Agatha Christie's Marple, Series 4
(2008-09) Four-disc set with four gripping new adaptations of Christie mysteries, starring Julia McKenzie, $59.99. (Acorn Media).
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Delgo
(2009) Voices of Freddie Prinze Jr., Jennifer Love Hewitt, Val Kilmer, Chris Kattan, Kelly Ripa, Anne Bancroft, Lou Gossett Jr., Burt Reynolds. Direct-to-video animated adventure. The land of Jhamora is torn apart by the mutual prejudice of two peoples -- the winged Nohrin, masters of the skies, and the terrestrial Lockni, who harness the mystical powers of the land. When Delgo (Prinze Jr.), a reckless Lockni teenager, forms a forbidden friendship with the spunky Nohrin Princess Kyla (Hewitt), hostilities between the two peoples escalate, setting the stage for an exiled Empress (Bancroft) to exact her revenge and reclaim her rule. Extras: Commentary by the directors, featurettes, behind-the-scenes documentary, "Sounds of Delgo,"
"Meet the Characters," "See the Creatures," award-winning animated short: "Chroma Chameleon," deleted scenes. (Fox).
Demon Warriors
(2008 -- Thailand) A police investigator learns of a group of invincible warriors who must die and be resurrected to achieve superpowers; he decides to infiltrate the group but becomes seduced by his new powers and immortality. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Dive Olly Dive! Ship Shape Sub,
(2009) Five episodes of the 3D-animated underwater adventure series for preschoolers that airs daily on PBS Sprout; $12.99. (NCircle Entertainment).
Elvis Presley: The Ed Sullivan Shows: The Performances
Elvis' unforgettable first three performances on the Ed Sullivan Show. Appearing on the show Sept. 9, 1956, Elvis sent shock waves through a repressed nation with his soulful singing, wild hip gyrations and raw energy, attracting a record-breaking TV audience of more than 60 million. Presley returned on Oct. 28, 1956, continuing to provoke ecstatic screams with hits such as "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender" and "Hound Dog." In fact, these exhilarating performances were so explosive that Elvis was filmed above the waist during his final Sullivan show appearance on January 6, 1957. Extras: A rare home movie capturing a very early Elvis performance, shot on August 7, 1955, at Magnolia Gardens near Houston, Texas; "Elvis and Ed remembered, Elvis Is on His Way!" Ed Sullivan Show clips; home movies of Elvis and Priscilla, Elvis and his friends cutting up on a film set and some of the first shots of daughter Lisa Marie; collectible booklet featuring liner notes by Griel Marcus. (Image Entertainment).
The 5 Deadly Venoms
(1978 -- Hong Kong) Philip Kwok. Martial arts masterpiece that inspired generations of action films, rap music, and pop culture. The dying master of the notorious Poison Clan assigns his final martial arts student one last, epic quest -- find his five most mysterious and dangerous disciples, each trained in a different fighting style, each hiding under an assumed identity, and bring them together ... or bring them to justice. Extras: Commentary by Hong Kong Cinema expert Bey Logan. (The Weinstein Co. Dragon Dynasty label/Genius Products).
Fragments (Winged Creatures)
(2008) Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson. In the aftermath of a gruesome restaurant murder, the survivors of the attack are left to ponder their own mortality and how it relates to their connection to society. Extras: Commentary. (Sony).
Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Second Season
Two-disc set with 10 episodes, $29.98. Extras: Deleted scenes, featurette. (HBO Home Entertainment).
Hippos and Rhinos
Four kid-friendly programs -- "Jessica the Hippo," "There's a Rhino In My House," "Saba and the Rhino's Secret" and "That's My Baby: Cleo the Hippo" -- from Animal Planet; $14.95.(Genius Products).
Hollywood Kills
(2006) Dominic Keating, Happy Mahaney, Angela DiMarco, Mathew Scollon, Gillian Shure, Zack Ward. Four Hollywood kids get involved with an insane director as "stars/victims" in his new breed of filmmaking, "Horror Reality." (Osiris Entertainment).
Icons of Screwball Comedy: Volume 1
Two-disc set with four classic screwball comedies from the '30s and '40s: "If You Could Only Cook," "Too Many Husbands," "My Sister Eileen" and "She Wouldn't Say Yes"; $16.25. Extras: "Ain't Love Cuckoo?" (1946) short screwball comedy. More info on the titles. (Sony).
Adam-12: Season Three
(1970-71) Four-disc set with 26 episodes, $34.99. (Shout! Factory).
Almost Heaven
(2006) Donal Logue, Tom Conti, Lynda Boyd, Julie Cox, Joely Collins, Kirsty Mitchell. Charismatic, but alcohol-fueled TV director Mark Brady (Logue) gets a second chance when handed an opportunity to film a fishing show in Scotland. Staying sober proves even more difficult while working with the show's volatile star Taya Honeywell (Collins), who just happens to be his ex-wife. The trip turns from bad to worse when he meets a feisty local fishing guide and begins to have feelings for her. (E1 Entertainment).
The Art of War III: Retribution
(2009) Treach, Sung Hi Lee. Agent Neil Shaw,(Naughty By Nature's Treach) is on a covert mission to stop North Korean terrorists from obtaining a nuclear bomb. But when the deal turns deadly, Shaw is drawn into the crossfire to save a beautiful facilitator (Playboy model Sung Hi Lee) and ends up framed for murder. (Sony).
The Batman Double Feature
Two feature-length animated adventures: "The Batman/Superman Movie" (1998) and "The Batman vs. Dracula" (2005); $14.97. Extras: Games, featurettes. (Warner).
Bounty
(2009) Jarrett LeMaster, Michelle Acuna. A bounty hunter, searching for money to pay back a debt (or face the noose), discovers an imprisoned outlaw, the Sparkle-Eyed Kid, has a bounty on her head, and he must break her out of jail to save his life. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Barnholtz Entertainment/North American Motion Pictures).
