DVD and Blu-ray Releases for April 23rd, 2013

April 23, 2013

This time of year tends to be really bad on the home market. By this late in spring, there are only a few late winter releases still finding their way on the home market. Last weekend it was Django Unchained and next weekend it will be Silver Linings Playbook. This week, there are no such releases. The best selling release according to Amazon.com is Jurassic Park, which makes its home market 3D debut. (It is still in the top ten at the box office, so that might be helping the sales.) I hope to get a screener to review but so far it is late, so I'm not sure if the 3D upgrade is worth the triple-dip. As far as Pick of the Week Contenders, there are not many. The Impossible is probably the best bet, but I'm still waiting for the screener. The week is so bad, that I took the time to review Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season Three on Blu-ray a week in advance, just so I would have something to choose as Pick of the Week this week. It is expensive, but there are several classic episodes that aired this season and there is a ton of new extras on the six-disc set.

Any Day Now - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A message movie about gay rights and unconventional families. Most critics agree that the message enhances the movie and doesn't get in the way, which can be a problem for message movies. There are not a lot of extras, but it is still worth picking up.

Note: This DVD made its home market debut on the 1st of January.

Being Human: Season Two - Buy from Amazon
I'm almost embarrassed to publish this review. It's that late. In my defense, it arrived about two months late, so it kept getting pushed back to the back of the late reviews pile as more timely late reviews arrived. Was it worth the wait? Read our review to find out.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Alanis Morissette: Live at Montreux 2012, Champion, City That Never Sleeps, Copacabana, The Fighting Seabees, Grapes of Death, The Great Gatsby, Night of the Haunted, Pierre Etaix (Criterion Collection), The Red Pony, Richard III (Criterion Collection), Wake of the Red Witch, and Whitesnake: Made in Japan
There are some interesting secondary releases this week, include Richard III. However, I'm most intrigued by Grapes of Death, which has the silliest name for a horror film I've heard in a long time.

3D Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Jurassic Park
Just the one 3D release, but it should sell rather well.

Buck Denver Asks: What's In The Bible? Volume Eleven - Spreading The Good News! - Buy from Amazon
VeggieTales are better.

The Central Park Five - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Ken Burns is practically synonymous with documentary films; however, they rarely come out in theaters. This one did and thanks to excellent reviews, it opened really well. Unfortunately, it wasn't able to maintain that audience as it expanded. That said, $300,000 is a really good run for a documentary. Extras on the DVD and Blu-ray are limited to a making of featurette and an update on the subjects. It is worth picking up for fans of the genre in general and of Ken Burns in particular.

Cheech and Chong's Animated Movie - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This film is not earning great reviews. Many people argue it is simply reusing old jokes in a new medium. This might be enough to draw in hardcore fans of the duo, but others need not apply. Extras include three audio commentary tracks and more, which is enough for a purchase, if you are a fan.

Family Weekend - Buy from Amazon
This film was a weird mix. It felt like a TV movie about a dysfunctional family aimed at families, but it was R-rated, thus eliminating what seemed like its natural target audience. I'm hoping to get a screener to review, but so far it is late.

Note: This DVD made its home market debut on the 29th of January.

Femme Fatales: The Complete First Season - Buy from Amazon
This show airs on Cinemax, which is known for a certain amount of nudity in their programs. Does this series deliver on that promise? Yes. Yes it does. But does it have anything else to offer? Check out our review for my opinion.

The Gangster Squad - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film was original set for a prime release date, but was pushed back to January due to a real life tragedy that was too similar to a scene in the movie. When it came out, the critics were not impressed. (Too much style, not enough substance was the prime complaint.) There are almost no extras on the DVD, but the Blu-ray has plenty of extras. Even so, it is probably worth a rental at the most.

A Haunted House - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
One of the worst movies of the year. That's all you really need to know.

Note: This Blu-ray made its home market debut on the 2nd.

Hello, Dolly! - Blu-ray - Buy from Amazon
This film has the reputation of practically killing the movie musical, which were a staple of the movie industry since sound came into play. Is it as bad as that sounds? Or were tastes just changing and this film fell victim to the times? Read our review for my opinion.

