On DVD and Blu-ray Disc

“Deadwood: Complete Series”
Set in late 1800s South Dakota, HBO's superb Western series, now available in a complete boxed set, is stellar, with Deadwood itself, first a camp, working to become a town in spite of all the blood that will be spilled in order for that to take place. Violence, power plays and deception are rampant in each episode (the set features all 36 episodes on 19 discs), with Timothy Olyphant's Seth Bullock and Ian McShane's Al Swearengen (lovely use of the language, that man) once again stealing the show. Taut and atmospheric, the series generates real tension between its clashing characters. The set includes four hours of bonus content, including commentaries from cast and crew, and two featurettes: "The Real Deadwood: Out of the Ashes” and “”The Meaning of Endings: David Milch on the Conclusion of Deadwood.” Grade: A

“I Am Legend: Ultimate Collector’s Edition” DVD, Blu-ray
Another day, another movie that features a virus wiping out humanity. In this case, the exception to the rule is Will Smith’s resourceful Robert Neville. Save for his faithful dog, Neville is alone in this science-fiction/horror potboiler--or so he thinks before the undead start charging after him at night. Based on Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel, which has been filmed twice before, first with Vincent Price in 1964’s “The Last Man Standing” and then in 1971 with Charlton Heston in “The Omega Man,” is strong until its final third, when it lapses into a funk of cliches and sentiment that undermine much of the goodwill that came before it. Still, since what comes before it involving--the special effects are especially good here--the movie is recommended, albeit with reservations. The “Ultimate Collector’s Edition” includes a 44-page concept book, collectible motion lenticular, new commentary, deleted scenes and more. Rated PG-13. Grade: B-

“Perry Mason: Third Season, Volume Two”
Fifty years out, the series still proves addictive. The third season finds Raymond Burr bulldozing his way through his iconic role as Mason, the Los Angeles defense attorney who, along with his assistant, Della Street (Barbara Hale, wonderful), took people to task at the stand and let them have it by drawing them into webs from which few could flee. The episodes in this collection are so retro hot, you can almost smell the Brylcreem. To those fans of the series, that fact--and Burr himself--will prove a big part of its appeal.


Also on DVD and Blu-ray disc

Also available and recommended from Paramount are the fourth season of the comedy series “Happy Days”; a young Clint Eastwood rides high in the Western series “Rawhide: Season Three, Vol. 2”; Joe Penny and William Conrad take down crime (okay, Conrad mostly sits and lets Penny do the work) in the mystery series “Jake and the Fatman: Season One, Vol. 2”; and there’s Conrad again, this time mostly mobile, in “Cannon: Season One, Vol. 2.”

Finally, for those seeking something edgy, turn to the first season of “Swingtown,” where in 1976, times apparently were so loose for some in the Chicago suburbs, several couples shared more than just friendly conversation and a glass of Chablis when they first met. They went a step further and shared each other in bed, usually with pot smoldering somewhere along the periphery. This isn’t exactly “Up in Smoke” for the swinging set, but for some of the characters in question, it certainly is “Up with People.” As for the ramifications of such behavior, safe to say much of it leads to one major downer.