DVD and Blu-ray Releases for November 4th, 2014

November 5, 2014

Christmas shopping season is definitely here. This week there is a flood of Christmas releases, as well as full-series TV on DVD Megasets. On the other hand, there isn't a flood of contenders for Pick of the Week. The biggest release of the week is Maleficent and I really liked the movie more than the average critic, but I don't think the DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack is Pick of the Week material. A Most Wanted Man is a better movie, but the DVD or Blu-ray release is weak. The same is true of Land Ho! on Blu-ray Combo Pack and The One I Love on DVD or Blu-ray. I haven't seen White Collar: Season 5 yet, but given the previous seasons, the DVD is Pick of the Week contender. I'm going with that selection and hopefully when the DVD arrives I won't regret that decision.

Agatha Christie's Poirot, Series 13 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
There's very little that needs to be said about this release. After a dozen releases in the series, you either love the show and want to keep buying them, or you stopped watching several releases ago, or you had no interested in the show to begin with. Also coming out this week are the Complete Cases Collection and the The Final Cases Collection.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: An American Werewolf in London, Attitude Era: Volume 2, B Gata H Kei: Yamada's First Time - Complete Series, The Blues Brothers, Cardcaptor Sakura the Movie, The Doctor And The Devils, The Dog, The Doors: Feasts of Friends, Eric Clapton: Planes, Trains and Eric, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Genesis: Three Sides Live, Heart & Friends - Home For The Holidays, Man of the West, The Ninth Configuration, Nowhere Safe, Pete Kelly's Blues, Psycho, The Rolling Stones: From the Vault: Hampton Coliseum, Rush: R40, Scarface, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Shaun of the Dead, and Viva Maria!
The list of secondary Blu-ray releases this week includes a number of concert Blu-rays, as well, as Steelbook re-releases. Many of these re-releases are for awesome movies, but none require a double-dip.

3D Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Hercules and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Extended Edition)
Two big 3D releases this week. However, Hercules was a bigger hit internationally than it was domestically, while The Desolation of Smaug is a re-release.

Christmas Releases - Buy from Amazon: Animated Holiday Gift Set, A Belle for Christmas, The Berenstain Bears: Bear Family Christmas, The Big Bang Theory: Holiday Episodes, Bing Crosby: The Television Specials - Volume 2: The Christmas Specials, The Christmas Bounty, The Christmas Candle, The Christmas Gift, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: Daniel Tiger's Happy, Dog-Gone Holiday Fun Gift Set, An Evergreen Christmas, Holiday Hijinks 4-Pack, King Family - King Family Christmas: Classic Television Specials Volume 2, Lifetime Holiday Triple Feature, Little House on Prairie: A Merry Ingalls Christmas, A Magic Christmas, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas / Mickey's Twice, Mule-Tide Christmas, Peppa Pig: Peppa's Christmas, Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Special Delivery, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: 50th Anniversary, The Spirit of Christmas, Sofia the First: Holiday in Enchancia, and Thanksgiving Treasure / House Without a Christmas
There's a huge list of Christmas releases this week, but very few of them are prime releases. There are a couple I hope to get screeners for, but nothing that is a must have for all fans of Christmas releases.

Frontera - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film earned mixed reviews and failed to find an audience in limited release. A screener might arrive, but I don't think it will. Given the reviews, it is worth checking out, if you like the genre and / or cast; however, there are no extras, so for most a rental will be enough.

Hercules - Buy from Amazon: DVD or 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack
The second major movie based on the Hercules legend to come out this year. This one earned mixed reviews, but the earlier one was so bad it killed the market. The extras are good and if you like the genre and / or the lead actor, it is worth picking up.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Extended Edition - Buy from Amazon: Extended Edition Blu-ray or 3D Gift Set
Better than its predecessor, but not as good as the original trilogy. Additionally, this is the second time it has been released on the home market, although it is the first time it has been released in the Extended Edition. If you are a fan and don't mind a three-hour version, then it is worth picking up. I'm less sure the $90 gift set is worth it.

Hot in Cleveland: Season Five - Buy from Amazon: DVD
The show started with great reviews, but last season it earned no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. It's not exactly on a prime cable channel. It certainly took a hit in the ratings. I wouldn't be surprised if season six is the last season.

Impractical Jokers: Season 2 - Buy from Amazon: DVD
I find pranks to be the Reality TV of comedy. It's not something I'm interested in.

Land Ho! - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray Combo Pack
The screener should be on its way. Given its reviews, I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Law & Order - Buy from Amazon: Year Fifteen, Year Sixteen, and Year Seventeen
Great police procedural, but the DVD releases have never been necessary.

Maleficent - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
A re-telling of the Sleeping Beauty story, except from the villain's point of view. At least that's what a lot of people assumed this movie would be. Is this the case? Regardless, does the movie work? Read our review to find out.

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas / Mickey's Twice - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray Combo Pack
I might be getting this screener to review. If so, it is still late.

A Most Wanted Man - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
One of Philip Seymour Hoffman's last films to be released after the actor's untimely death. Is the film a worthy way to celebrate his career? Check out our review for my opinion.

The Newsroom: Season 2 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
I really liked the first season, but I don't think I will be getting the second season. I've also seen a number of reviews that say season two changed what I liked the best about season one, so maybe that's for the best. The show attacked the media a lot in the first season and many critics called it preachy. However, these critics mainly worked for media companies, who were the main target of the criticisms. And considering how much crap the American media spews out, they deserve to be slammed.

The One I Love - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film earned excellent reviews, but it was a relationship drama with a perhaps too art house twist, which prevented it from finding a mainstream audience. The extras are soft with just an audio commentary track and a short look at some of the special effects. That said, it is still worth picking up. It just isn't Pick of the Week material.

Perry Mason: Double Feature - Buy from Amazon: Volume 7, Volume 8, and Volume 9
I previously reviewed these movies when they came out as part of a three-disc box set. The individual releases are cheaper.

Planes: Fire and Rescue - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
A follow-up to Planes, which is a movie I thought was mediocre, at best. This film did earn better reviews, but it is still only for kids and lacks the crossover appeal the best of the genre has. Extras aren't bad and if you have kids who loved the first movie, then this one is worth picking up.

Sofia the First: Holiday in Enchancia - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
I'm still waiting for the screener for this release. I've previously reviewed this show and I think it is much better than most shows aimed at the same target demographic.

Stanley Kubrick: The Masterpiece Collection - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This is not the first Stanley Kubrick box set, nor is it the most complete. The previous one is out of print, so this mght be the next best thing.

TV on DVD Full Series Megasets - Buy from Amazon: Agatha Christie's Poirot: Complete Cases Collection, Agatha Christie's Poirot, The Final Cases Collection, Doctor Who: The Matt Smith Years, High School of the Dead, Merlin, The Merv Griffin Show, Nash Bridges, Quantum Leap, Reno 911, Sherlock: Limited Edition Gift Set, Sherlock Hound, Sopranos, and Sgt. Bilko - The Phil Silvers Show
There are some big TV Megasets coming out this week, but it is Sherlock Hound that is of most interest to me.

White Collar: Season 5 - Buy from Amazon: DVD
One of my favorite shows on TV at the moment. I don't think the screener for this film will arrive on my desk. The shortened sixth season will be its last, so I really don't want to miss this show.


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Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Maleficent, Frontera, Hercules, Planes: Fire and Rescue, A Most Wanted Man, Land Ho!, The One I Love, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dwayne Johnson, Stanley Kubrick