The Numbers News - DVD and Blu-ray Releases for September 25th, 2012

It's the unofficial beginning of the Christmas Shopping Season. Starting the rush this year is The Avengers, which broke records at the box office and will likely do the same on the home market. It is clearly a contender for Pick of the Week, but I'm not sure if the Blu-ray Combo Pack or the 3D Combo Pack is the better deal. The only other contender for Pick of the Week is Bond: 50 on Buy from Amazon. However, it's a double-dip... or triple-dip. I've lost count. In the end, I'm going with The Avengers on 3D Combo Pack. It's only $5 more, so it is worth future-proofing.

Note: This Blu-ray made its home market debut on the 4th.

2 Broke Girls: Season One - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This TV series earned early praise from some critics, earned good ratings, and won the People's Choice Award for Best New Sitcom this year. It also generated some controversy for crass humor and the reliance of stereotypes. Are these complaints valid? Can the show thrive regardless? Check out our review for my opinion.

American Horror Story: Season One - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This TV series earned 17 Emmy nominations during its first season, which tied it for the most this year. And while it didn't win many of them, that is still a fantastic result. Do I agree with the Emmy voters? Or is my praise of the show more subdued? Read our review to find out.

Arachnophobia - Blu-ray - Buy from Amazon
It has been a long time since I've seen this film, but I do remember really enjoying it the last time I saw it. Does it live up to my memories? Check out our review to find out.

The Avengers - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and 3D Combo Pack
The biggest hit of the year and very likely a record-breaker on Blu-ray. Given its reviews and extras, it is an easy contender for Pick of the Week, but the screener is late so I can't confirm.

Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes 5 - Buy from Amazon
The show wasn't renewed, but the final DVD comes out this week. I got the previous DVDs to review, so I'll have to check to see if this one is on its way.

Au Pair Girls - Blu-ray - Buy from Amazon
An early example of the British sex farce. This is a genre that skirted the line between comedies and porn. Does it work as a comedy? Is is too quaint to be porn? Does it have any appeal outside of its niche market? Check out our review for my opinion.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
I bet there are a lot of people at Warner Bros. in a panic right now. The one D.C. property they've been able to convert into a successful movie franchise is done and they have nothing to replace it. At least their direct-to-DVD releases have been doing well. This one is in second place on this week's list of new releases, at least according to Amazon.com. Granted, Amazon.com tends to overestimate Fanboy releases. Extras on DVD include a few featurettes, while the Blu-ray has a couple bonus Batman cartoon episodes. Easily worth picking up and worth the upgrade to high definition.

3D Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: The Avengers
Only one major 3D release this week, but it should break records. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting for the screener to arrive.

Bond: 50 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Buy from Amazon
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the franchise, the studio they are releasing a box set with all 22 bond movies. I was hoping to get a screener to review, but the odds are against me.

The Carol Burnett Show: The Best of the Carol Burnett Show - Buy from Time Life
The Carol Burnett Show ran for eleven seasons producing nearly 300 episodes. This 22-disc box set has 50 episodes collected by Carol Burnett herself, plus hours and hours of extras. Is it worth the $200 price-tag? Or will fans of the show want to wait till it is no longer a Time Life exclusive? Read our review for my opinion.

Note: This Blu-ray made its home market debut on the 4th.

Cold Creek Manor - Blu-ray - Buy from Amazon
This film failed to connect with moviegoers or critics when it first came out. Did I like the film more than most? If so, is the Blu-ray worth picking up? Read our review to find out.

The Crimson Petal & The White - Buy from Amazon
A period piece about a Victorian age prostitute, Sugar, and her attempts to navigate the underbelly of society. The mini-series earned excellent reviews and was nominated for five BAFTA Awards, winning one of them.

CSI: Miami: Season Ten - Buy from Amazon
There are too many of these shows on TV. At least this one is over.

Damsels in Distress - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Greta Gerwig stars in this film, which started out great, but collapsed as soon as it tried to expand. It still reached $1 million, which is better than a lot of limited releases manage. The reviews are very good and the extras include an audio commentary track and a trio of featurettes, so it is worth picking up.

Delicacy - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
One of many late screeners on this week's list. The film's reviews were just below the overall positive level, but I choose to remain cautiously optimistic.

Desperate Housewives: Season Eight - Buy from Amazon
I was never a huge fan of the show, but I think most fans will agree it really took a downward turn at the end.

Elviras Movie Macabre: Bloody Madness - Buy from Amazon
I used to get offers to review the Movie Macabre releases but while I jumped at the chance, they always ran out of screeners before they got to me. This time, I didn't even get the offer.

Family Guy: Volume Ten - Buy from Amazon
I'm still waiting for this screener. I'm missing a lot of Fox screeners lately, so I will have to double-check to make sure my requests are going to the right people.

FDR: American Badass - Buy from Amazon
A low-budget spoof that is earning great reviews, among a certain selection of critics. It's not for everyone, but if you are into B-movies, it is worth a shot.

Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A look at Freddie Mercury, who was one of the best showmen in all of Rock'n'Roll history. Extras include behind-the-scenes footage of video shoots, concerts, etc. Worth picking up for fans of the band.

G.I. Joe Renegades: Season One, Volume Two - DVD - Buy from Amazon or Season One - Blu-ray Buy from Amazon
This show didn't earn as good reviews as the previous incarnation, Resolute, did. It's no surprise it didn't earn a second season either.

