Top DVDs: 'American Gangster' gangbusters

"American Gangster" shot up to the No. 1 spot in both sales and rentals during its debut week for Universal Studios.

The Oscar weekend timing didn't quite work out -- the Ridley Scott-directed movie had only one major nomination, and lost. Nonethless, many critics (and this DVD blog) thought "American Gangster" was among last year's finest films. (Read the "Gangster" DVD/HD DVD review.)

"Michael Clayton," a best picture nominee, won a second-place verdict on both charts. The George Clooney-starrer, released by Warner Home Video, is the only one of the five best picture nominees released on DVD so far.

Ben Affleck's well-regard directorial debut, "Gone Baby Gone," placed third in rentals but disappeared from the DVD sales rankings.

Sales (week ending May 27)
1. American Gangster
2. Michael Clayton
3. Why Did I Get Married?
4. We Own the Night
5. Snow Buddies

Rentals (week ending May 27)
1. American Gangster
2. Michael Clayton
3. Gone Baby Gone
4. We Own the Night
5. Rendition

Comments

[L.A. Observer]

I liked American G less than most of my friends. It had a lot of great elements but seemed to be less than the sum of its parts. Just didn't have much emotional impact for me. But I keep hearing from you and others how great it was. I might have to rent it.