Elizabeth Banks may be the hardest working actress in Hollywood these days, but she appears in only two movies released on DVD this month. The rest, though Banks-free, are still pretty interesting.

Appaloosa (2008, dir. Ed Harris, New Line Home Video): This neo-western didn’t hit all the genre signposts, and it featured a horribly miscast Renee Zellweger, but watching the relationship unfold between Harris and a show-stopping Viggo Mortensen is definitely worth the price of a rental.

Being There: Special Edition (1979, dir. Hal Ashby, Warner): The crowning achievement in Peter Sellers’s revolutionary career was his portrayal of Chauncey Gardiner in this heartfelt comic satire.

Blindness (2008, dir. Fernando Meirelles, Miramax): Canuck Don McKellar penned a screenplay based on the acclaimed novel about a blindness epidemic that sweeps the world. Mark Ruffalo and Julianne Moore star in this great-looking movie that is part Children of Men, part Lord of the Flies.

Body of Lies (2008, dir. Ridley Scott, Warner): Two heavyweight stars turn in great performances in this average story of a disillusioned CIA operative (Leonardo DiCaprio) in the Middle East and his cynical handler (Russell Crowe).

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, dir. Blake Edwards, Paramount): Audrey Hepburn uses her effortless charm to make the morally questionable Holly Golightly a cinematic icon in this classic romance.

Changeling (2008, dir. Clint Eastwood, Universal): Eastwood’s take on the true story of a single mom in the ’20s whose son goes missing is brutal, frustrating and thoroughly engrossing.

Choke (2008, dir. Clark Gregg, 20th Century Fox): Sam Rockwell stars as a troubled sex addict in this dark comedy based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk.

El Norte (1983, dir. Gregory Nava, Criterion): This story of two impoverished Guatemalans heading north to escape persecution was the first American indie film to get an Oscar nomination for best screenplay.

Flash of Genius (2008, dir. Marc Abraham, Universal): You wouldn’t think that a film based on the true story of the guy who invented the intermittent windshield wiper would be very interesting, but great performances by Greg Kinnear and Lauren Graham really make it work.

Hounddog (2007, dir. Deborah Kampmeier, Hannover House): Dakota Fanning sheds her little-girl image in this controversial film about one woman’s loss of innocence after she is raped and her journey back from that dark place.

The Lucky Ones (2008, dir. Neil Burger, Lionsgate): Three Iraq war soldiers, played by Tim Robins, Rachel McAdams and Michael Pena, go on a road trip while they are on leave. Not a perfect film, but its understated charm makes it worth checking out.

Mary Poppins: 45th Anniversary Edition (1964, dir. Robert Stevenson, Disney): Julie Andrews shines as the title character in this classic musical about the world’s most magical nanny. Dick Van Dyke holds his own as a jack-of-all-trades who’s got some pretty fancy footwork.

Miracle at St. Anna (2008, dir. Spike Lee, Touchstone): Two of my favourite things, together at last — Spike Lee and Second World War movies. Lee’s black perspective on the combat film is intriguing and the story is both mysterious and tragic.

Postal: The Director’s Cut (2007, dir. Uwe Boll, Vivendi): Those who felt cheated by the studio cut when Postal was originally released can take solace in the fact that Boll’s “most personal” film is restored to its full glory. As is the case with most of Boll’s films, this one is based on a videogame. It does, however, feature Osama bin Laden and giant plush scrotums.

Religulous (2008, dir. Larry Charles, Lionsgate): Bill Maher sets his satirical sights on world religion with hilarious results.

Righteous Kill (2008, dir. Jon Avnet, Anchor Bay): This film marks the third time that Robert De Niro and Al Pacino shared the screen together. It’s also the least audiences have ever cared.

The Rocker (2008, dir. Peter Cattaneo, 20th Century Fox): The Office’s Rainn Wilson plays a burned-out drummer who gets a second chance when his nephew’s band needs some help at the kit. It isn’t School of Rock, but the music is pretty good, and it’s got a heart of gold.

Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired (2008, dir. Marina Zenovich, HBO): This Sundance favourite tells the story of legendary filmmaker Roman Polanski and the events surrounding the trial for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor that led to his exile from America.

Saw V (2008, dir. David Hackl, Lionsgate): The fifth instalment in this torture porn franchise isn’t as strong as part four, but the brutal traps set by the serial-killing Jigsaw are as innovative as ever.

The Secret Life of Bees (2008, dir. Gina Price-Blythwood, 20th Century Fox): This coming-of-age story set against the racial tension that upset the American South in the ’50s features some amazing performances by Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah and Paul Bettany.

W. (2008, dir. Oliver Stone, Lionsgate): Stone sets his sights on another U.S. president, this time casting Josh Brolin as George W. Bush. Elizabeth Banks continues her campaign for ubiquity playing the first lady.

Yeti (2008, dir. Paul Ziller, Grodfilm): Who doesn’t want to watch a movie about a giant hairy monster wreaking havoc? If you don’t, check out the DVD cover and it will change your mind.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008, dir. Kevin Smith, Weinstein): Smith redeems his abominable Clerks 2 with a comedy that is surprisingly heartfelt for a movie about people fucking for money. Seth Rogan and Elizabeth Banks are as charming as they are funny.