This Week in DVD

I'm doing something a little different this week with this rather late installment of "This Week in DVD." I'll highlight a batch of notable new releases, as per usual, but I'll also share the lessons we can take from these releases. Let's see how it goes.

Revolutionary Road: Kate Winslet and Leo are really frustrated in 1950s suburbia because they're, like, really bored and stuff and tired of conforming, man.
Lesson learned: Hollywood loathes the 1950s and is gonna keep on making movies that let us know that.

Defiance: Daniel Craig, eager to avoid being pigeonholed as Bond, James Bond, stars in Ed Zwick's fact-based saga of Jewish brothers who join resistance fighters in the struggle against the Nazis. Of course, this movie earned a lot of "James Bond Vs. the Nazis" headlines when it came out.
Lesson learned: Once a Bond, always aBond--unless you're Barry Nelson or George Lazenby.*

Cannon Season 2, Volume 1: Would you believe that Paramount is justifying its split-season approach with this series by saying, "Frank Cannon is at least twice the detective an average-sized man is, so it's like you're getting a whole season"? Well, you shouldn't. I made it up. But at least it would be a more creative reason than, "We want to soak you for all we can get," or the corollary, "Wal-Mart won't carry it unless we make it a little smaller and jack up the per-disc MSRP."
Lesson learned: Don't believe everything you read. Also, split seasons still bite.

The Jetsons Season 2 Volume 1: These so-called "second season" episodes were produced in the 1980s, decades after the original (i.e., "real") series. Hey, it's 2009. I guess the third season should be popping up on Cartoon Network any day now.
Lesson learned: Marketing is a funny thing. Spacely Sprockets has nothing on the creative minds at Hanna Barbera and Warners.

Quincy Season 3: After a long layoff, Universal brings us another season of America's favorite TV doctor*. I don't know why it's taking so long to get this series out, but I suspect...murder!
Lesson learned: Don't EVER give up on Quincy!

Weeds Season 4: I don't watch this show, but Mary Louise Parker sure looks like a million grams on the DVD box cover.
Lesson learned: Sex sells, or at least gets you to take notice.

Abbott Costello the Complete Series: I never got around to getting the season sets, and when I saw this listing at Amazon, I figured, hey, a chance to get the whole bundle and save a few bucks. Now, though, the item is unavailable, and I can't find any other info about this alleged release. Anyone know what's going on here?
Lesson learned: Passport Video isn't exactly the most with-it DVD company out there. Also, get the shows you want when you can.

*For the record, I think "On Her Majesty's Secret Service is one of the best Bond flicks.

**In this instance, "America" consists only of myself.