Yes, I read Marley & Me before seeing the movie, so I knew what was coming. But if you think that eliminates the need for a whole handful of tissues when you-know-what happens, oh, how wrong you would be.

 

But the tearjerking is worth it, because really, who doesn't love a good dog flick? The answer: Only people who have no souls. So, in the spirit of Marley and other good recent pooch flicks, here's a list of 10 must-see doggie DVDs ...

 

1. Marley & Me (Fox Home Entertainment) - Go ahead, resist the rambunctious, ornery Marley's charms, even when he's destroying furniture and flunking out of obedience school (in a hilarious way). Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson and Kathleen Turner are funny sidekicks, but it's all about the many adorable yellow labs in this movie, which is funny, sweet and, like most doggie DVDs, a great excuse for gathering the whole fam together around the TV.

It's almost that time of year again - March Madness and the NCAA basketball tournament. This year's tourney kicks off on March 17 at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, and to get in the mood for three weeks of fast-paced hoops fun, I've been perusing Genius Products' NCAA March Madness: The Greatest Moments of the NCAA Tournament.

"I make more money doing animation than doing live action ... each year I do one DreamWorks project, and then I take all the money to the Oscars and bet it on Pixar."

That was Kung Fu Panda star Jack Black's quip at the Oscars Sunday night, referring to the fact that Pixar's animated flicks tend to get all the critical and awards-season acclaim. There's no arguing that Pixar flicks have heart - who can resist the charms of WALL-E or Rex the toy tyrannosaurus or blue, furry Sully?

But as Black's Kung Fu Panda proved, DreamWorks Animation has produced several endearing 'toon tales of its own, which made me pull the new Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa DVD off the shelf for a viewing.

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

The Caped Crusader!

The Dark Knight on Blu-ray

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: It's one of the best movies of the year - and not just one of the best comic book movies of the year, one of the best movies of the year, period. Though it's still up in the air whether or not the late Heath Ledger will receive a posthumous, and well-deserved, Oscar nomination for his incredible performance as The Joker (he received a Golden Globe nod this week), the DVD has already sold three million copies since its release on Tuesday. So let it be said, three million Batman fans can't be wrong.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Everyone in your family, all your friends, all your co-workers (hey, I said it was one of the best movies of the year).

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

TV's most adorkable new spy guy!

Chuck: The Complete First Season on Blu-ray

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: Charles Bartowski is your average slacker geek working at the Buy More (think Best Buy), heading up the store's Nerd Herd tech support crew (think Geek Squad), when he finds out that his ex-best friend - a guy who betrayed him and got him kicked out of college - has arranged for Chuck to accidentally download to his brain all the U.S. government's secrets. High concept? Sure. But after that initial plot, what results is an Alias-meets-Psych dramedy with a cool, sensitive, adorable nerd/spy (the endearing Zachary Levi), his goofy pals, the gorgeous female spy handler (Yvonne Strahovski) who wins his heart and the hilariously grumpy other spy handler (Adam Baldwin) who begrudgingly has to protect Chuck. There's also Chuck's sweet, caring sister and her super perfect fiancé, a smart, kind, funny, impossibly attractive guy the gang affectionately calls Captain Awesome. It's the best reason for no longer dreading Monday nights!

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your niece and nephew, your boyfriend, your dad, your uncle, your friend, you co-worker.

 

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

We interrupt this program to annoy you and make things generally irritating!

The Complete Monty Python Flying Circus Collector's Edition Megaset

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: The nifty graphics-covered box includes all four seasons of Flying Circus, as well as new documentaries, live performances, deleted scenes, "personal best" collections, a Python dictionary, quizzes and much more. As the title suggests, it's a MEGAset, and a must for any Python devotee. And, though it retails for $159.95, Amazon.com is offering it for 51% off - that's $78.49 for those of us who were promised there would be no math in this gift guide.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your dad, your brother, your uncle, your best friend, your co-worker.

 

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

It's be-witching!

Charmed: The Complete Series box set

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: 49 discs - 49 discs, people! - housed in a sturdy, gothic-y "Book of Shadows" include all eight seasons of the show and loads of special features, covering all the show's main characters, as well as the unaired pilot and a hot "Men of Charmed" feature. Yum!

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your niece, your sister, your best friend, your mom.

 

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

They're ab fab!

Absolutely Fabulous - Absolutely Everything box set

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: Sweetie, darling! It's nine discs - all five seasons - plus the Christmas specials and nearly three hours of special features, all packaged in an appropriately blinged out silver, quilted book. And, of course, because it's one of - if not THE - best Britcoms ever.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your mom, your aunt, your best friend, your sister.

 

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

The new Gilligans!

Lost: The Complete Fourth Season on Blu-ray

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: Not many dramas can start out great, lose their way, and in the fourth season, rebound with a year that's almost as good as the first. But Lost did that very thing (let that be a lesson to the powers that be at Heroes ... but I digress), as the fourth season, on the heels of that season three finale game changer with Jack and Kate back to the real world, was shocking, heartbreaking and appointment viewing every week. And Lost on Blu-ray: hey, the show is filmed in Hawaii, and Blu-ray is very kind to Hawaii.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your best pal, your 'rents, your siblings, your nephew and your co-worker.

 

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

It's the first family of TV gangsters!

