What's new on DVD

2008-06-12 / Dining & Entertainment

Film and television author Randy Williams reviews the latest movies, television shows, documentaries and music programs now available for purchase online and at retail stores.

Indiana Jones: The Adventure Collection (Paramount)- One of Hollywood's most iconic characters is now available for the first time on DVD as a triple feature package. "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Temple of Doom" and "The Last Crusade" come together just as the fourth edition, "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" arrives in theaters. Harrison Ford is brilliant as archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones. The set offers a treasure trove of special features, plus new introductions by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. More than a dozen allnew segments include "The Mystery of the Melting Face," "Indy's Women Reminisce," "Snakes Alive!" and "The Birth of an Action Hero."

Enchanted (Disney)- In a twist on the genre, this movie explores what happens when a princess from a fairy-tale world is magically transported into the real world. The live-action element of this fish-out-of-water tale begins when princess-to-be Giselle (Amy Adams) is banished from the animated land of Andalasia and finds herself in chaotic Manhattan, where her wideeyed innocence changes the life of a cynical divorce lawyer. Bonus features include deleted scenes, bloopers and an exploration of the technical wizardry behind the production.

Eight Men Out: 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition (MGM)- David Strathairn, John Cusack and John Mahoney lead a fine ensemble of actors in this riveting baseball drama about the infamous 1919 Chicago White Sox gambling scandal, certainly one of the saddest chapters in the annals of professional sports. Extras include commentary by director John Sayles; a twopart retrospective; "The Story Behind the Movie," an in-depth look at the Black Sox Scandal; and "DB, the Bat & the 2005 World Series," a recap of the 2005 White Sox World Series Championship.

Saturday Night Live: The Complete Third Season (Universal)- Continuing the brilliant success of the previous two seasons, the third year of SNL showcased a fearless cast that created some of the most memorable sketches to ever appear on the storied program. Classic characters grew, like The Nerds (Bill Murray and Gilda Radner), Coneheads (Dan Akroyd and Jane Curtin) and Samurai Warrior (John Belushi). Hosts and musical guests include Steve Martin, Michael Palin, Hugh Hefner, Ray Charles, Billy Joel and Willie Nelson. Special features include "Things We Did Last Summer" and a wardrobe test with John Belushi and Howard Shore.

Ultimate Scandinavia (Globetrekkertv.com)- This double-disc offering explores the sights and sounds of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) and Lapland. Youthful and energetic guides Megan McCormick, Ian Wright and Neil Gibson split the fun as they take you to a Viking festival and a reindeer farm and on a trek through bear-infested forests. In addition, they present a touch of cultural history and the leading city centers of the region.

Man vs. Wild (Discovery)- Alone in the wilderness. It can and has happened to far too many people. Now comes the vacationer's survival guide. In a simple yet compelling and forthright manner, former British Special Forces member Bear Grylls, who has scaled Mount Everest and explored the Arctic, shows us how to stay alive in some of the toughest yet most visited environments on earth. From the Sierra Nevadas to the Florida Everglades, Grylls puts himself in the position of a stranded tourist as he climbs sheer cliffs, navigates torrid white-water rivers and copes with freezing weather, all the while seeking nourishment to survive. From roots and berries to maggots and raw fish, it's what to do on a vacation gone wrong.

Victory at Sea: Three-Disc Collector's Edition (St. Clair)- The complete set, 26 episodes, of this timeless documentary series showcases the U.S. Navy during World War II. From U-boat wolfpacks to the epic battles at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, every major naval engagement is captured using amazing footage filmed by not only Allied personnel but those from Japan and Germany as well. Eloquently narrated by Leonard Graves with a riveting musical score, this multiEmmy and Peabody winner is one of the standardbearers for how to produce documentaries.

I Spy: Seasons 13 (Image)- This is special. "I Spy" is, on multiple levels, one of the true groundbreaking series in television history. Debuting in 1965 and starring Robert Culp and Bill Cosby as U.S. agents, this was the first series to cast a black actor opposite a white one with equal status and billing. And, by doing so, gave Bill Cosby the opportunity to become the first African American to win an Emmy- he would win three in a row- as Best Lead Actor in a Drama. Sold separately with five discs each, every season is full of intrigue as the pair fight highlevel crime with cool bravado and a certain savoir-faire.

The Three Stooges Collection: Volume Two (Sony)- The classic slapstick trio are back for more. An inspiration to generations of comedians that followed, The Three Stooges are presented here with a new two-disc volume featuring 24 digitally restored film shorts. Arranged chronologically from the period of 1937 to 1939, Moe, Larry and Curly perform some of their most popular material, including "Dizzy Doctors," "Saved by the Belle" and "Wee Wee Monsieur." More than five hours of merry mayhem as only these knuckleheads can provide. Nyuk nyuk nyuk.

CSI: The Seventh Season (CBS)- Follow the evidence again with 24 more episodes of Crime Scene Investigation, winner of the People's Choice Award for Favorite Television Drama three years in a row. William Peterson leads an elite team of police forensic evidence investigation experts in Las Vegas. Comes with a labful of special features, including "Inside 'Built to Kill,'" "Miniature Murders" and "Las Vegas: The Real Crime Solvers."

Dirty Harry: Ultimate

Collector's Edition (Warner Bros.)- This seven-disc package includes all five films starring Clint Eastwood as unconventional San Francisco police inspector Harry Callahan. Special segments about Eastwood as a director, commentary by Eastwood, assorted cast and writer/director interviews are included, plus a feature-length documentary, "Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows"; a 40pluspage hardcover book; a wallet with metal badge and removable laminated I.D. card; five 5by7inch reproduction lobby poster cards plus an exclusive collector's edition card; "Scorpio: Portrait of a Killer," a postersized (19-by-27-inch) map of San Francisco detailing Harry's hunt for the killer; and never-before-seen production correspondence. Go ahead, make someone's day.

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