Top 10 DVD Releases in Summer 2009

Land of the Lost - The Complete Series, May 26 - We start the summer off with a 70s TV show that's near and dear to my heart (but only through the 80's reruns!). This DVD set contains a show that was about a family that went through some sort of portal that an earthquake opened in a river and ended up in a land still ruled by dinosaurs.

Defiance, June 2 - Four brothers, all Jewish, build a village in the forest in Nazi-occupied Poland. Based on a true story. Stars Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber. This one was nominated for an Oscar for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score (James Newton Howard). The score was also nominated for a Golden Globe, and it won a Sierra Award. The special effects were nominated for a VES award.

Revolutionary Road, June 2 - Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet team up again (formerly in Titanic) for a story about a married couple that tries to be different than every other couple in the fifties, but find themselves fallen into the same routines as everyone else. This movie is based on a novel by Richard Yates. It was nominated for 3 Oscars, best Achievements in Art Direction and Costume Design, and Best Supporting Actor for Michael Shannon. It was nominated for many other things, also, but most notably, Kate Winslet won three awards for best actress as well. With all the awards, this is one DVD that should be worth watching.

He's Just Not That Into You, June 2 - A movie about relationships and the misunderstandings between men and women. The biggest draw for this DVD is its star power. Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Drew Barrymore, and Jennifer Connely top off a great cast.

Gran Torino, June 9 - The latest from Clint Eastwood, who both directed and starred. He is a Korean war veteran whose prized possession is a 1972 Gran Torino. A boy tries to steal it from him because he is pressured by a gang member, and the veteran decides to reform the boy and ends up protecting his family. It won NBR awards for Best Actor - Clint Eastwood, and Best Screenplay - Original - Nick Schenk.

Family Guy Volume 7, June 16 - This one is self-explanatory. Family Guy is this decade's version of what the Simpsons was. It's inappropriate, but manages to be hilarious while it's at it. The DVD set is sure to please fans.

Madea Goes to Jail, June 16 - In the tradition of men dressing as women and or playing multiple rolls like Eddy Murphy, Tyler Perry directs, produces, and acts in this one. Also starring Keshia Knight-Pulliam, this comedy is about an older woman who goes to jail and her family.

Confessions of a Shopaholic, June 23 - Adapted from a book, this is the story of a shopaholic who becomes a financial journalist with enough income to feed her addiction. Joan Cusak, John Goodman, John Lithgow, and Kristen Scott Thomas anchor down a leading cast of unknowns.

Two Lovers, June 30 - The story of a man who is torn between two women. Joaquin Phoenix and Gwenyth Paltrow star. It looks like it's a good romance, but I suspect it might not end happily!

ER: Complete 11th Season, July 14 - Has ER really been on for more than a decade? This DVD set is out in mid-July and for fans of the long-running TV drama, it couldn't come out sooner.