Compiled by Andrew Davis. Pictured: Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler
—American Dad: Volume Four ( April 28; $39.98 ) : From the minds of Family Guy producers Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman, American Dad follows the outrageous animated adventures of ultra-conservative CIA agent Stan Smith. Volume Four features 14 episodes from seasons three and four, along with commentaries from cast and crew members, deleted scenes and more.
—Australia ( already out; $29.98 DVD, $39,99 Blu-Ray ) : A shirtless Hugh Jackman? Count me in! Directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring a strapping Jackman and a luminous Nicole Kidman, this movie's a grand-scale journey. Set against the Australian outback, an English aristocrat ( Kidman ) travels to the faraway continent, where she meets a rough-hewn local ( Jackman ) ; they join forces to save a cattle ranch she inherited from her late husband. Extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes.
—Dostana ( already out; $19.99 ) : Miami is the setting for this Dharma Productions movie about two men ( the sizzling-hot Bollywood actors John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan ) who play gay to get an apartment. Throw a sexy woman ( Priyanka Chopra ) into the mix and, of course, friendships are tested. It's basically a musical comedy—with the emphasis on the music.
—Doubt ( April 5; $19.99 ) : One of the most talked-about movies of 2008, Doubt was nominated for several Oscars ( including Meryl Streep, Viola Davis and Philip Seymour Hoffman for their acting and John Patrick Shanley for his writing ) . Two-time Academy Award winner Streep ( taking over the role from Cherry Jones, who won a Tony for her role ) plays Sister Aloysius Beauvier, the principal of a parish school who investigates Fr. Brendan Flynn ( Hoffman ) , who she suspects has engaged in improprieties with the school's first Black student. ( The movie is set in 1964. ) Extras include a commentary by Shanley and a conversation with the cast.
—Fun In Girls' Shorts 2 ( April 9; $24.99 ) : Oversexed dolls, promiscuous activists, tough tomboys and the universal search for love and acceptance are some of the subjects featured this new DVD compilation of seven powerful and provocative short lesbian-themed films. Among the shorts are "Crafty," "Nightstar" and "The Vicious and the Delicious." Fun In Girls' Shorts' 2 is being distributed exclusively by Strand Releasing ( www.strandreleasing.com )
—Happy-Go-Lucky ( already out; $29.99 ) : This film from writer/director Mike Leigh ( of Secrets and Lies ) is a look at the life of an irrepressible optimist, played by Sally Hawkins, who snagged a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture. Bonus features include audio commentary by Leigh and Hawkins; and featurettes "Happy in Character" and "Behind the Wheel of Happy-Go-Lucky."
—John Steinbeck's East of Eden ( already out; $59.99 ) : Jane Seymour, in a Golden Globe-winning turn, slithers through the lives of three generations of the Trask men ( including Warren Oates, Timothy Bottoms and Hart Bochner ) in this three-episode adaptation ( from Acorn Media ) of John Steinbeck's classic. Bonus features include an interview with Seymour and cast filmographies.
—The Midnight Meat Train ( already out; $28.98 ) : The title might indicate a gay orgy, but this movie is actually another product from the mind of out horror master Clive Barker. Featuring Bradley Cooper ( Wedding Crashers ) , Leslie Bibb ( Iron Man, TV's Popular ) , Brooke Shields and Vinnie Jones ( X-Men: The Last Stand ) , critics have called The Midnight Meat Train "one of the most effective horror films of the year" ( Cinematical ) and said that it's "guaranteed to make you squirm, scream and beg for more" ( Bloody-Disgusting.com ) . You might stay away from the "L" for a while after watching this one.
—On the Other Hand, Death ( already out; $24.95 ) : The third installment in the Donald Strachey franchise once again stars Chad Allen as a gay private investigator and co-stars screen legend Margot Kidder ( Superman ) . Directed by Emmy-nominated Ron Oliver ( TV's "Degrassi: The Next Generation" and "Queer as Folk" ) On the Other Hand, Death delves into hate crimes. Extras include a photo gallery and a backlot featurette.
—Rick & Steve: The Complete Second Season ( already out; $19.99 ) : In the first season you met Rick, the brainy bottom; Steve, the brawny top; and the other citizens of West Lahunga Beach. The second season begins with pregnant lesbian Dana still in labor with Rick's baby, Dixie. During the eight hilarious and hectic episodes of Rick and Steve's second season, you'll see a gay parody of The Wizard of Oz and come face-to-face with the terror of Lesbian Bed Death.
—S. Darko ( May 12; $22.98 DVD, $29.99 Blu-Ray ) : Some may be intrigued and others may be repelled by the idea of a follow-up to the cult hit Donnie Darko, but here it is. Samantha Darko ( played by Daveigh Chase ) is now the one who has to distinguish between reality and fantasy. Ed Westwick ( of TV's Gossip Girl ) co-stars.
—Silence of the Lambs ( already out; $34.99 Blu-Ray ) : Based on Thomas Harris' novel, this classic—which, actually, is more a psychological thriller than a gorefest—explores the connection between FBI agent-in-training Clarice Starling ( Jodie Foster ) and cannibalistic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter ( Sir Anthony Hopkins ) as Starling tries to capture serial killer Buffalo Bill ( Ted Levine ) . The many special features include a documentary, "Inside the Labyrinth," and more than 20 minutes of deleted scenes and outtakes.
—Trial & Retribution, Set 2 ( already out; $59.99 ) : With all the realism and emotional depth that characterized Prime Suspect, Lynda La Plante created, produced,and wrote this long-running, smash hit British crime drama still in production. These four thrillers examine crimes from investigation through verdict, fully exploring the toll taken on everyone involved. Extras include a text description of the Criminal Investigation Department.
—Unzipped ( already out; $19.99 ) : With Valentino: The Last Emperor currently in theaters, it's the perfect time to ( re- ) visit Unzipped, Douglas Keeve's witty, energetic 1995 documentary about his then-lover, fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, and trials Mizrahi goes through in staging a runway show. Shot mostly in black and white, there are guest appearances from Sandra Bernhard and a gaggle of true supermodels ( Naomi, Linda, Cindy, Kate, Christy, Helena and even France's current first lady, Carla Bruni ) . And the look Linda Evangelista gives the camera—which is clearly bothering her—during the show is, as they say, worth the price of admission alone.
—What's Up, Scarlet? ( April 28; $29.95 ) : This movie—which stars Susan Priver, Sally Kirkland and Jere Burns—finds matchmaker Scarlet Zabrinski ( Priver ) meeting up with homeless foreign actress Sabrina Fisser ( Musetta Vander ) . Will sparks fly? This film comes courtesy of Ariztical Entertainment.
—The Wrestler ( April 21; $29.98 ) : Mickey Rourke came thisclose to winning an Academy Award for his brutal/tender performance as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a veteran grappler who is desperate to hold on to the fame and glory that once surrounded him. Marisa Tomei also received an Oscar nod for her turn as Robinson's stripper girlfriend, and Evan Rachel Wood received much acclaim for portraying Robinson's lesbian daughter. This film will be out on DVD and Blu-Ray; both have exclusive bonus materials, including a "Within the Ring" featurette.