The Impossible - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
I'm still waiting the screener for this film. It earned excellent reviews and even picked up an Oscar nomination. Extras include audio commentary track, deleted scenes, and featurettes. It is worth picking up, but without the screener, I'm not sure if it is a Pick of the Week contender.

InHumans - Buy from Amazon
The latest Marvel Knights Motion Comic centers on one of the lesser known super hero teams, The Inhumans. Will it appeal to fans? Is it a good introduction to them? Read our review to find out.

Iron Man: Armored Adventures: Season Two - Buy from Amazon
A cartoon about a teenage Tony Stark. It hasn't really won over critics or audiences. It's not terrible, it's just average.

Jurassic Park - 3D Combo Pack - Buy from Amazon
According to Amazon.com, this is the best selling new release of the week. I previously reviewed this film and loved it, but unfortunately, I'm still waiting for my screener to judge the 3D effects. If you don't own it yet, it is worth picking up. But I'm not sure if it is worth the double-dip for those that already own the movie.

Note: This DVD made its home market debut on the 2nd.

Kristen Schaal: Live at the Fillmore - Buy from Amazon
One of the least explicable stand-up comedy concerts ever. Will fans of stand-up want to check it out? Or does it enter too far into performance art for most fans? Check out our review for my opinion.

Looney Tunes Super Stars: Sylvester & Hippety Hopper - Marsupial Mayhem - Buy from Amazon
I am not spending a penny on Looney Tunes till they start releasing chronological collections. If Disney did it, so can Warner Bros.

Masterpiece Classic: Mr. Selfridge - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
I like Jeremy Piven, but some of his recent choices in movies roles have been unfortunate. So it was an interesting change of pace for him to star in a British TV show. The reviews have been strong, for the most part, and the ratings were good enough to get a second season. If you are a fan of British period pieces, then this one is worth checking out. Extras are limited to a behind-the-scenes featurette, so perhaps a rental is enough.

Maverick: The Complete Second Season - Buy from Amazon
Great show, but can we please get more than one season a year?

Naruto Shippuden: Set 14 - Buy from Amazon
According to Amazon.com, this release is currently in seventh place on the new releases chart. That's a major sign that it is a slow week.

Pawn - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film opened in one theater last Friday and earned barely more than $2,000 over the weekend. It should perform better on the home market. The film does have a good cast, but the reviews are mixed. If you like mysteries / thrillers, it is worth checking out, but with just a behind-the-scenes featurette, a rental will be enough.

Promised Land - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
A message movie that has its heart in the right place and it tries hard, but the results are mixed. If you like the cast or are interested in movies with an environmental message, it is worth checking out. However, with just a making of featurette and some deleted scenes, a rental will be enough.

Note: This DVD made its home market debut on the 12th of March.

Samson and Delilah - Buy from Amazon
The film recently underwent a massive restoration, but it is only coming out on DVD. Is it worth picking up? Or should you wait for the eventual Blu-ray release? Read our review for my opinion.

Note: This Blu-ray makes its home market debut on the 30th.

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season Three - Blu-ray - Buy from Amazon
This is widely regarded as the season that the show finally broke through and reached its potential. Is that true? Or did it continue the weak run during the first two seasons? Read our review for my opinion.

Thale - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film opened in limited release just over two weeks ago and it is coming out on DVD and Blu-ray this week. Critics were split and it did no business in theaters, but those looking for a supernatural thriller should give it a rental.

Touched By an Angel: The Seventh Season - Buy from Amazon
I'm not a fan of this show, but if I were, I would be annoyed that it was coming out on DVD so slowly.


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Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, Jurassic Park, Hello, Dolly, Samson and Delilah, Promised Land, The Impossible, Django Unchained, Gangster Squad, The Central Park Five, A Haunted House, Any Day Now, Pawn, Family Weekend, Thale, Cheech and Chong's Animated Movie, VeggieTales, Jeremy Piven, Kristen Schaal, Ken Burns