'The Wrestler' (R): Mickey Rourke delivers an unforgettable body slam of reality with "The Wrestler," a movie that in an ironic way parallels the up-and-down career of the 1980s film star.

Rourke gives career performance in his Best Actor Oscar-nominated turn as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, an over-the-hill professional wrestler whose gigs have been relegated to banquet halls and the occasional small auditorium. Barely making rent in a mobile home park, The Ram takes whatever odd jobs he can to make ends meet to survive in the independent wrestling circuit in New Jersey.

Complicating matters, The Ram's doctor informs him that a fatal heart attack awaits him after years of steroid abuse. Now in a battle to find a place in the world outside of wrestling, The Ram tries to patch up an almost non-existent relationship with his estranged daughter (Rachel Evan Wood), and romances a local stripper, Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), who struggles with her rule of not mingling with her clients.

Leaving his cutting-edge filmmaking sensibilities behind, Director Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream") leads "The Wrestler" down a gritty, documentary style route instead. Aronofsky takes us in the ring, of course, but also delves into what goes on outside of the matches -- where we experience the camaraderie between the participants -- including the "foes" in the ring. It's fascinating stuff that should appeal to more than just the die-hard wrestling fan.

Rourke is heartbreaking as The Ram, a humbled, broken man who holds his chin high despite grim prospects. He's kind and courteous to everybody he encounters, goofs around with the neighborhood kids with his ring moves, and protects and respects Cassidy (Tomei is brilliant in her Best Supporting Actress nominated turn). The veteran actor makes you want the Ram to win with the battles in his personal life, no matter how difficult the odds are.

DVD Features: Production featurette, Bruce Springsteen's "The Wrestler" music video and more. (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)

'Frost/Nixon (R):With politics dominating the media landscape in the past year, it shouldn't come as a big surprise that that director Ron Howard's docudrama "Frost/Nixon" was largely ignored by audiences (who wants to go to the movie theater to see more politics?). But Oscar voters loved it and chances are home video audiences will find the film fascinating, too, which chronicles British television talk show host David Frost's (Michael Sheen) groundbreaking interview with former president Richard Nixon (Frank Langella).

Expertly directed by Howard, "Frost/Nixon" is fast, entertaining and informative. Langella was deserving of an Best Actor Oscar win as Nixon, realizing the president as guilt-ridden and ultimately tragic figure who had a brilliant mind. Howard doesn't use the film as an opportunity to bash the former president; instead, he paints him as a man who thought he was doing all the right things, but for the wrong reasons.

Sheen, who was great as British Prime Minister Tony Blair in "The Queen," is magnificent as Frost, a seemingly lightweight talk show host who risked his entire career on the hopes of pulling a confession out of Nixon. It's a great film.

DVD Features: Audio commentary by Howard, deleted scenes, the real "Frost/Nixon" interview and more. (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)

'Hotel For Dogs' (PG): Dog lovers of all ages will want to check out "Hotel for Dogs," a family-friendly comedy that stars Emma Roberts (Eric's daughter and Julia's niece), Jake T. Austin and yes, a whole lot of dogs.

Roberts and Austin play Andi and Bruce, a pair of 16- and 11-year-old siblings in their fifth foster home in three years. Currently in the care of a couple of space cadet rock star wannabes (Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon) who do the bare minimum to take care of them, Andi and Bruce are constantly in trouble and face getting split up unless their attitudes change.

But things begin to look up when find Friday, a street mutt whom they know won't be welcome in their home. Finding an abandoned hotel to hide Friday, Andi and Bruce are surprised to learn that it's a safe haven for dogs. Fixing up the facility and welcoming more strays, Andi and Bruce learn to be responsible, and at the same time, find themselves at risk with the law, even though they're doing the right thing.

While "Hotel for Dogs" has its share of mad-cap comedic moments and fun sight-gags (including a vending machine with old tennis shoes and the like that dogs can chew on), it also layers in some meaning with messages of responsibility and loyalty (as dogs and humans) to one another. On the cute level, the menagerie of mutts will most certainly make dog lovers go, "awww…" (and shed a few tears at the end of the movie, too).

Don Cheadle brings his fine acting pedigree to "Hotel for Dogs," too, as a caring social worker who knows Andi and Bruce are good kids in need of a break.

DVD Details: Cast and crew commentary including Roberts and Austin, deleted scenes, and production featurettes make up the DVD extras. Fans can also go to the film's official site to upload a picture of their dog and print out a custom DVD cover that makes their pooch the star. (Paramount Home Entertainment)

'The Uninvited' (PG-13): Those who are looking to invite a few thrills and chills to spark up lives will welcome "The Uninvited," a well-constructed thriller that will keep you guessing throughout.

Emily Browning stars as Anna, a teen committed to a mental institution to deal with the death of her mother -- a cancer-stricken woman who laid helplessly in family's boathouse as it exploded into flames.

Appearing to be cured of her trauma, Anna is released from the institution and goes home to her father, Steven (David Strathairn -- read interview) and sister, Alex (Arielle Kebbel). One party Anna isn't happy to see is Rachael (Elizabeth Banks), her late mother's nurse, who now lives in the family's home as her father's girlfriend.

Indifferent to her father's opinions about the steely-cold Rachael, Anna takes comfort in her Alex, who convinces her that Rachael may be responsible for her mother's death. Also, raising Anna's suspicions are a series of horrifying nightmares that may give her the clues as to what led to the death of her mother.

Although it gives the appearance of a horror film at the outset, "The Uninvited" settles nicely into being a satisfying psychological thriller with some twists and turns that you won't likely see coming. Brown, Kebbel and Strathairn all give solid performances, and Banks is a standout as the mysterious Rachel, whose motives aren't all as they may seem.

DVD Features: Deleted scenes, an alternate ending, a production featurette and more. (Paramount Home Entertainment)