rated PG, DVD-$19.98 SRP each). Both discs have been eagerly awaited (especially Omega), but they're finally here, and packed with extras including an audio commentary (on Soylent Green), documentaries, and an introduction (on Omega). Ah, but the fun doesn't stop there. You can conduct your very own filmfest this weekend with the Peter Weller suspense thriller Of Unknown Origin (Rated R, DVD-$19.98 SRP), Audrey Hepburn's Academy Award nominated role as the blind prey of a psychopathic killer in Wait Until Dark (Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP), the Vincent Price classic House of Wax (which also contains the original 1933 inspiration, Mystery of the Wax Museum) (Rated PG, DVD-$19.98 SRP), and the original – and much, much better – Robert Wise version of The Haunting (Rated G, DVD-$19.98 SRP). Finally, the cream of the crop – The Thing From Another World (Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP), which would provide the basis for a little John Carpenter flick called The Thing. The special features across all of these releases are wonderful (save for the lone theatrical trailer on Thing), especially the audio commentary on The Haunting, with Robert Wise, Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn, and screenwriter Nelson Gidding. Warners continues to provide a vivid example to other studios in regards to how catalog releases should be handled.

(Warner Bros, Rated PG, DVD-$27.95 SRP)

As light and fluffy teen flicks go, at least What a Girl Wants was not nearly as cloying as The Princess Diaries. In fact, I even found myself enjoying Daphne's journey "across the pond" to meet the wealthy father she never knew. Forced to bottle up her vivacious American personality in order to fit into her father's prim and proper world provides for plenty of comedy, but wouldn't you know it – there's a heart in there as well. Oh yeah… Amanda Bynes is cute. Real cute. I had to say that. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary with Bynes, an audio commentary with director Dennie Gordon and writers Jenny Bicks and Elizabeth Chandler, "Fashion & Etiquette 101" featurette, casting session & on-set gags Easter egg, and the theatrical trailer.

(Warner Bros, Rated R, DVD-$99.98 SRP)

The first season was wildly erratic with a promise of things to come, the second season kicked up the quality and the drama, but it was during the third season of Babylon 5 that the brakes were removed and the overdrive kicked in. The Shadow War has arrived, the situation on Earth forces the station to secede from the Earth Alliance, and new alliances must be formed. Bruce Boxleitner's Captain John Sheridan is the only sci-fi character that can truly claim the mantle once worn by Captain Kirk – he is a kick-ass hero who is not afraid to use either his brain or his fists. From the first episode to the last (save for the still mediocre "Grey 17 Is Missing"), this season never ceases to crank up the stakes, be it the Hugo Award-winning "Severed Dreams" to the season-ending cliffhanger of "Z'ha'dum." The episodes across the 6-discs are still presented in all their anamorphic glory, while bonus features include two audio commentaries with Joe Straczynski ("Severed Dreams" & "Z'ha'dum"), a raucous cast commentary on "Interludes and Examinations" (with Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Richard Biggs, & Ed Wasser), an introduction to the season, "Behind the Mask: Creating the Aliens of Babylon 5" featurette, "Designing Tomorrow: The Look of Babylon 5" featurette, "Building a Better Narn" featurette, data files, and an Easter egg of bloopers. Season 4 better be quick in the offing…

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

Even though Futurama has ended it's run of new episodes (for the foreseeable future), the show lives on in DVD form. By the time of the 19 episodes comprising Season 2, all of the bugs had been worked out (what little there were) and the writing was tighter than anything we've seen on The Simpsons for the last 6 years. From the violent return of Nixon's head to even more violent arrival of Santa-bot – what more could you want? For sheer entertainment value, you can't beat the audio commentaries found on every episode, whose participants (including voice actors Billy West and John Dimaggio, producers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, and a host of writers, directors, and other assorted creative types) provide some pretty raucous, completely chaotic fun. The 4 disc set also contains deleted scenes, storyboards, animatics, a concept art gallery, international clips, sponsor clips, and the alien alphabet. Now hurry up, Fox - the UK is about to release Season 4, so why are we so behind?

