Home Market Releases for December 1st, 2015

November 30, 2015

Mystery Science Theater 3000

By the time these releases go on sale, Black Friday and even Cyber Monday will be over. It's not a good time to release a DVD or Blu-ray just after a major sale has ended. People tend to not have a lot of money left to spend, so, unsurprisingly, there are no top-tier releases this week. However, there are lots of limited releases and specialty items that are worth checking out. (Including four releases where I'm still waiting for screeners.) There are a number of Pick of the Week contenders, but I'm going with Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XXXIV. And while you are buying that DVD, throw a few bucks to the Kickstarter. I would love to see a full 12-episode season.

90 Minutes in Heaven - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film was destroyed by critics and ignored by most moviegoers. It might still find an audience on the home market with Churchgoers, but the crossover appeal is nearly zero.

Amy - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A documentary about Amy Winehouse, who had amazing talent, but a large self-destructive streak as well. The film's reviews were stunning and its box office numbers were stellar for a documentary. Extras include an audio commentary track, deleted scenes, unseen performances, and additional interviews. It is easily worth picking up and a contender for Pick of the Week.

Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo - Buy from Amazon: DVD
The latest release from Amy Schumer, who has a TV show, a movie, and now a stand-up DVD come out in roughly a month. If you are a fan of hers, you should be very busy.

Assassination - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This movie was a big hit for a foreign-language film earning more than $1 million here. (It pulled in more than $80 million in its native South Korea.) The reviews are excellent and even better than the director's previous film earned. I loved that movie, so I might have to blind buy this one.

3D Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Jerusalem
The only 3D release this week is a niche market release and not a mainstream blockbuster.


Christmas Releases - Buy from Amazon: 12 Dog Days Till Christmas, A Christmas Eve Miracle, A Christmas Star, Christmas Vacation, A Christmoose Story, Get Santa, Let it Snow, On Angel Wings, and On Angel Wings (VOD)
It is very rare that a Christmas release is contender for Pick of the Week, but Christmas Vacation is widely considered one of the best of the genre. However, the Blu-ray only has an audio commentary track, so it isn't the Pick of the Week. It is still a contender.

Cooties - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
I'm still waiting for the screener for this release. It is a black comedy, which is a genre that is notoriously hard to get right, but I'm remaining hopeful.

Don Cherry's Rock'Em Sock'Em Hockey 27 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
For a lot of Canadians, this is a Christmas tradition.

Fear the Walking Dead: Season 1 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
This is the spin-off for The Walking Dead, which is one of the most popular shows on cable. Personally, I gave up on the original, because too many characters made too many stupid choices and I really hate it when the plot only moves forward because of stupidity. On the other hand, the ratings suggest I'm in the minority here. Also coming out this week is the The Walking Dead Season 5 Limited Edition, which at well over $100 is over-priced.

Goodnight Mommy - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A mother of twins gets plastic surgery, but when she returns from the hospital, her two boys no longer think she's their real mother. The film's reviews were excellent and it did very well in limited release, especially for a foreign-language horror film. Like most foreign-language films, the extras are weak with just an interview with the two co-directors. Even so, it is worth picking up for fans of the genre.

The Hunting Ground - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
A documentary about the epidemic of sexual assault on campus. It is a difficult subject to watch for 90 minutes, but it is worth the effort. Extras include additional interviews and a Q&A.

Mississippi Grind - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Video on Demand
I'm still waiting for the screener for this film. I do love gambling movies and the incredible grind, so I do have high hopes.

Mistress America - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray Combo Pack
One of a handful of releases where I'm still waiting for the screener. I really like Greta Gerwig and the reviews are excellent, although not at the Award-worthy level I was expecting. Definitely worth picking up, but I'm not sure it is a Pick of the Week contender.

MLB 2015 World Series Champions: Kansas City Royals - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Real fans want full games and not two hours of highlights.


Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XXXIV - Buy from Amazon: DVD
The show is coming back thanks to a successful Kickstarter. What better way is there to celebrate than with a new DVD release?

Roger Waters The Wall - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This is a documentary about Roger Waters' life journey that led him to make The Wall. It does include a lot of concert footage, but if you just want the concert, you are out of luck, because that DVD is out of print.

Video on Demand - Buy from Amazon: Breathe, Foodies, Halo: The Fall Of Reach, In My Father's House, Racing Extinction, Steve Mcqueen: The Man & Le Mans, Ted 2, and Ted 2 (Unrated)
Ted 2 is by far the biggest VOD release of the week, but it is something you want to rent, not buy.

Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, Ted 2, Cooties, Ich seh, Ich seh, Mistress America, Mississippi Grind, The Hunting Ground, Amy, 90 Minutes in Heaven, Assassination, Greta Gerwig, Amy Schumer, Amy Winehouse, Choi Dong-hoon