Breaking the Bank
(2009) "Frontline" documentary tells the inside story of how some billion-dollar banks faltered in the midst of the housing market crisis, with many crumbling and others teetering on the brink of collapse even today. $24.99. (PBS Distribution).
Californication: The Second Season
(2008) Two-disc set with 12 episodes, $42.99. (Paramount).
Chris Isaak Greatest Hits -- Live
(2005) High-definition, 5.1 surround sound recording of 15 of the musician's greatest hits, filmed for the acclaimed PBS music series Soundstage in 2005.$19.99. (E1 Entertainment).
The Class
(2008 -- French) Francois Begaudeau, Nassim Amrabt, Laura Baquela, Cherif Bounaidja Rachedi.
Also available on Blu-ray Disc.Extras: DVD: "Making-of" featurette, commentary on select scenes; Blu-ray adds "Actors' Workshop -- Rehearsal Sessions" and "Actors' Self-Portraits." (Sony).
Dark Rising
(2007) WWE wrestling star Jason "Christian Cage" Reso, Landy Cannon, Vanessa James, Haley Shannon, Julia Schneider. Horror flick that takes a broken heart, a camping trip, a battle axe, a bikini-clad demon and a lesbian ex-fiancee on a spin through a campy comedy. Jason Parks' life goes from bad to worse as a series of supernatural events turn his dream of reconciliation with ex-fiancee Jasmine into a portal seeking, demon hunting nightmare. With a desperate attempt to save his fizzled-out relationship, Jason orchestrates a camping trip with his best friends and his ex. Unbeknownst to the group, one of the women has been having reoccurring nightmares of Summer Vale, a little girl that disappeared 20 years before, and decides to use the getaway to contact her spirit. The fun and games quickly turn to life and death when a "hocus pocus" ritual works and the little lost girl bursts onto the scene -- all grown up, armed with a battle axe and not alone. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette, commentary with writer/director Andrew Cymek and the cast, a wrestling match between "Christian Cage" and Rhino, deleted scenes, photo gallery. (E1 Entertainment).
Designing Women: The Complete Second Season
(1987-88) Four-disc set with 22 episodes, $44.99. (Shout! Factory).
Gigantic
(2008) Zooey Deschanel, Paul Dano, John Goodman, Ed Asner, Zach Galafiniakis. The funny, surreal love story about the anxiety that comes when two people with crazy families unexpectedly collide. Mattress salesman Brian (Paul Dano) gets swept up in a romance with the lovely but misguided Harriet Lolly (Zooey Deschanel) when she comes in to his store one day and falls asleep on one of the beds. To win her over, he must compete with her bear of a father, Al Lolly, (John Goodman), an art-collecting loudmouth with a bad back and deep pockets. Extras: Behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and crew, alternate ending, deleted scenes, commentary by director Matt Aselton. (Vivendi Entertainment).
Here's Lucy: Season One
(1968-69) Four-disc set with 24 episodes of Lucille Ball's third sitcom, $29.98.Extras: New videotaped episode introductions with Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., guest stars and production staff; new featurette, "Meet the Carters"; home movies and behind-the scenes footage; bloopers and outtakes; episode promos; rare materials from the Lucy vault; production files and slide show; a lost "Let's Talk to Lucy" radio show; screen tests for Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr.; featurette about the making of the series' distinctive main title sequence. (MPI Home Video).
I Love You, Man
(2009) Paul Rudd, Jason Segel. Extras: "The Making of I Love You, Man," outtakes, extended scenes, deleted scenes, gag reel, commentary by director John Hamburg and actors Paul Rudd and Jason Segel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount)
James Dean: The Fast Lane
(2008) Two-disc set marks the 54th anniversary of Dean's death, covering the meager 1,734 days from his first on-screen performance to his death. Documentary includes rare footage of his on-air debut at 19 years old, a 1950 commercial for Pepsi, as well as his final work, ironically a 1955 highway safety PSA filmed just 13 days before he died in his Porsche 550 Spyder. Also includes 10 other TV appearances. $14.98. (Infinity Entertainment Group.)
Katyn
(2009 -- Polish) Epic and sweeping drama that exposes an oft-overlooked moment in WWII history, directed by 83 year-old Andrzej Wajda, Poland's most celebrated filmmaker. The film is based on the novel by Andrzej Mularcyk detailing Joseph Stalin's horrific 1940 liquidation of the Polish officer corps in Katyn Forest. After the Nazis stormed into Poland, Stalin ordered Russian soldiers into the country in order to oversee the imprisonment of all Polish officers -- and their eventual "liquidation." For decades the truth about the slaughter in the woods was obfuscated due to post-war Poland's dependence on Russia, with the Nazis often blamed for the atrocity. Yet, half a century later, in 1990, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev admitted his nation's responsibility and, in this powerful and unforgettable film, Wajda impressively recreates war-torn Poland and the compelling stories of both the perpetrators and their victims -- one of whom happened to be Wajda's cavalry officer father.
Extras: Interview with Wajda, interviews and reactions from the Polish premiere, photo gallery. (Koch Lorber Films).
The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle
(2008) Six episodes of the British series about a frank talk-show host (Jennifer Saunders) who chews up her guests and spits them out -- all in the name of therapy. Also stars Miranda Richardson. $24.98. (BBC/Warner).
Lockup: Raw Season One
(2008) Two-disc set with 10 episodes, $19.95. (New Video).
London to Brighton
(2008) Lorraine Stanley, Johnny Harris, Claudie Blakley. Hard-hitting British thriller. Kelly, a desperate prostitute, is bullied by her pimp into finding an underage girl for a sadistic mobster. She discovers Joanne, an 11-year-old runaway, who naively complies. But when the pedophile turns violent, Kelly intervenes and everything goes horribly wrong. Extras: Deleted scenes, alternate ending, behind-the-scenes footage, commentary. (E1 Entertainment).
Paris 36
(2009 -- French) Gerard Jugnot, Nora Arnezeder, Clovis Cornillac, Kad Merad.