The Sopranos: The Complete Series

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: If you've caught any of the re-airings of the HBO drama on A&E, you know that, even edited, the show continues to pack a whallop, and on every viewing, you catch more and more of the layered storylines. This killer - pun intended - box set collects all six seasons of the Emmy winner, plus a cool book, hours of bonus features and even a sitdown/dinner roundtable discussion with the show's cast. Bottom line: It's a must have for any serious TV drama fan, and Amazon.com is selling the set for $199.99 with free shipping ... fughetabboudit!

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your mom and dad, your husband or boyfriend, your uncle, your brother and your best friend.

 

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

A DVD box set that's better than Jell-O Pudding Pops!

The Cosby Show: 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: It includes every episode from all eight seasons of the classic '80s family sitcom The Cosby Show, from Denise's attempt to make Theo a designer shirt (a Gordon Gartrelle) to the marriage of Elvin and Sondra and Denise's wedding to Martin and the somewhat annoying Olivia years. Cosby is one of the rare shows that's every bit as wonderful as you remember it being when you watched it as a kid, and with the handsomely-packaged set available for under $100 at Amazon.com, it's a real bargain for any '80s TV fan. Bonus: The set also includes an all-new interview with Bill Cosby himself, who talks about the show's lasting impact on TV comedies.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your hubby, your brother and sister and your best friend.

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

It's holiday cartoon DVDs, Charlie Brown!

Peanuts Holiday Collection

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: It includes remastered versions of the three best Peanuts holiday specials: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas, with making-of featurettes on all three. My fave: Popcorn & Jellybeans: Making a Thanksgiving Classic, which refers, of course, to Snoopy's infamous "gourmet" Turkey Day feast of jellybeans, popcorn, pretzel sticks and buttered toast.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your niece or nephew, your brother or sister, a co-worker and Secret Santa swaps where you might not know your giftee very well (who doesn't love the Peanuts gang, after all?).

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

The 2008 Oscar Favorites Box Set

Michael Clayton, There Will Be Blood, No Country for Old Men, Juno and Sweeney Todd

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: First, I should point out that this isn't an actual box set ... you have to purchase the DVDs individually. But put 'em together in one of those movie tubs of microwavable popcorn, with a couple of boxes of movie candy (which is always on sale at Walgreens, BTW) and you've got a very nifty gifty, and five great, and very different, flicks from 2007.

 

George Clooney and Johnny Depp lost the Leading Actor statue, but gave the performances of their careers in Clayton and Sweeney, while Blood will give you the chance to finally see what all the fuss was about with those milkshake jokes (and with Daniel Day-Lewis' Oscar-winning performance). Juno is what can only be called the best feel-good movie about teen pregnancy ever, and No Country for Old Man was the deserving Best Picture winner.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your parents, your uncle, your brother, your film-lovin' co-worker and your aspiring filmmaker cousin.

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

The Saga of Half-Pint

Little House on the Prairie - The Complete Television Series

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: It's only one of the greatest family dramas ev-er!

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

Super Spy Guys

James Bond Blu-ray Volume 1 and 2 and Casino Royale on Blu-ray

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: If you haven't made the decision whether or not to switch to the Blu-ray format, these are great examples of DVDs that might help you make up your mind ... quite simply, they look incredible, with sharp scenes throughout and great sound quality.

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

 The Ultimate Family Drama

The Godfather - The Coppola Restoration Giftset

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: It's not only one of - I'd argue THE - best mobster drama of all time, but it's also one of the best family sagas of all time.

Sadly, this year many of us find ourselves in, shall we say, less-than-flush cash situations ... we're broke, ya'll! But that doesn't mean we have to go all Scrooge McDuck when it comes to holiday gifts.

 

In fact, because of the economic crunch we're all in these days, DVDs are the perfect present, because 1) there are great options for everyone on your list, 2) there are great options in every price range and 3) there are killer sales everywhere in Retail Land this year, beginning with tomorrow's post-Turkey Day Black Friday sales (check out Black Friday 2008 for a list!).

 

As promised, here's part two of our recommendations for must-see-TV-on-DVD box sets to check out before the new fall TV season officially kicks off next week …

 

The BBC High Definition Natural History Collection (BBC Warner) – If ever there were a series of programs meant to be seen in the Blu-ray format, it's this fantastic collection of BBC nature documentaries, including the Planet Earth series, hands down THE best nature series of all time, IMHO. The blues are bluer, the greens are greener, the reds and oranges and pinks are more vivid, and after watching this box set, your first thought will be to book some major international travel. In addition to Planet Earth, the set also includes Wild China, Galapagos and Ganges.

Set bonus materials: Deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes featurettes

 

The new TV season is just a couple of weeks away now, but the premiere dates for both new series and existing shows are scattered throughout the fall. Here, a two-part guide to TV-on-DVD box sets to help you fill your tube-watching hours during these last pre-season weeks (part two follows on Thursday) …

 

Saving Grace – Season One (Fox) – Holly Hunter has garnered well-deserved Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for this TNT drama, about an Oklahoma cop (Hunter) who's easily as messed up as any of the perps she chases. Grace Hanadarko is a gritty boozer with a chain-smoking habit, a foul mouth, a habit of sleeping with way too many men (regardless of their marital status) and some hefty emotional baggage (her sister died in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing), and, on some days, Grace just isn't a very likable character. The show, again, thanks to Hunter, is highly watchable, though, and one of a – thankfully – growing number of dramas and comedies (Samantha Who?, The Closer and 30 Rock, for example) that revolve around fantastic female characters.

Set bonus materials: Audio commentary and featurettes