Since we know time is money, here's a quick handy reference guide to recent DVD releases that should be on your radar and, in many cases, on your shelf. Immediately.

 

Battlestar Galactica: The Plan (Blu-Ray)
Release Date: October 27
What it is: The events of the Battlestar Galactica series are retold from the point of view of the Cylons. You know, like when your therapist makes you re-tell all of your childhood stories from your mom's perspective. Only with more hot robots, and less crying.
Why you need it: In all seriousness, it's amazing how they manage to find more and more stories within the revamped BSG universe, and don't seem to be skimping on quality. The Plan is directed by series star Edward James Olmos, which makes the relatively "meh" extras a little surprising. Still, this is a must-see for fans of the show, and an intriguing exercise in revisiting a story without the usual prequel trappings.

 


Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
Release Date: October 27
What it is: An exhaustive 6-part documentary about the birth, growth, and eventual semi-demise ("I feel happy! I feel happy!") of Monty Python. Directed by Bill "Son of Terry" Jones.
Why you need it: Even if you can recite sketches by heart, you'll discover a lot you didn't know about the Pythons in this candid and hilarious doc. And we mean "exhaustive," there's a total of 6 hours worth of material here, loaded with fond looks back from the living Pythons (all except Graham Chapman, who succumbed to throat cancer) as well as notable British comedians like Steve Coogan and Russell Brand.

 

 


Adult Swim: In A Box
Release Date: October 27
What it is: A Russell-Stover like random "sampler" box of some rare and not-so-rare Adult Swim tidbits, including Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Volume Two, Space Ghost Coast To Coast: Season Three, Moral Orel: Season One, Robot Chicken: Season Two, Metalocalypse: Season One, Sealab 2021: Season Two, and the "went nowhere" pilot episodes for The Best Of Totally For Teens, Cheyenne Cinnamon, Korgoth Of Barbaria, Perfect Hair Forever, and Welcome To Eltingville.
Why you need it: Well, most of these shows are on endless repeat, but the box is cool and the pilots (especially the Evan "Milk and Cheese" Dorkin-created "Eltingville") prove that even Adult Swim's failures are a hell of a lot better than other networks' successes.