Vampires, havoc make 'True Blood' a treat

"True Blood: Season One"

Alan Ball, who created the HBO's series "Six Feet Under," has returned with the mystifying series "True Blood," a reworking of Charlaine Harris' popular, witty "Sookie Stackhouse" novels. You will be mesmerized from the opening segment with Jace Everett's theme song "I Wanna do Bad Things to You."

The show centers on Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a waitress at Merlotte's, a Louisiana bar. She has a special gift: She can read people's minds. Sookie falls for Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), a 175-year-old vampire whose thoughts she cannot hear. Story lines involve members of her family, along with other people who work at Merlotte's. There are vampires everywhere, and they cause havoc in the community.

The DVD set of this well-written, well-acted adult drama includes 12 episodes and lots of extras.

"Paramount Centennial Collection: El Dorado"

Howard Hawks directs Robert Mitchum and John Wayne in this gritty Western. The two-disc set includes a new digitally remastered print, and eight-page collectible booklet, commentary, featurettes, galleries, lobby cards and much more.

"Paramount Centennial Collection: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"

John Ford directs James Stewart, John Wayne and Lee Marvin in this tale of Western Justice. The two-disc set includes a digitally remastered print, commentary and eight-page collectible booklet, documentaries, original trailer, lobby cards, featurettes and much more.

"Soundstage Presents Michael McDonald: A Tribute To Motown"

Michael McDonald grew up listening to the music of Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and other Motown artists. The Grammy-award winner who sang with Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers before his solo career sings some of the greatest songs from the hit factory that was Motown. The songs include "What's Goin' On," "I Second That Emotion," "All in Love Is Fair," "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing," "Tracks of My Tears," "Nowhere to Run" and eight more.

McDonald is joined by guest stars Toni Braxton, India Arie and Billy Preston,

"Crips and Bloods: Made in America"

Award-winning director Stacy Peralta's hard-hitting documentary was seen at theaters across the country, and was an official selection at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Narrated by Forest Whitaker, the film examines the 40-year war between Los Angeles' two most notorious gangs, the Bloods and Crips.

Peralta shows what has led to the murders of more than 15,000 gang members over this period of time. Using archival photos, along with interviews with current and past gang members, historians and educators, Peralta exposes how this all came about, and how it might be resolved some day. Schools and libraries should feature this compelling film to help educate and inform future generations.

Available Next Week

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"History Channel Presents America At War"

"Land of the Lost: Complete Series"

"New In Town"

"Saturday Morning Cartoons 1960s"

"Saturday Morning Cartoons 1970s"

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