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New DVD Recommendations

'Frost/Nixon'

Release Date: April 21

What It's About:The true story of David Frost (Michael Sheen), a British TV personality who ponied up a cool $600,000 for the exclusive first interview with disgraced ex-president Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) ... and somehow got his money worth.

What We Say: It takes some serious directorial skill to condense 12 days of interviews into two hours of tense and gripping entertainment, but that's exactly what Ron Howard does in crafting this exciting battle of wits. It also helps that Langella's humanizing portrayal of Tricky Dick is phenomenal.

Special Features? The DVD offers a making-of doc, footage from the actual interviews and a feature on additional recordings of the ex-prez (perfect for the Nixon completist).

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Universal

'The Wrestler'

Release Date: April 21

What It's About: Randy 'The Ram' Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a former pro wrestling sensation, is a shell of his former self. He now lives in a trailer park, wrestles for pennies at local New Jersey holes where using a staple gun (yes, a staple gun) in the ring is perfectly acceptable, and obsesses over a friendly neighborhood stripper (Marisa Tomei).

It's Kind of Like: The anti-'Hogan Knows Best'

What We Say: Darren Aronofsky's superb indie made the most noise for Rourke's triumphant comeback as a gentle giant, but the film itself was one of the year's best: It's a powerful, brutal and grueling yet still inspiring human drama.

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Fox Searchlight

'Notorious'

Release Date: April 21

What It's About: Just 12 years after his death comes this biopic about legendary rapper The Notorious B.I.G. (Jamal Woolard), aka Biggie Smalls, Big Poppa, Frank White and Christopher Wallace; also appearing are Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur and Derek Luke as P. Diddy (aka the man with too many aka's to list).

It's Kind of Like:

What We Say: The fact that Woolard raps over B.I.G. instrumentals is distracting (and we're not as wowed as we should be) but otherwise the actor delivers a strong, confident performance, and the fresh, stylish 'Notorious' builds up to a surprisingly potent peak.

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Fox Searchlight

'The Reader'

Release Date: April 14

What It's About: A middle-aged lawyer (Ralph Fiennes) recalls the days of his post-WWII youth (played by David Kross) he spent having hot and heavy sexytime with an older woman (Kate Winslet), only to discover later she's a Nazi accused of war crimes.

It's Kind of Like: 'The Graduate' meets 'Schindler's List'

What We Say: In a year where "sympathetic Nazi" films were amazingly abundant (see also 'Good' and 'Boy in the Striped Pajamas'), 'The Reader' was the most high-profile, the most controversial ... and the most superior. Far from a black-and-white portrait, it's intriguing and deeply thought-provoking. Once we get past all the flesh, that is. (We will say: It's harder to enjoy sex scenes when you know one's a Nazi.)

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The Weinstein Company

'Doubt'

Release Date: April 7

What It's About: An icy, conservative nun (Meryl Streep) and younger, progressive priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) are the Hannity and Colmes of a Bronx Catholic church and school in 1964. But when she suspects him of molesting the school's first black student, their relationship transforms from one of passive difference to hostile opposition.

It's Kind of Like: 'Priest' meets 'Dead Man Walking'

What We Say: Any time a film gets four Oscar nominations for acting, you know you're in for some dramatic screen magic. Don't hold it against the film that its writer-director John Patrick Shanley's last movie was 'Joe Versus the Volcano.' This is a much better conflict.

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Miramax

'Slumdog Millionaire'

Release Date: March 31

What It's About:The nuggets of wisdom an uneducated teen (Dev Patel) learns growing up in the cruel slums of Mumbai (and beyond) correspond perfectly with the questions he faces on India's version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'

It's Kind of Like: 'Quiz Show' meets 'City of God'

What We Say: For having a plot as gimmicky as detailed above, the fact that 'Slumdog' works so well is almost shocking. It's a fantasy steeped in a harsh reality that combines elements of drama, comedy, romance, action and adventure in conjuring up pure movie magic. Now I wish every movie ended with a Bollywood dance number.

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Fox Searchlight

'Quantum of Solace'

Release Date: March 24

What It's About: After losing the love of his life, a vengeful James Bond (Daniel Craig) is out to take kick ass, take names and -- of course -- entertain on a couple new bed buddies in this direct sequel to 'Casino Royale.'

What We Say: Whereas 'Royale' spent plenty of energy acclimating us to the new (blond!) 007 with wit, charm, romance and action, 'Solace' is all about the turbo-charged action. This didn't play well with some critics, but we'll take stylish Bond carnage over your average actioner ('Transporter' anyone?) any day.

Special Features? Unless you're only in it for the Jack White-Alicia Keys music video for 'Another Way to Die' (the sole bonus feature on the single-disc edition), opt for the two-disc, which features several making-of docs, and most importantly, more Olga Kurylenko.

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Craig-Forster Unscripted

Sony

'Bolt'

Release Date: March 24

What It's About: Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) is not a super-dog, he just plays one on TV. Of course Bolt doesn't know that. When he unwittingly lands in NYC, the lost dog recruits a cranky cat and hilarious hamster (aren't they all?) for a cross-country jaunt back to his loyal owner/co-star (Miley Cyrus) in Hollywood.

It's Kind of Like: 'Underdog' meets 'Homeward Bound'

Critical Consensus: There's no stopping talking dog movies -- but there are no singing Chihuahua armies in this animated adventure, which is probably why it fared well with critics, scoring an impressive 86 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

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50 Best Movies of 2008

Disney

'Elegy'

Release Date: March 17

What It's About: Believing it's to good to be true and thus doomed to fail, a celebrated college professor (Ben Kingsley) does everything in his power to screw up his relationship with a sexy student (Penelope Cruz).

It's Kind of Like: 'The Visitor' with sex appeal

What We Say: This underseen romantic drama about dealing with self-doubt in relationships is elegant, sophisticated and yes, even sexy (never thought we'd say that about a Ben Kingsley movie this decade). And it also reinforces the immortal words of Aaliyah: Age ain't nuthin' but a number, Sir Ben.

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Watch the trailer

Sony Classics

'Milk'

Release Date: March 10

What It's About: Sean Penn is Harvey Milk, the iconic San Francisco politician who became the first openly gay man elected to office in the U.S. in 1977. Josh Brolin is the jerk who assassinates him.

What We Say: Gus Van Sant's biopic of the slain leader is much more conventional than you might expect, but not any less affecting or inspiring. Penn's performance is a triumph. And given the recent passage of Prop 8 in California, the film is as topical as they come.

Awards & Nominations: Penn prevailed in the closest major race at the Oscars, edging out Comeback King Mickey Rourke ('The Wrestler') for Best Actor. The film also won Best Original Screenplay (Dustin Lance Black), but lost pretty much anywhere it was up against 'Slumdog.'

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Oscars Movies Made Easy

Universal