Extras: Commentary with writer-director Christophe Barratier and actress Nora Arnezeder; "Nora Arnezeder: The Young Revelation's Beautiful Adventure"; "Paris 36": Interviews with the actors; "The Film Locations: Thomas Lautners's Making-of." (Sony).
Pulling: The Complete Second Season
(2008) One-night stands gone wrong, binge drinking, unplanned pregnancy, sex under the influence, shoplifting -- these are just a few of the female misadventures in a hilariously rude sitcom that has taken Britain by storm and been called "the anti-'Sex In the City'." Soon to be adapted for U.S. network TV. $24.98. Extras: Commentary, deleted scenes, more. (MPI Home Video).
Scooby-Doo Double Feature
"Scooby-Do Meets Batman" and "Scooby-Doo Meets the Harlem Globetrotters," $14.97. (Warner).
17 Again
(2009) Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight, Melora Hardin. Extras: "Zac Goes Back" featurette, "Going Back to 17" featurette, "Way Cool" Tell All Trivia Track, "Breakin' Character" outtakes, "Zac's Dance Flashback," deleted scenes, "Zac Attacks," "Tom Lennon & Melora Hardin -- Unfiltered," digital copy. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (New Line).
Super Friends: The Lost Episodes
Two-disc set with 24 lost DC Super Heroes episodes, $26.99. (Warner).
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 25th Anniversary Collection
Four-disc set with "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie" (1990), "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Secret of the Ooze" (1991), "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Turtles in Time" (1993) and "TMNT" (2007). Also available on Blu-ray Disc. The DVD collection ($32.92) comes in a cool tin travel case with four Turtle masks and temporary tattoos; the Blu-ray set comes in a retro pizza box package with an exclusive reproduction of "TMNT: The Movie" comic book, an exclusive original sketch with creator Peter Laird's autograph, collectible character cards and a TMNT beanie hat ($84.99). (Warner).
The Tiger's Tail
(2006) Dir.: John Boorman; Brendan Gleeson, Kim Cattrall, Ciaran Hinds, Sinead Cusack, Sean McGinley. In a society divided by "haves" and "have nots," wealthy Irish capitalist Liam O'Leary (Brendan Gleeson) has it all. But now, Liam is being stalked by a menacing look-alike, intent on stealing away everything he has: his job, his wife (Kim Cattrall), and his sanity. As his perfect world comes crashing down, Liam must fight to stay alive and uncover the shocking secret of his shadowy past before it destroys him. (MGM).
The Trial and Triumph of the King of Pop
Documentary explains some of the complexities in the life of musical icon Michael Jackson. Examines (and goes behind the scenes of) the singer's trial on child molestation charges and the subsequent not-guilty verdict. Features appearances Kanye West, Jermaine Jackson, Tom Mesereau, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Jon Voight, Fantasia, Mo'Nique, Aphrodite Jones and Linda Deutsch. (Rock City Entertainment/Elbow Grease Productions/MVD Visual.
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August 18
Absurdistan
(2008 -- Russia) Kristyna Malerova, Maximilian Mauff. Welcome to Absurdistan, a small village in the high desert mountains, just on the outskirts of reality, where magical visions and bizarre events fuse together. Home to only 14 families, the village is facing a water shortage but the men are too lazy to fix a rickety pipeline. The women are soon fed up with their good-for-nothing husbands and they make a simple vow: "No water, no sex." Shot in northwest Azerbaijan. (First Run Features).
Albert Schweitzer: Called to Africa
(2006) Docu-drama of the Nobel Laureate Dr. Albert Schweitzer, a humanitarian healer and jungle doctor, pastor, philosopher, and musician who believed in a "Reverence for Life." Filmed in West Africa, where the hospital Schweitzer founded continues to treat people today, and in Strasbourg, France, where the young Schweitzer gave organ recitals and preached. (First Run Features).
The Beast: Season 1
(2009) Three-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.95. Extras: Thirteen behind-the-scenes featurettes. (Sony).
Dexter: The Complete Third Season
(2008) Four-disc set with 12 episodes, $42.99. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount).
Everybody Hates Chris: The Final Season
(2008-09) 22 episodes, $39.98. (Paramount).
Everybody Hates Chris: The Complete Series
Sixteen-disc set, $119.98. (Paramount).
The Fish Fall in Love
(2006 -- Iran) Atieh's passion is food, and her small but popular restaurant on the sleepy Caspian coast of Iran is her pride and joy. Unfortunately the owner of the building -- who also happens to be an ex-boyfriend -- returns after a 20-year absence and, fearing he's going to sell the building, Atieh takes a page from the Persian fable of Shahrazad and "A Thousand and One Nights," cooking him a new and sinfully delicious dish every day.(Global Lens Collection/First Run Features).
Gossip Girl: The Complete Second Season
(2008-09) Seven-disc set with 25 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "5th Ave. Meets Gossip Girl" interactive graphic map of the Gossip Girl crowd's favorite haunts; "Faces Behind the Design"; "Chasing Dorota" webisodes; gag reel; downloadable audio book of the bestselling novel "Gossip Girl: You Know You Love Me" by Cecily von Ziegesar, read by Christina Ricci; unaired scenes. (Warner).
Greek: Chapter Three
(2009) Three-disc set, $39.99. Extras: "20 Questions With the Cast," bloopers, commentaries. (Disney).
Hannah Montana the Movie
(2009) Miley Cyrus, Lucas Till, Emily Osment, Moises Arias, Mitchel Musso, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Earles, Vanessa Williams. Available as a three-disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack, two-disc DVD set and single-disc DVD. Extras: New music video, "Find Your Way Back Home" featurette, "Production 101: Jackson Style," bloopers, deleted scenes. The Blu-ray Disc adds "The HoeDown ThrowDown Home Experience"; "The Hannah Montana Store" interactive experience that allows viewers to create a wish list of items displayed in the film, move the items onto the internet via BD-Live capabilities, obtain information and purchase the merchandise; seven music videos. (Disney).
