Heroes>

 NBC's second season of "Heroes" was - like a number of shows - cut short by the writers strike. And that hurt.

Though there are other comic-book or comic-book-inspired shows on the air ("Smallville"), "Heroes" is the one that most plays and looks like a comic book with its compact story arcs and colorful look.

And a lot of its success depends on momentum. Season one had 23 episodes, but season two only had 11; so many of its new characters and plot lines never got to play out properly. You also got the feeling that the network - knowing the strike was looming - tried to force the action toward some sort of closing point.

"Heroes" - if you don't know - involves ordinary people who discover they have extraordinary powers. Many of them work for good, but others want to control the heroes for their own end.

Hayden Panettiere - as high-school cheerleader Claire Bennet with regenerative ability (mash her up and a short while later she's as good as new) - is the most recognizable face on the series. But others have emerged as favorites. Jack Coleman as Noah Bennet, Claire's dad (he adopted her), is both an interesting presence and one of those characters every series needs - the guy you're never sure about. And the always interesting Kristin Bell ("Veronica Mars") came on in season two as Elle, a woman with electric powers.

"Heroes" returns Sept. 22, and I'm hoping it can take off again. The season two set includes an alternate ending, behind-the-scenes stuff, a season three sneak peek and commentaries by cast and crew.

What Happens in Vegas>

When the filmmakers start with the tagline from an ad campaign - like "What Happens in Vegas" - you know that they aren't aspiring to much. And the Cameron Diaz-Ashton Kutcher rom com lives up to its limited aspirations.

Filled with creaky and contrived plot devices, "Vegas" smacks of the desperation people feel when they head off to Sin City to party away their woes, which is exactly what Diaz's Joy and Kutcher's Jack have done. Mistakenly put in the same room (where have we seen that before?), revelry, many drinks, a quickie marriage and hangovers ensue. A divorce would have followed - except for Jack winning $3 million with Joy's quarter.

Will love triumph over money? You can bet on it. But "Vegas" - while mostly inoffensive - rarely pays off.

Redbelt>

It was surprising to see David Mamet do what is essentially a B-movie action film, but "Redbelt" is an engaging film that includes some of the famed playwright's famous verbal fireworks.

The story centers on Mike Terry - British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor ("American Gangster") - a martial arts instructor who runs a small academy in L.A. As usual in Mamet's world, people's lives are never what they seem at first.

In an early scene, Mike commands his star pupil, a police officer (Max Martini), to "commit to the move. ... You know the escape." Joe is being held in a chokehold by Mike's assistant, Snowflake (Jose Pablo Cantillo).

Within a short time, a lawyer (Emily Mortimer) enters the academy with a gun and things change (another of Mamet's titles). Later, Mike saves a big-name actor (Tim Allen) from a beating and begins to enter a Neverland.

This being Mamet, there is always a bit of con to the story; so it's better to just enjoy the ride. But you know that, by the end, Mike's words to Joe come echoing back.

Keep in mind>

I overlooked it when it came out a couple of weeks ago, but "I Got the Feelin': James Brown in the '60s" - the three-disc documentary about the Godfather of Soul - has some great concert moments.

And "NCIS - The Fifth Season," "Entourage - The Complete Fourth Season" and "The Shield - The Complete Sixth Season" are three of the better shows on TV.

Rob Lowman (818) 713-3687; robert.lowman@dailynews.com

out tuesday>

NEW FILMS

"What Happens in Vegas" $29.99/ $39.98 Blu-ray

"Redbelt" $27.96 $38.96 Blu-ray

"Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?" $24.95

"My Sassy Girl" $27.98

"Purple Violets" $19.98

"Lynch" $29.95

"Virgin Territory" $26.97

"a/k/a Tommy Chong" $24.98

"Postal" $26.99

TELEVISION

"Heroes: Season 2" $39.98/ $69.98 Blu-ray

"NCIS - The Fifth Season" $55.98

"Entourage - The Complete Fourth Season" $39.98

"One Tree Hill - The Complete Fifth Season" $59.98

"The Shield - The Complete Sixth Season" $59.95

"CNN Presents: Black in America" $29.95

"Everybody Hates Chris: The Third Season" $39.98

"American Experience: Nixon" $24.99

"The Untouchables: Season Two, Vol. 2" $39.98

"Dirty Jobs Collection 3" $19.99

OLDER FILMS

"The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 3: 1940-1942" $24.96

"The Nightmare Before Christmas" $32.99 two-disc collector's edition/ $39.99 Blu-ray

"Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom" $39.95

"Errol Flynn Westerns Collection" $49.98

"Warner Home Video Western Classics Collection" $59.92/ $12.97 individually

"The Rape of Europa" $29.95

"Brotherhood of Wolf Director's Cut" $19.98

NEW TO BLU-RAY

"Heroes: Season 1" $99.98

"U-571" $29.98

"The Adventures of Robin Hood Errol Flynn" $28.99 $

"Blue Man Group: How to Be a Megastar Live!" $19.98

"Miami Vice - Unrated" $29.98

"The Secret" $35.98

"End of Days" $29.98

FOR KIDS

"The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Beginning" $29.99