DVD and Blu-ray Releases for October 16th, 2012

October 16, 2012

It's a mixed week on the home market. Granted, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is coming out, which made more than $200 million domestically and should sell quite well on the home market. On the other hand, the second biggest first run release is That's My Boy, which failed to make an impact at the box office. There is also a flood of weaker releases, secondary Blu-ray releases, and Christmas releases, much of which I would consider filler. The signal to noise ratio is a little off. As for the best releases of the week, there are some great TV on DVD releases like Mad Men: Season Five and Degrassi: Season 11, Part 2. There are also some limited releases, like Moonrise Kingdom on Blu-ray Combo Pack and even some Direct-to-DVD releases, like Excision on Blu-ray. All of these were contenders for Pick of the Week. In the end I went with Mad Men: Season Five for Pick of the week, while Degrassi: Season 11, Part 2 earned Puck of the Week.

2016: Obama's America - Buy from Amazon
This film came out of nowhere and became one of the biggest political documentaries of all time. Is it also one of the best? Read our review for my opinion.

Alcatraz: The Complete Series - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A high-concept show that debuted last season. It earned very strong reviews, but it failed to find a large enough audience and was canceled partway through the season. Extras include a making of featurette, deleted scenes, and outtakes, which is not a lot.

Awkward: Season 2 - Buy from Amazon
One of the few shows on MTV that I like, but because it is a DVD on Demand release, I won't get a screener for it.

Big Bad Beetleborgs: Season One, Volume One - Buy from Amazon
One of many, many, many TV shows that arrived after the massive success of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Yes, it is a clone, but is it a good clone? Check out our review to find out.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: The Doors: Live at the Bowl '68, The Forgiveness of Blood (Criterion Collection), The Funhouse, Greystone Park, H.B. Halicki's Original Gone in 60 Seconds, Harry Potter: Years 1 & 2, Harry Potter: Years 3 & 4, Harry Potter: Years 5 & 6, Harry Potter: Year 7, A League of Their Own, Pete's Dragon, Slender Thread, Sterile Cuckoo, Terror Train, That '70s Show: Season Two, Tom & Jerry: Blast Off to Mars, and Uptight
There's a huge list of secondary Blu-ray this week, including the Harry Potter franchise in less expensive releases. I'm hoping to get A League of Their Own and Pete's Dragon to review and they are two of the best selling Blu-ray on this list.

3D Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Avatar, and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Only two 3D releases this week, but they are both major releases, and I should be able to review both. I already have the latter, while the former is late.

Check It Out: Season 1 & 2 - Buy from Amazon
From the same people who brought you Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie. This is not a selling point, at least not in my opinion.

Chely Wright: Wish Me Away - Buy from Amazon
A biopic about Chely Wright, the first openly gay country singer. The film has earned unbelievably positive reviews, but I'm still waiting for screener. I did put in my request late, so it is my fault.

Chernobyl Diaries - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Buy from Amazon
This film failed to win over many moviegoers or critics. I'm still kind of interested, but only because Olivia Taylor Dudley is in it and she's from Five-Second Films. I love that site. Unfortunately, even if you are interested in the movie, there are not enough extras to be worth anything more than a rental.

Christmas Releases - Buy from Amazon: A Christmas Carol, Christmas Comes Home To Canaan, A Christmas Kiss, Christmas Miracle, The Christmas Pageant, The Heart of Christmas, Holiday Engagement, Power Rangers Samurai: Christmas Together, Friends Forever, A Princess for Christmas, Santa Clause Trilogy Box Set - (Blu-ray), Santa Clause (Blu-ray), Santa Clause 2: 10th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray), and Scooby-Doo: 13 Spooky Tales - Holiday Chills
Quite a few Christmas releases this week, including one I reviewed down below and another that arrived late. I'll get to that one A.S.A.P.

Degrassi: Season 11, Part 2 - Buy from Amazon
One of the longest running TV shows of all time. It's been on the air in one form or another for more than 20 years over a more than 30-year period. Is it also one of the best aimed at its particular target demographic? Or is there another reason for its longevity? Read our review to find out.

Ella Enchanted - Blu-ray Combo Pack - Buy from Amazon
Live action kids movies tend to struggle at the box office, especially those with female leads. Ella Enchanted was no exception. Now that it is out on Blu-ray, is it worth checking out if you haven't seen it before? Is it worth the upgrade if you liked it enough to buy it the first time around? Read our review for my opinion.

Everybody's Fine - Blu-ray - Buy from Amazon
When this film hit the home market in 2010, I was a little surprised it didn't come out on Blu-ray. Now less than two years later, the Blu-ray is being released. Was it worth the wait? Or was it merely a rental to begin with? Check out our review to find out.

Excision - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
AnnaLynne McCord stars as a teenage girl who is a misfit and an outcast at school and at home. The only person who accepts her for who she is is her little sister, Ariel Winter. However, her little sister is very ill, and that's having a negative effect on her mental well-being. The film has earned outstanding reviews from genre critics, but I'm not sure how well it will do with mainstream audiences. Worth picking up for fans of the genre.

Note: This DVD made its home market debut on the 25th of September.

Family Guy: Volume Ten - Buy from Amazon
This show has lasted longer after being canceled than most shows last before being canceled. However, the creator, Seth MacFarlane, has been stretched a little thin. Is the quality of this show suffering as a result? Read our review to find out.

Note: These Blu-rays made its home market debut on the 18th of September.