The Helen West Casebook
(2002) British crime dramas based on Frances Fyfield's bestselling thrillers about a workaholic prosecutor with a messy personal life. Aired on A&E Network. Three-disc set, $49.99. (Acorn Media).
High Noon
(2009) Emilie de Ravin, Ivan Sergei, Cybill Sheperd.
Lifetime TV movie based on the novel by best-selling author Nora Roberts. (Sony)
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days Deluxe Edition
(2003) Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey, Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Klein, Kathryn Hahn, Annie Parisse, Adam Goldberg. Extras: Commentary by director Donald Petrie, "How to Make a Movie in Two Years," deleted scenes with director commentary, "Why the Sexes Battle," "Girl;s Night Out," Keith Urban "Somebody Like You" music video. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount).
Husbands
(1970) Dir.: John Cassavetes; John Cassavetes, Peter Falk, Ben Gazzara. Billed as "A Comedy About Life, Death, and Freedom," independent cinema pioneer John Cassavetes' "Husbands" was originally released to preview audiences at a length of 139 minutes but subsequently cut by 11 minutes. This DVD presents the film in its full-length, original version, largely unseen by audiences since 1969. Follows three middle-aged friends (Gazzara, Falk and Cassavetes), with wives and houses in the New York suburbs, who go on a wild spree after a close friend dies of a heart attack. Ending up in London, the three must confront their own mortality and decide how to spend the rest of their lives. (Sony).
iCarly Season 2, Vol. 1
(2008) Two-disc set, $26.98. (Paramount).
Icons of Sci-Fi: Toho Collection
Three-disc set with "H-Man" (1958), "Battle in Outer Space" (1959) and "Mothra" (1961). Each film has been digitally re-mastered, and includes the original Japanese versions and the U.S. versions, and two commentaries. $24.96. (Sony).
The Jean-Jacques Beineix Collection: IP5: The Island of Pachyderms
(1992 -- French) From the director of the international hits "Diva" and "Betty Blue." Two Parisian street kids embark upon a strange journey to Grenoble in the back of a delivery truck. One of the lads is an adolescent Spanish graffiti artist while the other is an 11-year-old black rapper. Once there, the two steal a car and discover an old man sleeping in the back. But the boys discover that he's not a man at all but an enigmatic forest spirit who teaches them important lessons about nature and life. This was the last film of Yves Montand, who died of heart failure (as did his character in the film) during the shooting in 1991. Also stars Olivier Martinez. Extras: Interview with Beineix.(Cinema Libre Studio).
Julia
(2008) Tilda Swinton, Saul Rubinek, Kate del Castillo, Aidan Gould, Jude Ciccolella. A 40-year-old alcoholic woman, on the edge of self-destruction, gets involved in a kidnapping plot to try to turn her life around with a big score ... but the plan backfires. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Kissing Cousins
(2008) Samrat Chakrabarti, Rebecca Hazlewood, Gerry Bednob,, David Alan Grier, Jaleel White. As a "relationship termination specialist," providing "dumping services" for disgruntled daters, Amir spends his days delivering bad news to unsuspecting lovers across Los Angeles -- a job that has made him hard-hearted and the last bachelor in his social circle. Disgruntled and alone, Amir returns to Britain for a short vacation, and returns to the States with his charming and beautiful cousin, who pretends to be his "girlfriend" to prove that Amir is capable of having a relationship. Extras: Interviews with the cast, behind-the-scenes featurette. (Cinema Libre Studio).
The Last House on the Left
(2009) Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Sara Paxton, Garret Dillahunt, Martha MacIsaac, Riki Lindhome. Unrated cut and R-rated theatrical version. Two-disc set. Extras: Deleted scenes, "A Look Inside" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
The Last Starfighter 25th Anniversary Edition
(1984) Lance Guest, Robert Preston, Dan O'Herlihy, Catherine Mary Stewart. Extras: "Heroes of the Screen," "Crossing the Frontier: Making The Last Starfighter," commentary by director Nick Castle and production designer Ron Cobb, image gallery.
Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Midnight Bayou
(2009) Jerry O'Connell, Lauren Stamile, Faye Dunaway. Lifetime TV movie based on the novel by best-selling author Nora Roberts. (Sony).
Northern Lights
(2009) LeAnn Rimes, Eddie Cibrian, Rosanna Arquette. Lifetime TV movie based on the novel by best-selling author Nora Roberts. (Sony).
Pete's Dragon: High Flying Edition
(1977) Sean Marshall, Helen Reddy, Mickey Rooney, Jeff Conaway, Shelley Winters, Jim Dale, Red Buttons, Charlie Callas. Animation and live-action combine to bring the magical friendship between a young orphan and his unusual best friend to life. Extras: "Brazzle Dazzle Effects: Disney's Movie Magic" featurette, deleted storyboard sequence: "Terminus & Hoagy Hunt Elliot," original song concept: "Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You, Too)," original demo recordings (audio only) with early demo versions of "Brazzle Dazzle Day" and "Every Little Piece," "Where's Elliot?" disappearing dragon game, "Pete's Dragon" art galleries, publicity, "About Pete's Dragon," Disney Family Album, "The Plausible Impossible," "Lighthouse Keeping." (Disney).
The Shadow Effect: A Journey From Your Darkest Thought to Your Greatest Dream
(2009) A married governor is caught with a mistress in Latin America, a teen idol and role model pleads guilty to beating his girlfriend, corporate executives use government bailout money to fund luxurious vacations, a conservative radio host checks into rehab for a prescription drug abuse -- these are just a few examples of what N.Y. Times best-selling author Debbie Ford calls "The Shadow Effect." This documentary exposes the opposing forces of light and dark that compete for attention within every human being and presents the hidden power of the "Shadow," leading to behavior that continually unseats politicians, destroys celebrity careers, destabilizes the economy and affects the lives of millions each year. $29.95. (Hay House).
