Through a series of short films from filmmakers including Chris Hegedus and Mario Van Peebles, The First Amendment Project explores the rights, responsibilities, power, and attacks on free speech in this country. The recounting of Bill O'Reilly and Fox News's ridiculous copyright infringement suit against Al Franken is truly hilarious – and unimaginably pathetic. Bonus features include interview outtakes, performances, a deleted scene, galleries, and more.

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

Unlike his more recent annoyingly over-the-top performances, Sean Penn's performance of Sam Bicke – an everyman who actually plotted the assassination of President Nixon in 1974 – is engagingly understated. It makes watching the aptly named The Assassination of Richard Nixon that much more refreshing, which also boasts a terrific supporting cast, including Don Cheadle and Naomi Watts. The DVD features an audio commentary from writer/director Niels Mueller.

(New Line, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP)

So you want to make the third installment in the living dead Blade franchise, and you're worried that audiences are growing tired of – you know – your vampire a**-kicking lead, so what do you do? Hook him up with sidekicks! Ripping the name from the comics, Blade: Trinity features The Nightstalkers - a clan of human vampire hunters whom Blade must team up with to take down the ever-reemerging vamp threat. He gets saddled with cutie Nightstalker Abigail (Jessica Biel) and ripped Nightstakler Van Wilder… er, Hannibal (Ryan Reynolds). Oh yeah – Van Wilder's been working out big time… And it's scary. It's not cinema, but it's at least a watchable popcorn-fest… And it's got Dracula! The unrated version of the film contains 10 additional minutes, plus a blooper reel, alternate ending, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and a pair of audio commentaries.

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

If there's one aspect of film appreciation that DVD has certainly spurred on, it's the embrace and acceleration  of film restoration at the major studio level. Once a campaign of film aficionados, it's now become an economic force to be reckoned with, as even the most obscure of projects gets the funding necessary to not only restore audio and visual elements, but even footage long since excised. Case in point is the reconstructed version of Samuel Fuller's war epic The Big Red One, starring Lee Marvin. Not only has it been fully restored and remastered, but 47 minutes of footage (supervised by critic/filmmaker Richard Schickel) have been added back in, fleshing out the original truncated (and hurried) cut. The added effect is to give the film a scope it never had. See, this is what DVD is all about. The 2-disc set features a commentary with Schickel, alternate scenes, restoration comparisons, a documentary on the reconstruction, a profile of Fuller, the War Department film "The Fighting First," the 1980 promo reel, TV & radio spots, the theatrical & reconstruction trailers, and a still gallery. And if you're looking for a wartime double feature (this is the month of Memorial Day, after all), pick up a copy of the newly-restored Battle of the Bulge, which features a pair of vintage making-of featurettes.

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

By its next-to-last season, Dawson's Creek was really running on fumes. Not that it was ever a brilliant series to begin with – Kevin Williamson's verbose teens were always too cute and affected for their own good, and once the novelty wore off (episode 2) it was all downhill. Oh, and Ven der Beek's forehead always scared the crap out of me. That thing is freakin' huge. The 4-disc set is entirely featureless… Save for that giant forehead.

(Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$129.99 SRP)

I loathe Enterprise. I despise it with the fiery heat of a thousand suns. I hate it because I love Star Trek . As a concept, I'm fine with the initial idea of Enterprise – a prequel series exploring the initial pre-Kirk exploration of the galaxy by the first starship to bear the name "Enterprise." As executed, however, the show is an insipid collection of mediocre scripts, pitiful casting, and botched opportunities. But I know there are some people out there who, for some reason, like it. Love it, even. Fine. I hope you enjoy the complete first season of Star Trek: Enterprise, featuring all 25 episodes across 7-discs, plus audio commentary on the premiere (a ST TV DVD first), a trio of text commentaries, featurettes ("Creating Enterprise," "O Captain! My Captain! A Profile of Scott Bakula," "Cast Impressions: Season One," "Inside Shuttlepod One," "Star Trek Time Travel: Temporal Cold Wars and Beyond," "Enterprise Secrets," and "Admiral Forrest Takes Center Stage"), deleted scenes, and outtakes. Outtakes! No other series set gave us outtakes (even though they exist), but Enterprise gets outtakes! Typical.

(HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$44.98 SRP)

Everybody Loves Raymond fans (you know who you are) can avoid the urban depth of Seinfeld and head straight to the complete third season of everybody's favorite domestic sitcom starring the always-loveable Peter Boyle. The 5-disc set features two audio commentaries with Ray Romano and Phil Rosenthal, bloopers, deleted scenes, and the MT&R panel with the cast and Rosenthal.

(Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$58.95 SRP)

It was during the fourth season of I Love Lucy that Lucy, Ricky, Fred, & Ethel made their legendary trip out to Hollywood, encountering a boatload of famous faces, including William Holden, Rock Hudson, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Harpo Marx. The 5-disc set features all 30 episodes (beautifully restored with the original music), bloopers, a behind-the-scenes audio featurette, and production notes. These releases have really been a high-water mark for TV on DVD, particularly in regard to classic series.

(Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$49.92 SRP)

I'm all for the recent flurry of themed DVD collections from studios like MGM and Warners, if only because it provides a perfect economic excuse for them to delve into their massive catalogues and package in titles that wouldn't otherwise see the light of day, alongside more recognizable classics. The latest is Warners' John Wayne: Legendary Heroes Collection, which contains The Sea Chase, Blood Alley, McQ, Tall in the Saddle, and The Train Robbers. As you can see – a wide range. Bonus features include behind-the-scenes featurettes, newsreels, and trailers.

(Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$39.95 SRP)

So, will Peggy survive plunging thousands of feet after her recreational skydiving took a turn for the worse when her parachute failed to open? Will Bobby be a rodeo clown? Is Hank a murder? And how many foot fetish web sites have you been to? Find out everything (but the last thing) in the complete fourth season of King of the Hill. Sadly, there are still no bonus features (Come on, people! Those character commentaries in Season's 1 and 2 were hilarious!).

(Anchor Bay, Rated PG-13, DVD-$19.95 SRP)

I will admit, up front and with a (somewhat) clear conscience, that I really did like License to Drive when I was younger. Really, it was the pinnacle of the epic "Two Coreys" run of films, and a pretty darn good comedy about a hapless 16 year-old who just wants to get his driver's license, even though the universe – and a completely insane series of events over the course of a single evening – are against him. Add brand new interviews with Coreys Haim and Feldman, an audio commentary with director Greg Beeman & writer Neil Tolkin a deleted scene, TV spots, and trailers, and you've got a guilty pleasure worth picking up.

(Eagle Media, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP)

Watching the current Doug Stanhope/Joe Rogan version, it only makes me pine for the enjoyably hedonistic Man Show of yore, featuring host/creators Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla. There was a giddily juvenile spirit to the Kimmel/Carolla years, that has been replaced by a snarky off-putting vibe in the show now. Relive the glory days of The Man Show with the release of the complete third – and penultimate Kimmel/Carolla - season . The 4-disc set features all 26 episodes, plus bonus unseen girls on trampolines, "Women in Sports," "If I Had a Son…," "Alien," "How It Really Happened," and Juggies Angylique & Vanessa dance segments.

(Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$29.96 SRP each)

Gearheads (hi, Dad!) will be rushing to their favorite DVD emporium for the complete 1^st & 2^nd seasons of both Monster Garage and American Chopper. For the uninitiated, both series feature entertainingly over-the-top nutters who customize vehicles (Monster Garage) and motorcycles ( American Chopper) for a bevy of clients who pay top dollar for some truly weird-a** customizations. All 4 sets feature 3 discs and 13 episodes a piece, with Monster Garage featuring the bonus behind-the-scenes episode "Under the Hood." The Chopper sets feature commercial shoot outtakes and Paul Sr. interview clips.

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

Combine the slick blockbuster sensibilities of Jerry Bruckheimer with an attempt to capture the historical adventure of a latter-day Indiana Jones – casting Droopy-faced Nic Cage as your lead – and you'll get National Treasure. Which is a shame, really, since it's a vapid, annoying, cloying bit of grating fluff, featuring a "Treasure of the Founding Fathers conspiracy" that makes The Da Vinci Code look like a brilliant piece of fiction. Ah well. The DVD features an alternate ending with optional commentary, deleted scenes with optional commentary, a making-of featurette, a featurette on the Knights Templar, two more featurettes ("Treasure Hunters Revealed" & "Reiley's Decode This!"), plus an opening scene animatic with optional commentary.

(Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP)

The Monkees did it first, but The Partridge Family went one better – let's build a TV show around a fake band, but let's make them a family, too! And, suckers that we are in the American public, we bought it… And their records ("I Think I Love You," "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat," "Come On Get Happy"). It also gave the world Danny Bonaduce, and for that we can only thank whatever higher power you believe in. Now you can grab your own slice of 70's faux-pop with the complete first season of The Partridge Family, which also contains a pair of featurettes, audio commentaries (with Shirley Jones & Bonaduce), and a 4-song sampler CD.

(Warner Bros., Rated PG-13, DVD-$27.95 SRP)

While not a big Andrew Lloyd Webber fan (don't get me started on Cats), I do enjoy a fair chunk of the music from Phantom of the Opera . Don't ask me why. Still, the lavish theatrical adaptation of Phantom managed to make me despise even the songs I liked. There's absolutely no charm in this film – it's all over-the-top style, sound and fury signifying nothing. Oh, it was directed by Joel Schumacher. That explains it. As far as bonus features go, all you get is the trailer.

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

Pocahontas was the Disney film that broke the spell. Up until that point, I'd enjoyed The Little Mermaid, was impressed by Beauty and the Beast, laughed out loud at Aladdin , and was blown away by The Lion King. So it's no surprise that I anticipated the release of their latest venture, loosely based on the historical interaction between Captain John Smith and Pocahontas in early colonial America. Oh, and it was an annoyingly flat disappointment of a film. But oh well. Hey, it did have at least one good song – the governor's villainous "digging" song. The 2-disc 10^th Anniversary Edition features another of those annoying extended cuts with the insertion of another song (why, Disney?) but thankfully it's optional. The set also features deleted scenes, a making-of, and a bunch of tacky kiddie crap.

(MGM/UA, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.95 SRP)

When you've got a new 2-disc edition of Mel Brooks's 80's sci-fi parody Spaceballs, you'd think I'd be praising the special features – but I'm not. I'm not because the new additions – a new making-of featurette that looks like it was produced by the same people that make training videos for Burger King, a "conversation" between co-writers Brooks and Thomas Meehan, a John Candy tribute featurette, photos, storyboards, and galleries – aren't terribly spectacular. The commentary with Brooks is the same featured on the original DVD, which was recorded for the laserdisc – and they even neglected to port over the original EPK that was on that former release. So what's to like, then? Well, the fact that we finally have the film in anamorphic widescreen. That alone makes the upgrade worth it (but keep your original for the EPK). Oh, and smoke if you got 'em.

(R2, Not Rated, DVD-$49.99 SRP)

I'm a sucker for classic television, and I'm even more of a sucker when that television is like a pop culture bonanza – which is exactly what you get with the first volume of episodes from the classic This Is Your Life. Hosted by Ralph Edwards for over 20 years, this program would surprise celebrities with a retrospective on their lives, bringing in "mystery guests" from the person's past. In this initial 3-disc collection, 18 shows are features, with guests like Laurel & Hardy, Bobby Darin, Johnny Cash, Lou Costello, and Vincent Price. This is truly must-see material for any pop culture geeks out there.

(Anchor Bay, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP)

He was no Ropers, but Don Knotts made quite the impression as the google-eyed and easily exasperated landlord Ralph Furley, who joined the cast of Three's Company in its fourth season. Besides that one major change, the hijinks are still the same, as Jack must continue pretending to be gay in order to share the apartment with Janet & Chrissy, and madcap hijinks and pratfalls ensue. I think you know the formula. The 4-disc set features all 25 episodes, plus audio commentary on "Chrissy's Hospitality," a featurette on casting Knotts and Suzanne Somers, interviews, and "best of" montages for each of the characters.

(Anchor Bay, Rated PG-13, DVD-$14.98 SRP)

Post 9/11, the story depicted in the 80's cable mainstay Turk 182 takes on a new resonance. When the NYC mayor (Robert Culp) denies his fireman older brother (Robert Urich) his pension after a serious on-the-job injury, a young artist (Timothy Hutton) begins a series of public graffiti attacks utilizing his brother's nickname and badge number. Soon the campaign reaches critical mass, and the public begins to cheer him on, even as the mayor's security chief (Peter Boyle) tracks him down. Bonus features on the newly remastered DVD include an audio commentary with director Bob Clark and the theatrical trailer.

