New DVD Releases

Here is what you can expect on DVD shelves next Tuesday: (All prices listed are in USD)

Nicolas Cage fans will be excited with his newest National Treasure film, “National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets” coming to DVD on May 20. In this one Cage’s character takes the current President of the United States hostage in his quest to clear an ancestor in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. His mom and dad, played by Academy Award winners Helen Mirren and Jon Voight join him in his quest. Also in the film are Diane Kruger and Ed Harris. The DVD will be available in standard and Blu-ray format for around $29.99 and $34.99 respectfully.

Next up for genre fans will be “George A. Romero’s Diary of the Dead.” George takes us all on a trip down memory-lane in this “Blair Witch Project” documentary styled jaunt about reanimated corpses that can’t squelch their appetite for live human flesh. Also out is a 40th anniversary edition of Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead,” the low-budget horror classic that really started the zombie film craze that has lasted for nearly five decades. The film is accompanied by a feature-length documentary and commentary with Romero and cast and crew members. “Diary of the Dead” will go for $24.95, while the “Night of the Living Dead” special will run you $19.97.

For those who enjoy collecting television series’ on DVD next week offers up Agent Jack Bauer’s ( Kiefer Sutherland) first run at the clock with the release of “24 - Season One.” Ciritcs and fans like consider this first season to be the best and most exciting of the entire series because it was fresh, different and compelling in every way for its time. The DVD set includes a special intro, commentary, deleted scenes and a new documentary segment on the creation of the series. The box set will run $59.98.

Also on tap is fan favorite “The Muppet Show: Season Three.”

Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and the whole muppet gang are on hand with their many special human guest stars dropping by the set. The four-disc set includes a behind-the-scenes look at the song-and-dance puppet show, a series of TV commercials featuring the Muppets and a 1969 program on the Muppets featuring their creator, Jim Henson. The set will run $39.99.