This week's deep cuts: out-of-the-mainstream DVD releases

There were five major movies released on DVD this week: "Black Swan", "Tangled", "Fair Game", "Made in Dagenham" and "All Good Things". But you're smart - everyone says so - so you probably already knew that.

What you might not know is that there were actually 45 other DVDs and DVD box sets released this week as well. Most are trash. The bad kind, not the "Plan 9 From Outer Space" kind. But some are actually very play-worthy, quietly sneaking onto the rental shelf with little fanfare. So let's give them some fanfare. Everyone needs some fanfare. 

Some notable DVD releases from this week are:

Charlton Heston presents The Bible: “The best stories there ever were ,” Charlton Heston says about these Biblical accounts. And righty-o he is. This set didn't just bring a tear to my eye, it brought a veritable eye-tsunami that--

--What? You thought I was serious?

Ken Burns: The Civil War - Commemorative Edition (660 minutes): Yes, that's right - I said 660 minutes. That's 11 hours of hot, raw American-on-American action. Seriously, Ken Burns is a master documentarian whose previous efforts, covering topics like baseball, jazz, Mark Twain and others, are truly fascinating. Worth watching... if you've got the time. <cough> unemployed <cough>

Mad Men: Season Four (611 minutes): Why aren't you watching this yet? This 3-time Emmy winner for Outstanding Drama Series and winner of 3 consecutive Golden Globes is one of the best things on television right now. It's worth watching if for no other reason that to see a mom, pregnant and smoking, discipline her kid for running around with a dry cleaning bag over his head, not because he could suffocate, but because he allowed his dad's suit to get wrinkled. Watch. This. Series. Now.

One Week (2008, 94 min.): Here's this week's underrated gem. Joshua Jackson, currently appearing in TV's best sci-fi show "Fringe", plays a man who, when confronted with his mortality after a terminal diagnosis, buys a vintage motorcycle and sets off on a cross-Canada road trip from Toronto to Vancouver. Granted, being Canadian, I'm a little biased, but this well-reviewed indie flick tells a simple, moving story in the foreground with the majestic Canadian scenery in the background. You won't regret the rental.



Commenters, ahoy! Have you seen any of these also-ran DVD releases? Sound off!