DVD and Blu-ray Releases for December 16th, 2014

December 16, 2014

It is getting very close to Christmas and while this means there are more and more people shopping, it also means the new releases are less likely to stand out in a sea of sales. The biggest release of the week is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which is coming out on a 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack. However, it is also one of the worst big releases of the year. There are some releases that are contenders for Pick of the week, including Extant: Season 1 on DVD or Blu-ray, Tootsie on Blu-ray, and The Americans: Season 2 on DVD. In the end, I went with The Skeleton Twins on Blu-ray.

The Americans: Season 2 - Buy from Amazon: DVD
One of the best TV shows on the air right now, so it is a shame that more people don't watch it. Extras include a couple of featurettes, as well as deleted scenes and outtakes. I just wish it were coming out on Blu-ray.

Arrested Development: Season 4 - Buy from Amazon: DVD
One of the best short-lived sitcoms came back as a Netflix original show. The reviews for this season are not as good as they were for the previous seasons, but it is still better than a lot of shows on TV right now. Additionally, there are plenty of extras on the DVD, so if you own the first three seasons, there's no reason not to add this season to your collection as well.

At the Devil's Door - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This movie had a couple of actresses in it that I liked, which is the reason I accepted the offer to review it. On the other hand, I knew the reviews were weak. Are the reviews accurate? Or is there something more to this game? Read our review for my opinion.

Bleach Uncut: Set 23 - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Normally I don't mention Anime releases, unless it appears on the front page of the new releases. This is one such releases. On the other hand, Bleach Uncut is one of the more common Anime titles to manage this feat.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: The Ambition of Oda Nobuna, Batman: The Complete Series (Unlimited), A Certain Magical Index II: Season 2, Part 2, Cowboy Bebop: The Complete Series, Detroit Metal City, ESPN Films 30 for 30: Five-Year Anniversary Collection, Hidamari Sketch SP, Intruders: Season 1, Lord Of Illusions, Okamikakushi: Masque of the Wolf, and Tootsie
There are not that many secondary Blu-ray releases this week, but two of them, Tootsie and Cowboy Bebop certainly have my attention.

3D Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Only one 3D release of the week, but it is the biggest release of the week.

Cam2Cam - Buy from Amazon: DVD
This film started out as a 27-minute long short film, but it was adapted into a feature-length film. Does it word as a feature-length film? Or are there only enough ideas for a short film? Check out our review for my opinion.

Christmas Releases - Buy from Amazon: Christmas in Hollywood, Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever, and How Murray Saved Christmas
Three Christmas releases this week, including one I reviewed.

The Devil's Hand - Buy from Amazon: DVD
This film was shot in 2012, but it could get distributed for two full years. Now that it is out, there are still no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Is it an undiscovered gem? Or is there a good reason why this happened? Read our review to find out.

Extant: Season 1 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A new TV series starring Halle Berry as an astronaut who becomes mysteriously pregnant after seeing a vision of her husband while on a mission. The reviews have been amazing and the DVD and Blu-ray have lots of extras, so it is clearly worth picking up for fans of the genre.

Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever - Buy from Amazon: DVD
A Christmas movie based on a viral video. Is there any chance this will be good? Or should all sane minds avoid it? Check our review to find out.

Magic in the Moonlight - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
The latest Woody Allen movie missed expectations at the box office and with critics. I put in a request to review, so hopefully I will get a screener before Christmas.

The Maze Runner - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
One of a handful of Young Adult Adaptations that came out this year. This one is better than most of the rest and did well enough to get the next part of the franchise greenlit. Additionally, the extras are strong. If you like the genre, it is worth picking up.

Peter Pan Live! - Buy from Amazon: DVD or DVD with CD Soundtrack
This live presentation of Peter Pan earned mixed reviews. Some even said it was so bad it was good.

The Skeleton Twins - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
There's only one film that I reviewed this week that earned overwhelmingly positive reviews and this is it. Is it as good as the reviews indicate? Or am I one of the few dissenters? Read our review for my opinion.

Stonehearst Asylum - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
An adaptation of an Edgar Allan Poe story about a new doctor at a mental institute. The head doctor has a rather different approach to treating the mentally ill, which is refreshing. However, there is a secret in the institute. The reviews are mixed with some interesting ideas, but mixed execution. Some critics are calling it dull and others are calling it over-the-top. Not sure what to make of that. The only extra is a making of featurette, which is not very good. Call it a rental, if you like the genre.

This is Where I Leave You - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film had a great cast, but a weak script. This resulted in a movie that is not good, but there are enough moments that if you like the cast, it is worth sitting through. Extras on the DVD are weak, but the Blu-ray has enough that it might be worth a rental.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Buy from Amazon: DVD or 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack
The biggest hit coming out on the home market this week. It is not one of the best movies of the week. It might be the worst installment in the franchise. The DVD has no extras, while the Blu-ray has nearly an hour of featurettes. That's no where near enough to compensate for the reviews.

TV on DVD Full Series Megasets - Buy from Amazon: Batman and Cowboy Bebop
This is the second time the 1960s Batman has come out on the Blu-ray Megaset this year. The other version comes with a toy car and is $5 cheaper, at the moment.


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Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, Tootsie, The Devil's Hand, The Maze Runner, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, This is Where I Leave You, The Skeleton Twins, Magic in the Moonlight, At the Devil’s Door, Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Maze Runner, Halle Berry, Woody Allen, Edgar Allan Poe