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

While films like What a Girl Wants and The Lizzie McGuire Movie aren't nearly as good as the classic John Hughes/Molly Ringwald partnerships of the 80's, they're the nearest I can latch onto as a solid point of comparison between these modern girl-centric movies and those of my generation. Hilary Duff's McGuire – spawned in the Disney Channel wastelands – is an awkward, bumbling teen on the verge of womanhood. Traveling to Rome with her schoolmates, she's mistaken for an Italian pop sensation, leaving Lizzie with the difficult decision of either fulfilling her dreams or staying with her friends and family. What's a girl to do? Duff has a lot of the same goofy (yet cute) charm that Ringwald possessed during the dark ages of teen cinema – here's hoping she does more with it than that 80's redhead did. The anamorphic DVD contains an "In The Recording Studio With Hilary" featurette, "Hilary's Roman Adventure" behind-the-scenes featurette, "Roamin' Volare" music video, deleted scenes, and an alternate ending.

(Paramount, Paper Moon - Rated PG, Targets – Rated R, DVD-$14.99 SRP each)

There was a time – long, long ago – when Peter Bogdanovich could actually make good films. I know many of you won't believe me (although Cat's Meow captured a little of the old spirit), but if you want evidence, look no further than a pair of recent DVD releases – Paper Moon & Targets. Paper Moon stars Ryan O'Neal as con man Moses Pray, who's crossing depression-era Kansas with a load of bibles and an eye for a quick buck. Along the way, he's latched onto by a smoking, conniving nine-year-old orphan (Oscar-winning Tatum O'Neal) who manages to teach the old con a trick or two. Targets, Bogdanovich's directorial debut, is about a murderous sniper whose spree eventually intertwines with the retirement ceremony of an aging horror film star (Boris Karloff). Now, if we could only get the man who directed these two films to wake up, the world would be a better place. Both films contain an audio commentary from Bogdanovich, while Paper Moon sports a making-of documentary, and Targets an introduction from Bogdanovich.

(Classic Media, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP)

You know what? Any words that I can think of will in no way fully illuminate just how much I love Rocky & Bullwinkle. At the dawn of TV animation, it used the limited animation budget to its full advantage by devising (much like the Hanna-Barbera studio at the time) creative compensation in the form of strong writing and brilliant voice acting. Even more so than the H-B cartoons, Jay Ward's Rocky & Bullwinkle episodes were satirical gems, balancing wordplay, vivid characters, and inventive scenarios with ease (a good deal of credit must got to writer/producer/Bullwinkle Bill Scott). And now fans everywhere have cause to rejoice with the release of Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends: The Complete First Season. Spanning four discs, all 26 uncut episodes are here, newly remastered and containing the adventures of Moose and Squirrel, Peabody & his boy Sherman, Dudley Do-Right, Aesop and Son, and Fractured Fairy Tales. Bonus features include never before seen Bullwinkle puppet segments, vintage Rocky & Bullwinkle TV spots, a sneak peek at the "Complete Season 2", and a 16 page booklet. I can't wait until Season 2… And a word to Classic Media – get Jay Ward historian Keith Scott and do a documentary for the next set!

A few years back, Trimark initiated an aggressive release of Saturday Night Live product, including the 25^th anniversary special and Best Of collections. Then it stopped. And Trimark became Lion's Gate. And now, thankfully, the releases are starting to flow again, commencing with The Best of Will Ferrell, The Best of Adam Sandler, The Best of Molly Shannon (Lion's Gate, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP each), and the 5-disc Saturday Night Live: 25 Years of Music (Not Rated, $59.99 SRP). The Best Of collections are pretty self-explanatory (all of them containing more footage than their network airings), but the true highlight is the box-set. Although a version of this set aired originally on VH-1 during the anniversary year, the programs have been significantly expanded, featuring even more classic performances and music-related sketches. If you're a fan of SNL – or the musical legacy of the show – this release belongs on your shelf.

(Fox, Rated R, DVD-$14.98 SRP)

All That Jazz is essentially Bob Fosse directing an autobiographical pic, in the form of Roy Scheider's Joe Gideon. Womanizing, drug abusing, and driven, the film follows Gideon from his burlesque roots to the bittersweet success of later life, tempered by failing health and an intense sense of his own mortality. Told with all the flair and panache of a Fosse production, it's a brutal portrait of a fascinatingly complicated man. The DVD contains an audio commentary with Scheider, an interview with Scheider, 5 Fosse clips, and the theatrical trailer.

