New On Video: 'Indy' DVD Set, 'Full Throttle,'

The Adventures Of Indiana Jones" DVD Set (PG): If you to give me the three "Adventures of Indiana Jones" films alone on DVD, I'd be a happy man; but add an extra disc that explains the origins and impact of the famed film trilogy, and you've made a friend for life.

With the highly-anticipated release of 1981's "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark" (the "Indiana Jones" was added on to the title), 1984's "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" and 1989's "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" in the format, one of the most agonizing waits in DVD history is over with (remember, we still need "Star Wars"). And, needless to say, it's been worth the wait.

The films -- which follow the nail-biting adventures of Jones (Harrison Ford) on searches for the Ark of the Covenant, a stolen magic stone in India and the Holy Grail -- speak for themselves. The Saturday morning adventure serial homages are amongst the most rousing thrill rides in film history. Each film disc is for the most part bare of any bonus commentary or other features because it would make the three-hour documentary on the making of the films redundant.

The documentary provides a fascinating look into the trilogy, as writer-producer George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg detail the background stories of each film (including their differences for ideas for the movies) and break down the movies scene-by-scene.

Additionally, several major cast and crewmembers -- from Ford to Karen Allen, Kate Capshaw, Sean Connery, John Rhys-Davies and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan -- recall their memories for the disc. Old interview footage from late cast members like River Phoenix and Denholm Elliott fills in the holes.

Even more fun is the bevy of behind-the-scenes footage from the films that reveals on-set antics and the intricate filming process. Also interesting are early screen tests of the likes of Sean Young and Tom Selleck auditioning for the parts of Marion Ravenwood and Indiana (Lucas didn't want Ford initially because he didn't want him to be only be associated with him, a la Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese).

Even the slightest of tidbits revealed are fun: On the "Raiders" disc, for example, Lucas reveals Indiana Jones' original name was "Indiana Smith," and we also get to see Lucas' Alaskan Malamute Indiana, who inspired the first name of the character. (Paramount Home Entertainment)

"Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" (PG-13): If you love hyper-kinetic "Matrix"-style visuals, over-the-top action and tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek humor, then "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" is the answer to your prayers. If you want a plot, all the prayers in the world won't help you.

The follow-up to Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu's souped-up star vehicle is basically a scattered series of action vignettes that, with a tip of the hat to the title, are powered by full-throttle action.

In a nutshell, it's about how the three super-spies take on a "fallen Angel" (Demi Moore) -- who has stolen stolen a witness protection database -- and the ever-so-creepy hair-snarling Thin Man (Crispin Glover), the henchman from the first "Charlie's Angels" film. "Jackass" star Johnny Knoxville turns up as a bad guy, too (he's purposefully subtle as a freight train). And the always-hilarious Bernie Mac, who assumes the role of Bosley, appears.

Directed again in a highly-stylized manner by music videomaker McG (aka Joseph McGinty Nicol), the objective of "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" is to thrill with its action, have your jaws drop at the stunning beauty of its Angels good, bad and more (veteran Angel Jaclyn Smith turns up in a heavenly cameo), and hunt for the oodles of cameo appearances throughout the film (Carrie Fisher is disguised as a nun, and Bruce Willis, turns up for a brief moment, too).

In the end, "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" is a great excuse to skewer pop culture (including, of course, the '70s television show it's based on), and everybody involved is clearly having a ball doing it. So rest the part of your brain that craves character development and subtext, and get ready to get wide-eyed with wonder as the visuals come at you in a fast and furious manner and enjoy the eye-candy. It's delivered in "Full Throttle" by the buckets.

DVD: If the film isn't already enough for you, the DVD (which comes in PG-13 rated and unrated versions), is jam-packed with extras, including several production featurettes that delve into what was done to bring the film to life. To keep up with the action of the film, McG provides commentary with a Telestrator and an Angels Trivia Track provides fun background information. If you have trouble spotting all the celebrity cameos, a cool "Cameo-ography" will tell you who you missed. (Columbia-TriStar Home Entertainment)

Also New: A pre-"Pirates of the Caribbean" star Keira Knightley lights up the screen in "Bend it Like Beckham" (PG) a feel-good family movie about a talented soccer player (Parminder Nagra) who must face gender and religious barriers to fulfill her dreams (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment). Michael Douglas shows his comedic side in "The In-Laws" (PG-13), a remake of the 1979 film of the same name where the father of the bride (Albert Brooks) finds out his future son-in-law's dad (Douglas) isn't all who he is cracked up to be. Brooks is neurotic as the day is long in the film (can anyone do it better?) and of course, is utterly hilarious. Candice Bergen also burns up the screen as Douglas' half-whacked ex. (Warner Bros. Home Video).