DVD and Blu-ray Releases for February 15th, 2011

February 14, 2011

It's another really slow week for DVD / Blu-ray releases with a total of one first run release of note. There are a few other smaller releases, as well as catalog titles, etc., The biggest release of the week is also arguably the best, Unstoppable on Blu-ray. And while the release date is bizarre, Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol on Blu-ray is also worth picking up. Also of note is Despicable Me, which came out a couple months ago, but the Blu-ray Combo Pack just arrived last week.

Around the World in 80 Days: The Complete Epic Mini-Series - Buy from Amazon
This is the 5-hour mini-series and not either version of the movie. I only vaguely remember the ads on TV when it first came out, so I'll have to wait for the screener to comment in any detail.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Alien Anthology: Egg Packaging, All the President's Men, Chaplin, Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol, Game of Death, Glorious 39, Hoodwinked, Kansas City Confidential, Last Tango in Paris, Moonstruck, Needless: Collection 1, Network, Rain Man, Stag Night, The Stranger, Summer Wars, Top Gear: Season 14, Top Gear: Season 15, The Twilight Zone: Season Three, Unstoppable, Waiting for Superman, White Lion, and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
There's a big list of Blu-rays, but there are more catalog titles than first-run releases. In fact, there are almost as many catalog titles on this list as there are all other titles combined. Unstoppable is clearly the biggest release coming out this week, but there are a few others worth looking into, like Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol.

Chaplin - Blu-ray - Buy from Amazon
Robert Downey, Jr. earned his first Oscar nomination for this film, but does the film hold up nearly 20 years later? And if so, does its Blu-ray debut do justice to the film? Read our review for my opinion.

Note: This Blu-ray made its home market debut on the 1st.

Conviction - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Obvious Oscar Bait, but while Hilary Swank earned a SAG nomination, it was mostly ignored during Awards Season. Meanwhile, it never really caught on with moviegoers, earning roughly half of its rather low budget. Did it derserve better? Check out our review for my opinion.

Note: This Blu-ray made its home market debut on the 14th of December, 2010.

Despicable Me - Buy from Amazon: DVD, DVD Double-Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, or 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack
I know, I know. This review is two months late. However, in my defense, the screener only arrived last week, so the turnaround time was really good.

Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Are you kidding me? Why is a Christmas release coming out in February? Granted, the reviews for the special are excellent, while there are two nearly hour-long extras, but still I question the release date.

The Fugitive: Season Four, Volume Two - Buy from Amazon
Now that the running is over, did the show reach the finish line on a high note, or did it stumble at the end? Read our review to find out.

Glorious 39 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff, who has made a career making similar films like this for British TV. However, will his return to theaters be worth the wait? Check out our review for my opinion.

The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu - Buy from Amazon
I'm still waiting on the screener for this movie. I really hope I get one, because I'm a huge fan of the Lovecraft mythos, as well as horror / comedies, when they are done right.

Note: This DVD made its home market debut on the 1st.

Mean Girls 2 - Buy from Amazon
It is unlikely that this direct-to-DVD sequel to Mean Girls will live up to its predecessor in terms of quality, but can it work on its own merits? Read our review to find out.

National Lampoon's Dirty Movie - Buy from Amazon
National Lampoon went bankrupt not too long ago. Apparently they are back. Should fans rejoice or mourn this development? Check out our review for my opinion.

Oppai Chanbara: Striptease Samurai Squad - Buy from Amazon
A name like that makes you stop and take notice. Also of note, according to Amazon.com, people who bought this movie also bought Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol. I can't image there are a lot of similarities between the two.

Spin City: Season Four - Buy from Amazon
I've reviewed this show in the past, so the screener for the last season to hit the home market could be on its way. Given the number of cast changes this show went through over the years, I'm not entirely sure what the line-up was for season four. Makes it hard to remember if this was a good season or not.

Stag Night - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Ghost House Underground's track record is a little spotty, but can this subway horror film rise above the average? Or should it never see the light of day? Read our review for my opinion.

The Storm Warriors - Buy from Amazon
A delayed sequel to The Storm Riders that came out more than a decade ago. Will this film be strictly for fans of the original, or will I be able to jump into the story without having seen its predecessor? Read our review to find out.

Summer Wars - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
There are several types of home market releases that I use as a 'Canary in the Coal Mine'. If an exercise video hits the top ten on Amazon.com, then you know it's a slow week. Or if a preschool TV on DVD release hits the top ten, then you know it's a slow week. Same thing with an Anime release. Both the DVD and the Blu-ray versions of this film are in the top ten with the latter currently sitting in fourth place. Anime, even good Anime, is still very much a niche market.

Unstoppable - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Denzel Washington and Tony Scott team up again in this inspired by a true story of a runaway train. It was a slightly bigger hit that expected, but was it also better? Check out our review to find out.

Waiting for Superman - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
One of the biggest documentaries of the year, as well as one of the best-reviewed. Am I going to add my voice to the choir of praise, or do I have a different take on the film. Read our review to find out.

William S. Burroughs: A Man Within - Buy from Amazon
This documentary biopic of writer William S. Burroughs earned very good reviews, but even the positive reviews suggested it was too short to do the man justice. It is certainly worth checking out, but it might not leave you fully satisfied.

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Woody Allen's hit to miss ratio has been off for quite some time. It's been decades since he was able to crank out hit after hit. This film wasn't a complete miss, but it wasn't a hit either. Even for fans of the director, it's probably only worth a rental, especially with no real extras.


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Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, Rain Man, Moonstruck, Hoodwinked, All the President’s Men, Last Tango in Paris, Network, Chaplin, Despicable Me, Unstoppable, Game of Death, Glorious 39, Waiting for Superman, Conviction, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, White Lion, William S. Burroughs: A Man Within, Mean Girls 2, National Lampoon's Dirty Movie, Stag Night, Samâ uôzu