DVD and Blu-ray Releases for November 27th, 2012

November 26, 2012

It's not a good week on the home market, but for different reasons than last week. There are five first-run releases coming out this week, which is actually very busy. However, it is a bad week, because I'm supposed to receive screeners for for four of those five films, but so far none of have arrived. At least with Men in Black 3, there's a few more days before it is officially late, as it doesn't come out till Friday. Men in Black 3 also made more at the box office than the rest of the first run releases made combined, so there will likely be a huge gap between the first and second best selling new-release of the week. As for the best releases for the week, ParaNorman is the only real contender for Pick of the Week. The Blu-ray Combo Pack is worth owning, but if you've made the leap to 3D, then the 3D Combo Pack is worth the extra money.

2012 San Francisco Giants: The Official World Series Film - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Real fans want full games, not a highlights.

The Apparition - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film could have been considered the sixth first run release on this week's list, but it opened in less than 1,000 theaters before it disappeared from the box office. This result is not surprising, because it earned 4% positive reviews. Avoid at all costs. Even if you are a fan of the genre and the cast, you are better served elsewhere.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King, Intrigue in the Bakumatsu - Irohanihoheto: Coll 2, Pogues in Paris: 30th Anniversary Concert, Tea Party - Reformation Tour: Live in Australia, and Yanni: Live at El Morro Puerto Rico
It is a really slow week for secondary Blu-ray releases. Also coming out this week is Stargate: Atlantis on individual season sets. However, it was already released on Megaset, which is a much better price at the moment.

3D Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Men in Black 3, ParaNorman, and Step Up: Revolution
Just three 3D releases this week, but all of them are first run releases. Also, I might get all of them to review.

Christmas Releases - Buy from Amazon: 12 Christmas Wishes for My Dog
Calling these two Christmas releases second-tier is an understatement.

The Day - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
The latest film from WWE Films. It earned weak reviews and completely bombed at the box office. Now it is coming out on a featureless DVD and Blu-ray. Skip it.

Forks Over Knives: The Extended Interviews - Buy from Amazon
A follow-up to Forks-Over-Knives, which was a documentary that advocated a vegetarian / vegan lifestyle. The original film's reviews were a little weak with most critics saying it was informative, but dry. If you agreed with the first part and didn't mind the second, then this could be worth picking up.

Hot in Cleveland: Season Three - Buy from Amazon
Three older actresses leave Hollywood and while in a stopover in Cleveland realize that while they are no longer hot by Hollywood standards, they are hot compared to the average person living in Cleveland. The reviews for the show are great, but unfortunately, the only extra is a single behind-the-scenes featurette. Still worth picking up, but if it had a full set of extras, it could have been a contender for pick of the week.

Lawless - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
An ensemble film that takes place during the prohibition era. The film has an incredible cast and earned good reviews, but failed to find an audience in theaters. Perhaps it will find a more receptive audience on the home market, but until/if the screener arrives, I would be able to judge for sure.

Luck: The Complete First Season - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A series about horse-racing. Its reviews were good, but its ratings were not. The bad press surrounding three horses that were injured while filming and had to be put down didn't help. It is worth watching, but do you really want to invest time and money into a show with complex characters and story lines knowing none of them will be resolved?

Men in Black 3 - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, or 3D Combo Pack
This film doesn't come out till Friday, so I have a little time before the screener is officially late. The reviews are somewhere in-between the first two films in the franchise, so I'm cautiously optimistic. I doubt it will be a classic like the first film, but it should be at least worth a rental. Also coming out is a Franchise Box Set with a figurine.

ParaNorman - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, or 3D Combo Pack
One of the best reviewed wide releases of the summer, it nonetheless failed to live up to expectations at the box office. Did it deserve to perform better? Or was it too niche market to thrive? Won't know for sure till the screener arrives, but I'm excited to see.

Perry Mason: Season Eight, Volume One - Buy from Amazon
The latest DVD release for this long-running classic courtroom drama comes out this week. But after eight seasons, is it starting to show its age? Read our review for my opinion.

Sparkle - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
The final film for Whitney Houston, who tragically died before the film was released. That boosted the film's publicity, its reviews were only good and not great, so while the film started out okay, it quickly collapsed. The DVD isn't bad with an audio commentary track and a couple featurettes. The Blu-ray has this, extended performances, and a few more featurettes. Worth checking out for most and picking up for fans of Whitney Houston.

Step Up Revolution - Buy from Amazon: DVD or 3-D Combo Pack
I've reviewed all of the previous films in the franchise, but I'm still waiting for the screener for this one.

Note: This DVD came out on the 20th and the Blu-ray comes out on the 27th.

Transformers: Prime: Season Two - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
When I first reviewed this series, I thought it was the best Transformers cartoon since Beast Wars, which is high praise. Does it maintain this quality level during season two? Can it improve? Read our review for my opinion.

TV on DVD Megasets - Buy from Amazon: Serial Experiments Lain (Blu-ray Combo Pack)
Only one Megaset this week, and it is definitely a niche market film. Things will pick up next week.


-

Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, The Apparition, Men in Black 3, ParaNorman, Lawless, Step Up Revolution, Sparkle, The Day, Whitney Houston