Home Market Releases for June 30th, 2015

June 30, 2015

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter

There's a short list this week, for two reasons. Firstly, there's not a lot of new releases worth mentioning. Secondly, I really have to concentrate on the July preview (look for that on the site tomorrow). The biggest release of the week is clearly Get Hard, but it was not the best. As for the best, there are two that jump out: Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (Blu-ray) and The Decline Of Western Civilization Collection (DVD or Blu-ray). Both are top-notch picks, but I went with Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: 1990: The Bronx Warriors, Escape from the Bronx, Five Easy Pieces, Ghosthouse / Witchery, Hard to be a God, I Am Evel Knievel, A John Williams Celebration, Kern & Hammerstein: Show Boat, Magical Warfare: Complete Collection, The New Barbarians, Valerie and Her Week of Wonders , Vanilla Sky, and The Who: Live at Shea Stadium - 1982
Not a lot of secondary Blu-ray releases this week. Of those that are on the list, the two Criterion Collection releases are probably the best.

Danny Collins - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Video on Demand
This film earned over $5 million at the box office, which is excellent for a limited release. Its reviews are also good, but not award-worthy. Additionally, the extras on the DVD and Blu-ray releases are weak with just a short behind-the-scenes featurette and an image gallery. It is worth picking up, but not a contender for Pick of the Week.

The Decline Of Western Civilization Collection - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
A three-part documentary about the punk and heavy-metal scene. The first film came out in 1981 and earned perfect reviews. Even the weakest installment is still great. If you like rockumentaries, then this box set is a must have. It is also a contender for Pick of the Week.

The Dovekeepers - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A Bible-inspired two-part TV-miniseries. The first film earned weak reviews, which explains why it lost nearly 30% of its audience from the first part to the second.

Get Hard - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Video on Demand
The biggest release of the week, but its reviews were weaker than expected. On the other hand, thanks to its box office success, the DVD and Blu-ray have plenty of extras, even if most of them are rather short. If you saw it in theaters and liked it, then it is worth picking up. If you haven't seen it but really like the two stars, maybe give it a rental on VOD.

The Gunman - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Video on Demand
This movie bombed so hard in theaters that I actually forgot it existed. Given its reviews, I'm sure most people involved want to forget it exists. Additionally, there are no extras on the DVD or Blu-ray. It is safely skippable.

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Video on Demand
I'm hoping a screener for this film is on its way. Unfortunately, there's a glut of screeners for this coming week, so some of them will have to be pushed to the prize pool. This is one I really want to see. It earned great reviews and even picked up an Independent Spirit Awards nomination. Extras include an audio commentary track and some deleted and extended scenes. It is absolutely worth picking up and a contender for Pick of the Week.

Last Knights - Reviews
Video on Demand
This film has a great cast, but its reviews are terrible. The extras aren't bad for a film that was a VOD-premiere, but that's not enough to overcome the reviews.

My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: Cutie Mark Quests - Buy from Amazon: DVD
It has been a while since I've reviewed a DVD from this series. It is a surprisingly good TV show given its target audience.

A Place to Call Home: Season Two - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
A drama import from Australia set during World War II. Like most similar shows, the price-per-minute is on the high end, but fans of these shows are used to that by now. The reviews are good and it is at least worth checking out for fans of World War II drama.

Video on Demand - Buy from Amazon: Avalanche Sharks, Dior and I, It Follows, Jackie and Ryan, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, Regret, and Robot Overlords
Of the VOD releases on this week's list, It Follows is by far the best. However, it is so good that I recommend waiting a couple of weeks and buying it on Blu-ray.

While We're Young - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
The latest film from writer / director Noah Baumbach. The film earned 84% positive reviews and pulled in more than $7 million in limited release. Is it as good as reviews and the box office numbers would suggest? Read our review to find out.


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Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, Get Hard, The Gunman, It Follows, While We're Young, Danny Collins, Last Knights, Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter, Noah Baumbach