** ‘American Dreamz’
Hugh Grant and Mandy Moore star in this satire that has the president appearing on an American Idol-type show, unaware that one of the contestants is a terrorist. (115 minutes; rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sexual references)
*** ‘The Omen’
A U.S. diplomat (Liev Schreiber) and his wife (Julia Stiles) adopt a baby who just might be the devil incarnate. (107 minutes; rated R for disturbing violent content, graphic images and some language)
**** ‘Over the Hedge’
Woodland creatures cope with encroaching suburbia in this computer-animated comedy. (84 minutes; rated PG for some rude humor and mild comic action)
‘Reds’
Warren Beatty’s 1981 epic set against the Russian Revolution makes its DVD debut in a two-disc set. Beatty, who won the Academy Award for best director, stars with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson in the story of an American journalist and a feminist whose communist sympathies lead them into the heart of the revolution, only to find their ideals twisted to suit the Soviet regime. (195 minutes; rated R)
tv to dvd
***** ‘Big Love: The Complete First Season’
A drama series about a polygamist? Now that’s risky television — a show that upends the medium’s traditional takes on marriage, love and family. So give HBO credit for embracing Big Love, which transforms that iffy premise into a stunning show. Bill Paxton stars as a family man times three — a Salt Lake City businessman coping with the pleasures and pains of having three wives (Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin). The first 12 episodes come in a five-disc set.
‘CSI: NY: The Complete Second Season’
The forensics formula continues in this second spinoff of the crime franchise, starring Gary Sinise as a New York City detective heading a crack team of evidence gatherers. The six-disc set has year two’s 24 episodes, with commentary on five.
‘That ’70s Show: Season Five’
The ’70s are back in the sitcom starring Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher as Wisconsin high school pals. Season five’s 25 episodes come in a four-disc set, accompanied by a featurette with co-stars Wilmer Valderrama and Danny Masterson.
‘Starsky & Hutch: The Complete Fourth Season’
It’s the final season for Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul as buddy cops. The last 22 episodes are contained in a five-disc set.
‘La Femme Nikita: The Complete Fifth Season’
Also wrapping up her TV run is Peta Wilson, who’s back for the final year of the action series about a deadly undercover agent. A three-disc set has the last eight episodes, with deleted scenes on three.
‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Season Two’
The anthology series from the master of suspense continues with a five-disc set packing the second season’s 39 episodes. Guest stars in season two included Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn and Rip Torn.
