It's a good week on the home market with not only one of the biggest films of the last year coming out, but also one of the best. The biggest is The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2, which should be the best selling DVD and Blu-ray for the week, but it isn't a contender for Pick of the Week. For that honor, we go back a few weeks to Frankenweenie. The screener arrived late, but it was worth waiting for and the 3D Combo Pack, while a little pricey, is worth picking up. Also in contender for Pick of the Week is Rocko's Modern Life: The Complete Series.

Africa - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A BBC nature documentary from the people who made Life. That instantly makes it a must have for a lot of fans of the genre. Extras include deleted / extended scenes, interviews, outtakes, and a making of featurette.

Barbie in the Pink Shoes - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
One of the most popular Direct-to-DVD franchises around. Selling more than 1 million units is not uncommon for these films. Coming out on Blu-ray is a twist. If it sells well on high definition, it is a sign Blu-ray is taking over and DVD is on the way out.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Battle Girls Time Paradox: Complete Collection, Chronicle of a Summer (Criterion Collection), Company of Heroes, Diary of a Chambermaid, Eagles: Farewell Tour - Live From Melbourne, Heaven's Lost Property: The Angeloid of Clockwork, Joshua Tree, Sansho the Bailiff (Criterion Collection), A Simple Life, Steven Wilson: Raven That Refused To Sing, and Strangers in the Night
There are a few secondary Blu-ray releases of interest, including Strangers in the Night.

3D Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Silent Hill: Revelation
Only one 3D release this week, and the 2D Blu-ray came out weeks ago. It would have made much more sense to release the 3D version ahead of the 2D version.

Chasing Mavericks - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This film was one of the biggest bombs at the box office earning just a hair over $6 million, in total. Its reviews were bad, but not that bad, and if you are interested in an inspirational sports story, it is not the worst choice out there. Even so, stick with a rental.

Chicken with Plums - Buy from Amazon
This film earned good reviews, but just failed to reach the 80% positive level that is usually needed for success in limited release. Unfortunately in this case, it appears this was a factor, as it struggled somewhat at the box office. It is still worth checking out for most, picking up for many, but it isn't as good as Persepolis was, which was the filmmakers previous film.

The Client List: The Complete First Season - Buy from Amazon
A "ripped from the headlines" TV movie turned TV series starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. The reviews were pretty good, but I'm still waiting for the screener.

Girls Against Boys - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Still waiting for the screener for this release. The reviews were awful, but maybe I will enjoy it more than most.

Holy Motors - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Despite earning outstanding reviews, this film wasn't able to expand significantly. It was just too art house for wider audiences. That said, $600,000 isn't a small sum for a limited release. Hopefully it will find a wider audience on the home market.

Law & Order: The Twelfth Year - Buy from Amazon
This is a great show, but you don't need to see all of the episodes in the right order to enjoy it, while the DVD releases are really bad. What's the point in buying a featureless DVD when you can see the show eight times a day in syndication?

The Loneliest Planet - Buy from Amazon
I'm still waiting for the screener for this release. I've heard great things, so I'm really looking forward to seeing it.

The Master - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This film earned amazing reviews and was a big player during Awards Season; however, it still underperformed both critically and at the box office. I guess expectations were unfairly high. There are not a lot of extras with the biggest being an archival documentary, Let There Be Light. Still, it is worth picking up, but not quite Pick of the Week material.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Season 2, Volume 1 - Buy from Amazon
Still waiting for the screener for this release. Hopefully it will arrive soon.

Phineas & Ferb: The Perry Files - Animal Agents - Buy from Amazon
Still waiting for this screener. I love this cartoon, so I'm really looking forward to seeing it.

Rocko's Modern Life: The Complete Series - Buy from Amazon
One of the greatest cartoons ever made. I was really hoping for a screener for this release, but that seems unlikely now. It was one of those cartoons that were clearly aimed at kids, but had enough subversive humor that adults would enjoy watching them with their kids. Or watching them without their kids. Even if there are no extras, and there are likely little to no extras, it is still a contender for Pick of the Week.

Scooby Doo: Mask of the Blue Falcon - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
One of the longest running cartoon franchises, ever. I don't know how many DVD / Blu-rays have been released over the years; I wouldn't even want to hazard a guess. Not every incarnation has been a hit, but there's a reason for the longevity, because at its core, this show has a really good premise.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rise of the Turtles - Buy from Amazon
Still waiting for the screener for this one.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
The Twilight franchise is over, at least until the studio figures out how to make a spin-off. Does it go out on a high note leaving fans wanting more? Won't know till the screener arrives. Also coming out this week is The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1: Extended Edition on DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack. I'm still waiting for that screener as well.

WWE: Royal Rumble 2013 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Not a fan of wrestling, but these releases do tend to sell rather well.

- C.S.Strowbridge

Date posted: 2013-02-26