Gossip Girl: Season Five - Buy from Amazon
This show has been on the air for five years? I'm outside the target demographic, which might explain why I've lost track of how long it has been on TV.

Note: This Blu-ray made its home market debut on the 4th.

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle - Blu-ray - Buy from Amazon
This film was a sizable hit when it came out 20 years ago earning $88 million on a $12 million budget. Did it deserve that success? And is the Blu-ray worthy of a big hit like that? Check out our review to find out.

Note: This Blu-ray made its home market debut on the 4th.

Hocus Pocus - Blu-ray Combo Pack - Buy from Amazon
A kids horror movie. There have been some great films in this genre over the years; however, most of them are heavy on the corny humor and light on the chills. Will it work for kids? Will parents also enjoy it? Read our review for my opinion.

Note: This Blu-ray made its home market debut on the 28th of August.

Homeland: Season One - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This show led the way in terms of Emmy wins over the weekend with six of them, which was tied with Game of Thrones, and I loved that show. Is it really that good? And is the Blu-ray worth picking up? Check out our review for my opinion.

Iron Man: Armored Adventures Season 2, Volume 2 - Buy from Amazon
This version of Iron Man has only earned mixed reviews, while the price-per-minute is too high.

Key and Peele: Season One - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A sketch-comedy show starring Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele. It earned amazing reviews for its first episode, but was it hype? Or is it as good as its ratings? Read our review for my opinion.

Klown - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
I'm still waiting for the screener for this movie. Given its reviews, I'm looking forward to the film.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Season 13 - Buy from Amazon
There are too many of these shows on the air and at this point, unless they are a really good hook, they all blend together. This one doesn't. It's well made, but that's not enough to thrive.

Note: This DVD made its home market debut on the 31st of July.

The Magic School Bus - Buy from Amazon: Field Trip Fun & Games or The Complete Series
The Magic School Bus recently came out on a Complete Series Megaset; however, screeners for that release were very limited. Instead, I received one of the three-disc sets. Is the show worth checking out? And is the Megaset worth the price? Check out our review to find out.

New Tricks: Season 8 - Buy from Amazon
A great show that is worth picking up, even with a rather high price-per-minute. Most British imports are more expensive, so fans of this or similar shows know what to expect.

One Piece: Collection Eight - Buy from Amazon
Anime is still a niche market here, but this franchise tends to sell well on Amazon.com.

Pink Ribbons, Inc. - Buy from Amazon
A powerful documentary that is rather depressing. It makes a very compelling case that what is seen as a really good charity promoting a cure for cancer is merely a business that is in the job of promoting itself. Extras include more interviews, two additional clips, and a way of really helping the cause. It's worth picking up.

Portlandia: Season Two - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A sketch-comedy show set in Portland, Oregon that makes fun of the culture there. It has earned very good reviews so far, and even earned a couple Emmy nominations this past year.

Resident Evil: Damnation - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Buy from Amazon
One of the biggest video games franchises out there continues to thrive in movie form. If you liked the previous one, you will probably like this one as well.

The Samaritan - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
The film earned bad reviews and went nowhere in limited release. It will do better on the home market, but only because it would be impossible to do worse.

Slapstick Encyclopedia - Buy from Amazon
A five-disc, 21 hour box set of silent era slapstick.

Steins;Gate: Complete Series, Part One - Blu-ray Combo Pack - Buy from Amazon
A very strange Sci-fi Anime series. It has earned great reviews and it is still much better than most Anime titles. Extras include audio commentary tracks on a couple episodes, plus a few other smaller extras. Worth picking up.

Strippers Vs. Werewolves - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
I might get a screener for this film. Early reviews are not good with even genre critics giving it mostly negative reviews. Maybe it is still worth it for fans of "Boobs and Blood" type horror films, but I won't know till I see it.

Surviving Progress - Buy from Amazon
I object to the name of this documentary. "Surviving Progress" makes it sound like progress is a danger that you need survive. Progress is necessary to survive. The problem is idiots who misuse it. The overall reviews were very good while the DVD is loaded with extras. It's worth picking up.

The Tall Man - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This film earned mixed reviews and went nowhere during its limited release. This explains why there's very few extras on the DVD or the Blu-ray. If you are a fan of the genre or of Jessica Biel, then it is worth a rental.

Touched By an Angel: Season Six - Buy from Amazon
After a delay between seasons, they are rushing these out just to finish the run.

TV on DVD Complete Series Megasets - Buy from Amazon: Charlie's Angels, Desperate Housewives, and Rescue Me
Three full-series Megasets on this week's list. The first two I have no interest in, but the last one I might get a chance to review. At the moment, the screener is late.

Vampire Dog - Buy from Amazon
One of many screeners that are late. It's a kids horror movie, so expectations are in check.

Van Dyke and Company: The Complete Series - Buy from Amazon
This variety show only lasted 11 episodes, but it earned three Emmy nominations and won one of them. It was a good show, but the age of the variety show was over by the time it aired.

A Very Mary Christmas - Buy from Amazon
This film opened in 50 theaters in limited release, but was mostly ignored by moviegoers and critics alike. Now that it is coming out on the home market, it has a new name and an emphasis on the Christmas theme in the movie. Is this a desperate marketing ploy? Or did it deserve to find a wider audience before? Read our review for my opinion.

Wallander: Season 3 - Buy from Amazon
Kenneth Branagh stars in this British murder mystery show. Like so many similar releases, the price-per-minute is really high for a TV on DVD release, but not bad if you consider it a series of TV movies instead.