Summer DVD releases shine

The summer months bring a tidal wave of blockbusters to movie theaters. But that doesn't mean the DVD machine slows down. For those who prefer to hole up indoors, where the air is conditioned and the UV index is extremely low, here are some coming attractions headed for the small screen:

"Munich" Tuesday. The last of this year's Oscar-nominees for Best Picture to hit DVD, "Munich" comes in a standard version and this two-disc collector's edition, which includes numerous featurettes. But don't expect commentary from director Steven Spielberg; in keeping with his audio trackless trend, he remains mute for this release.

"Napoleon Dynamite: Like, the Best Special Edition Ever!" May 16. They have purchased "Vote for Pedro" T-shirts and talking "Napoleon Dynamite" pens. So odds are fans will buy this tricked-out, two-disc version of the high-school-geek comedy that put the word "Gosh!" back into the American vernacular. More featurettes, fresh out-takes and a new documentary are all part of the mix. As my talking Napoleon doll would say: "Sweet!"

"High School Musical: Encore Edition" May 23. If you are a preteen girl or know one well, you probably have seen the Disney Channel flick/pre-adolescent phenomenon that is "High School Musical." The popular TV movie already has spawned a best-selling soundtrack, and this DVD debut is destined to join it on the Billboard charts. So don't be surprised to see a hoard of young ladies rushing the doors of your nearest video retailer later this month.

"The Bette Davis Collection, Vol. 2" May 30. The second in a continuing series of Davis collections includes "Marked Woman," "The Man Who Came to Dinner," "Old Acquaintance," a remastered version of "Jezebel" and a two-disc special edition of the campy "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"

"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: Two-Disc Collector's Edition" June 6. Fox Home Entertainment rereleases the Robert Redford/Paul Newman classic with a new making-of documentary and more. And wouldn't you know, it arrives just in time for Father's Day gift-giving. What a coincidence.

"Dazed and Confused: The Criterion Collection" June 6. When I reviewed Universal's unabashedly lame "special" edition of "Dazed and Confused" two years ago, I voiced the faint hope that someday the Criterion Collection would release another, superior DVD. Apparently dreams do come true; the Criterion version of one of the best high school movies ever -- featuring a commentary track by director Richard Linklater, a 50-minute making-of documentary, behind-the-scenes footage and more -- is on the way.

"The Omen: Collector's Edition" June 20. Let's say you see the remake of "The Omen," arriving in theaters, appropriately enough, on 06/06/06. And let's further say that afterward you still feel an unquenchable desire to see more of that demonic Damien. Well, you're in luck: A revamped DVD of the original "Omen" arrives and includes deleted scenes, featurettes and an appreciation by horror master Wes Craven.

"2005 Austin City Limits Music Festival" June 20. When they're not rocking out at summer concerts, music fans can keep the live-show vibe going with this two-disc DVD. Featuring a variety of artists -- among them Steve Earle, Thievery Corporation, Rachael Yamagata and Kaiser Chiefs -- and extras such as mini-documentaries, interviews and additional performances, there shouldn't be any need to demand an encore.

"Amazing Stories: The Complete First Season" July 18. In the mid-1980s, filmmaker Steven Spielberg produced this television series, the "The Twilight Zone" of its era. Making its debut on DVD this summer, the episodes are flecked with the faces of famous actors -- Kevin Costner, Kiefer Sutherland, Tim Robbins, Harvey Kietel -- and the work of well-known directors, including Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese and Mr. Spielberg himself.