Simon & Simon: Season Three
(1983-84) Six-disc set with 23 episodes, $49.99. (Shout! Factory).
The Simpsons: The Complete Twelfth Season
(2000-01) Four-disc set with 21 episodes, $49.98. Extras: Introduction by Matt Groening; commentaries on every episode with Groening and executive producers,writers, actors and directors; deleted scenes; animation showcases; original sketches; special language feature; and more. (Fox).
The Smurfs: Smurfy Tales
Five uncut episodes of the hugely popular 1980's television series; $14.97. (Warner).
Sons of Anarchy Season One
(2008) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $49.98. Extras: Behind-the-scenes making-of featurettes, cast and crew commentary on select episodes, deleted scenes, gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Surveillance
(2009) Dir.: Jennifer Lynch; Julia Ormond, Bill Pullman, Pell James, Ryan Simpkins, French Stewart, Kent Harper, Michael Ironside. Somewhere deep inside the Santa Fe desert there's been a number of blood-curdling murders. The local police station apprehends three witnesses: Officer Jack Bennet, one of their own, tough, but affected by recent events; Bobby, high as a kite on cocaine; and Stephanie, an eight-years-old who has just witnessed her family being brutally murdered by two figures dressed in jumpsuits, gloves, boots, and horrifyingly disfiguring blue latex masks. FBI agents Elizabeth Anderson (Julia Ormond) and Sam Hallaway (Bill Pullman) arrive at the police station, and have three sets of stories to figure out. As the witnesses tell their stories one by one, the gruesome, murderous events unravel. But as the Feds begin to expose the fragile little details each witness conceals so carefully with a well practiced lie, they soon discover that uncovering "the truth" can come at a very big cost. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
The Swan Princess 2:
The Secret of the Castle
(2009) Direct-to-DVD animated adventure re-unites Princess Odette and Prince Derek with their old friends Jean-Bob, the fabulously French Frog; Speed, the patient Turtle; and Puffin, the eccentric bird, as they attempt to recover the Magic Orb from the evil Clavius; $14.94. (Sony).
Total Drama Island: The Complete Season
(2008) Four-disc set with 28 episodes of the Cartoon Network animated "reality show," $34.99.(Warner).
Tribute
(2009) Brittany Murphy, Jason Lewis, Tippi Hedren, Diana Scarwid. Lifetime TV movie based on the novel by best-selling author Nora Roberts. (Sony).
Tyson
(2008) No-holds-barred documentary portrait of legendary and controversial former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Directed by James Toback and narrated by Tyson.Extras: "A Day in the Life" featurette with Toback, red carpet premiere footage, commentary. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony),
Wedding Bros (Aka The Marconi Bros.)
(2008) Direct-to-video comedy. Anthony and Carmine Marconi have been dutifully serving out life sentences in the family carpet business, but a chance run-in with the king of the Long Island wedding video business leads the brothers to unexpectedly join the outrageously zany world of wedding videography. Extras: Commentary, extended scene. (Universal).
Wyvern
(2009) Barry Corbin, Nick Chinlund, Erin Karpluk. When global warming melts a prehistoric winged creature's icy tomb -- the wyvern -- no one in the town of Beaver Mills, Alaska is prepared for the nightmare to follow. Turning the small community into its new feeding ground, the wyvern unleashes a bloody killing spree forcing the helpless residents into a fight for their lives. Desperate to end the town's destruction, one resident sees only one option left -- steal the creature's egg from its nest and use it as bait. 15th installment in the "Maneater" series. (RHI Entertainment/Genius Products).
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August 25
Adventureland
(2009) Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Wendie Malick, Jack Gilpin, Martin Starr, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Ryan Reynolds. Available as a single-disc DVD, two-disc DVD set and two-disc Blu-ray set. Extras: Two-disc DVD: Deleted scenes; commentary by writer-director Mottola and Jesse Eisenberg; "Just My Life: The Making Of Adventureland"; picture music selection; Blu-ray adds "Frigo's Ball Tap"; "Lisa P's Guide to Style"; "Welcome to Adventureland" commercials, employee orientation kit and a peek at the official drug policy. (Miramax).
The Adventures of Robin Hood: The Complete Series
(1955-60) Eleven-disc set, $29.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
The Adventures of Robin Hood: 4th Season
(1959-60) Two-disc set with 26 episodes, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
America Wild and Wacky: Sturgis
(2007) Every August 500,000 bikers invade the sleepy hamlet of Sturgis, South Dakota for the craziest bikers festival in the world. Go behind the scenes with the outlaw culture, police, store owners and everyday citizens. There's cold beer, babes, custom bikes, midget wrestling, thrill rides, tattooing and rock concerts. $9.98. (Smithsonian Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group).
American Son
(2008) Nick Cannon, Melonie Diaz, Matt O'Leary, Jay Hernandez, April Grace, Chi McBride, Tom Sizemore. The story of a young Marine, fresh from Camp Pendleton, who is forced to confront the complexities of adulthood and a volatile home life during a four-day Thanksgiving leave.Extras: "Leave in Bakersfield: Behind the Scenes of American Son," commentary, deleted scenes. (Disney).
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
(2008) Four episodes from the new animated Cartoon Network TV series, $14.98. (Warner).
Battle BC: The Complete Season One
(2009) Uses computer graphics and live-action stunts to bring to life the battle strategies, tactics, and weapons of past military leaders, from Hannibal and the Romans to Moses, the Athenians, and David. Two-disc set with eight historic battles: "Moses: Death Chase," "Joshua: Epic Slaughter," "David: Giant Slayer," "Hannibal: The Annihilator," "Alexander: Lord of War," "Judgment Day at Marathon," "Ramses: Raging Chariots" and "Caesar: Super Siege." $19.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Behind the Wall
(2008) Lindy Booth, Lawrence Dane, James Thomas. A young woman returns to her family's lighthouse home 20 years after her mother was murdered there and her father was convicted for the killing. Developers have bought the building but workers have begun to vanish, and the woman soon finds that an evil force has been lurking inside the walls. (Monarch Home Video).