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

The bonus features have remained the same, but Terry Gilliam's 12 Monkeys has gotten a spiffy new remastering, and it looks great – so much so that I'd suggest repurchasing if you're already the proud owner of the original version of Gilliam's bleak time travel epic. Those repeated bonus features include the extensive behind-the-scenes documentary The Hamster Factor, an audio commentary with Gilliam & producer Charles Roven, a featurette, and the theatrical trailer.

(Universal, Rated R, DVD-$29.98 SRP)

It doesn't have nearly the claustrophobia of John Carpenter's low-budget original, but the remake of Assault on Precinct 13 certainly cranks up the intensity, turning a potboiler into a bruckheimer-eaque exercise in slick filmmaking… and I liked it, surprisingly enough. Maybe that's because I can identify with the story – being trapped in a soon-to-be-decommissioned police station with violent criminals with a rogue mob outside your door. Something about that just strikes a chord. The DVD features behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and more.

(Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$79.92 SRP)

Watching the films in Warners Controversial Classics Collection, it's hard to believe that they stirred up controversies at all. Some, however, still have a bite to this day, even if it's not quite as striking as during the initial release. The seven films – Fury, Blackboard Jungle, I Am A Fugitive From a Chain Gang, Bad Day At Black Rock, The Americanization of Emily, Advise & Consent, and A Face in the Crowd – are all fully restored and feature bonus materials including audio commentaries, documentaries, cartoons, featurettes, and trailers. Featuring subject matter ranging from prisoner abuse to racial tension, these films run the gamut of hut button issues, and feature stellar casts (Glenn Ford, Spencer Tracy, Henry Fonda, Paul Muni, Andy Griffith, James Garner, Julie Andrews, Walter Matthau, and more).

(HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP)

It seems like such a simple/stupid idea to base a comedy around the group of hangers-on that hover around a celebrity, but it's taken HBO's subtly hilarious Entourage to nail the formula to the post for all the world to see. As actor Vincent Chase's star begins to rise, his friends from back home in Queens hitch a ride, navigating all the ins, outs, and absurdities of Hollywood along the way. Of particular note is Jeremy Piven's spot-on performance as Chase's stereotypical agent. The 2-disc set features the entire 8 episode first season, plus audio commentaries and a interviews with the cast & crew.

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

Most of memories of the documentary Hoop Dreams revolve around the Oscar controversy following its release, rather than the film itself. After watching it again, I'm struck by just how powerful its story of 2 inner-city kids – followed over a period of 5 years – as they pursue their dream of a basketball career, all the while coping with school and their home life. The Criterion release features audio commentaries with the filmmakers and the now grown-up kids, Siskel & Ebert segments, a music video, and theatrical trailers.

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

Mark my words – Topher Grace is the next Tom Hanks. In role after role, he sparks the same kind of response I got to the early work of Mr. Hanks – namely "this guy's good" and "why can't this guy choose better movies?". With the comedy In Good Company, Grace finally gets a part to shine in – that of a young turk who gets promoted over a company veteran (Dennis Quaid), only to fall in love with his daughter (Scarlett Johansson), making an already awkward working relationship even moreso. Now here's hoping Topher doesn't drop the ball, and turn into the next Bud Cort. The DVD features an audio commentary with Grace & director Paul Weitz, deleted scenes, a featurette on successful businessmen and how they got where they are, and a look at the New York filming.

(Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$39.95 SRP)

Even though everything was firing on all cylinders during the third season of In Living Color, the writing was on the wall that the Wayans clan – particularly Damon and Keenan – were not long for the show. It was also the season that the recurring characters really took off, from "Men On…" to Homey the Clown, but the real breakout was Jim Carrey. After this season, there was no keeping him down – in fact, his film career was right around the corner.

(Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$54.99 SRP)

It's probably its lack of preachiness – and sly wit – that makes the religious-themed Joan of Arcadia tolerable to me. I normally gag at shows like Touched By 7th Heaven, but I've actually enjoyed the episodes I've caught of this series, starring the unbelievably cute Amber Tamblyn as 16 year-old Joan, a high school student who begins to be sent on missions by a higher power… Think of it as a cross between Highway to Heaven and The Dead Zone. Check the show out for yourself with the complete first season, featuring audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

(Touchstone, Rated R, DVD-$29.99 SRP)

I actually enjoyed The Last Shot, a comedy about a down-on-his-luck screenwriter (Matthew Broderick) who gets the opportunity of a lifetime when a producer (Alec Baldwin) agrees to make his film, and even let him direct it. Little does he know that his producer is actually an FBI agent, and the production is actually an elaborate sting operation intended to root out the mob. It's wacky, sure, but sometimes you need wacky. Bonus features include an audio commentary with director Jeff Nathanson & Broderick, a featurette on the actual events that inspired the film, deleted scenes, "Robert Evans Presents..." featurette, and "Joan Cusack's Montage."

(HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$26.95 SRP)

I really, really, REALLY wanted to like The Life & Death of Peter Sellers. A biopic of the late comedic genius (and incredibly complicated man) was long in coming, but this somehow managed to miss the mark. The casting of Geoffrey Rush as Sellers was a touch of genius, as Rush manages to capture the elusive quality of Sellers the man, while still being able to recreate the subtle work of Sellers the actor. But where the film falls down is in its meandering, directionless script and the equally lethargic direction, which never manages to capture Sellers as well as Rush does, leaving Rush's performance twisting in the wind – truly a complete and utter shame. Bonus features include an audio commentary with Rush and director Stephen Hopkins, a second audio commentary with writers Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, deleted scenes, and a making-of featurette.

(Criterion, Rated R, DVD-$29.99 SRP)

I really, really wanted to like We Anderson's latest piece of oddball cinema, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, but it just never gelled into anything even marginally as appealing as any of his previous efforts – Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, or The Royal Tenenbaums. And boy, was I disappointed. Don't get me wrong – the flick itself had great potential… Casting Bill Murray as a Couseau-esque aquarian documentarian bent on revenge after a giant shark eats his partner has "quirky classic" written all over it. So what in the hell happened? After watching its plodding, aimless morass, I can only think it was a kitchen sink mentality sans a blueprint… Sort of like a 1941 for the new millennium. Sad, really. If you're intent on picking it up, the only way to go is the 2-disc Criterion edition, featuring an audio commentary with Anderson & co-writer Noah Baumbach, an in-depth documentary detailing the production of the film, an episode of an Italian talk show featuring interviews with Anderson & Baumbach, an interview with composer Mark Mothersbaugh, 10 complete performances of the Portuguese Bowie songs, an intern video journal, cast & crew interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, photos, artwork, and the theatrical trailer.

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

If a big screen remake of a film is in the offing, you can bet your bottom dollar that the studio will release a new special edition of the original film, often adding bonus features and a new transfer to lure in both newbies and people who already own the original edition. True to form, the original Burt Reynolds edition of The Longest Yard is out just in time for the modern retake starring Adam Sandler. Bonus features include an audio commentary with Reynolds and writer/producer Albert S. Ruddy,  a pair of retrospective featurettes, a look at the new flick, and the original theatrical trailer.

(Rhino, Not Rated, DVD-$39.95 SRP)

Watching the 38 episodes comprising the second season of My Favorite Martian, it makes me miss the deadpan comedic talents of Ray Walston all the more. As the Martian hiding out as Bill Bixby's "Uncle Martin," Walston was a delight whose timing was impeccable. Unfortunately, four of the episodes are presented in their shortened syndication versions since the original prints could not be located. Here's hoping they eventually turn up, since more Walston is always welcome.

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

By the third season of Quantum Leap, I was beginning to get burnt out on the adventures of Dr. Sam Beckett. I mean, how many times can you see him leap into a woman before it loses shock value? So much so that he's got to start leaping into dogs and chimps before anyone bats an eye. It's a shame, since Bakula still had the presence to pull everything off (a presence that would be missing by the time he took over as Enterprise's lackluster Captain Archer). Sadly, there are no bonus features to speak of…

(Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$38.99 SRP)

While the 5^th season of Cheers was also the last for Shelly Long's Diane Chambers, it also happens to be my favorite of the series. It's got the blooming of the loony relationship between Frasier and Lilith, and my favorite episode of all time – the one in which the gang gathers at Carla's for a Thanksgiving that goes hilariously pear-shaped ("Thanksgiving Orphans"). Unfortunately, the 4-disc set features no bonus features whatsoever (surely there must be gag reels, or at the very least the rare promo film the cast made for the government), but at least the sets seem to be coming out at a fairly brisk clip.