The Academy Awards are behind us, but there is still plenty of time to see the movies honored during this annual glorification of cinema.

Some of them — like big winner "Slumdog Millionaire" — are still playing in theaters.

But many of the winning and nominated films are available, or soon will be, on DVD and Blu-ray. If you're wondering what made Sean Penn's work in "Milk" so extraordinary or what, exactly, is the deal with that dude from "Man on Wire" who balanced a statuette on his chin, read on and find out which Oscar contenders you can view tonight, in the comfort of your own home.

THE WINNERS

Best supporting actress: Penelope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

Penelope Cruz pops off the screen as Javier Bardem's fiery ex-wife, a turn that earned the Spanish star her first Academy Award. All the golden sunshine in Woody Allen's Barcelona-set romance shines brightly on DVD, just don't expect much additional insight into Cruz's character; this one comes with zero extras.

Best supporting actor: Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight"

Even though it's made more than $1 billion worldwide, there may still be a few people on the planet who haven't seen this dark, violent and mesmerizing Batman flick. The chief reason for that mesmerizing factor is, of course, the late Ledger, who only plays a marginal role in the DVD and Blu-ray extras. But the series of "Gotham Uncovered" features on the Blu-ray edition, which focus on many of the film's Oscar-nominated effects, are worth a look.

Best documentary feature: "Man on Wire"

If you thought Philippe Petit was nutty for doing magic tricks during the Oscar ceremony, well, you ain't seen nothin' until you've seen what the guy does in this Oscar-winning documentary, a riveting chronicle of Petit's 1974 high-wire walk between New York's twin towers. Again, no extras here, unless experiencing a profound sense of vertigo counts as an extra.

Best actor: Sean Penn in "Milk"

(Coming March 10 on DVD and Blu-ray)

Please report to this DVD or Blu-ray disc as soon as it arrives on March 10 and see Penn's thoroughly realized portrayal of activist and politician Harvey Milk, which many missed in theaters. In addition to Penn's nuanced performance, the DVD and Blu-ray disc brings a few extras, including featurettes and deleted scenes.

Best animated feature: "WALL-E"

This marriage of silent film sensibility with digitally animated wizardry snagged another Oscar for the Pixar team this year, and its details are all the richer on DVD and Blu-ray. It also boasts a very strong slate of special features, including a wonderfully informative tutorial on the Academy Award-nominated sound effects.

ALSO NOMINATED

They may not have walked away with those prized golden statuettes, but several other nominated films are on DVD (or will be soon) and deserving of your attention. They include: the absorbing "Frozen River," starring best actress nominee Melissa Leo; Angelina Jolie's wrenching "Changeling," which also earned her a best actress nod; "The Visitor," a film anchored by the subtle work of veteran actor and first-time nominee Richard Jenkins; and "Tropic Thunder," which includes a hilarious in-character commentary track from best supporting actor contender Robert Downey Jr.

On March 10, Anne Hathaway's squirm-inducing — but in a good way — work in "Rachel Getting Married" can finally be seen on DVD and Blu-ray. And on April 7, you can get four Academy Award-nominated performances for the price of one DVD when "Doubt" makes its debut.

RELEASED THIS WEEK

After the Oscars, are you in the mood for some Hollywood satire? Then "What Just Happened?" might be just what the (script) doctor ordered.