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

It's not yet known how much of an impact the box office success of Chicago will have on the dying movie musical genre, but here's hoping it signals the return of the artform – especially if it's as solidly produced as this. A lot of the credit has to go to screenwriter Bill Condon, who managed to crack a rather tough nut in streamlining and adapting it from the stage, avoiding the stiff awkwardness that often accompany these translations. And the songs are catchy, too. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary with Condon and director Rob Marshall, a deleted musical number, and a behind-these-scenes special.

(Artisan, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP each)

Well, there certainly is a big difference between "digitally restored" and "digitally remastered." The former brings us digital miracles like the DVD releases of Citizen Kane and Casablanca – the latter gets us adequate (yet disappointing) releases like the recent Hallmark Little Rascals and Laurel & Hardy releases. Both Little Rascals discs and the Laurel & Hardy contain quite a few of the classic short subjects (L&H also contains the longform "Sons of the Desert"). Unfortunately, these comedy classics are presented via grainy, scratched prints, with sound that crackles and pops. While not as bad as some of the fly-by-night these shorts have gotten in the past from other distributors, this certainly isn't the quality I'd like to see these films preserved in. I'm recommending them simply because I like the films so much, and these are the best prints currently out on DVD. Still, I'm begging you, Hallmark – take a page from Warner Bros. and please take the time and care to fully restore these mini-masterpieces. Anything short of that is just wrong.

(Warner Bros, Rated PG-13, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

Often seen as one of Chevy Chase's lesser efforts (a sliding scale, if based on his output in recent years), I've always enjoyed Memoirs of an Invisible Man. After an accidental exposure to an experiment gone awry, stock analyst Nick Halloway (Chase) is on the run from agents intent on unlocking the secrets behind his condition. One of Chase's most dramatic turns (the comedy moments are often subdued), it's worth rediscovering. The anamorphic DVD contains outtakes, a visual FX featurette, and the original theatrical trailer.

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

David Caruso was out, Jimmy Smits was in, and Dennis Franz's ass was front-and-center in the second season of NYPD Blue. What was seen, though, was a show coming into its own, as Franz's always-explosive and eminently watchable Detective Sipowicz finally found the perfect partner in Smits' Bobby Simone. Bonus features include the one-hour "Season 2: A Season of Change" documentary, "Wedding Bell Blues" featurette, "The Music of Mike Post" featurette, audio commentaries (on "Cop Suey," "Simone Says," "Vishy-Vashy Vinnie," "Bombs Away," "Boxer Rebellion," and "A.D.A. Sipowicz") and script-to-screen comparisons.  

(Warner Bros, Rated PG, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

Although I tend to believe that Michael Moore has descended into self-parody recently with some of his more extreme accusations against… well… the world, I still believe that his dissenting voice has always been a valid reminder that we should always question the power structure around us. Nowhere is Moore's point more brutal – and enlightening – than in his first system-bucking documentary, Roger & Me. Moore's piece, detailing the implosion of his hometown of Flint, Michigan after General Motors pulled out for greener (monetary) pastures south of the border, is a heartbreaking portrait of the crumbling American Dream. The DVD contains an audio commentary with Moore and the original theatrical trailer. I'm a bit annoyed that Warners neglected to put Moore's 5-year anniversary follow-up piece, Pets or Meat, on the DVD – so I can only hope that someone else has the initiative to do so.

(Fox, Rated R, DVD-$14.98 SRP)

As thinly-veiled biopics about Janis Joplin go, The Rose is quite the powerhouse. In portraying a success equal parts fueled and ruined by drink, drugs, and excess, Bette Midler gives the performance of her career in a film that pulls no punches. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary with director Mark Rydell and the original theatrical trailer.

(Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP)

As a Simon & Garfunkel fan, I enjoyed viewing their Central Park reunion concert in 5.1 surround. You can see the tension in both men's faces, but the music was solid and – in many cases – surpassed that of the original recordings. While not as energetic as Simon's later solo concert in the park, there's no denying the energy that these two former partners are capable of when combined.

