DVD and Blu-ray Releases for April 14, 2015

April 14, 2015

It is a slow week on the home market. It is a really slow week on the home market. This should have helped me get caught up on all of the late screeners that arrived, but on Saturday I had a coughing fit and heard a loud crack in my ribs. It hurt so much that I couldn't even type. I'm feeling much better now. As for this week's releases, there are none that will likely be huge sellers, but The Babadook on DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack is the best and the best-selling, at least according to Amazon.com. It is also the Pick of the Week.

The Babadook - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This is a horror film that opened in limited release, which is a genre that rarely does well in limited release. Its reviews were stunning and it earned nearly $1 million in limited release. As a thank you to fans, the studio is releasing a special edition Blu-ray that includes a lot of smaller featurettes, as well as just over an hour of interviews. It is definitely worth picking up and even a clear Pick of the Week contender.

Batman vs. Robin - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Batman and his new Robin, who is also his son, disagree on the details of stopping crime in Gotham. There are not a lot of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but both of them are positive. Additionally, like most direct-to-DVD D.C. animated releases, the extras are strong, especially on Blu-ray. If you like the franchise, then it is worth picking up.

Big Eyes - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This was a clear Oscar-bait movie, but its reviews were merely good and not great and it wasn't able to open truly wide. The film is still worth checking out, but the extras are limited (making of featurette and a Q&A). Call it a solid rental, leaning toward purchase.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Antarctica: A Year on Ice, Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell, Class of 1984, Echoes, Eddie Cruisers Double-Feature, From the Dark, Kidnapping Mr. Heineken, Late for Dinner, Long Weekend, The Man with the Iron Fists 2, The Missing, Noir: Complete Series - Classic, Odd Man Out, Pet Girl of Sakurasou: Complete Collection, Sullivan's Travels, Tales of Terror, That Man from Rio / Up to His Ears, The Toxic Avenger Part II, Ultimate Avengers 3 Movie Collection, Vengeance of an Assassin, Woman of Straw, and WWE: Ultimate Warrior: Always Believe
Class of 1984. It has been a while since I've seen that film. I wonder if it lives up to my recollection? The reviews are good, but not great.

3D Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Goodbye to Language
Goodbye to Language is an avante garde movie by Jean-Luc Godard.

Foyle's War: Set 8 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A British spy series. It is really expensive on a per-minute basis for a TV on DVD release, but if you look at them as three TV movies, then it is not a bad deal. The reviews are currently 100% positive for the season, so that's a great sign.

God Help the Girl - Buy from Amazon: DVD
This film earned good reviews, but not great reviews, while it really struggled at the box office. It looks like it won't do much better on the home market, which is a shame, because it deserves to find a wider audience.

Little House on the Prairie: Season 5 - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
This is a old-fashioned show, but it clearly still has a fanbase, because it is selling well on high definition.

Maps to the Stars - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This film opened in limited release with better than expected buzz. On the other hand, reviews were barely above the overall positive level and it barely topped the Mendoza Line during its opening weekend. Extras include audio commentary track and some interviews, which is fine for a limited release, but nothing more.

Power Rangers Super Megaforce the Perfect Storm - Buy from Amazon: DVD
I put in my request for this title, but screeners for this show have been unpredictable.

Teen Titans Go!: Appetite For Disruption Season Two Part One - Buy from Amazon: DVD
This show is clearly aimed at kids, but it has some crossover appeal with older fans of the comic book characters.

TV on DVD Full Series Megasets - Buy from Amazon: JAG
I've reviewed at least a couple of seasons of this show and it is quite good. I prefer the spin-off, NCIS, on the other hand.

Note: This DVD made its home market debut on the 31st of March.

Wild - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This movie was clearly Oscar-bait, but it didn't quite do as well as many expected it would during Awards Season. Now that it is out on the home market, is it worth picking up? Check out our review for my opinion.

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
An early year horror film that earned terrible reviews. Extras are fine with some deleted scenes and two featurettes, one of the featurettes being a Blu-ray exclusive. It is still not worth picking up and I don't really think it is worth renting. Stick with the original.

You're Not You - Buy from Amazon: DVD
This film debuted on Video on Demand a while ago. It earned soft reviews, so a digital rental is probably enough.


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Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, Class of 1984, Big Eyes, Maps to the Stars, God Help the Girl, Wild, You're Not You, Adieu au langage, The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death, The Babadook, Batman vs. Robin, Jean-Luc Godard