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

March 17, 2015

It's a busy / short week on the home market. There are four first-run releases coming out this week, which is more than most weeks. However, it is also a very shallow week and we run into filler on the first page of Amazon's list of best-selling new releases. The best of the first-run releases is Top Five, but the DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack isn't quite Pick of the Week material. For that honor, we have to look to a smaller release, Song of the Sea on DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack.

Annie - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
There was a ... racist reaction to the casting of Quvenzhane Wallis as Annie. I don't know if this had an effect on the box office numbers, but the reviews certainly didn't help. The film could still break even, assuming it does well on the home market. According to Amazon.com, it is the number one selling new release of the week. Extras on the DVD include an audio commentary track, making of featurette, music video, etc. The Blu-ray includes a bunch of featurettes on the music, the casting, etc. If you liked the movie, it is worth picking up, but the reviews suggest even fans of the franchise won't like it.

Bleach Uncut: Set 24 - Buy from Amazon: DVD
An Anime title on the first page of Amazon.com's list of best-selling new releases. That isn't common, but we've seen other Bleach titles in this position.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Aguirre, The Wrath of God, Devils and Realist, Mark of the Devil, Miley Cyrus: Bangerz Tour, Muck, A MusiCares Tribute To Paul McCartney, My Girl, The Soft Skin, Troop Beverly Hills, and The Wild One
Not that many secondary Blu-ray releases this week. Aguirre, The Wrath of God is the only one that is of real interest to me. Anything by Werner Herzog is at least a little intriguing and this film's reviews are nearly unanimously positive.

3D Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Exodus: Gods & Kings and Penguins of Madagascar
Two first run releases are coming out on 3D Blu-ray in one week. That doesn't happen very often. On the other hand, neither film matched expectations.

Exodus: Gods and Kings - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film cost $140 million to make and was expected to be a major player at the box office during December. However, its reviews were terrible and it went nowhere at the box office. Internationally, it did better, but likely not by enough to break even any time soon. Extras on the DVD include audio commentary track and deleted scenes. The Blu-ray also has several featurettes, trivia track, and more. It is worth picking up, if you like the movie, but if you skipped it in theaters, you will likely want to skip it on the home market as well.

Ghost Whisperer: The Complete Series - Buy from Amazon: DVD
I put in a request for this release, but it hasn't arrived yet. Hopefully it will get here soon.

Halo: Nightfall - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
A five-episode series based on the popular video game recut into a 90-minute movie. Rotten Tomatoes doesn't even have an entry for this release, so that's a sign that it is a small release. Even so, according to Amazon.com it is selling really well and is in the top ten for new releases.

Maude: The Complete Series - Buy from Amazon: DVD
One of the best TV series from the 70s. The only review on Amazon.com that isn't five stars is one person asking why it isn't on Blu-ray. (I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think the original masters have enough details to upscale to high definition. That said, I think it would be interesting to release the show in standard definition on Blu-ray. It would only take 3 or 4 discs instead of 19 and that might actually save money.)

Penguins of Madagascar - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
I don't have the screener for this film yet. I did get heart candies for Valentine's Day promoting the film, so if I don't get a screener as well, it will be weird. The reviews are good, but not among the best of the animated films that came out last year. I think the problem is the Penguins. The Penguins were the best part of the Madagascar franchise, but I'm not sure they have enough depth of character to carry a full movie, at least not enough for adult fans of animation. There are plenty of extras on the DVD and even more on the Blu-ray, so if you have kids that like the franchise, it is absolutely worth picking up. You can also buy it with a Poppin' Toy.

Song of the Sea - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
One of the best-reviewed films from 2014. It even picked up an Oscar nomination for Best Feature-Length Animated Film. It didn't win. In fact, it didn't even cross $1 million in limited release, so I'm sure most of the Oscar voters never heard of it. Extras include an audio commentary track, behind-the-scenes featurette, animation tests, and more. It is absolutely worth picking up and a clear contender for Pick of the Week.

Squidbillies: Volume Six - Buy from Amazon: DVD
An Adult Swim show that is too weird, even for me.

Star Trek: The Original Series: Captain Kirk's Boldest Missions - Blu-ray - DVD
A two-disc DVD set that has eight episodes from The Original Series. What episodes are on the DVD? And is it worth the price? Check out our review to find out.

Top Five - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
The latest film written, directed, and starring Chris Rock. It failed to find an audience in theaters, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is a bad movie. Should more people check it out on the home market? Or is it better left ignored? Read our review for my opinion.

Turn: Washington's Spies: The First Season - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
AMC has made some of the best recent TV shows. This is not one of them. It isn't terrible, but there are just so many better shows out there.

Veronika Decides to Die - Buy from Amazon: DVD
This film was shot in 2008, but isn't coming out till this week. That's a terrible sign. Likewise, there is only one review on Rotten Tomatoes, and it is negative.

The Way He Looks - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A coming of age story about a blind teenager. The reviews are amazing and the reviews are excellent for a foreign-language release. Easily worth picking up.


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Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, Veronika Decides to Die, Penguins of Madagascar, Annie, Exodus: Gods and Kings, Top Five, Song of the Sea, Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho, Madagascar, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Werner Herzog, Chris Rock, Quvenzhané Wallis