DVDs and video

Recent releases

"OVER THE HEDGE" In a year loaded with cute little talking cartoon characters, this comedy featuring the voices of Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling and Steve Carell was one of the top hits. Willis provides vocals for a sly raccoon running a con on his newfound "family" -- including a turtle (Shandling), a squirrel (Carell) and other woodland creatures. The DVD has a new short cartoon starring Carell's manic squirrel character and a spoof infomercial featuring the movie's pest-control technician urging job seekers to come to exterminator school. Directors Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick provide commentary for the movie.

"THE BREAK-UP" Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn scored a solid romantic hit with this mix of comedy and drama about a relationship gone stale. Aniston plays an art gallery dealer who calls it quits with boyfriend Vaughn, a tour bus guide, the two sharing their trendy condo after both are too stubborn to move out. The DVD extras include about 20 minutes of deleted scenes, including an alternate ending with essentially the same dialogue as the finale in the theatrical release but in a different setting with extra characters that dramatically change the tone. Aniston and Vaughn provide one commentary track, director Peyton Reed another.

"THE OMEN" The ultimate bad seed returns in a remake of the 1976 horror tale about the spawn of Satan unleashing hell on Earth. Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles stand in for the original's Gregory Peck and Lee Remick as parents who take in an orphan baby after theirs is stillborn, only to discover years later who their little boy's real dad is. The DVD has an extended version of the ending and longer variations of two other scenes, along with an alternate ending and a behind-the-scenes featurette. Director John Moore is joined by his editor and one of the producers for commentary.

"AMERICAN DREAMZ" Writer-director Paul Weitz ("American Pie," "About a Boy") assembled a top-notch cast but could not find an audience for his commercial dud that satirizes politics, reality TV and modern celebrity. Dennis Quaid plays a George W. Bush-style president whose kingmaker (Willem Dafoe) arranges for him to appear as a guest judge on the finale of an "American Idol"-like TV talent show. Hugh Grant, Mandy Moore and Marcia Gay Harden co-star. The DVD has deleted scenes and two behind-the-scenes segments, one featuring Moore. Weitz also provides commentary.

"REDS" Warren Beatty's 1981 epic set against the Russian Revolution makes its DVD debut in a two-disc set. Beatty, who won the Academy Award for best director, stars with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson in the story of an American journalist and a feminist whose communist sympathies lead them into the heart of the revolution, only to find their ideals twisted to suit the Soviet regime. DVD featurettes examine shooting locations, set design, editing, music and the cast, which includes supporting-actress Oscar winner Maureen Stapleton.

"CSI: NY -- THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON" The forensics formula continues in this second spinoff of the crime franchise, starring Gary Sinise as a New York City detective heading a crack team of evidence gatherers. The six-disc set has year two's 24 episodes, with commentary on five.

"THAT '70S SHOW: SEASON FIVE" The '70s are back in the sitcom starring Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher as Wisconsin high school pals living through the funky decade. Season five's 25 episodes come in a four-disc set, accompanied by a featurette with co-stars Wilmer Valderrama and Danny Masterson.

"CHARMED: THE COMPLETE SIXTH SEASON" The three weird sisters (Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan) return to use their witchy powers in more supernatural adventures. All 21 episodes from season six are packed in a six-disc set.

"BIG LOVE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON" Bill Paxton stars as a family man times three -- a Salt Lake City businessman coping with the pleasures and pains of having three wives (Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin). The first 12 episodes come in a five-disc set.

"STARSKY & HUTCH: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON" It's the final season for Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul as one of TV's favorite pairs of buddy cops. The last 22 episodes are contained in a five-disc set.

"LA FEMME NIKITA: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON" Also wrapping up her TV run is Peta Wilson, who is back for the final year of the action series about a deadly undercover agent. A three-disc set has the last eight episodes, with deleted scenes on three.

"MURDER, SHE WROTE: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON" Angela Lansbury is back in the mystery game as a crime novelist who solves real cases on the side. The five-disc set has season four's 22 episodes, along with a bonus episode from year five.

"ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS: SEASON TWO" The anthology series from the master of suspense continues with a five-disc set packing the second season's 39 episodes. Guest stars in season two included Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn and Rip Torn.