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TV on DVD: Tuesday, May 1, 2012

by Ethan Alter May 1, 2012 6:00 AM
TV on DVD: Tuesday, May 1, 2012

The Quiet Beatle makes some noise in Martin Scorsese's admiring documentary.

George Harrison: Living in the Material World
In addition to directing some of the best narrative features of the past four decades, Martin Scorsese has a sideline career as a chronicler of the careers of '60s and '70s rock gods like The Band, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and now, George Harrison. Produced for HBO, this four-hour series follows the singer/songwriter from his halcyon days in the Beatles through his prolific solo career, which was cut short when he died of lung cancer at the too-young age of 58. In addition to former bandmates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Harrison's praises (as well as his faults) are sung by his wife, Olivia and friends and contemporaries like Eric Idle and Phil Spector. In a move that may frustrate some viewers, Scorsese abandons a conventional year-by-year timeline in favor of a more free-form chronicle of his subject's life and times. While this approach does seem to complement the famously meditative Harrison's own view of the universe, it does mean that the film overlooks or skims through areas of his career that would seem to deserve more exploration. While perhaps not the most complete portrait of Harrison, Living in a Material World does allow his singular voice to come through loud and clear.
Extras: The documentary will be released in three versions, DVD, Blu-ray and a Deluxe Edition that offers both standard and high-def discs plus a 96-page photo book and a copy of the CD Early Takes, Volume 1.
Click here to read our original review

Covert Affairs: Season Two
Suits: Season One
As the USA Network gears up for another summer of light, frothy shows, catch up on two of its most popular series, the Piper Perabo-starring Alias-lite spy show Covert Affairs and the corporate law-set drama Suits, with Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams. While neither show would ever be confused with a powerhouse series like Mad Men or even Girls, they do provide diverting hour-long entertainment, served up with a wink and a smile.
Extras: Both sets offer deleted scenes, featurettes and commentary tracks.

Also on DVD:
Horror icon William Castle oversaw the short-lived '70s horror anthology Ghost Story a.k.a. Circle of Fear: The Complete Series, which featured such big-name guest stars as Jason Robards, Jodie Foster and Patricia Neal. Another cult '70s series The Invisible Man: The Complete Series also finds its way to DVD this week, putting a then-contemporary spin on the classic H.G. Wells novel. In kiddie entertainment, Cartoon Network release its video game-themed TV movie Level Up on DVD and Tom and Jerry: Around the World offers 22 cartoons starring everyone's favorite violence-prone cat and mouse double act.

Think you've got game? Prove it! Check out Games Without Pity, our new area featuring trivia, puzzle, card, strategy, action and word games -- all free to play and guaranteed to help pass the time until your next show starts.

What are people saying about your favorite shows and stars right now? Find out with Talk Without Pity, the social media site for real TV fans. See Tweets and Facebook comments in real time and add your own -- all without leaving TWoP. Join the conversation now!

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