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OnVideo E-Mail News, Tuesday, September 15, 2009, V13.37   Message List  
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ONVIDEO'S WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES

For Tuesday,
September 15 --  Monday, September 21

Easy Virtue
Noel Coward's play "Easy Virtue" was written in 1924 and had only been filmed once, as a silent production directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1928. In adapting Coward's witty comedy of manners for modern audiences, director Stephen Elliot wanted to make a modern film for modern audiences so he tried to give it a contemporary voice by scoring the film with period songs from the likes of Cole Porter and then added contemporary songs that were re-recorded with a 1920's flavor, several of which are sung by cast members Jessica Biel and Ben Barnes. When British playboy John brings his new wife Larita -- a race car-driving feminist from Detroit -- home to meet the family at their country estate, pretty much everyone's expectations are disappointed. His snooty mother is offended by Larita's carefree American ways, while Larita does everything she can to get her mother-in-law to loosen up, which only annoys her even more. John's sisters have diametrically opposed feelings about their new sister-in-law, but his father is intrigued to have finally found another who sees through the family's façade -- and takes great perverse pleasure in watching his wife meet her match. An intelligent, well-acted, well-directed and thoroughly absorbing (and fun) film. Vitals: Director: Stephan Elliot . Stars: Jessica Biel, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, Ben Barnes, Kimberley Nixon, Katherine Parkinson. 2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 97 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $2.393 million, Sony.
4 stars

Next Day Air
Smalltime hoods Brody (Mike Epps) and Guch (Wood Harris) have seen better days. But when a wacked-out courier accidentally brings them a box containing 10 kilos of high-quality cocaine meant for their next-door neighbors, it sets in motion a chain of events that could cost all of them their lives. Brody and Guch immediately arrange to sell the coke to Brody's drug dealer cousin and his tightlipped bodyguard. But when the intended recipients of the package, wannabe gangster Jesus and his feisty girlfriend, realize the box hasn't arrived, they set out on a desperate search to find it before ruthless drug kingpin Bodega Diablo notices it's missing. Furious over the loss of his shipment, Bodega will stop at nothing to get the drugs back. With Brody and Guch's drug deal about to go down, all parties are on an urban comedy collision course. Vitals: Director: Benny Boom. Stars: Mike Epps, Wood Harris, Donald Faison, Omari Hardwick, Emilio Rivera, Darius McCrary, Cisco Reyes, Yasmin Deliz, Mos Def, Debbie Allen . 2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 84 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $10.017 million, Summit Entertainment.
2 stars

X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Spanning over 150 years, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" chronicles young James Logan and his tortured past ... from boy, to man, to mutant. From conflicts with his half brother Victor Creed (aka Sabretooth), his membership in Team X, his infamous adamantium rebirth and the total memory loss that ultimately fuels his angry quest, the film paints the vivid and difficult journey of the legendary superhero. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe whose appearances in the film have long been anticipated. For diehard fans only. Vitals: Director: Gavin Hood. Stars: Hugh Jackman, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, will.i.am, Dominic Monaghan, Daniel Henney. 2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 107 min., Action, Box office gross: $179.464 million, Fox. 3 stars


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NEWS

DVD Collectibles:
photo The Criterion Collection has put together an impressive collection of classic films for the fourth in their art house series: "Essential Art House: Volume Four" includes three DVD debuts: Marcel Carne's dark masterwork "Le jour se leve" (1939), starring Jean Gabin; Rene Clement's "Emile Zola" adaptation "Gervaise" (1956); and Anatole Litvak's tragic romance "Mayerling" (1936), starring Charles Boyer; plus Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" (1935); Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's "The Tales of Hoffmann" (1951) and Akira Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood" (1957). Each title features a beautiful digital transfer and informative liner notes. Available individually at $19.95 each or in a boxed set for $99.95.

John Ford fanatics will appreciate three outings from Warner Home Video: The "John Wayne -- John Film Ford Collection" is a seven-disc set with "The Searchers" two-Disc Special Edition, "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "Fort Apache," "Wings of Eagles," "3 Godfathers" and "They Were Expendable," plus the new-to-DVD documentary "Directed by John Ford," Peter Bogdanovich's updated 1971 documentary. $59.92 ...  Ford's "Wagon Master" (1950) is one of the legendary filmmaker's personal favorites, a visually stirring celebration of Western will and cooperation set to the soundtrack crooning of The Sons of the Pioneers. Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr. and Ward Bond
(who would later lead TV's Wagon Train) and other familiar Ford stock company players take the reins in this paean to the pioneer spirit in which outlaws are using a Mormon wagon train as a hideout from a pursuing posse. Extraphotos include commentary by Harry Carey Jr. and Peter Bogdanovich with John Ford ... In 1971 Peter Bogdanovich made "Directed by John Ford," a fascinating documentary in which Henry Fonda, James Stewart and John Wayne revealed first-hand tales about the man often cited as America's greatest, most influential filmmaker. Thirty-five years later there were more stories to tell -- by, among others, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Katharine Hepburn. Bogdanovich wove these new interviews into a re-edited, restructured documentary offering a more personal vision of the man and his work. Packed with clips, anecdotes and insights. $19.97.

