‘Gangster’ targets drug kingpin

‘American Gangster’

(Universal, $29.98 for two-disc version, $34.98 for three-disc release)

Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe go mano-a-mano in “American Gangster,” director Ridley Scott’s intense drama about a Harlem crime lord’s reign in 1970s New York City. Overlooked in the major categories, the film nevertheless scored Oscar nominations for art direction and supporting actress Ruby Dee. The two-disk edition includes a plethora of extras: an unrated cut with 18 minutes of additional footage, a commentary track with Scott and screenwriter Steven Zaillian, deleted scenes and eight making-of featurettes. A three-disk version includes additional material on the film’s music and a downloadable, digital copy of the unrated cut.

--

‘In the Valley of Elah’

(Warner Bros., $27.95; Blu-Ray, $35.99)

Paul Haggis’ follow-up to “Crash,” “In the Valley of Elah” suffered the same audience aversion as most of the other Iraq-themed dramas released last year. Tommy Lee Jones scored most of the critical praise and an Oscar nomination for his performance as a father investigating the disappearance of his son shortly after the young man’s return from the war. Charlize Theron and Susan Sarandon also star. Extras include an additional scene and a pair of behind-the-scenes documentaries.

--

‘Lust, Caution’

(Universal, $29.98)

“Lust, Caution,” Ang Lee’s erotic thriller set in World War II Shanghai, got mixed reviews that generally praised the love scenes while yawning at the espionage plot. Newcomer Tang Wei, however, gives a breakout performance as a young woman transformed by her involvement in an assassination plot. The lone bonus feature is a making of mini-doc, but the film is available in R and NC-17 rated versions.

--

‘Margot at the Wedding’

(Paramount, $29.99)

Writer-director Noah Baumbach’s Rohmer and Bergman-inflected film “Margot at the Wedding” lacks the underlying warmth and wit of “The Squid and the Whale,” but keenly observes the emotionally raw reunion of two sisters. Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Jason Leigh exchange lacerating jibes as the neurotically intertwined siblings, with Jack Black playing it somewhat straight as the floundering groom-to-be. Extras are sparse but include a conversation between husband-and-wife Baumbach and Leigh and theatrical trailers.

--

‘Michael Clayton’

(Warner Bros., $28.98; Blu-Ray, $35.99)

Screenwriter Tony Gilroy makes a pitch-perfect feature directing debut with “Michael Clayton,” his taut corporate thriller that netted seven Academy Award nominations. George Clooney stars as a debt-ridden “fixer” brought in to clean up the mess left by his high-wattage firm’s lead attorney (an excellent Tom Wilkinson) on a $3-billion pollution case.

Six minutes of additional scenes, plus a commentary with Gilroy and editor John Gilroy (the director’s brother) are included.

--

And

“For the Bible Tells Me So” (First Run, $24.95); “Redacted” (Magnolia; $26.98; “Rendition” (New Line; $28.98); “Terror’s Advocate” (Magnolia; $26.98).

-- Kevin Crust