(Warner Bros, Rated R, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

The first Vacation film will always be the best of the lot (especially when compared to the abysmal Vegas Vacation). The writing was sharp, Chevy Chase wasn't phoning it in, and the direction was tight. That so great a comedy classic should be relegated to a quickie pan-and-scan release for so many years was a travesty that one hoped would eventually be rectified. Thankfully, it has. The Vacation 20^th Anniversary Special Edition contains a newly remastered anamorphic picture (gone is the muddiness of past prints), an audio commentary (with stars Chase, Anthony Michael Hall, Dana Barron, Randy Quaid, director Harold Ramis, and producer Matty Simmons), a very brief introduction (with Chase, Quaid, and Simmons), and the original theatrical trailer. The only missing extra that would have delighted me to no end would have been the inclusion of the original ending (which we know, thanks to the commentary, at the very least exists on a videotape in Chase's possession). But until the 25^th Anniversary Edition rolls around, this one is fine by me.

(Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP)

The only thing different about the first season of ER was the cast. Everything else was already in place – most particularly the breakneck pace. Call me nostalgic, but there's nothing like the original cast line-up – including George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, Julianna Margulies, and Eriq La Salle. Does anyone remember that William H. Macy was hanging around as well? And the big tall guy from Parker Lewis Can't Lose. The 4-disc set contains all 22 first season episodes (via dual-sided discs), audio commentaries (on the pilot, "Sleepless in Chicago," and "Love's Labor Lost"), additional scenes, outtakes, "Prescription for Success: The Birth of ER" documentary, "First-Year Rotation: Caring for ER" documentary, "On the Cutting Edge: Medical Realism on ER" featurette, "Post-Operative Procedures: Post Production in the ER" featurette, and a First-Year Intern's Handbook.

(Hart Sharp, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP)

You know, I didn't want to like Going Greek. On the surface, it seemed like yet another Animal House rip-off (and boy, does the world need more of those). While watching it, however, I found myself actually getting a kick out of the frat boy hijinks. Is it Citizen Kane? Oh god, no. It is a fun little flick, though, with some unexpected actors popping up here and there (including Chris Owen and Animal House alumnus Stephen Furst). Bonus features include an audio commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, outtakes, and a short film starring the cast.

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

Growing up, my father instilled in me a healthy respect for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Whenever we would pass one on the highway (as would always happen at some point during a family trip), he would be sure to point out the awesome roar the machines made – often comparing it to the wussy whine of a foreign motorcycle in the process. Hog Heaven: The Story of Harley-Davidson  chronicles over a hundred years of Hog history, including interviews with company officials and famous fans (does the name Jay Leno ring a bell?). The DVD also contains the Motorcycles episode of The History Channel's Modern Marvels series.

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

Yet another cult classic gets the whiz-bang DVD makeover – who had this week in the betting pool for The Howling? When a severely traumatized TV reporter takes some time off after an encounter with a serial killer, she finds that the sleepy getaway retreat she picked has a dark secret hiding in the woods. It rhymes with scarewolf. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary (with director Joe Dante and stars Robert Picardo, Dee Wallace, and Christopher Stone), deleted scenes, the brand new "Unleashing The Beast" documentary, outtakes, photo gallery, and the original theatrical trailer.

Hokey? Sure, but I like it. What's the "it" I'm speaking of? The classic Muppet special John Denver & The Muppets: Rocky Mountain Holiday (Columbia/Tristar, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP). Packed with down-home country songs, Muppet wit, and folksy charm - check it out. And speaking of classic Henson, remember The Storyteller (Columbia/Tristar, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP)? You know, the stylish retellings of classic European fables, hosted by John Hurt (as the Storyteller himself), and written by Anthony Minghella (The English Patient)? Sure you do. The complete collection has also just been released, so pick that up while you're at it.

(New Line, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.95 SRP)

Upon my first viewing of Fellowship of the Ring in the theater, I wasn't impressed. I thought it long, boring, ponderous, and pretentious – with flashes of inspired entertainment (regardless, it still played infinitely better than Lucas' abominable prequels). I reassessed my initial take when I watched the Extended Edition on DVD, and that second viewing fared much better – so much so that I was interested to see Two Towers (which I hadn't been, up to that point), and hoped it wouldn't crash and burn. It didn't. I actually enjoyed a quite a bit of it, in fact – sans a few slow patches. And now the original theatrical version has hit DVD, with the Extended Edition to follow in November. If you're like me, you'll get both. This 2-disc version is packed with extras exclusive to this release, including "On The Set - The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers" and "Return To Middle-Earth" featurettes, Sean Astin's "The Long And Short Of It" short film, "The Making Of The Long And Short Of It" featurette, 8 'net featurettes, a preview of Return Of The King, original theatrical trailers and TV spots, "Gollum's Song" music video by Emiliana Torrini, EA's videogame preview, and a preview of the Extended Edition.