Modern Times: "Triangle" (2007 -- Hong Kong) is a wonderful example of the Hong Kong crime-thriller genre at its best. The unique film is comprised of three independently filmed and produced sections, created by Hong Kong cinema masters Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and Johnnie To, each famous for his distinctive style. Hark begins the film with his signature frenetic energy, in which three friends are offered the chance of a lifetime by a mysterious stranger -- to steal an ancient treasure buried beneath a heavily-guarded government building in the heart of Hong Kong; Lam takes over with his emotional, slick camerawork to explore the characters' motivations and adds in adulterous affairs, traitorous alliances and crooked cops; To's section produces a suspenseful and at times slapstick conclusion when the heist goes wrong and the three friends must choose between their ill-gotten treasure and loyalty to each other. Despite the differing styles, the film flows seamlessly and effortlessly. From Magnolia Home Entertainment ... photo"Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death " (2008) is the first half hour Wallace & Gromit adventure since 2005. The hilarious duo is back, brought to life through seamless stop-motion animation and brilliant storytelling from Oscar-winner Nick Park. Wallace and Gromit have opened a new bakery business -- Top Bun -- but a deadly murderer is targeting all the bakers in town. Can Gromit discover the identity of the Cereal Killer before Wallace becomes the next victim? From HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate. ... "Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Collection" is a boxed set with all four Wallace & Gromit outings: "The Wrong Trousers," "A Close Shave," "A Grand Day Out" and their latest title, "A Matter of Loaf and Death." Also from HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate.

Classic reissues: "The Wolf Man Special Edition" (1941), starring Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi and Maria Ouspenskaya, arrives in a new two-disc set from Universal Legacy Series ... "Sherlock Holmes Double Features" include two double feature DVDs: "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (1939)/"Pursuit to Algiers" (1945) and "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" (1939)/"The Scarlet Claw" (1944); $19.98 each from MPI Home Video.

Other reissues: "Fame: Deluxe Musical Edition" (1980), from New Line ... "The Getaway Double Feature" with "The Getaway" (1972) and "The Getaway"(1994), from Warner ... "Hairspray: Deluxe Music Edition" (2007), from New Line ..."An American Werewolf in London Full Moon Edition" (1981), from Universal ... "Army of Darkness Screwhead Edition" (1992), from Universal ... "Phantasm II " (1988), from Universal.

From TV to Video:
"Affairs of the Heart, Series Two"
features six episodes in two volumes of the classic British Henry James anthology series, including such favorites as "An International Episode" and "Daisy Miller," featuring such stars as Derek Jacobi, Eileen Atkins, Sinead Cusack, Edward Hardwicke, Cheryl Campbell and Christopher Cazenove; $39.99 from Acorn Media ... "The Beiderbecke Tapes" is the second outing of the tongue-in-cheek British mystery series about a pair of sleuthing schoolteachers -- one a jazz fan -- set to a soundtrack in the style of 1920s jazz great Bix Beiderbecke; two episodes of the 1990s series, $39.99 from Acorn Media ... "The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season" (2008-09) is a four-disc set with 23 episodes, $44.98 from Warner ... "Bonanza: The Official First Season, Volume One" and "Bonanza: The Official First Season, Volume Two " (1959) are each four-disc sets, $39.98 from Paramount ... "CSI: Miami: The Seventh Season" (2008-09) is a six-disc set with 25 episodes, $71.41 from Paramount ... "Crash: The Complete First Season" (2008-09) is a four-disc set with 13 episodes, $59.97 from Anchor Bay Entertainment ... "Dark Shadows: The Vampire Curse" and "Dark Shadows: The Haunting of Collinwood" include select episodes from the 1966-71 TV series, $19.98 each from MPI Home Video ... "Fame Seasons One and Two" (1982-83) is a nine-disc set with 38 episodes, $39.98, from MGM ... photo "Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Fifth Season" (2008-09) is a seven-disc set with 23 episodes, $59.99 from Disney ... "Heartland: Season 1, Part 1" (2007) is a two-disc set with the first seven episodes of the sprawling Canadian television series that follows two sisters and their grandfather through the highs and lows of life on a horse ranch; $24.98 from E1 Entertainment ... "The It Crowd: The Complete Season Three" is a single-disc with six episodes of the series about the misadventures of Britain's geekiest, most inept information technology department support team, $24.98 from MPI Home Video ... "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season Four" (2008) is a three-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.95 from Fox ... "My Name Is Earl Season Four" (2008-09) is a four-disc set with 27 episodes, $49.98 from Fox ... "One Step Beyond: The Official First Season" (1959) is a three-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.99 from Paramount ... "Primeval: Volume 2" (2008) is a three-disc set of the BBC TV series, $39.98 from Warner) ... "Private Practice: The Complete Second Season" (2008-09) is a six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.99 from Disney ... "Sanctuary" (2008) is a four-disc set with 13 episodes, $44.98 from E1 Entertainment.


