54 ( already released; $19.99 on Blu-ray ) : Ryan Phillippe stars in this movie about a young man who becomes a part of the scene at the legendary nightspot Studio 54. The movie co-stars Salma Hayek, Neve Campbell and Mike Myers.
Albert Nobbs ( May 15; $27.98 ) : Six-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close stars in this critically acclaimed film about a woman in 19th-century Ireland who must live and work as a man. Co-stars include Janet McTeer ( Oscar-nominated along with Close ) , Aaron Johnson, Mia Wasikowska and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
American Translation ( March 27; $14.99 ) : American Translation follows a Frenchman ( the extremely sexy Pierre Perrier, who seems to have no qualms about parading about in the nude ) as he tours his native countryside with his female American lover. However, they embark on a violent and sexual journey filled with seduction and destruction of young gay hustlers.
Borgia Faith and Fear: Season One ( already released; $39.98 ) : Much like other period TV series ranging from The Tudors to Game of Thrones ( see below ) , this show takes a full-on ( and sometimes full-frontal ) approach to the Catholic Church in the era of Da Vinci and Michelangelo. John Doman ( who dazzled me with his turn on the show Damages ) is magnetic as Rodrigo Borgia, who becomes a pope and ruthless dictator. Extras include interviews with the cast and crew along with a making-of featurette.
A Dangerous Method ( March 27; $30.99 ) : In this David Cronenberg movie, Carl Jung ( Michael Fassbender ) takes on an intellectually gifted but deeply neurotic young woman, Sabina Spielrein ( Keira Knightley ) , as a patient. Meanwhile, Jung is entwined in another important relationship, with psychoanalysis founder Sigmund Freud ( Viggo Mortensen ) .
Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season ( already out; $59.99 ) : This captivating drama follows powerful families as they are engaged in a deadly cat-and-mouse game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. As you might expect from an HBO series, it can get pretty explicit and explore themes you won't find on standard network shows. ( For example, there's "twincest." ) Special features include character profiles, the feature "Creating the Dothraki Language" and some pretty funny audio commentaries, among other things.
Goldfish Memory ( already out; $14.77 ) : This Irish film actually came out in 2003, but I only recently discovered it. It's a charming movie that involves related stories involving characters of all sexual orientations. The Wolfe Video release stars Sean Campion ( Borgia Faith and Fear: Season One ) , Flora Montgomery and Jean Butler, among others.
Hunted by Night ( already out; $24.95 ) : Remember this name: Jencarlos Canela. The beyond-handsome star of telenovela Mi Corazon Insiste is the star of this action-adventure film, in which three men must decide what to do when they discover a cache of drugs worth millions. Special features include commentary, behind-the-scenes and trailers.
Jitters ( March 27; $19.99 ) : Not too many LGBT-themed movies have an Icelandic bent. This intriguing coming-of-age drama follows a closeted boy and his group of friends. The movie is pretty well-acted, and it features an attention-grabbing soundtrack.
Kate & Leopold: Director's Cut ( April 10; $14.99 for Blu-ray ) : Hunkalicious Hugh Jackman stars in this movie, along with Meg Ryan, in this romantic comedy about a 21st-century woman who falls for a 19th-century man. The Blu-ray Disc includes audio commentary with Mangold, deleted scenes with commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette, a costume featurette and a photo gallery.
Madonna: Truth or Dare ( April 3; $14.99 on Blu-ray ) : I remember loving this film when it came out in theaters in 1990and now it's coming out on Blu-ray, thanks to Lionsgate. ( It will also be out on DVD for $9.98. ) See the "Holiday" singer as a musician, dancer, sex bomb, businesswoman and den mother in a no-holds-barred documentary chronicling Madonna's 1990 Blond Ambition Tour. Among the celebrities who make appearances are Warren Beatty, Sandra Bernhard and Kevin Costner.
My Week with Marilyn ( March 13; $29.98 ) : Michelle Williams received an Oscar nomination for her role as Marilyn Monroe in this film. The movie focuses on Monroe's first trip to London to film The Prince and the Showgirl, with Sir Laurence Olivier ( played by Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh ) ; while there, she befriends Colin Clark ( Eddie Redmayne ) , a production assistant on the set.
Nurse Jackie: Season Three ( already released; $39.98 ) : This dramedy, starring multiple Emmy winner Edie Falco, continues with the pill-popping title characters facing intervention. The stellar supporting cast includes Peter Facinelli, Eve Best ( my personal favorite ) and Paul Schulze.
The Seminarian ( March 27; $24.99 ) : The Breaking Glass Pictures feature stars Mark Cirillo as a closeted gay student in his last semester of seminary studies. The movie follows him as he interacts with fellow students ( some of whom are also gay ) and as he works on his thesis, "The Divine Gift of Love"which he starts the same time he embarks on a relationship with a guy he meets online. Special features include an interview with Cirillo and audio commentaries.
Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns: Season 5 ( April 17; $29.98 ) : The series about Mr. Brownwho started a retirement home that now includes members of his familywill soon be out on DVD, with 20 episodes on three discs. David Mann, as the lead character, won the 2011 NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series.
Ultimate Avengers Movie Collection 3-Movie Set ( April 17; $19.98 ) : For fanboys and fangirls, this is the ultimate deal. The Ultimate Avengers Movie Collection 3-Movie Set includes Ultimate Avengers: The Movie, Ultimate Avengers 2 and includes a bonus movie, Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow.
*All prices are for the items on DVD ( not Blu-Ray ) , unless otherwise indicated.
Andrew Davis
( Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com )