The French Connection - Buy from Amazon
Wall Street - Buy from Amazon
War of the Roses - Buy from Amazon
I got a chance to review three of the six films released as part of the Filmmakers Signature Series. All three earned great reviews, but do I agree with the critical consensus? And are the Blu-rays worth picking up or upgrading to? Check out our review to find out.

The Firm: Season One - Buy from Amazon
A TV series based on the film and novel of the same name. The reviews were mostly good, but not great, and like most NBC shows, it struggled in the ratings. I'm not surprised it is not coming back for a second season.

Gunsmoke: Season 6, Volume 2 - Buy from Amazon
This show is going to take a long time to finish its home market run. Even putting out four or five volumes a year, DVD will be all but dead before they are finished.

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide - Buy from Amazon
A documentary series about women living in oppressive places and what they are doing to change the worlds they live in. The four-episode, two-disc DVD comes out on Saturday and early reviews are very strong.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Jake Saves Bucky - Buy from Amazon
A preschool show based on Peter Pan with bright colors and very catchy songs. (The theme song is currently stuck in my head.) What episodes are found on this DVD / Digital Copy combo pack? And are there any extras? Read our review to find out.

Jess Franco Double-Shot - Buy from Amazon: Exorcism or Female Vampire
Two more releases from the Redemption label. I've reviewed a few of these in the past and I'm hoping the screeners for these will arrive soon.

Last of the Summer Wine: Vintage 1995-Reserve - Buy from Amazon
This show has finally come to an end. It was the longest running sitcom of all time lasting 31 seasons spread over nearly 40 years.

Legendary Amazons - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
One of a handful of releases where I'm still waiting for the screener to arrive. There are no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, so it is hard to judge the film till the screener arrives.

Looney Tunes Platinum Collection: Volume Two - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
I'm not buying any Looney Tunes releases till they put out chronological collections.

Mad Men: Season Five - DVD or Blu-ray
This show led the way with 17 Emmy nominations this year, but it didn't win any. Is it off its peak in terms of quality? And if so, does it matter? Is it still a contender for Pick of the Week? Check out our review for my opinion.

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, or 3D Combo Pack
The screener for this film arrived yesterday afternoon. I'll get to the review later today, but it will likely not be published till tomorrow. It did earn good reviews, so I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Moonrise Kingdom - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film earned just over $45 million, despite never playing in 1,000 theaters or more. That's an incredible feat. Is its box office number matched by its quality? Check out our review to find out.

Mythbusters: Collection 8 - Buy from Amazon
One of the best edutainment shows out there. There is some science on the show, but let's face it, it is mostly about explosions.

Neil Young Journeys - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Neil Young travels to some small towns where he grew up. The film's reviews are incredible and this is a must have for fans of the musican.

Power Rangers: Samurai: Christmas Together, Friends Forever - Buy from Amazon
Three Christmas episodes from three different incarnations of the Power Rangers franchise. Is it worth picking up for fans? Read our review for my opinion.

A Princess for Christmas - Buy from Amazon
It's a Christmas film coming out before Halloween. And it is a Hallmark Channel original movie. I don't have high expectations for this film, but can it at least be a pleasant diversion? Check out our review to find out.

Psych: Season Six - Buy from Amazon
Admittedly, it has been a while since I've seen this show. (I don't have time to watch every show I like, and I don't get the USA channel on my cable package anymore.) However, the seasons I did watch I really liked.

That's My Boy - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Even Adam Sandler's fans are no longer showing up to his dumb comedies. And this comedy is dumb. Extras on the DVD include deleted scenes and outtakes, while the Blu-ray also has three short featurettes. That's not enough to compensate for the quality of the film. Skip it.

Note: This DVD made its home market debut on the 25th of September.

To Whom It May Concern: Ka Shen's Journey - Buy from Amazon
A biopic of Nancy Kwan, who was one of the big wave of Asian actors that were popular for a short time in Hollywood. But when that trend ended, she mostly faded away. Will this film interest her fans? Is it worth watching if you've never seen her films before? Read our review to find out.

Touch: Season One - Buy from Amazon
Still waiting for the screener for this show. It earned mostly positive reviews and was a pretty big hit for FOX as a midseason replacement, so I'm looking forward to seeing the show.

Turn Me On, Dammit! - Buy from Amazon
I was hoping to get a screener for this film, but that doesn't appear likely at this point. The film earned 93% positive reviews, so it is clearly worth picking up, especially if you are a fan of Norwegian cinema.

TV on DVD Megasets - Buy from Amazon: Chappelle's Show, Columbo, and Red Green
A trio of Megasets. Columbo contains all seven seasons and all 24 TV movies, so that's a lot of entertainment. I'm 90% sure Chappelle's Show was previously released on a Megaset. Red Green set contains more than 100 hours of episodes and specials.

VeggieTales: The League of Incredible Vegetables - Buy from Amazon
I admit, I like this franchise. My favorite parts are the silly songs, but they tend to tell goofy and fun stories. And if you are interested in Christian films, they impart Biblical messages without being preachy.


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Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, The Santa Clause, The Santa Clause 2, A League of Their Own, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, The War of the Roses, Wall Street, The French Connection, Pete’s Dragon, Ella Enchanted, The Sterile Cuckoo, Terror Train, The Funhouse, Everybody's Fine, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, Avatar, Moonrise Kingdom, That’s My Boy, The Forgiveness of Blood, Få meg på, for faen , Neil Young Journeys, Chernobyl Diaries, Chely Wright: Wish Me Away, 2016: Obama’s America, Legendary Amazons, A Princess for Christmas , Seth MacFarlane, Adam Sandler, Neil Young, Ariel Winter, AnnaLynne McCord, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Chely Wright