The Berenstain Bears: Halloween Treats
(2009) Seven ghoulishly great tales filled with the Bears' trademark charm and valuable life lessons: "The Great Batcave," "The Spookiest Pumpkin," "Wicked Weasel Spell," "Missing Pumpkin," "Bust a Ghost," "Spooky Old Mansion" and "The Trojan Pumpkin," $12.99. (Sony).
Bob the Builder: Call in the Crew!
(2009) Bob and his Can-Do machine team work together to get the job done in five new animated episodes: "Massive Muck," "Roley's Moleys," "Scoop Slips Up," "Scrambler's Seaweed Delivery" and "Muck's Convoy," $14.98. Games, collectible toy vehicle. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Booker: Collector’s Edition
(1989-90) Richard Grieco stars as Dennis Booker, a rebellious ex-cop who leaves the beat to work for a private investigation agency owned by a large corporate conglomerate in this "21 Jump Street" spinoff series. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
Boot Camp
(2007) Gregory Smith, Mila Kunis, Peter Stormare. Unrated. Based on true events. Follows a group of troubled teens sent to a boot camp facility on the tropical island of Fiji. Trapped on an island with no rules, no walls and no way out, the teens endure unimaginable physical and emotional abuse that leaves them brainwashed, isolated and close to death. (MGM).
Californication: The Second Season
(2008) Two-disc set with 12 episodes, $42.99. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount).
Cartune Xprez 2008
(2008) Collection of contemporary animated videos by Bruce Bickford, Shana Moulton, Blu, Hooliganship, Jim Trainor, E Rock, Josh Mannis, Lief Hall, Adrian Freeman, Ola Vasiljeva, Eric Dyer, Taras Hrabowsky, Timo Katz, Peter Burr, and Christopher Doulgeris. From around the world, this compilation showcases a generation of artists' mind-melting cartoons bound by a strong Do-It- Yourself sensibility. (Microcinema International).
The Da Vinci Detective
(2006) Forensic scientist Dr. Maurizio Seracini uses cutting-edge medical and military technology while on the trail of fascinating unsolved mysteries involving his hero, Leonardo da Vinci. For 30 years he has searched for a lost da Vinci mural unseen since the 1540s. Along the way he has uncovered a series of magnificent da Vinci drawings hidden for years. $9.98. (Smithsonian Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group).
Dungeons & Dragons: The Animated Series
Three-disc set with 27 episodes of the world's most popular role-playing game that came to life as a 1980s Saturday morning cartoon adventure series; $24.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
Dungeons & Dragons: The Beginnings
Single disc with first nine episodes of the series, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
Duplicity
(2009) Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti.
Extras: Commentary by writer-director Tony Gilroy and editor/co-producer John Gilroy. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Eclipse Series 17: Nikkatsu Noir
Five action potboilers from the heyday of the Japanese film studio: "I Am Waiting" (1957), "Rusty Knife" (1958), "Take Aim at the Police Van" (1960), "Cruel Gun Story" (1964) and "A Colt Is My Passport" (1967); $69.95. (The Criterion Collection).
Fighting
(2008) Channing Tatum, Terrance Howard, Zulay Henao, Luis Guzman. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.Extras: Deleted scenes. Blu-ray extras: Digital copy, BD-Live, D-Box Motion Control. (Universal).
Fireman Sam: Help Is Here!
(2009) First CGI adventure for "Fireman Sam," with five adventures based on the PBS KIDS Sprout series. Fireman Sam saves the supermarket, helps rescue dogs find missing people, shares important safety tips, more; $14.98. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Gangland: The Complete Season Four
(2009) Four-disc set with unprecedented access to the inner workings of 12 of the country's most feared gangs, $34.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Ghost Image
(2007) Elisabeth Rohm, Stacey Dash, Waylon Payne, Roma Maffia, Matthew Del Negro. When a young video editor loses her boyfriend in a car crash, she finds solace in watching video of him taken the night before he died. But when he starts to communicate with her through the video, she must decide if he has broken through the barrier between this world and the next or if she's slipped off into madness. Extras: Commentary, "Ghost in the Machine: The Making of Ghost Image," "Shattered" music video, deleted scenes, outtakes. (MTI Home Video).
Gospel Comedy All Stars 2
(2009) Comedy concert features four of the biggest names in gospel and black family comedy filmed in front of a sold-out audience in San Diego. Hosted by Joe Clair (formerly of BET's "Rap City" and featuring Barry Brewer of "Who's Got Jokes," and father and son comedy team Gerald Kelly and Isiah Kelly. (Rising Entertainment/Vivendi Entertainment).
Green Street Hooligans 2: Stand Your Ground
(2009) Ross McCall, Marina Sirtis, Graham McTavish, Treva Etienne, Luke Massy. Following the deadly climax of the original "Green Street Hooligans," members of the Green Street Elite and their rivals the Millwall club are sent to the same prison, where the bitter enemies must face each other in a final football match where the winners are freed and the losers face imminent death. (Vivendi Entertainment).
House: Season Five
(2008-09) Five-disc set with 24 episodes, Extras: "House Meets a Milestone: The 100th Episode," commentary, "Keeping It Real: Accuracy in Writing," "Dr. Mom: Cuddy's Storyline," "Anatomy of a Teaser," "House Guests: Casting the Show." (Universal).
