There is perhaps no show as easy and pleasant, as frictionless to watch as HBO’s Entourage, with Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Connolly playing pals to movie star Vinnie Chase (Adrian Grenier), and of course the great Jeremy Piven (who recently picked up a Golden Globe for the role) as his agent, Ari Gold. Presumably so it could stay attached to The Sopranos, which it follows on Sunday nights, Entourage was split into two parts this season. The first clutch of episodes is now available on DVD. At 12 episodes, it’s nearly as long as the entire second season (which clocked in at 14). It’s also just as fun to watch, as Chase’s film Aquaman (directed in the Entourage universe by James Cameron, who appeared as himself in season two) premieres, and the gang has to deal with his becoming a real, not just aspiring, international movie star. It’s pure, light-as-air entertainment. Extras are hardly extensive, though you do get commentary from Ferrara, Dillon and producer Doug Ellin on three episodes.

A couple of last year’s best movies have also shown up on DVD recently, so now there’s no excuse not to see Alfonso Cuarón’s brilliant Children of Men, which comes packaged with invaluable making-of featurettes detailing the movie’s amazing cinematography. Another must-see if you haven’t already done so, Pedro Almodóvar’s Volver, with its magnificent turn from Penélope Cruz, is also in stores.

by MARK SLUTSKY