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

The wait for a follow-up to last year's DVD release of the first two seasons of Mr. Show has been interminable, only surpassed by the endless wait for Simpsons: Season 3. Finally, though, Mr. Show: The Complete Third Season is here. Hands-down one of funniest, most subversive comedy shows ever produced (and the only one to pick up where Monty Python left off), the third season contains some of their best material – especially the Sid and Marty Krofft take-off "Druggachusettes". Bonus features include a completely chaotic cast commentary, Aspen Comedy Festival spots, promos, and the pre-Season 2 "Best of" clip show.

(Docurama, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP)

When documentary crews chronicled the day seventeen teenage lawbreakers – whose crimes ranged from arson to theft – spent time behind the bars of the Rahway maximum security prison, I wonder if they knew what a powerfully brutal piece of film they'd walk out with. Hosted by Peter Falk, Scared Straight!  captures that experience, as the delinquents went face-to-face with the hardened criminals on the inside – the "Lifers" – who showed them in horrifying detail the path they were on… one that they could decide to deviate from if they knew what was good for them. As a fascinating counterpoint, the DVD contains a follow-up documentary hosted by Danny Glover, which catches up with the teens and Lifers 20 years later.

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

Has it really been a year since the release of the second season of The Simpsons on DVD? Yes it has, Virginia – and I had given up hope of ever seeing another release of the long-running show (currently in its 63^rd season). But then – SHOCK OF SHOCKS – what do my eyes behold, but the fabled Simpsons: The Complete Third Season (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP)! Rubbing my eyes in disbelief, I confirmed that my vision did not deceive – it's finally here! Great googly moogly! So was it worth the wait? Are you kidding me – of course it was. Every episode (24 uncut beauties from the show's heyday, spanning four discs) has the by-now familiar mob commentary with the writers, producers, and various hangers-on. In addition, there's Butterfinger commercials, Bart's Thanksgiving Day appearance, storyboards, a music jukebox, and more. The only thing that would make me happier is a MUCH shorter wait for Season 4.

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

Disney could give lessons on how to completely rape and pillage an audience's goodwill. I loved Lilo & Stitch. I think it was one of the most enjoyable films the studio has put out in years. Because of that, I was hoping that Stitch! The Movie would continue that pleasant (and all-too-rare) buzz. Sad to say, it's complete buzz kill. Actually, it's beyond that – it actually kicks you in the teeth for liking these characters. Gone is the intelligence, the charm, and the quality (in writing and animation). The story – about a wacky adventure involving the 625 experimental creatures that preceded Stitch – is poorly executed. I feel so dirty. The anamorphic DVD contains games, a quiz, and a music video.

(A&E, Not Rated, Winston Churchill DVD-$39.95 SRP, Last Days of the Civil War DVD-$29.95 SRP)

If this were a just world with incredibly low standards, The History Channel would be brought up on charges of drug-dealing. Over the past 10 years, they have peddled their wares to history junkies like myself, quite aware of its addictive quality. Now that those programs are making their way to DVD, it's like they're just taking advantage of us. Two such sets now hitting shelves are the five-hour Winston Churchill documentary and The Last Days of the Civil War. Both are shockingly in-depth and nearly impossible to turn off once you've started watching them. I tell you, it's worse than smack! Both sets are highly recommended, and I also recommend you sign my petition so we can finally free ourselves from the yoke of quality programming.

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

Following on the heels of the wonderful Yes, Minister, Yes, Prime Minister finds Jim Hacker (Paul Eddington) – a most unlikely choice – as the most viable candidate for Prime Minister. What Hacker doesn't realize is that his ascendancy was orchestrated by the perpetual thorn in his side, Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne). Sir Humphrey and his associates are shocked to find out that Hacker actually believes that he will be calling the shots in Britain. Still one of the most astute – and hilarious – political comedies ever made, think of it as a highbrow British version of Benson. The 3-disc set contains the complete series (15 episodes) as well as the Christmas Special that kicked it all of. Bonus features include a 30-minute profile on Paul Eddington, "Cabinet Minister Testimonials" featurette, interviews with Paul Eddington and co-writer Jonathan Lynn, special sketches including "Christmas At The Ministry", and bios.