Veronica Mars, House, Invasion: Region 1 DVD Releases for August 22, 2006

This week, Veronica Mars and House bypass sophomore slump.

Veronica Mars - The Complete Second Season

Proving that the previous season's tight plotting wasn't just a fluke, season two of Veronica Mars came on strong with the most intricate mystery this side of Chinatown (which, to be honest, I still don't completely get). Kristen Bell is as solid as ever while Percy Daggs III gets to do a little more than just be her loyal compadre. Jason Dohring and Francis Capra are reliably priceless. And Tina Majorino is a welcome addition as Mac. The season finale manages to brilliantly bring together all the twists and turns not only of this season, but a couple frayed ends from the first. Let us thank our respective deities/lucky stars/scary-dedicated fan base that Veronica lives on on CW.

Extras include deleted scenes and featurettes. Also keep an eye out for a clever TWoP and Lost reference in one of the eps.

House, M.D. - Season Two

When I featured the first season of House in this preview, I admitted that I hadn't seen a single ep in spite of many accolades. Well, I got hooked. So I can tell you first hand that this season kicks ass.

Extras include a cast and producers panel discussion at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, commentary on two eps, alternate takes and a diagnosis montage.

Invasion - The Complete Series

I've heard tell that this show wasn't half bad, and that the finale in particular was quite good. I could never quite squeeze it in after Lost, though. Good thing William (now Bill) Fichtner found a new home on Prison Break.

Extras include missing scenes and a featurette.

Poseidon (Two-Disc Special Edition)

As my review indicates, the only reason to watch this is to see mass PG-13 destruction on a big screen, so guess what that means for the DVD.

The extras actually look vaguely interesting, including a featurette on a film school intern's experiences on the set, a set design featurette (admittedly, a strength of the flick) and a doc on rogue waves.

Silent Hill

This collaboration between Brotherhood of the Wolf director Christopher Gans and Pulp Fiction co-scribe Roger Avary produced less acclaim than either's previous efforts. Still, it has its devotees; so if you like your horror gory and incoherent, look no further.

Extras include a six-part doc on the making of the film.

What television show starred Dana Carvey and a tricked-out helicopter? The answer in this week's long list...

50 Years of Having Fun

Acribillado (Spanish)

Adulterio Me Da Risa (Spanish)

Angel Tales: The Complete Collection Box

Angelitos Desmadrosos (Spanish)

Didn't know that Beauty Shop was based on a stage play (and neither does the IMDB for that matter), but maybe they just mean that it is an original stage play. Or maybe the part where Queen Latifah is a "sassy, sexy and flirtatious midget" got lost in adaptation.