Home Market Releases for November 3rd, 2015
November 3, 2015
It's a short list of new releases this week for two reasons. The first reason is the previously mentioned technical problems. I need to get three days of work done today so that I can get my computer off to the shop for an upgrade. Meanwhile, I've been battling an only mostly functional computer for a week. The second reason is Inside Out is coming out and that scared away the competition. The Blu-ray Combo Pack or 3D Combo Pack are clearly the Pick of the Week this week. However, it is far from the only new release worth picking up. It's just that the rest of the contenders are much smaller releases.
Black Sails: Season 2 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Christmas Releases - Buy from Amazon: Action-Star Christmas, Barbie: A Perfect Christmas, Christmas for a Dollar (VOD), Christmas Tail, Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas, An En Vogue Christmas, Krampus: The Christmas Devil, Krampus: The Christmas Devil (VOD), Krampus: The Reckoning, The Nutcracker Sweet, Paper Angels, Paper Angels (VOD), and Saving Christmas
Do I Sound Gay? - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Doc McStuffins: Pet Vet - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Doctor Who: Series 9 Part 1 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Game of Thrones - Buy from Amazon: Season One Steelbook and Season Two Steelbook
The Girls in the Band - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Jurassic World - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray, or 3D Combo Pack
Mobile Suit Gundam (First Gundam) Part 1 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Mr. Holmes - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Roar - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Stung - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
TV on DVD Full Series Megasets - Buy from Amazon: Californication, Flight of the Conchords, I Love Lucy, Mrs. Brown's Boys, Star Trek: The Original Series, That 70s Show (Blu-ray), Masterpiece: Worricker
Vacation - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Video on Demand - Buy from Amazon: Before We Go, Nebraska, Seymour: An Introduction, She's Funny That Way, and The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet
Wanda Nevada - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Babymetal - Buy from Amazon: Live at Budokan: Red Night & Black Night Apocalypse DVD or Blu-ray and Live in London: DVD or Blu-ray
Babymetal is a great band and they rock harder than most "traditional" metal do. If you've never heard their music, check out their YouTube channel, which has many of their songs. And if you love the band, but were unwilling to import their Blu-rays from Japan at $100 a pop, now is the time to buy. The two Blu-rays are still on the expensive side, but cost less combined than importing either one would, and the shows are incredible. I know because I'm one of those who did spend the money to import them earlier. ... And I will probably buy them again.
The Beatles: 1 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This DVD and Blu-ray are essentially the CD from 2000 on Blu-ray with audio commentary tracks and filmed intros. True fans likely already have the actual CD, plus all of the songs on other CDs, possibly multiple times, so this is a triple-dip. That said, at $20 for 27 number one songs it is worth picking up for sure and it would make an excellent Christmas gift. The only downside is its just their number one songs, so if you are a fan of some of The Beatles less popular songs, they won't be here.
Best of Enemies - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A documentary about the series of televised debates between Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley that took place in the 1970s. The reviews are excellent and it is a must have for fans of political documentaries.
Video on Demand
This show earned okay reviews for its first season. The second season has 100% positive reviews, but there are only five reviews versus 44 reviews for season one. This suggests most critics simply gave up on the show after season one. That's a really bad sign.
There are not one, but two Christmas horror movies based on the Krampus legend. Saving Christmas is likely scarier than either of those two films. Personally, I want to see Action-Star Christmas, because I've always liked Cynthia Rothrock and thought she deserved to be a bigger star than she was.
A documentary by and about David Thorpe, who is worried that he sounds too stereotypically gay. The reviews are excellent and it should appeal to a very wide audience.
One of the best shows aimed at its target demographic. I've reviewed the show a few times and it is more entertaining than a lot of shows aimed at older kids.
There have been some rumors that the show is going to end soon. It has lasted a decade in its current run, which is impressive, but some feel it is running out of steam. Even if you think it should last another decade, you probably agree it is not at its peak anymore.
The End of the Tour - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
This film stars Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg as an author and journalist interviewing the writer while he's on his book tour. The film earned stellar reviews and did relatively well in limited release. Extras include an audio commentary track, behind-the-scenes featurette, interview, and deleted scenes. That's enough to be a Pick of the Week contender.
Great show, but the number of re-releases passed the crash grab level a long time ago.
Video on Demand
A documentary about women in Jazz bands in the 1930s and beyond. There were not a lot of them, but these groundbreaking ladies have a lot of great stories. If you were a fan of 20 Feet From Stardom, then this is also worth picking up.
Inside Out - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, or 3D Combo Pack
Video on Demand
This is the latest film from Pixar. It came out this summer and was one of the company's biggest hits in their history. Was it also one of their best films? Read our review for my opinion.
Video on Demand
This film became the biggest box office hit of the year, at least so far. (There are some who think Star Wars: The Force Awakens will top it this Christmas.) Is it also one of the best films? We've seen monster hits with amazing reviews. We've also seen monster hits with pitiful reviews. So is this film closer to the former or the latter? Check out our review to find out.
An new release for an old-school Anime. It has lasted nearly 40 years and it is still going strong.
Note: This DVD makes its home market debut on the 10th.
Video on Demand
The review for this movie came out a week early, because I'm an idiot and I filed it under the wrong date. At least I didn't screw up in the other direction and the review isn't a week late.
One of the strangest movie productions of all time. They used real animals that were only semi-trained and there were dozens and dozens of injuries on the set as a result. The end result was only a film that earned good reviews, but bombed at the box office. It's worth checking out, especially if you like strange productions like this, but isn't essential viewing.
Video on Demand
A creature feature that earned mixed reviews and went nowhere at the box office. It was also a VOD premiere, so it likely will do much better on the home market. Extras include an audio commentary track and a making of featurette. It's a solid rental, for fans of the genre.
Video on Demand
This is a TV special that came out last Christmas. There's almost no chance it is as good as the average Pixar theatrical release, but is it good enough for its target demographic? Check out our review to find out.
It's an amazing week for TV on DVD Megasets and nearly every one is worth picking up. Except for Californication. I loathe that show.
Video on Demand
I have nothing against remakes, reboots, delayed sequels, etc. Not on principle. However, there is an added risk when the original movie is a classic. It is nearly impossible to live up to the source material, so the movie might be unfairly judged as a result. Or sometimes the new movie just sucks. Even without Nostalgia Glasses hurting this movie, it is hard to say the film would have been a hit. Add in weak extras and it isn't worth a rental.
Not much in the way of VOD releases this week. Nebraska is the best, but you should already own it on Blu-ray.
I previously reviewed this movie and had mixed opinions on the film. It could have been a really good movie, had they not tried to copy Pretty Baby and just let Peter Fonda and Brooke Shields have a mentor / mentee relationship.
Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, Roar, Jurassic World, Inside Out, Vacation, Mr. Holmes, The End of the Tour, Stung, Jesse Eisenberg, Peter Fonda, Jason Segel, Brooke Shields, Gore Vidal, David Thorpe, William F. Buckley