It's a mixed week on the home market. Granted, there are about a dozen Amazing Spider-man releases coming out this week, but not till Friday. The second best selling new release is Arthur Christmas, which missed expectations last year. Another major release of the week is The Muppets Christmas Carol, which is making its Blu-ray debut, but it is a catalogue title and likely won't sell a huge number of units. On a side note, the screener is late, but I've seen the film so many times that seeing it one more time likely won't change my opinion of the film, but I'm not sure if it is Pick of the Week material. On the other hand, I'm very sure Sunset Boulevard's Blu-ray debut is worthy of that title.

The Amazing Spider-Man - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and 3D Combo Pack
The reboot of the Spider-man franchise earned very good reviews and earned more than $250 million domestically and $750 million worldwide. However, while most people liked the movie, there were some who were violently opposed to the film. This is partially because of why it was made. Simply put, it was made so that Sony retained the movie rights to the character. The pure economic reasons to make the movie did taint it in the minds of some. Extras in the DVD include an audio commentary track, deleted scenes, and two featurettes. The Blu-ray Combo Pack includes these, plus second screen, behind-the-scenes, previsualizations, a featurette on 3D, etc. The is a much better deal than the DVD. However, the 3D combo pack costs 40% more than the Blu-ray, which I still think it a little much to ask. It's not a deal-breaker, but it isn't a good bargain either. Additionally, there's a 3D Box Set with Figurines that costs $60. This is great if your are a hardcore fan, or need to get a gift for a hardcore fan.

Arthur Christmas - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Still waiting for the screener for this film. It did earn amazing reviews, but it struggled at the box office. Perhaps it was too British.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: 360, Beaches, Bonfire of the Vanities, The Client, Dark Star: Thermostellar Edition, Dinotasia, Guys and Dolls, Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere: Season 1, I AM: SMTOWN: Live at Madison Square Garden, Maximum Conviction, Die Nibelungen: Kino Classics Deluxe Remastered Edition, nWo: The Revolution, Patton, Queen: Hungarian Rhapsody: Live in Budapest, Queen: Hungarian Rhapsody: Live in Budapest (Blu-ray / CD Combo Pack), Rashomon (Criterion Collection), The Rolling Stones Charlie is my Darling - Ireland 1965, Sengoku Basara: The Last Party, Sweet Home Alabama, Universal 100th Anniversary Collection, Von Ryan's Express, and Warren Miller: Like There's No Tomorrow
There are several Blu-ray on this list worth picking up, including Rashomon and Patton. I'm hoping to get Patton to review, but so far the screener is late.

3D Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man (Limited Edition Box Set), Arthur Christmas, Rescue IMAX
Both 3-D major releases coming out this week should be big sellers, at least compared to the average for the market. It is still far from mainstream to have a 3D TV. The IMAX release is second-tier, at best.

Call the Midwife: Season One - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A BBC series set in the 1950s. During its first season, it picked up two BAFTA Awards nominations, including one for Miranda Hart for best supporting actress. The only extras are some cast and crew interviews, but that's better than a lot of imports have, so it is worth picking up.

Christmas Releases - Buy from Amazon: Adventures of Bailey: Christmas Hero, Alvin And The Chipmunks: Christmas with the Chipmunks (DVD & CD Combo Pack), Alvin And The Chipmunks: Christmas With The Chipmunks (Blu-ray), Arthur Christmas (DVD), Arthur Christmas (Blu-ray Combo Pack), Arthur Christmas (3D Combo Pack), A Carol Burnett Christmas, Chilly Christmas, A Christmas Carol (Blu-ray Combo Pack), Kung Fu Panda Holiday (DVD), Kung Fu Panda Holiday (Blu-ray Combo Pack), Lifetime Presents: 12 Days of Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol (DVD), The Muppet Christmas Carol (Blu-ray Combo Pack), Prep & Landing: Totally Tinsel Collection (DVD), Prep & Landing: Totally Tinsel Collection (Blu-ray Combo Pack), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Blu-ray), Santa's Dog, SpongeBob SquarePants: It's A SpongeBob Christmas!, What She Wants for Christmas, and The Yummy Gummy Search for Santa
This is the first week where it is acceptable to release a Christmas DVD or Blu-ray, and there's a huge amount of them. Not only is there a huge number, there are several top-tier releases. Arthur Christmas, The Mupper Christmas Carol, Kung Fu Panda, Prep and Landing, etc. You could put a huge dent in your Christmas shopping with this list alone.

Elvira's Movie Macabre: Mega Movie Marathon - Buy from Amazon
All of the Elvira DVDs in one collection. Like the others, this one is late. I really hope I get it soon, but given the past history, I would be foolish to think that was likely.

Fire with Fire - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
The DVD comes out this week, while the contest will begin shortly.

Gator Bait - Buy from Amazon
Gator Bait 2: Cajun Justice - Buy from Amazon
I can't believe there's a Gator Bait film and I really can't believe they would make a sequel.

Law & Order: Season Eleven - Buy from Amazon
Good show, but the franchise has never been good on the home market. It's a show you can watch in any order, so buying it isn't necessary. Maybe if it had a lot of extras it would be worth it, but that's not the case.

The Muppets Christmas Carol - Blu-ray Combo Pack - Buy from Amazon
The screener arrived too late to be included in this week's list, but I will get to the review A.S.A.P. It is one of my favorite Christmas films and it is worth owning.

The Pact - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Releasing a horror film the week after Halloween. That seems wrong. The film did earn good reviews and it is worth checking out. I'm just worried that the timing will hurt sales.

Prep & Landing: Totally Tinsel Collection - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Still waiting for the screener for this Blu-ray. I was pleasantly surprised by the original and the combo is a better value on a price-per-minute basis. Assuming the sequel is roughly the same quality, it is worth picking up. However, I won't know for sure till after the screener arrives.

[REC] 3 - Buy from Amazon
The franchise has petered out.

Red vs. Blue: Season Ten - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Red vs. Blue: Tenth Anniversary Megaset - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Still waiting for the screeners for this show, but hopefully they will arrive soon.

Regular Show: Best DVD In the World (At This Moment In Time) - Buy from Amazon
Cartoons that have even a small adult audience should be released in full season sets. End of discussion. That said, 16 episodes for $13 is a good price-per-minute for this type of release.

They Live - Blu-ray - Buy from Amazon
I love this movie and I'm not the only one, as it earned excellent reviews. I'm still waiting for the screener, but early reports are positive with lots of extras, including audio commentary track, deleted scenes, making of featurettes, and more. Worth picking up.

TV on DVD Megasets - Buy from Amazon: Entourage (DVD), Entourage (Blu-ray), H2O: Just Add Water , Red vs. Blue (DVD), and Red vs. Blue (Blu-ray)
Just three shows coming out on full-series Megasets this week, but two of them are coming out on DVD and Blu-ray. I hope to get Red vs. Blue to review, but it is currently late.

With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story - Buy from Amazon
It's about time this documentary comes out on DVD. Granted, it is practically a hagiography, but it is still worth checking out.

Wolf Lake: The Complete Series - Buy from Amazon
Still waiting for the screener for this title. The show only lasted one season, partially because it predated the revival in interest in werewolves and other classic movie monsters.

Your Sister's Sister - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This film earned excellent reviews but failed to live up to expectations at the box office. Hopefully it will perform better on the home market, but until the screener shows up, I won't know if it is worth picking up or not.

The Yummy Gummy Search for Santa - Buy from Amazon
The DVD comes out this week while the contest is going on right now.

- C.S.Strowbridge

Date posted: 2012-11-06