Buzzin' the 'B's:
"Camille" (2007) stars James Franco, Sienna Miller, David Carradine, Ed Lauter and Scott Glenn in a fantasy about Camille, the sweetest girl in all of Kentucky, who has just married Silas, a bad boy with a sordid past. Silas could care less about Camille and is hoping to use their "fantasy" honeymoon as a way to escape parole and flee to Canada. But an accident along the way changes everything -- Camille pulls herself from the wreckage and seems unscathed, but soon Silas discovers that perhaps she didn't survive the accident after all. Something magical is happening, and Camille won't let anything stand in the way of their life together ... not even her own mortality. Though the film has flashes of ingenuity (and offers fine acting turns by Miller and Franco), the at-times sentimental (and sluggish) script and buffoonish characterizations drags it down into the mundane. From National Entertainment Media ... photo "Deadgirl" (2008) is a teen horror thriller that was thought to be too controversial to release but nevertheless went on to shock audiences at the Toronto International Film Festival and at midnight screenings. High school misfits Rickie and JT cut school and go wandering in the decaying remains of a nearby abandoned mental hospital, where they make a gruesome discovery: a young woman stripped naked and chained to a table, a plastic bag over her head. She seems dead, until one of the boys touches her and she moves. Rickie wants to call the police, but JT stops him -- he has more demented plans in mind for the helpless girl. Available in two versions: the original R-rated cut and the unrated Director's Cut. From Dark Sky Films ... In "Nightmare" (2005), starring Jason Scott Campbell and Nicole Roderick, a film student and an aspiring actress awake after a one-night stand to find a video camera pointed at their bed; the camera contains a brutal snuff movie -- starring the pair as the killers. But they have no memory of any murder and there's no indication in their room of any gruesome killings. Was there a murder or are the they going mad? From IFC Films ... "Blood and Bone" (2009), starring Michael Jai White, Michelle Belegrin, Julian Sands, Eamonn Walker, Ron Yuan and Dante Basco, is a post-modern Samurai movie that has ex-con Isaiah Bone (Michael Jai White) fighting for justice and his life in the dangerous underground world of gangster-controlled Mixed Martial Arts combats; from Sony ... Miramax has reissued "Hero (Ying xiong)" (2002 -- Hong Kong), starring Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Ziyi Zhang, Daoming Chen and Donnie Yen, with such extras as "Close-Up of a Fight Scene," "Hero Defined," storyboards, "Inside the Action: A Conversation With Quentin Tarantino & Jet Li"; also available on Blu-ray Disc.

On the Indie Front:
"Nightwatching" (2007) is the latest effort from director Peter Greenaway. The film, starring Martin Freeman, Emily Holmes, Jodhi May and Toby Jones, is an extravagant, exotic and moving look at Rembrandt's romantic and professional life, and the controversy he created by the identification of a murderer in the painting "The Night Watch." From E1 Entertainment.

Foreign:
Shot in real time, "PVC-1" (2007 -- Columbia) is based on the true story of a woman who is turned into a human time bomb in a bizarre act of terrorism. Director Spiros Stathoulopoulos tells the story -- in real time and in one take -- of a poor family in rural Colombia whose world is suddenly, horribly turned upside down. A group of masked men invade the family's home and lock PVC-1 tubing filled with explosives around the wife's neck, demanding a ransom. The largely nonprofessional cast adds to the film's authentic this-is-really-happening effect; from IFC Films ... In "The Adventures of Werner Holt" (1965 -- Germany), two 17 year-olds, Werner and his best friend Gilbert, are pulled out of school and into Hitler's army. While Gilbert becomes a fanatical soldier, Werner begins to understand the senselessness of war. A political and artistic masterpiece, the film was voted one of the 100 most important German films of all time. $24.95 from First Run Features ..."The Axe of Wandsbek" (1951 -- Germany) takes place in Germany 1934. The Nazis need a hangmphotoan to put a group of political prisoners to death. Teetjen, the town butcher, makes the biggest mistake of his life: facing bankruptcy, he agrees to do the dirty deed. Adapted from the novel by German-Jewish author Arnold Zweig, this important classic was directed by Falk Harnack, a former anti-Nazi resistance fighter. $24.95 from First Run Features ...  Latin dance and black comedy make strange bedfellows in "Rumba" (2009 -- Belgium/France), an old-fashioned silent film comedy re-worked into a modern day fairy tale filled with visual gags. Set in a rural Belgian community, Rumba opens with mild-mannered, provincial schoolteachers Dom and Fiona who share a common passion -- Latin Dance. After rehearsing for weeks to win a dance contest, they capture the trophy; however, their joy is short-lived when they crash their car on the way home. But, although Fiona loses her leg and Dom loses his memory, there's nothing that can keep them off the dance floor -- not even a clumsy wooden leg or a burned-down house. From Koch Lorber ... "White Night Wedding" (2008 -- Iceland) is an adaptation of Anton Chekhov's drama of marital discord, "Ivanov." The story follows a middle-aged professor who is preparing to marry an ex-student half his age and the past and present problems he must confront: Not everyone thinks this "blessed union" is a good idea, his first wife committed suicide and he remains racked with guilt, and he owes his future mother-in-law money. From IFC Films.

For the Family:
"Astro Boy: The Anime Series, Volumes 1-5," based on the legendary Japanese comic series by Osamu Tezuka, known as the Japanese Walt Disney, is now available in five separate volumes just in time for the new feature film due October 23. Inspired by the anime series that originally aired in Japan in 1960, "Astro Boy: The Anime Series" was updated and modernized in 2003 with state-of-the-art animation and visuals that kept the same classic style as the original "Astro Boy" manga and anime, and debuted on the Kids WB Network in 2004. Each volume, sold separatephotoly, contains 10 episodes; $14.94 from Sony ... "Star Wars: The Clone Wars Volume 2: Clone Commandos" (2009) includes four episodes from the animated TV series, $14.98 from Warner ... "Marvel X-Men: Volume 3" and "Marvel X-Men: Volume 4" are two-disc sets with 15 and 14 episodes respectively, $23.99 each from Disney ... "Monster Force: Volume One" (1994) is a single-disc with seven animated episodes, $19.98 from Universal ...  "The Transformers: Season Two Volume, One 25th Anniversary Edition " is a four-disc set with 28 episodes, $29.99 from Shout! Factory ... "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack Vol. 1" (2008) contains five episodes of the Cartoon Network series for boys 6 to 14, $14.97 from Warner ... "The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit" (2009) is a new, CGI feature-length movie that has Strawberry Shortcake and her friends trying to safely remove a huge boulder that a terrible storm dropped into their town, threatening everything they hold dear. $19.98 from Fox ... In the animated "Barbie and the Three Musketeers" (2009), Barbie plays Corinne, a young country girl headed to Paris to pursue her big dream -- to become a female musketeer, from Universal ... "Barney: Jungle Friends" (2009) features Rain forest discoveries and animal fun with Barney and friends. Includes a free music CD. From HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate.

