CSI: Crime Scene Investigation The Complete Third Season
Paramount Home Entertainment

- It's the No. 1 drama on TV and an audience favorite in summer re-runs. So, the release of The Complete Third Season of CSI on DVD will delight audiences too. William Peterson continues to lead an eclectic group of investigative scientists who work hard to solve violent crimes in Las Vegas. This season his character is hiding his growing deafness and he continues to ignore the interest of a pretty younger co-worker, Sara (Jorja Fox). There is also the splashy, glitzy world of Vegas money and escapistm that masks human misery. Frankly, I've always found the series graphics too distrubing -- bullets, knives, bottles, etc., ripping through bodies with every detail illustrated -- but the show informs the curious. The set of characters still speak to our human frailties -- single mother juggles work and parenthood; gambling addictions, infidelity and lost love etc., -- mix with clever, crazy crimes and accidents. It's all fascinating and when you watch the episodes back to back, you're drawn in by the smart execution.

The six disc set includes all 23 episodes of Season Three plus some intriguing extra features that explore real-life foresencs. Interviews with the writers, a tour of the Police Station, a Crime Scene Field kit and a behind the scenes featurette are fascinating viewing. Fans will love it!

Cold Mountain
Miramax Home Entertainment

- This spectacular epic Civil War drama is breathtakingly beautiful movie with superb acting. Director Anthony Minghella ("The Talented Mr. Ripley") creates a beautiful love story and a haunting look at the 19th Century war that changed America. He cast Jude Law and Nicole Kidman as two lovers who are torn apart by the Civil War and struggle to survive until they can be reunited. Renee Zellweger won an Academy Award for her portrayal as an earthy rural woman who literally saves the aristocratic Kidman's life and farm while Law fights his way back to his lady love.

Minghella has crafted one of the most exciting battle scene at the beginning of the film and several intense dramatic moments between Law and Philip Seymour Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi, Donald Sutherland and Ray Winstone.

The 2-disc collector's edition in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound has deleted scenes, words and music of "Cold Mountain." There is a wonderful behind the scenes feature shot on its European location with storyboard comparisons and commentary by Minghella and editor Walter Murch. "Cold Mountain" was one of the best films of 2003 and this DVD will not disappoint.

City of God
Miramax Home Entertainment

- This eye-popping look at the streets of Brazil by director Fernando Meirelles is a riveting drama that will stun your senses. Set on the most notorious slum in Rio de Janeiro, "City of God" follows the growth of a young boy who discovers that he can survive the horrific poverty and oppressive crime and violence with the eye of an artist. He wants to become a professional photographer and his pictures open his neighborhood to the world. This is a place where the police rarely go and residents are lucky if they live to be adults. The gangs of boys run amok killing to advance themselves and to make others submit to their will. Meirelles fearlessly exposes this terrible life and the incredible miracle of one kid's life. It is an astonishing achievement.

The disc include the widescreen film version in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound in the original language with English, Spanish and French subtitles and a special documentary "News From A Personal War."

Garfield
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

- This is the first collection of the hilarious animated Saturday Morning TV series, "Garfield and Friends" and it will be a treat for kids of all ages. As everyone knows, Garfield is is cynical cat who loves his cushy life of lasagna meals and hates diets, exercise and Mondays! Garfield shares the screen with his guillible owner, Jon and dim-witted pooch pal, Odie and each week coughs up hairballs of humor that will delight his fans. The DVD's release coincidences with the big-screen release of a Garfield movie so his popularity is growing.

The 3-discs Dolby Digital Surround sounds includes the 24 episodes and a Garfield "sandwich" featuring Garfield's farm-fresh friends, also created by Jim Davis. This is laugh out loud funny.

Edited by Veronica Mixon
images courtesy of Miramax, Paramount and Twentieth Century Fox.

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