A unique take on the afterlife highlights these television programs that are new to DVD.
"Shades" (Acorn, 2000, two discs, $39.99).This intriguing British comedy-drama is a miniseries comprised of six 45-minute episodes about two disparate individuals who die unexpectedly on the same day — Dervia Kirwan in a hit-and-run and Stephen Tompkinson in a botched hernia operation — then find themselves roaming the streets of London without a clue as to their fate.
Eventually, they discover they cannot interact with people they knew, only with strangers — and the strangers immediately forget everything once the interaction is over. But they gradually learn to rely on each other as they find ways to right wrongs and help others … more or less.
Not theological and not a conventional ghost story, this is a one-of-a-kind exploration of human nature that grows on you as episodes shift from comic to tragic to soap opera, and there's even a mystery. Quite entertaining.
Extras:widescreen, six episodes
"The Lorax" (Warner/Blu-ray +DVD + Digital, 1972, $24.98).Just in time for the upcoming feature-length "Lorax" cartoon in theaters (March 2) comes this brilliant Blu-ray edition of the colorful animated TV special, also taken from the Dr. Seuss text.
A cautionary environmental tale, the story expands on Seuss with additional characters and chirpy songs about a land without trees, and, of course, the Lorax's warnings to humans about chopping them all down. This one feels just about right, though it stretches out the source material a bit. (Whether the film version can hold up for 90 minutes remains to be seen.)
Extras: full frame, featurette, two additional animated Dr. Seuss stories: "Pontoffel Pock & His Magic Piano" and "The Butter Battle Book" (also on single-disc DVD, $19.97)
"Family Matters: The Complete Second Season" (Warner, 1990-91, three discs, $29.98).Nerdy Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) continues to disrupt a multi-generational, middle-class suburban Chicago family in this '90s sitcom. Some amusing bits but if you're not a fan it probably won't convert you.
Extras:full frame, 25 episodes
"Battlefield Detectives" (Athena, 2003, three discs, $59.99). Interesting exploration of the "secret" history of nine historical battles, ranging from Custer's Last Stand to Waterloo to the sinking of the Armada to the Charge of the Light Brigade — even Vietnam. Science and modern technology combine with original footage and re-enactments to tell each story. Initially aired on the History Channel.
Extras:widescreen, nine episodes, text biographies/production notes; 16-page booklet
"Storage Wars: Volume Two" (A&E, 2011, two discs, $19.95).Auctioneers Dan and Laura Dotson and some familiar bidders of their storage-unit sales return for this reality series that follows the strangely fascinating bidding wars for unknown inventory in darkened units.
Extras:widescreen, 14 episodes
"The Penguins of Madagascar: Operation: Get Ducky" (Dreamworks, 2012, $14.99).Those wacky animated penguins that proved so popular as breakout characters from the "Madagascar" films that they go their own TV series get into more mischief in this collection of episodes.
Extras:widescreen, eight episodes, trailers
"Dora the Explorer: Dora's Easter Adventure" (Nickelodeon/Paramount, 2012, $15.99).More episodes of the animated adventures of Dora and Boots, with an Easter/fantasy theme aimed at small-fry.
Extras: full frame, three episodes, interactive games, music videos
"Dinosaur Train: Eggstravaganza" (PBS Kids, 2012, $12.99). Episodes from this popular animated series for ages 3-6 include "Tank's Baby Brother" and "A Sea Turtle Tale."
Extras: full frame, nine episodes
EMAIL: hicks@desnews.com