Another summer blockbuster season approaches but as Hollywood gears up for their busiest period there's plenty for the stay at home types to savor as well. And unlike the theatrical film releases, these DVD suggestions are ALL ready made for LGBT audiences. ( Pictured: Shelter. )
May
—Stonewall: The 1996 indie dramedy set amidst the 1969 Stonewall riots with three drag queens leading the action
—Ab Fab-the Everything Box Set: Every single Patsy and Edina episode and special, and maybe even the empty champagne bottles
—The Walker: Woody Harrelson plays cards ( and a gay character ) in this offbeat Washington murder mystery with Lily Tomlin, Lauren Bacall and Kristin Scott Thomas
—Shelter: If you missed Jonah Markowitz's surfer-boy romance dramedy in theaters, the DVD edition arrives at the end of the month.
—The Noel Coward Trilogy: Theater queens will love this rare collection featuring the witty gay icon who coined the phrase 'Mad About the Boy' and gave Elaine Stritch a raft of stories for her one-woman show.
June
—Dante's Cove, Season 3: Here! TV's sexy vampire/witch series, a guilty pleasure if there ever was one, offers plenty of that and more in this set.
—Casino Royale: The 40th-anniversary edition arrives a year late but there's hilarious Peter Sellers, who directly inspired the Austin Powers character; luscious Ursula Andress; and that groovy Bacharach score that features lesbian icon Dusty Springfield crooning 'The Look of Love.'
—Mandingo: It's a camp guilty pleasure of the lowest order. James Mason, sexy Ken Norton, et al star in a tale of slaves, their sadistic owners and heated-up white ladies ( and gents ) in the old south.
—Til Death Do Us Part: John Waters stars as the 'Groom Reaper' in this black comedic anthology series—a TV show dedicated to marriages that ends up in murder.
—Xanadu ( Magical Musical Edition ) : This version of the 1980 roller-disco camp extravaganza starring Olivia Newton John, Michael Beck and Gene Kelly includes the soundtrack CD.
—Glitterbox: Derek Jarman x 4: This set features four of the late director's artsy, gay-infused films ( including Caravaggio ) . It's a must for the erudite homo.
July
—Batman: The Movie: The 1966 TV feature version with Adam West, Burt Ward, Julie Newmar, Cesar Romero, et al
—The Mummy, The Mummy 2, Van Helsing: These are special double-disc editions of both the 1932 Karloff version, the two Brendan Fraser remakes and the underrated ( sez me ) Van Helsing with Hugh Jackman, who appears in a loincloth at one point.
—The Curiosity of Chance: A sweet little high school gay coming of age comedy that played the gay film-festival circuit
—Pete Kelly's Blues: Peggy Lee in her Oscar-nominated performance in support of Jack Webb ( ! ) and Lee Marvin
—Dark Shadows—The Beginning, Vol. 5: More pre-Barnabas episodes from the iconic 1960s gothic soap opera
August
These titles are rumored to have street dates this month: Baby Mama, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Nim's Island and, at long last, a Natalie Wood boxed set from Warner Home Video.