We’re going to keep it real simple on the list this week. On the newer TV-on-DVD side, the runaway winner is Dollhouse, which in its second season developed into a gut-wrenching, frequently despairing, but always funny and exciting meditation on how technology impacts human identity. For vintage TV-on-DVD, consider Johnny Staccato, a short-lived private eye series starring John Cassavetes. For vintage cinema, pick up Criterion’s edition of Ingmar Bergman’s fantastical 1958 drama The Magician, starring Max von Sydow as an illusionist working to defy the local scientists with his trickery. And for contemporary movies, please take a look at How To Train Your Dragon, the Dreamworks Animation feature that was on of this year’s most surprising and deserving hits.
Arn: The Knight Templar
E1, $24.98; Blu-ray, $24.98
As Good As Dead
First Look, $24.98
Bangkok Adrenaline
Image, $27.97; Blu-ray, $29.97
Blossom: 10 Very Special Episodes
Mill Creek, $9.98
Crucible Of Terror
Severin, $19.98
C.S.I. Miami: The Eighth Season
Paramount, $62.99
The Darjeeling Limited
Criterion, $39.95; Blu-ray, $39.95
Dexter’s Laboratory: Season One
Cartoon Network, $24.98
Dollhouse: Season Two
20th Century Fox, $49.98; Blu-ray, $59.99
The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter
Weinstein, $19.93
The Essential Bugs Bunny
Warner, $26.98
Four Boxes
E1, $24.98
The Gates
Lorber, $29.95
Ghost Whisperer: The Final Season
Paramount, $62.99
He-Man & She-Ra Christmas Special
Classic Media, $9.99
How To Train Your Dragon
Dreamworks, $29.99; Blu-ray, $39.99
I Am Comic
Monterey, $19.95
I Am Love
Magnolia, $26.98; Blu-ray, $29.98
Inspector Lewis: Series Three
PBS, $39.99
In Treatment: Season Two
HBO, $59.99
It’s A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
Universal, $14.98
Johnny Staccato: The Complete Series
Timeless, $34.98
Jonah Hex
Warner, $28.98; Blu-ray, $35.99
Kimjongilia
Lorber, $29.95
Kung-Fu Master
Lionsgate, $26.98
Ladies & Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones
Eagle Rock, $14.98; Blu-ray, $19.98
Leaves Of Grass
First Look, $28.98; Blu-ray, $29.98
Lost Boys: The Thirst
Warner, $27.98; Blu-ray, $35.99
Magic (1978)
Dark Sky Blu-ray, $24.98
The Magician
Criterion, $29.95; Blu-ray, $39.95
Marcus Welby, M.D.: Season Two
Shout! Factory, $49.97
Peepli [Live]
UTV, $19.99
Radley Metzger’s Score
Cult Epics, $29.95; Blu-ray, $34.95
S&MAN
Magnolia, $19.98; Blu-ray, $24.98
Saturday Night Live Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas
Universal, $19.98
Secrets Of Sex
Synapse, $19.95
Seven Deadly Sins
Vivendi, $14.93
Sex And Lucía
Palm Blu-ray, $29.99
The Tudors: The Final Season
Showtime/Paramount, $42.99
White On Rice
Indieblitz, $24.98
Wolverine And The X-Men: The Complete Series
Lionsgate, $29.98; Blu-ray, $44.99