DVD and Blu-ray Releases for February 17th, 2015

February 16, 2015

This is the best week on the home market in a long time. Game of Thrones is one of the best TV shows on at the moment, if not the best TV show, and its DVD and Blu-ray is Pick of the Week material. Additionally, there are a few potential Oscar winners hitting the home market this week as well. On the down side, there is not a lot of depth. Birdman, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, and The Theory of Everything are all up for Oscars next weekend and all of them are worth picking up. Life Itself was snubbed by Oscar voters, but it too is a must have. However, in the end, I went with Game of Thrones for Pick of the Week.

Birdman - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This film has stunning reviews and could be the big winner on Oscar night. On the other hand, the extras on the DVD and the Blu-ray are limited, which is a shame. It is still a contender for Pick of the Week.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: 1969, Animal, An Autumn Afternoon, Beach Blanket Bingo, Caveman, Cult of the Damned, How to Murder Your Wife, Hozuki's Coolheadedness, Kiss Me Stupid, Lady Chatterley's Lover, Muscle Beach Party, No Tears for the Dead, Patlabor: The New Files, Perfect Waves, The Phantom Of The Opera, Le Pont du Nord, Psych-Out, Road to Hong Kong, Serengeti: Nature's Greatest Journey, Skating to New York, Wild Angels, The World Made Straight, and WWE: The Destruction of the Shield
There are a lot of secondary Blu-ray releases this week; in fact, there are more secondary releases than there are other releases on this week's list.

Doctor Who: Last Christmas - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Christmas release in February. Really?

Dumb and Dumber To - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
The long-delayed sequel to Dumb and Dumber. Its reviews were bad, but not as bad as some had feared. I think a screener is on its way (I put in my request for a screener a little late.) but until it gets here, I don't know if I will like it, or if I'm part of the majority on this one. As for extras, there's not a lot. There are deleted / alternate / extended scenes, outtakes, and a featurette, but that's less than most first-run releases have.

Game of Thrones: Season 4 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
While I've reviewed a couple of seasons in the past, I won't be getting a screener this time around. On the other hand, I did pre-order it, because the show is amazing and the DVD and Blu-ray are loaded with extras. It is Pick of the Week material, without a doubt. Hell, it is so good, I might do a Featured Review even though I'm paying for the screener. It depends on my work load.

The Interview - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This film had possibly the weirdest journey to theaters, as it was the target of a hacking attack at Sony. The hackers demanding it was pulled from theaters and it was, temporarily. Then it came out on Video on Demand and limited release. The movie itself is okay, but nothing more. Extras include audio commentary, deleted scenes, outtakes, alternative lines, and more. If you liked the movie, it is worth picking up. On the other hand, if you haven't seen it yet, give it a rental.

Life Itself - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
One of the best documentaries of 2014 and I thought it would win the Oscar, but strangely, it wasn't even nominated. The extras are good, for a documentary, with deleted scenes, interview, etc. Absolutely worth picking up and a contender for Pick of the Week.

Maison Close: Season One - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Amazon.com has this coming out on the 27th of January, but it actually makes its home market debut this week. Is it worth checking out for fans of French period pieces? Is the brothel setting going to keep people away? Read our review for my opinion.

Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness - Buy from Amazon: DVD
The longevity of this franchise is simply incredible.

St. Vincent - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This film has an amazing cast, but only an average script. Because of this, it couldn't live up to the buzz, but it was still quite good. It is certainly worth checking out. The extras are not great (deleted scenes and Q&A with Bill Murray) but enough to be worth a purchase.

Power Rangers: Super Sentai Zyuranger: The Complete Series - Buy from Amazon: DVD
This is the original version of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, before it was re-edited and new actors filmed for North American audiences. If you are a fan of the franchise, but have only seen the North American version of Power Rangers, it is worth checking out.

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This is one of two new releases I'm hoping to get a screener for. Of the two, this one is the best... that's an understatement. The reviews are 100% positive and it earned an Oscar nomination. There are not a lot of extras, but it is still a Pick of the Week contender.

The Theory of Everything - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film is pure Oscar-bait. It is well done Oscar-bait, but not Oscar-worthy Oscar-bait. Extras include audio commentary track, deleted scenes, and interviews. Still worth picking up, but not as good as its Award Season success would indicate.

Note: This DVD made its home market debut on the 3rd.

Tricked - Buy from Amazon: DVD
This documentary is about sex trafficking that includes interviews with prostitutes, cops, prosecutors, as well as johns and pimps. Is it worth checking out? Check out our review to find out.

V/H/S: Viral - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
The third film in the franchise earned bad reviews and went nowhere in limited release. On the other hand, the film likely didn't cost a lot, so if it can find an audience on the home market, it might not be the last installment.


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Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, St. Vincent, The Interview, Dumb and Dumber To, Tricked, Life Itself, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), The Theory of Everything, Kaguyahime no monogatari, V/H/S: Viral, V/H/S, Bill Murray