Special Interest:
With the aid of cutting edge research, the latest scientific theories, and CGI technology, prehistoric animals are brought back to life in "Animal Armageddon, Target: Earth" (2009), an intriguing mini-series that provides an intimate look at some of the most horrific disasters ever to rock the planet. Deadly cosmic gamma rays, volcanic explosions, tsunamis, earthquakes and a gigantic asteroid that killed off the dinosaurs are just a few of the natural events that caused unparalleled devastation. $14.95 from Animal Planet/Genius Products ... In "The Modern Con Man Collection" (2009), America's #1 Con Man, Todd Robbins, shares his catalog of cons and playful scams. The three-DVD set shows viewers how easy it is to scam, bet, and trick one's way to a free drink, a few extra bucks at the poker table, and laughs at the expense of co-workers. $29.95 from First Run Features ... photo "Mysteries of the Freemasons" (2008) is a History documentary that reveals the untold story of The Freemasons, a nearly 400-year-old organization whose influence is the subject of intense debate and a favorite subject of conspiracy theorists worldwide and whose members included George Washington, Paul Revere, Ben Franklin, Mozart and Duke Ellington. $19.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037" (2009) is a fascinating documentary that follows the creation of one Steinway concert grand, #L1037, from forest floor to concert hall; $26.95 from Docurama ... "The Wonder of It All" (2009) commemorates the 40th anniversary of humankind's first step on the moon. Astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Eugene Cernan, Charlie Duke, Edgar Mitchell, Harrison Schmitt and John Young reflect on their lives, with NASA footage and rarely seen private family photos.From Indican Pictures ... "The Least of These" (2009) is a documentary that takes a penetrating look at the T. Don Hutto Residential Center, a former medium-security prison in Texas that re-opened in 2006 as a prototype family detention center that housed immigrant children and their parents from all over the world who were awaiting asylum hearings or deportation proceedings ... until investigations into troubling conditions at the facility caused President Obama to recently announce that immigration officials would immediately stop sending families to the facility. $24.95 from IndiePix.

WWE Home Video has three rough and tumble releases this week: "The Rise and Fall of WCW" (2009), which tells the complete story of World Championship Wrestling, from Ted Turner's purchase and entry into the world of professional wrestling, through the Monday night wars, and the company's eventual collapse. Three-disc set, $34.95 ... "WWE: The Best of Smackdown -- 10th Anniversary 1999-2009 " (2009) features the top 100 moments in the history of WWE"s Smackdown, offering nine hours of drama and entertainment; $34.95 ... "WWE: Night of Champions 2009" (2009) is a collection of Raw, SmackDown and ECW matches for the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, ECW Championship, Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship, Women's Championship, World Tag Team Championship and WWE Tag Team Championship; $24.95.

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THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:

The Adventures of Werner Holt (1965 -- Germany) Two 17 year-olds, Werner and his best friend Gilbert, are pulled out of school and into Hitler's army. While Gilbert becomes a fanatical soldier, Werner begins to understand the senselessness of war. A political and artistic masterpiece, the film was voted one of the 100 most important German films of all time. $24.95. (First Run Features).

Affairs of the Heart, Series Two (1975) Classic British Henry James anthology series, including such favorites as "An International Episode" and "Daisy Miller," featuring such stars as Derek Jacobi, Eileen Atkins, Sinead Cusack, Edward Hardwicke, Cheryl Campbell and Christopher Cazenove; six episodes in two volumes, $39.99. (Acorn Media).

An American Werewolf in London Full Moon Edition (1981) Dir.: John Landis; David Naughton, Griffin Dunne, Jenny Agutter. Extras: Featurettes: "I Walked With a Werewolf," "Beware the Moon," "Making An American Werewolf in London"; interview with John Landis; make-up artist Rick Baker on "An American Werewolf in London"; "Casting of the Hand" featurette; outtakes; storyboards; photo montage; commentary with cast members David Naughton and Griffin Dunne. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).

Animal Armageddon, Target: Earth (2009) With the aid of cutting edge research, the latest scientific theories, and CGI technology, prehistoric animals are brought back to life in this intriguing mini-series that provides an intimate look at some of the most horrific disasters ever to rock the planet. These disasters forced species to either evolve or die out, eventually bringing human life to where it is today. Deadly cosmic gamma rays, volcanic explosions, tsunamis, earthquakes and a gigantic asteroid that killed off the dinosaurs are just a few of the natural events that caused unparalleled devastation. Throughout the 600-million-year history of animal existence, most of all animal life that has ever lived is now extinct. Four episodes, $14.95. (Animal Planet/Genius Products).

Army of Darkness Screwhead Edition (1992) Dir.: Sam Raimi; Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert, Ian Abercrombie. Extras: "Creating the Deadites," alternate ending. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).

