Remind me: Is War of the Worlds a reference to Tom's war against psychiatry, or Katie's war against her parents? Oh, wait … there was a movie in there somewhere, wasn't there? It's a shame Steven Spielberg's latest (and very expensive) sci-fi epic carries so much tabloid baggage with it. Perhaps its DVD incarnation will give it a fresh start; available in either a single-disc or special double-disc package, War of the Worlds promises to be at or near the top of every action/adventure fan's Christmas list.

The limited-edition two disc set just might make fans feel like they're on the set of the film itself, with several "production diary" featurettes that give insight into the filming of some of the movie's key scenes. There are also behind-the-scenes looks at the production design and the scoring of the film; a featurette on the H.G. Wells legacy; "Revisiting the Invasion," a special DVD introduction by director Spielberg; and two other featurettes, "We are Not Alone" and "Steven Spielberg and the Original War of the Worlds."

The single-disc version, of course, is significantly less expensive—call it the Stocking Stuffer Edition, if you will—but also includes far fewer bonus features. In fact, it's got almost nothing, boasting only one making-of featurette, "Designing the Enemy: Tripods and Enemies"—which is also included on the two-discer.

Here's a Christmas film that had to be shelved for an entire year before seeing the light of DVD. Available in both a decked-out two-disc edition and a more modest single-disc version, The Polar Express garnered media attention for its cutting-edge animation. Based on a popular children's book and featuring the reunion of Forrest Gump collaborators Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis, this flick just might have what it takes to become a holiday classic.

The two-disc set's bonus features include a profile on author Chris Van Allsburg; "The Many Polar Faces of Tom Hanks" featurette; an interactive demo of the PC computer game; a never-before-seen musical number; Josh Groban's performance of the hit song "Believe," and a documentary on the making of that song; and "Meet the Snow Angels: The Moviemaker's Christmas Memories" featurette. As for the single-disc version … well, it's got nothing.

Also …

Other new DVDs scheduled for release today include:

• King Kong mania begins today! The upcoming release of Peter Jackson's Kong remake is heralded with the release of a whole host of new DVDs, available in the three-disc King Kong Collector's Set.

• And speaking of monkey business … all hail the, uh, second most powerful ape in Hollywood! The original Mighty Joe Young (1949) releases today for the first time.

• Just in time for its sequel, Cheaper by the Dozen returns to disc with the special Baker's Dozen Edition, featuring several brand new bonus features and a sneak peak at Cheaper by the Dozen 2, opening Dec. 21.

• Great TV should stay on the small screen. If that's not an adage then it probably should be. Case in point: The big-screen remake of The Honeymooners, out now on disc.

• The Aliens and the Predators are back for another round of abuse with the unrated Director's Cut of Alien vs. Predator. (And just in time for Christmas … how festive!)

• Meanwhile, there's a new holiday film out called Mr. Christmas, a quaint story set in 1941 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and releasing to DVD today. You can buy it here.

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