New British detective series among TV shows now on DVD

A new British detective series leads these TV shows that are new to DVD.

"Case Histories" (Acorn, 2011, two discs, $39.99). Another hard-bitten mystery-thriller series from Great Britain, but which also has a lighter side and a few unexpected twists. Jason Isaacs (best known as Lucius Malfoy in the "Harry Potter" films) stars as Jackson Brodie, a beaten-down Scottish private detective who was previously a soldier and police officer.

Brodie can be tough but he's also a soft touch, sometimes taking small cases without pay, which provide welcome doses of humor (as does his delightfully acerbic secretary).

Well made with excellent performances and nicely photographed location shooting in Edinburgh. But it is dark and unnecessarily graphic in terms of both violence and sex.

Extras: widescreen, three two-part episodes, featurette

"Rickey Smiley: Open Casket Sharp" (eOne, 2011, 19.98). Morning radio personality and BET cable host Smiley performs a stand-up comedy set live in Atlanta. He's billed as "family-friendly," although he uses some language that might not sit well with everyone. Some amusing stuff but this one is aimed primarily at fans familiar with his shtick.

Extras: widescreen, two reality-TV spoofs

"Amazonia: Healing With Sacred Plants" (True Mind, 2011, $19.98). Medical anthropologist Alberto Villoldo shares healing plants from the Amazon rainforest in this documentary.

Extras: widescreen

"The Wild Thornberrys: Season 2, Part 1" (Shout! 1999, two discs, $19.93). Those wacky animated Thornberrys are back for more adventures in jungles, rainforests, deserts and cities across the globe as Eliza talks with the animals. Koalas, reindeer, wombats, polar bears and dingoes are among the various creatures she befriends in this zany series with dollops of education along the way.

Extras: full frame, 11 episodes

Email: hicks@desnews.com