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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

- C.S.Strowbridge

Date posted: 2012-10-16