If the heat and gas prices are keeping you in your home and out of the cineplex this week, there are plenty of new DVD options to keep you well entertained. It's a good week for DVD drops, with films featuring stars such as Morgan Freeman, Jacks Nicholson and Black, Paul Giamatti and the ever popular Henry VIII.

The Bucket List, a tour de force for Freeman and Nicholson, follows two friends plagued by cancer, trying to fulfill a long list of dreams before they "kick the bucket." Directed by Rob Reiner, it's perfect for anyone growing old or planning to someday. On the other end of the spectrum is Be Kind Rewind, a quirky comedy starring Jack Black and Mos Def revolving around video (that's VHS) rental store workers who make their own versions of popular films when the store's tapes are accidentally erased. You have to be very young or very hip to appreciate it.

Tudors fans will be excited to rent The Other Boleyn Girl, a feisty drama starring Natalie Portman, Eric Bana and Scarlett Johansson. Who knew King Henry had an affair with Anne Boleyn's sister Mary before Anne lost her head over the king? Popular historical fiction writer Phillipa Gregory did, and the film is based on her novel of the same name. If you like Showtime's The Tudors series, you'll love this film. Another historical piece you won't want to miss is the HBO mini-series John Adams, starring Paul Giamatti in the title role, and Laura Linney as his devoted yet independent wife. Renting or buying this three-disc, five-and-a half-hour program could be ideal – those with short attention spans can fast forward this important yet ponderous production to their heart's content.

The much promoted but critically panned Jumper is also available on DVD this week. Hayden Christensen gives an uninspired performance in a weakly scripted film about a man who can teleport himself anywhere he can visualize in the blink of an eye. Diane Lane provides a bright spot, as do those oh-so-magnificent locations. Also for the easy to please viewer, there's Witless Protection, starring Larry the Cable as a small town sheriff who thinks he's witnessed a crime.