Astro Boy: The Anime Series, Volumes 1-5. The anime series based on the legendary Japanese comic series by Osamu Tezuka, known as the Japanese Walt Disney, is now available in five separate volumes just in time for the new feature film due October 23. "Astro Boy" follows an atomic-powered robot who is a reluctant superhero possessing super strength, jet-rocket feet and the ability to fly. Inspired by the anime series that originally aired in Japan in 1960, "Astro Boy: The Anime Series" was updated and modernized in 2003 with state-of-the-art animation and visuals that kept the same classic style as the original "Astro Boy" manga and anime, and debuted on the Kids WB Network in 2004. Each volume, sold separately, contains 10 episodes; $14.94. (Sony).

The Axe of Wandsbek (1951 -- Germany) Germany 1934: the Nazis need a hangman to put a group of political prisoners to death. Teetjen, the town butcher, makes the biggest mistake of his life: facing bankruptcy, he agrees to do the dirty deed. Adapted from the novel by German-Jewish author Arnold Zweig, this important classic was directed by Falk Harnack, a former anti-Nazi resistance fighter. $24.95. (First Run Features).

Barbie and the Three Musketeers (2009) Barbie plays Corinne, a young country girl headed to Paris to pursue her big dream -- to become a female musketeer. Animated feature. Extras: Bloopers, music videos. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).

The Beiderbecke Tapes. Second outing of tongue-in-cheek British mystery series about a pair of sleauthing schoolteachers -- one a jazz fan -- set to a soundtrack in the style of 1920s jazz great Bix Beiderbecke. Two episodes of the 1990s series, $39.99. (Acorn Media).

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season (2008=09) Four-disc set with 23 episodes, $44.98. Extras: "Physicist to the Stars": Real-life physicist/UCLA professor David Saltzberg's consulting relationship to the show; "Testing the Infinite Hilarity Hypothesis in Relation to the Big Bang Theory: Season Two's Unique Characters and Characteristics"; gag reel. (Warner).

Bionicle: The Legend Reborn (2009) Bionicle heroes come to life in this direct-to-video feature. Extras: Deleted and extended scenes. (Universal).

Blood and Bone (2009) Michael Jai White, Michelle Belegrin, Julian Sands, Eamonn Walker, Ron Yuan, Dante Basco. Post-modern Samurai movie has ex-con Isaiah Bone (Michael Jai White) fighting for justice and his life in the dangerous underground world of gangster-controlled Mixed Martial Arts combats. Extras: "Breaking the Mold" Behind-the-Scenes Featurette, commentary by director Ben Ramsey, DP Roy Wagner, and actors Michael Jai White, Michelle Belegrin and Dante Basco. (Sony).

Bonanza: The Official First Season, Volume One (1959) Four-disc set, $39.98.(Paramount).

Bonanza: The Official First Season, Volume Two (1959) Four-disc set, $39.98.(Paramount).

Camille (2007) James Franco, Sienna Miller, David Carradine, Ed Lauter, Scott Glenn. Camille, the sweetest girl in all of Kentucky, just married the only man she has ever loved, Silas, a bad boy with a sordid past -- but Silas could care less about Camille and is hoping to use their "fantasy" honeymoon as a way to escape parole and flee to Canada. But an accident along the way changes everything -- Camille pulls herself from the wreckage and seems unscathed, but soon Silas discovers that perhaps she didn't survive the accident after all. Something magical is happening, and Camille won't let anything stand in the way of their life together ... not even her own mortality. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (National Entertainment Media).

Crash: The Complete First Season (2008=09) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $59.97. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. Extras:" Behind the Scenes of Crash" featurette, Episode 13 alternate ending, character bios, Season 2 promo; Blu-ray adds "Character Track," a feature that allows viewers to pick from selected characters and watch that particular story arc exclusively. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).

CSI: Miami: The Seventh Season (2008-09) Six-disc set with 25 episodes, $71.41. (Paramount).

Deadgirl (2008) Shiloh Fernandez, Noah Segan. Teen horror thriller thought to be too controversial to release but nevertheless went on to shock audiences at the Toronto International Film Festival and at midnight screenings. Available in two versions: the original R-rated cut and the unrated Director's Cut. High school misfits Rickie and JT cut school and go wandering in the decaying remains of a nearby abandoned mental hospital, where they make a gruesome discovery: a young woman stripped naked and chained to a table, a plastic bag over her head. She seems dead, until one of the boys touches her and she moves. Rickie wants to call the police, but JT stops him -- he has more demented plans in mind for the helpless girl. Director's Cut Extras: "Making Of" documentary, cast and crew commentary, make-up effects featurette, stills gallery. (Dark Sky Films).

Directed by John Ford (2009) In 1971 Peter Bogdanovich made a fascinating documentary about legendary John Ford in which Henry Fonda, James Stewart and John Wayne revealed first-hand tales about the man often cited as America's greatest, most influential filmmaker. Thirty-five years later there were more stories to tell -- by, among others, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Katharine Hepburn. Bogdanovich wove these new interviews into a re-edited, restructured documentary offering a more personal vision of the man and his work. Packed with clips, anecdotes and insights. $19.97. (Warner).

Easy Virtue (2009) Dir.: Stephan Elliot; Stars: Jessica Biel, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, Ben Barnes, Kimberley Nixon, Katherine Parkinson. Extras: Deleted scenes, blooper reel, commentary by director Stephen Elliot and writer Sheridan Jobbins. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).

Essential Art House: Volume Four. Three DVD debuts: Marcel Carne's dark masterwork "Le jour se leve" (1939), starring Jean Gabin; Rene Clement's "Emile Zola" adaptation "Gervaise" (1956); and Anatole Litvak's tragic romance "Mayerling" (1936), starring Charles Boyer; plus Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" (1935); Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's "The Tales of Hoffmann" (1951) and Akira Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood" (1957). Each title features a beautiful digital transfer and informative liner notes. Available individually at $19.95 each or in a boxed set for $99.95. (The Criterion Collection).

