DVD details: This week's new releases

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Published: October 20, 2009

New releases

→" Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”: The war between the Autobots and the Decepticons rages anew, with young Sam (Shia LaBeouf) still caught in the middle, in director Michael Bay’s sequel inspired by Hasbro toys. Optimus Prime (voice of Peter Cullen) again leads the assault on Megatron (voice of Hugo Weaving) and other enemies. DVD extras: 12 "making of” documentaries; extended scenes; music video. (PG-13: AS, P, V)

→"Homicide: Life on the Street — Complete Series”: Though the former NBC drama has been released in its entirety on DVD before, its reissue in a 35-disc set is worth noting. Inspired by David Simon’s nonfiction book, the much-honored drama features a sterling acting ensemble as it details the cases of a Baltimore police unit. (Not rated: AS, P, V)

→"The L Word: Final Season”: The Showtime program centered around gay women based the eight episodes of its sixth and last round on the shocking death of one of its regular characters. The cast includes Jennifer Beals, Mia Kirshner, Pam Grier and Marlee Matlin. DVD extras: two "making of” documentaries; photo journal by Beals. (Not rated: AS, P, V)

→"The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour: Best of Season 2”: Widely recalled as the most consistently controversial comedy-variety series aired on broadcast television, the CBS show fronted by siblings Tom and Dick yields another DVD collection that they had a hand in assembling. Second-year guests included Woody Allen, the Who, Simon and Garfunkel, Bette Davis, George Burns, Kenny Rogers, Glen Campbell and U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. (Not rated: AS)

→"It’s Garry Shandling’s Show: Complete Series”: It’s become common for a comedy talent to build a show around a slightly fictionalized version of himself or herself, but it was a revolutionary idea when Shandling tried it for Showtime in the mid-to-late 1980s. Guests range from singer Tom Petty to "Saturday Night Live” icon Gilda Radner. (Not rated: AS, P)

→"Vega$: First Season, Volume 1”: ABC gave a healthy run to the drama that established Robert Urich as a leading man as private eye Dan Tanna. Tony Curtis made frequent appearances, and Greg Morris played the police detective who kept close watch on the hero. (Not rated: AS, V)

Coming soon

→Oct. 27: "The Guardian: First Season,” "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaur,” "The Man From Oklahoma,” "Mannix: Third Season,” "Nothing Like the Holidays,” "Orphan,” "Whatever Works.”

→Nov. 3: "Aliens in the Attic,” "Edge of Darkness: Complete Series,” "Food, Inc.,” "Fraggle Rock: Complete Final Season,” "G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra,” "Here’s Lucy: Season 2,” "I Love You, Beth Cooper,” "The Shield: Complete Series,” "Spin City: Complete Third Season,” "Star Wars: The Clone Wars — Complete Season One,” "The Taking of Pelham 123.”

Family viewing guide key: AS, adult situations; N, nudity; P, profanity; V, violence; GV, particularly graphic violence.

From Staff and Wire Reports