DVD reviews

(Paramount, $19.99): Even Arbor Day would be fraught with existential angst for poor Charlie Brown. He doesn't stand a chance against the greeting-card industry's biggest cash cow. But the entire Peanuts gang is seeing red - as Linus pines after an older woman (his teacher), Sally longs for Linus, and Lucy tries to terrorize Schroeder into being hers. The moment that most perfectly celebrates the scariest of holidays: Linus hurling chocolates off a bridge, screaming, "This is for Elizabeth Barrett Browning!" Also included are two so-so bonus cartoons. - Yvonne Zipp

(Twentieth Century Fox, $27.98): She's an editor at a music magazine. He's a record-company executive. Dre and Sidney have been friends since childhood. They share a love of hip-hop and know all about each other's lives, but they have never been romantically involved. Dre ends up getting married and Sidney gets engaged, but did they make a mistake? It gets tiresome when Sidney uses hip-hop as an endless metaphor for her love for Dre. The film has funny moments, but it never crystallizes. DVD extras include the typical director commentary and deleted scenes. - Lisa Leigh Connors

(IFC Films, $27.95): By now everyone knows the story of Toula (Nia Vardalos), a frumpy Greek woman who falls in love with a non-Greek man - much to the horror of her parents, who proudly display ancient Greek statues on their lawn and rattle off the Greek origin of words like kimono. Even the second time around, this romantic comedy will make you grin - and who can't relate to a character who's been embarrassed by her family? But DVD features are weak. The best aspect is commentary from Vardalos in which she reveals that she was once a vegetarian - until her Greek family "finally got to her." - Stephanie Cook Broadhurst

(Buena Vista Pictures, $29.99): Despite mediocre reviews, I liked this Southern comedy about an up-and-coming fashion designer in New York, who makes a mad dash to Alabama to finalize her divorce. If only the DVD extras were as lively and charismatic as Reese Witherspoon. Some of the most interesting nuggets: The beginning of the movie was shot on the last day of filming. There was an alternative ending where Reese pretended to die from being struck by lightning (not funny), and the big scene at Tiffany's featured the jewelry store's real employees. - L.L.C

(MGM, $24.98): Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, and Brad Pitt return for a special edition of one of the best road trips ever. The DVD features a three-part documentary on the making of "Thelma & Louise," with new interviews from Sarandon, Davis, Pitt, Scott, and writer Callie Khouri. There's also commentary by director Ridley Scott and, for those who were disturbed by the original ending, there's an alternative one. - L.L.C.

Pity the poor romantic. Science-fiction fanatics, action buffs, comic geeks - in short fanboys of every stripe - can wear out their thumbs clicking through hour after hour of DVD bonus footage (to say nothing of easter eggs, interactive games, and other features that never seem to pop up on the movies I rent.) Hollywood seems to think that if a director didn't blow something up while making his movie, he just must not have anything to say. Pick up a copy of "Persuasion" or "A Room With a View" and you've got nothing to show for your trouble (well, besides a really great film). But for those who want lots of cool clickables to go along with their hearts and flowers, here's a Valentine's bouquet of romantic DVDs:

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