Fame: Deluxe Musical Edition (1980) Dir.: Alan Parker; Debbie Allen, Eddie Barth, Irene Cara, Lee Curreri, Laura Dean, Antonia Franceschi. Two-disc set with the full CD soundtrack. Extras: "Class Reunion" commentary featuring director Alan Parker and co-stars Lee Curreri, Laura Dean, Gene Anthony Ray and Maureen Teefy; vintage featurette: "On Location With Fame," "Fame Field Trip" visits the school that inspired the movie. (New Line).

Fame Seasons One and Two (1982-83) Nine-disc set with 38 episodes, $39.98. Timed for the Sept. 25 theatrical release of MGM's remake of "Fame." Extras: "Fame: Then and Now" featurette. (MGM).

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood Deluxe Edition (1988) Kane Hodder, Lar Park-Lincoln, Susan Jennifer Sullivan. Extras: Killer commentary by director John Carl Buechler, actors Lar Park Lincoln and Kane Hodder; "Jason's Destroyer: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood"; "Mind Over Matter: The Truth About Telekinesis"; "Makeover by Maddy: Need a Little Touch-Up Work, My Ass"; "Slashed Scenes." (Paramount).

Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan Deluxe Edition (1989) Todd Caldecott, Tiffany Paulsen, Scott Reeves, Jensen Daggett, Kane Hodder. Extras: Killer commentary by actors Scott Reeves, Jensen Daggett and Kane Hodder; "New York Has a Problem: The Making of Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan"; gag reel; slashed scenes. (Paramount).

Full Battle Rattle (2008) A revelatory look at the soul of the American war machine -- an astonishing journey inside a once top-secret military base where U.S. soldiers train to confront a new kind of enemy. In California's Mojave Desert, the U.S. Army has built a billion dollar urban warfare simulation -- a cluster of towns and villages modeled on counterparts in the Middle East, complete with full-time residents played by Iraqi-Americans. With un-restricted access, the filmmakers follow an Army Battalion through the simulation as they attempt to bring peace and prosperity to one village perched on the brink of civil war. As the mood in the village shifts from friendly banter to violent clashes, the Battalion struggles to win the respect of the townsfolk and defeat an insurgency played, ironically, by American soldiers. $24.95. (First Run Features).

The Getaway Double Feature. "The Getaway" (1972), directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw, Ben Johnson, Sally Struthers, Al Lettieri, Slim Pickens. Extras: Commentary by Sam Peckinpah biographers/documentarians Nick Redman, Paul Seydor, Garner Simmons and David Weddle; "Virtual" commentary by Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw and Sam Peckinpah. "The Getaway"(1994)Directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Alec Baldwin, Kim Basinger, Michael Madsen, James Woods, David Morse, Jennifer Tilly. (Warner).

Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Fifth Season (2008-09) Seven-disc set with 23 episodes, $59.99. Extras: "In Stitches: Season Five Outtakes," "Dissecting Grey's Anatomy: Unaired Scenes," "Heaven Sent," "100th Episode: Tales from the O.R." (Disney).

Hairspray: Deluxe Music Edition (2007) John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Elijah Kelley, Nikki Blonsky, Brittney Snow. Two-disc set with the full CD soundtrack.Extras: Commentaries, five featurettes. (New Line).

Heartland: Season 1, Part 1 (2007) Two-disc set with the first seven episodes of the sprawling Canadian television series that follows two sisters and their grandfather through the highs and lows of life on a horse ranch; $24.98. (E1 Entertainment).

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season Four (2008) Three-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.95. Extras: "The Nightman Cometh Live!" performance, "Dennis Reynolds: An Erotic Life," blooper reel. (Fox)/

John Wayne -- John Film Ford Collection. Seven-disc set with "The Searchers" two-Disc Special Edition, "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "Fort Apache," "Wings of Eagles," "3 Godfathers" and "They Were Expendable," plus the new-to-DVD documentary "Directed by John Ford," Peter Bogdanovich's updated 1971 documentary. $59.92. (Warner).

The Lost and Found Family (2009) Lucas Till, Ellen Bry, Jessica Luza. Family drama. When her husband dies, Mrs. Ester Hobbes (Bry) learns that his wealth was just an illusion. Her only real inheritance is a run-down Southern home occupied by a foster family. She moves in with the intention of selling the house, but slowly she finds herself making unexpected connections with the family, including rebellious teen Justin (Till) and the rest of the unwanted kids. (Sony).

Marvel X-Men: Volume 3. Two-disc set with 15 episodes, $23.99. The X-Men are back for more nonstop thrills and excitement in Volume 3 of the definitive animated series. (Disney).

Marvel X-Men: Volume 4. Two-disc set with 14 episodes, $23.99. The X-Men are back for more nonstop thrills and excitement in Volume 4 of the definitive animated series. (Disney).

The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack Vol. 1 (2008) Five episodes of the Cartoon Network series for boys 6 to 14, $14.97. Extras: "Adventures in Voice Acting," "Adventures in Animation," "Misadventures in Song," more. (Warner).

The Modern Con Man Collection (2009) America's #1 Con Man, Todd Robbins, shares his catalog of cons and playful scams. This three DVD set shows viewers how easy it is to scam, bet, and trick one's way to a free drink, a few extra bucks at the poker table, and laughs at the expense of co-workers. Everyone loves a good con and now, thanks to Robbins, everyone can get in on the action. $29.95. (First Run Features).

