‘Two and a Half Men’ Complete Third Season Carefree bachelor Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen), his fussy chiropractor brother Alan (Jon Cryer) and Alan’s precocious son Jake (Angus Jones) are not your average family, but they make it work. One of the highlights of the season is that despite the parade of ladies coming and going, wedding bells will finally ring. But who will be the couple walking down the aisle? Twenty-four episodes come on four-discs. Guest stars include Martin Sheen, Cloris Leachman, and Jon Lovitz. Deleted scenes, a gag reel, and two new behind-the-scenes segments are included. (Warner Bros) ‘The Great Debaters’
Inspired by a true story, Denzel Washington directs and stars in this Golden Globe nominated picture. Washington portrays a brilliant and politically radical debate team coach who uses the power of words to transform a group of underdog African American college students into a historical powerhouse that took on the Harvard elite. The two-disc set comes with a wealth of bonus materials including segments on the film’s music, production design, wardrobe, historical perspectives and several music videos. (Genius) ‘I Spy’ Seasons 1-3 This is special. “I Spy” is one of the true groundbreaking series in television history, on multiple levels. Starring Robert Culp and Bill Cosby as U.S. agents, beginning in 1965 this was the first series to cast a black actor opposite a white, with equal status and billing. And, by doing so, Cosby became the first African American to win an Emmy — and he would win three in a row, as Best Lead Actor in a Drama for his work here. It was the first adventure series to be shot in exotic locales worldwide, setting new standards for television dramas. Sold separately with five discs each, every season is full of intrigue as the pair fight high-level crime with cool bravado and a certain savoir-faire. (Image) ‘David Attenborough: Wildlife Specials’
From the world-renowned and award-winning BBC Natural History Unit, famed historian Attenborough guides viewers all over the planet as rare eye-witnesses to animal behavior in the wild. Getting right into the lives and habitats of the polar bear, leopard, wolf, eagle, crocodile and humpback whale, this is an amazing journey indeed. Bonus features include: Great Natural Wonders of the World — a journey across the seven continents in search of planet’s most impressive landscapes and The Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth — a glimpse at 12 natural highlights of the global year from cranes dancing in Japan, millions of monarch butterflies in Mexico, and the spectacles at the Great Barrier Reef. (BBC Warner) ‘Victory at Sea’ Three-Disc Collector’s Edition 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 music score, this multi-Emmy and Peabody winner is one of the standard-bearers for how to produce documentaries. (St. Clair) ‘The Fire Within’
A double winner at the 1963 Venice Film Festival, this dark classic from French director Louis Malle (“Au revoir les enfants,” “Atlantic City”) is a penetrating study of inner turmoil and social inertia. Alain Leroy gives a haunting performance as a self-destructive writer who resolves to kill himself and spends the next 24 hours trying to reconnect with a host of wayward friends. Many special edition segments include: archival interviews, a documentary short about the film and its source novel, “Le feu follet.” It also features a booklet featuring essays by critics and historians. (Criterion) RANDY WILLIAMS
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 30, 2008. Read the original PDF.