How Bruce Lee Changed the World
(2009) Intimate, feature-length portrait of the man who popularized martial arts around the world. History Channel documentary travels from the sets of his classic Kung Fu films to the confines of his Dojo and features rare home movies and in-depth interviews with martial artists such as Chuck Norris, filmmakers such as John Woo, Ang Lee and Quentin Tarantino and co-stars, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who faced Lee in the memorable blockbuster Enter the Dragon. $19.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
How the Earth Was Made: The Complete Season One
(2007) Four-disc set of the History series that shows how the violent forces of geology have formed our planet, $39.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
The Informers
(2009) Amber Heard, Jon Foster, Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder, Mickey Rourke, Chris Isaak, Brad Renfro. Interweaving tales of 1980s Los Angeles' lost generation, drifting through a world of lust, greed and addiction.Extras: Director and cast commentary, "Human Intersections: Making The Informers" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
Jeanne Dielman
(1975) A singular work in film history, Chantal Akerman's "Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles" brilliantly evokes, with meticulous detail and a sense of impending doom, the daily domestic routine of a middle-aged widow -- whose chores include making the beds, cooking dinner for her grown son, and turning the occasional trick -- just as it begins to break down. In its enormous spareness, Akerman's film seems simple, but it encompasses an entire world. Whether seen as an exacting character portrait or one of cinema's most hypnotic and complete depictions of space and time, "Jeanne Dielman" is an astonishing, compelling movie experiment, one that has been analyzed and argued over for decades, and is finally making its long-awaited DVD debut. Restored digital transfer, approved by director Chantal Akerman. Extras: "Autour de Jeanne Dielman," a 70-minute documentary, shot by actor Sami Frey and edited by Agnes Ravez, made during the filming of "Jeanne Dielman"; interviews with Akerman and cinematographer Babette Mangolte; excerpt from "Chantal Akerman par Chantal Akerman," a 1997 episode of the French television program "Cinema de notre temps"; interview with Akerman's mother, Natalia; archival television interview excerpt featuring Akerman and star Delphine Seyrig; "Saute ma ville" (1968), Akerman's first film, with an introduction by the director; booklet featuring essays by film scholars Ivone Margulies and Janet Bergstrom. (The Criterion Collection).
The Last Days of Disco
(1998) Chloe Sevigny, Kate Beckinsale, Chris Eigeman. Clever, comic return to the nighttime party scene in early 80s Manhattan from director Whit Stillman ("Metropolitan"). At the center of the film's roundelay of revelers are the icy Charlotte (Kate Beckinsale) and the demure Alice (Chloe Sevigny), by day toiling as publishing house assistants and by night looking for romance and entertainment at a premier, Studio 54-like club. "The Last Days of Disco" is an affectionate yet unsentimental look at the end of an era, brimming with Stillman's trademark dry humor. New, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by Stillman. Extras: Commentary featuring Stillman and actors Sevigny and Eigeman; deleted scenes; stills gallery with production notes by Stillman; Stillman reading a chapter from "The Last Days of Disco, With Cocktails at Petrossian Afterwards," his novelization of the movie; behind-the-scenes featurette; essay by novelist David Schickler. (The Criterion Collection).
Lie to Me Season One
(2009) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $49.98. Extras: "The Truth About Lies" featurette, deleted scenes, "The Lightman Group Lie Detection Tutorials." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Life: Season Two
(2008-09) Five-disc set with 21 episodes, $59.98. Extras: Deleted scenes, commentaries, gag reel. (Universal).
Life With Derek: The Complete Second Season
(2006-07) Two-disc set with 13 episodes, $24.98. Extras: Interviews, behind-the-scenes b-roll footage, more. (E1 Entertainment).
Love and Debate (AKA Thanks to Gravity)
(2009) Gina Philips, Sean Astin, Adam Rodriguez, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Austin Nichols, Rachel Miner, Joaquim De Almeida. In this coming-of-age romantic comedy, a teenager from Miami struggles with tragedy and love while dealing with the pressures of school and family life. With her Hispanic father and Jewish mother, the young girl feels the clash of both cultures and rarely feels comfortable anywhere but at the podium during a debate. In the end, she must choose between love or debates. Extras: Deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurett, alternate ending. (Virgil Films And Entertainment).
Martin Lawrence Presents First Amendment Stand-Up: Season 3
Five hours of the best and brightest talents in comedy today with performances by Bruce Bruce, Rickey Smiley, Lavell Crawford, Don 'D.C' Curry, Roz G., Joey Medina and many more headliners from the top comedy clubs around the country; $19.97. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
Merlin and the Book of Beasts
(2009) James Callis, Laura Harris. Sci Fi Channel adventure puts a new spin on the saga of Excalibur, Mordred, and the ultimate battle between Merlin and the Book of Beasts: King Arthur is gone, The Round Table is in ruins, and a rogue sorcerer has unleashed a reign of monstrous terror upon the land. Only a bitter and broken wizard Merlin can defeat the legion of nasty creatures. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
Mistral's Daughter
(1984) Three-disc set of the CBS 6-1/2 hour production of Judith Krantz's No. 1 New York Times best-seller. Stacy Keach, Stefanie Powers, Lee Remick, Robert Urich, Timothy Dalton, Joanna Lumley. From the '20s Paris of Chanel and Matisse to New York's sizzling modeling agencies of the '50s to the model wars of the '70s, this mini-series captures the scandal, passion and explosive glamor of life in the worlds of art and high fashion, revolving around Julien Mistral (Keach), the painter, the genius and the lover whose passions seared all around him. (E1 Entertainment).
Monster Beach Party
(2009) Claire Bronson, Cynthia Evans, Jonathan Michael Green. Retro action set in 1966 featuring an all-girl rock band, the legend of the Skunk Ape (the Florida Everglades version of Bigfoot) and a beach party. The action starts when The Violas' tour van breaks down in a small mysterious southern beach town, where they're stuck with no money until a local mechanic offers them a deal -- play his annual beach party and he'll fix their van for free. Unknown to the girls there's a monster on the loose. (Indican Pictures).
NCIS: The Sixth Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 25 episodes, $55.98. (Paramount).
One Tree Hill: The Complete Sixth Season
(2008-09) Seven-disc set with 24 episodes, $59.98. Extras: Unaired scenes; "One Tree Hill Goes Back in Time": Recreating the 1940s in Episode 11; "Slammin' With One Tree Hill": The new sport of SlamBall, a cross between basketball, hockey and gymnastics; "One Tree Hill Celebrity Soundtrack"; "One Tree Hill -- The Director's Debut": with first-time helmers Chad Michael Murray, Bethany Joy Galeotti and James Lafferty; commentary on two episodes by series creator Mark Schwahn and key cast and crew; gag reel. (Warner).