Monster Force: Volume One (1994) Single-disc with seven animated episodes, $19.98. (Universal).

My Name Is Earl Season Four (2008-09) Four-disc set with 27 episodes, $49.98. Extras: Deleted scenes, gag reel, "Earl's Fan Mail" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).

Mysteries of the Freemasons (2008) History documentary reveals the untold story of the world's oldest secret society. George Washington, Paul Revere and Ben Franklin were all members. So were Mozart and Duke Ellington. The Freemasons are the world's most famous secret society, a nearly 400-year-old organization whose influence is the subject of intense debate and a favorite subject of conspiracy theorists worldwide. Extras: Bonus program "Secret Societies" that uncovers more about the Freemasons, as well as other secret societies such as the Illumniati and Skull and Bones. $19.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).

Next Day Air (2009) Mike Epps, Wood Harris, Donald Faison, Omari Hardwick, Emilio Rivera, Darius McCrary, Cisco Reyes, Yasmin Deliz, Mos Def, Debbie Allen . Extras: Commentary by the director and producer, outtakes. (Summit Entertainment).

Nightwatching (2007) Dir.: Peter Greenaway; Martin Freeman, Emily Holmes, Jodhi May, Toby Jones. An extravagant, exotic and moving look at Rembrandt's romantic and professional life, and the controversy he created by the identification of a murderer in the painting "The Night Watch." The bold and courageous painting, exceptional in aesthetics and content, is Rembrandt's most celebrated, consolidating his reputation as a master-painter but also destroying him socially and financially. (E1 Entertainment).

Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037 (2009) Follows the creation of one Steinway concert grand, #L1037, from forest floor to concert hall. Each piano's journey is complex, spanning 12 months, 12,000 parts, 450 craftsmen, and countless hours of fine-tuned labor. Filmed in key Steinway locations -- the factory in Queens, Steinway's reserved "Bank" and the rooms of private auditions -- this documentary is a loving celebration not just of craftsmanship, but of a dying breed of person who is deeply connected to working by hand. Features pianists Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Kenny Barron, Bill Charlap, Harry Connick Jr., Helene Grimaud, Hank Jones, Lang Lang and Marcus Roberts. Extras: Performances by featured pianists, interviews with featured pianists and Henry Z. Steinway, deleted scenes. $26.95. (Docurama).

One Step Beyond: The Official First Season (1959) Three-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.99. (Paramount).

PVC-1 (2007 -- Columbia) Shot in real time, "PVC-1" is based on the true story of a woman who is turned into a human time bomb in a bizarre act of terrorism. Director Spiros Stathoulopoulos tells the story -- in real time and in one take -- of a poor family in rural Colombia whose world is suddenly, horribly turned upside down. A group of masked men invade the family's home and lock PVC-1 tubing filled with explosives around the wife's neck, demanding a ransom. The largely nonprofessional cast adds to the film's authentic this-is-really-happening effect. (IFC Films).

Phantasm II (1988) Dir.: Don Coscarelli; James LeGros, Reggie Bannister, Angus Scrimm, Paula Irvine, Samantha Phillips.(Universal).

Primeval: Volume 2(2008) BBC TV series. When strange anomalies in time start to appear all over England, Professor Cutter and his team have to help track down and capture all sorts of dangerous prehistoric creatures from Earth's distant past. $49.98. Extras: Commentary, behind-the-scenes featurette, "Monster Competition" featurette. (Warner).

Private Practice: The Complete Second Season (2008-09) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.99. Extras: "Patient Confidentiality" discussion with creator-executive producer Shonda Rhimes, executive producer Betsy Beers and actors Paul Adelstein and Amy Brenneman about the controversial issues encountered on Season 2; "Life Through the Lens: The Pictures of Chris Lowell"; extended episodes; deleted scenes; bloopers. (Disney).

The Rise and Fall of WCW (2009) WCW grew out of a southern promotion, into a giant that battled World Wrestling Entertainment every Monday night. For the first time, the complete story of World Championship Wrestling, from Ted Turner's purchase and entry into the world of professional wrestling, through the Monday night wars, and the company's eventual collapse. Documentary plus 20 classic WCW matches including nWo, Sting, Goldberg, Ric Flair, more. Three-disc set, $34.95. (WWE Home Video).

Rumba (2009 -- Belgium/France) Latin dance and black comedy make strange bedfellows. From the Belgian directorial/performing trio of husband-and-wife Dominique Abel (L'iceberg) and Fiona Gordon and Bruno Romy comes an old-fashioned silent film comedy re-worked into a modern day fairy tale and filled with memorable visual gags. Set in a rural Belgian community, Rumba opens with mild-mannered, provincial schoolteachers Dom (Abel) and Fiona (Gordon) who share a common passion -- Latin Dance. After rehearsing for weeks to win a dance contest, they capture the trophy; however, their joy is short-lived when they crash their car on the way home. But, although Fiona loses her leg and Dom loses his memory, there's nothing that can keep them off the dance floor -- not even a clumsy wooden leg or a burned-down house. Extras: Deleted scenes, outtakes. (Koch Lorber).

Sanctuary (2008) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $44.98. Extras: Commentaries by cast and crew including Amanda Tapping, creator Damian Kindler, director Martin Wood and more; three making-of featurettes ("Welcome to the Sanctuary," "Sanctuary Residents" and "Sanctuary Visual Effects"); the original Sanctuary webisodes (which provided the inspiration for the television series); bloopers reel; behind-the-scenes photo gallery; sneak peek at Season 2. (E1 Entertainment).

