'MAD MEN: SEASON ONE'

4 stars = Outstanding
Ratings explained

There's no question AMC's "Mad Men," returning for season two July 27, is one of the best series on television today. But it's a pleasant surprise that the new first-season DVD set ($49.99 on DVD or Blu-ray, Lionsgate) is so chock-full of extras.

Set in a New York ad agency in 1960, "Mad Men" chronicles the lives and loves of a cadre of executives who express sexism, racism and homophobia with abandon.

Extras on this DVD explore the show's music score, fashions and ad agencies in the '60s, including the hanky panky of the workplace.

"I don't want you to think I hanked and panked," says one woman who was there. "Maybe a little bit, but it was always elegant."

"Establishing 'Mad Men' " is an hour-long documentary about the making of the series, from casting to production design to locations.

A music sampler promotes a new CD of music from the show, but the season-two preview looks like nothing but a mashup of clips from season one. The only things missing are the advertising interstitials that aired with the show's first season on AMC as well as the behind-the-scenes commentary that played at the end of the episodes. But the DVDs make up for that with commentaries on all 13 episodes, including some that have multiple commentary track options.

-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor

'GET SMART'S BRUCE AND LLOYD: OUT OF CONTROL'

1 1/2 stars = Bad
Ratings explained

From a business perspective, this direct-to-DVD spinoff of the "Get Smart" movie that's now in theaters is a fascinating case study of changes in Hollywood production and distribution. I can't recall another instance where a movie and DVD spinoff were produced simultaneously using many of the same actors and sets.

Alas, the idea is far superior to the weak execution that takes gadget geeks Bruce (Masi Oka, "Heroes") and Lloyd (Nate Torrence, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") and sends them on their own adventure, complete with inter-agency bickering with CIA agents.

"Get Smart" movie star Steve Carell does not appear, but Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) has a one-scene cameo along with other characters from the film, including the robot Hymie (Patrick Warburton), Agent 91 (Terry Crews) and a CIA bigwig (Larry Miller). Actress Jayma Mayes, who had an arc on "Heroes," reunites with Oka and again plays his love interest.

At 71 minutes, "Bruce & Lloyd" ($27.95 DVD, $35.99 Blu-ray; Warner Premiere) is closer in tone to the slapsticky 1960s "Get Smart" TV series than the "Get Smart" movie, but it's still not very funny. "Bruce & Lloyd" also earned a PG-13 for no good reason except to slip in some unnecessary profanity. Writers Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember also wrote the "Get Smart" movie, and too often "Bruce & Lloyd" feels like it's made from the spare parts of its big-screen counterpart.

-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor

'MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS'

2 1/2 stars = Average
Ratings explained

Elizabeth (Norah Jones) didn't need an unfamiliar perfume or wayward text message to know her live-in boyfriend was cheating. No, it was word from cafe owner Jeremy (Jude Law) that the beau had ordered two pork chop meals and eaten only one.

She leaves her apartment keys with Jeremy -- who keeps a bowl full as a symbol of promises, broken dreams and doors kept open -- and gets a life lesson and some blueberry pie. Just because an entire pie is left at the end of the day doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the pie, he tells her, just as there's nothing wrong with heartbroken Elizabeth.

She takes off, waitressing her way across the country and encountering an alcoholic cop (David Strathairn) and his estranged wife (Rachel Weisz) and a gambler (Natalie Portman) who trusts no one and suggests Lizzie do the same.

"My Blueberry Nights" is a dreamy, artfully shot romance -- with a swoon-worthy kiss -- from director Wong Kar Wai ("In the Mood for Love," "2046"), but it's all about the look and symbols that are as subtle as throbbing neon signs. Grammy Award-winning singer Jones shows promise as an actress and Law exudes his usual charm, while Weisz is over the top in a small role and Strathairn an odd choice for his.

The DVD features a making-of featurette and question-and-answer session with the director at the Museum of the Moving Image. Rated PG-13 for thematic material, including violence, drinking and smoking, plus brief harsh language.

-- Barbara Vancheri, PG movie editor