Samantha Who? The Complete Second Season
(2008-09) Three-disc set with 18 episodes, $39.99. (Disney).
Screwballs
(1983) Peter Keleghan, Kent Deuters, Linda Speciale, Raven DeLaCroix. Infamous 'T&A' comedy released for the first time in America. This totally unhinged and generally unclothed "Canucksploitation" film has languished in a snowbound Alberta vault for decades. Raunchy teen comedy takes place at Taft & Adams High and features campus virgin Purity Busch, chronic masturbator Melvin Jerkovski, blonde bombshell Bootsie Goodhead and an incomparable curriculum of freshman breast exams and bikini cheerleader practice. Extras: Cast and crew commentary. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Severin Films).
Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season
(2008) Three-disc set with 19 episodes, $39.99. (Disney).
Smallville: The Complete Eighth Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "In the Director's Chair: Behind the Lens and Calling the Shots with Allison Mack" featurette;, "Smallville's Doomsday: The Making of a Monster" featurette, cast and creator Commentaries, unaired scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
Smithsonian Channel's War Stories
(2009) From the battlefields of today and yesteryear come three revealing and moving documentaries about the life-altering effects of war: "Carrier at War: USS Enterprise," in which the brave men and women of a wartime aircraft carrier provide a riveting inside look at life aboard "the most dangerous place on the planet"; "The Men Who Brought the Dawn" in which the surviving crewmen of the Enola Gay and Bockscar -- the atomic bomb missions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki -- recall the dramatic end of World War II; and "Arlington: Call to Honor" about America's National Cemetery; $14.98. (Smithsonian Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group).
Sonny With a Chance: Sonny's Big Break
(2009) Four episodes of the Disney Channel Original Series, $19.99. Extras: "Backstage Disney": Demi Lovato audition tape. (Disney).
Spirited Killer Trilogy
Single disc with all three of the Thai martial arts adventures, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
The Suite Life on Deck: Anchors Away!
(2009) Four episodes of the Disney Channel Original Series, $19.99. Extras: "Debby On Deck": The guys interview Debby, the newest member of the cast; "The Floating Premiere." (Disney).
The Sunchaser
(1996) Dir.: Michael Cimino; Woody Harrelson, Jon Seda, Anne Bancroft. Woody Harrelson plays an oncologist in the professional fast lane who hits a detour when a desperately ill patient (Jon Seda) kidnaps him at gun point. Across highways and back roads, kidnapper and hostage seek a fabled Navajo healing place while a manhunt closes in on them. (Warner).
Sunshine Cleaning
(2009) Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Steve Zahn, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Clifton Collins Jr., Jason Spevack. (Overture Films/Anchor Bay Entertainment)
thirtysomething: The Complete First Season
(1987-88) Six-disc set with 21 episodes, $59.99. Extras: Featurettes with "thirtysomething" creators, cast and crew; "From thirtysomething to Forever" making-of featurette; "A Conversation Between Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick"; commentaries by creators, cast and crew; special commemorative booklet with an introduction written by the show's creators. (Shout! Factory).
TV Sets: Crime and Punishment
First episodes of "Streets of San Francisco," "Hawaii Five-O," "CSI NY" and "Dexter," $14.98. (Paramount).
TV Sets: Beyond the Ordinary
First episodes of "Star Trek," "The 4400," "Joan of Arcadia" and "Medium," $14.98. (Paramount).
The Untouchables: Season Three, Volume One
(1961) Four-disc set, $39.98. (Paramount).
Walden -- Diaries, Notes and Sketches by
Jonas Mekas
(1969) Poet and hero of the American counter-culture, Jonas Mekas, born in Lithuania in 1922, invented the diary form of filmmaking. "Walden," his first completed diary film, an epic portrait of the New York avant-garde art scene of the 60s, is also a groundbreaking work of personal cinema. With Jonas Mekas, P. Adams Sitney, Tony Conrad, Stan Brakhage, Carl Th. Dreyer, Timothy Leary, Baba Ram Dass, Gregory Markopoulos, Allen Ginsberg, Andy Warhol, Jerome Hill, Barbet Schroeder, Jack Smith, Edie Sedgwick, Nico, Velvet Underground, Ken Jacobs, Hans Richter, Standish D. Lawder, Adolfas Mekas, Shirley Clarke, Jud Yalkut, Peter Kubelka, Michael Snow, Richard Foreman, John Lennon, Yoko Ono. Includes two DVDs, a poster, and a 150-page book with unpublished texts by 60 authors including many who appeared in the film. (Microcinema International).
Wiseguy: The Complete First Season
(1987-88) Four-disc set with 22 episodes, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
The Zula Patrol: Moons Mayhem
(2009) Contains six new-to-DVD lunar-based episodes from the Parents Choice Award-winning television series, "The Zula Patrol," which airs Saturday mornings on NBC as part of the qubo programming block, weekdays and weekends on public television stations, and in Spanish on Telemundo. Extras: Sneak peek at ZulaWorld.com, including a tour of the site and a look at how to create one's own personal alien avatar. As a special added bonus, purchasers of the DVD will also receive 200 Zlinkles (value: $10.00) to spend on virtual items in ZulaWorld.com. $12.98. (Well Go USA).
All listings are based on information from
the home video studios. Some release dates may change and titles may come out
after a specified date (with no announcement from the studio). Additionally,
some titles may be released with little or no advance announcement. And since
all DVDs are priced at sell-through and are available for substantial discounts
at both online and brick-and-mortar stores, we only list suggested retail prices
for some special editions, box sets and collections.
All DVDs are screened on a reference system consisting of a
Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio, a
Rotel RSX-972 Surround Sound Receiver, and Phase Technology 1.1 (front), 33.1 (center),
and 50 (rear) speakers and Power 10 subwoofer.
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