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Volume 2: Clone Commandos (2009) Four episodes from the animated TV series, $14.98. (Warner).

The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit (2009) New, CGI feature-length movie has Strawberry Shortcake and her friends trying to safely remove a huge boulder that a terrible storm dropped into their town, threatening everything they hold dear. $19.98. Extras: Sing-along. (Fox).

The Transformers: Season Two Volume, One 25th Anniversary Edition. Four-disc set with 28 episodes, $29.99. (Shout! Factory).

Triangle (2007 -- Hong Kong) A group of tight-knit friends, down on their luck and desperate for cash, embark on the adventure of a lifetime in this tense and comedic crime caper. The unique film is comprised of three independently filmed and produced sections, created by Hong Kong cinema masters Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and Johnnie To, each famous for his distinctive style. When the men are offered the chance of a lifetime by a mysterious stranger -- to steal an ancient treasure buried beneath a heavily-guarded government building in the heart of Hong Kong -- they jump at the chance to solve their money troubles. Adulterous affairs, traitorous alliances and crooked cops complicate the dangerous heist, and when it all goes wrong the three friends must choose between their ill-gotten treasure and loyalty to each other as their lives are laid on the line. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).

WWE: The Best of Smackdown -- 10th Anniversary 1999-2009 (2009) Features the top 100 moments in the history of WWE"s Smackdown. Offers nine hours of the best drama, and entertainment from a network television staple of the last 10 years. Includes some of the biggest names in wrestling entertainment history, such as Undertaker, Triple H, the Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Jeff Hardy, Eddie Guerrero, Edge, Chris Jericho, and many more. Three-disc set, $34.95. (WWE Home Video).

WWE: Night of Champions 2009 (2009) A collection of Raw, SmackDown and ECW matches for the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, ECW Championship, Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship, Women's Championship, World Tag Team Championship and WWE Tag Team Championship; features Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena; CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy; Michelle McColl vs. Melina, more. Single-disc set, $24.95. (WWE Home Video).

Wagon Master (2009) John Ford's "Wagon Master" is one of the legendary filmmaker's personal favorites, a visually stirring celebration of Western will and cooperation set to the soundtrack crooning of The Sons of the Pioneers. Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr. and Ward Bond (who would later lead TV's Wagon Train) and other familiar Ford stock company players take the reins in this paean to the pioneer spirit in which outlaws are using a Mormon wagon train as a hideout from a pursuing posse. Extras: Commentary by Harry Carey Jr. and Peter Bogdanovich with John Ford. (Warner).

Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death (2008) First half hour Wallace & Gromit adventure since 2005. The hilarious duo is back, brought to life through seamless stop-motion animation and brilliant storytelling from Oscar-winner Nick Park. Wallace and Gromit have opened a new bakery business -- Top Bun -- but a deadly murderer is targeting all the bakers in town. Wallace couldn't care -- he's found true love in the shape of Piella Bakewell, former star of the Bake-O-Lite bread commercials. Can Gromit discover the identity of the Cereal Killer before Wallace becomes the next victim? Extras: "How They Donut" making-of featurette, commentary by director Nick Park and editor David McCormick, "Wallace & Gromit Grand Adventure" video game demo. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).

Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Collection. All four Wallace & Gromit outings: "The Wrong Trousers," "A Close Shave," "A Grand Day Out" and their latest title, "A Matter of Loaf and Death." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).

White Night Wedding (2008 -- Iceland) Hilmir Snaer Gudnasson, Laufey Eliasdottir. Adaptation of Anton Chekhov's drama of marital discord, "Ivanov." Iceland's official entry for 2009 best foreign-language film. A middle-aged professor, Jon, is preparing to marry an ex-student half his age. But not everyone thinks this "blessed union" is a good idea, among them the parents of his future wife, Thora. For one thing, Jon's first wife committed suicide and he remains racked with guilt. For another, Thora's parents run the only store, hotel and bar on the island of Flatey where the wedding is to take place, and Jon owes his future mother-in-law money. Even the reverend who is to conduct the ceremony thinks the marriage is doomed. As the guests flock to Flatey, the groom begins to get cold feet. Can love survive one final night under the midnight sun? (IFC Films).

The Wolf Man Special Edition (1941) Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi, Maria Ouspenskaya. Two-disc set. Extras: "Monster by Moonlight,: commentary, "The Wolf Man Archives," production notes, cast and filmmakers. (Universal Legacy Series)

The Wonder of It All (2009) Documentary commemorates the 40th anniversary of humankind's first step on the moon. Astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Eugene Cernan, Charlie Duke, Edgar Mitchell, Harrison Schmitt and John Young reflect on their lives with NASA footage and rarely seen private family photos. Film looks at their childhoods, their training, the tragedies, the camaraderie and the extraordinary accomplishment of setting foot on another world. (Indican Pictures).

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) Hugh Jackman, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, will.i.am, Dominic Monaghan, Daniel Henney. Available as a single-disc DVD, two-disc Special Edition DVD and two-disc Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary by director Gavin Hood; commentary by producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter; "The Roots of Wolverine: A Conversation with X-Men Creators Stan Lee and Len Wein"; "Wolverine Unleashed: The Complete Origins" featurette; deleted and alternate scenes; digital copy; more. (Fox).

For more DVD info, check out our DVD calendar pages at
<http://www.onvideo.org/calendar/cal_dvd.htm>

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