Home Market Releases for August 14th, 2018

August 15, 2018

Avengers: Infinity War

Avengers: Infinity War comes out on DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack this week and it is scaring away most of the competition. That’s not to say there’s nothing else worth picking up. For example, Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami isn’t selling well enough to make the list, but the Blu-ray is certainly worth owning.

Arrow: The Complete Sixth Season - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This is the film that launched the DC franchise on the CW, commonly referred to as the Arrowverse. I never got into the show and it is the least favorite of those shows. There are enough extras on the DVD / Blu-ray that it is worth picking up if you are a fan of the show.


Avengers: Infinity War - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, or 4K Combo Pack
Video on Demand (Theatrical Release) or Video on Demand (With Bonus Features)
The first of the two-part conclusion to the Infinity Stones Saga. The previous films in the MCU have a stellar record with both critics and with moviegoers, so this film has a lot to live up to. Can it live up to its predecessors? Or will it disappoint? Read our review to find out. Or you can read our MCU Rankings if you want to avoid any spoilers.


Bad Samaritan - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
Two valets use their job to pick houses to rob. However, while searching the latest house, the discover their “victim” has a women locked in a dungeon. They can’t free her, but they call the cops. Unfortunately, their “victim” quickly realizes what happened, cleans up before the cops get there, and goes after them for revenge. This is a great setup, but the execution is only mixed. Additionally, the only extras on the DVD / Blu-ray are some deleted scenes, which further limits its value to a rental.


The Blacklist: The Complete Fifth Season - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This show started out as a massive hit, both with critics and with audiences. It has slipped in the ratings the past few years, but it is still a hit. Extras include audio commentary tracks, a featurette on the 100th episode, deleted scenes, and outtakes. It is easily worth picking up and a contender for Pick of the Week.


The Cat O' Nine Tails - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
An Italian horror movie in the giallo genre. I believe a screener is on its way, but it might take another week to get to me.

Classroom of the Elite: The Complete Series - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray Combo Pack
An Anime set in a high school, which is very likely the most common setting for Anime. The hook here is the high school is really competitive when it comes to grades and the class with the best grades gets to control the school. The reviews on My Anime List are excellent, but there are no substantial extras.

Eureka Seven Hi Evolution 1 - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Video on Demand
This animated movie isn’t nearly as good as the series. If you are a real fan of the series, then rent it on VOD. Otherwise, you can safely skip it.

The Irresistible Blueberry Farm - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
A typical Hallmark Channel original movie with no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but a high ranking in the week’s sales.

Lady Street Fighter: Special Edition - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
I really wanted to review this release, but I only got a streaming code and streaming rarely works for me. Firefox sucks up so much RAM that I have to shut it down every hour or so, to free up the RAM, so there is not enough time to watch a full movie. Also, trying to jump around in a movie when streaming it puts extra pressure on my computer and makes it more likely that I’ll need to reboot to get things going. I’ll try again, but I can’t promise anything. That said, the Blu-ray has an audio commentary track and the unreleased sequel, so if you are a fan of the movie, then it is certainly worth picking up.

Mr. Mercedes: Season One - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Stephen King is finding a lot of success in movies and TV recently. This show stars Brendan Gleeson as a retired police detective who is determined to catch a killer. Meanwhile the killer is taunting him and is determined to kill again. The reviews are excellent and I wish it had a Blu-ray release. That said, it is still worth picking up.


Muppet Babies: Time To Play - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Video on Demand
I grew up watching the Muppets. Does this live up to my memories of the characters? Is nostalgia all it has going for it? Or will kids today enjoy the show? Read our review for my opinion.


NCIS: New Orleans: The Fourth Season - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Video on Demand
I stop watching the original NCIS years ago and I could never get into this show, because I considered it the worst of the franchise. That said, it is selling really well, so clearly it has an audience.

Return of the Living Dead Part II - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
This film has 0% positive reviews. Ouch. On the other hand, it is selling really well, so it does have cult appeal. If you are curious, rent it on VOD first.

SEAL Team: Season One - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Video on Demand
If the first season is any indication, this could be David Boreanaz’s third or fourth hit show. It depends on how you count Buffy / Angel. On the other hand, I don’t watch the show and its first season reviews were merely good and not great.

Steelbook Triple-Shot:
Army of Darkness - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
The Howling - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Lifeforce - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
All three of these movies are worth owning, in general. A lot of people who are fans of Army of Darkness probably already own it multiple times. (There have been a lot of DVD / Blu-ray releases for that movie.) Additionally, not everyone likes Steelbooks and prefer all of their Blu-rays to come in similar boxes.

Steven Universe: Heart of the Crystal Gems - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
I’ve previously reviewed this show and really enjoyed it. I do prefer full season sets, so hopefully that will continue. In the meantime, if you are a fan of the show, this DVD is worth picking up.

Tideland - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
This is a very odd movie and one that I’ve only seen once years ago. I should be getting a screener, but it is late.


Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon:
Assassination Classroom: Season One - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Casualties of War - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Documentary Now!: Seasons 1 & 2 - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
The Gore Gore Girls - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Home from the Hill - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
The House of Tomorrow - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray
How to Talk to Girls at Parties - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
The Inkwell - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Laserblast: VHS Retro Big Box Collection - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
The Last Warrior - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Outlaw Star: The Complete Series Classic - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Overlord: Season One - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Planetarian: OVAs and Movie - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray Combo Pack
Seven Deadly Sins: Season One - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Shock and Awe - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
What Have They Done to Your Daughters? - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
The Yellow Birds - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Zoot Suit - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
It’s a good week for secondary Blu-ray releases. Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami is arguably the best, but if you are a fan of Anime, then every title on this list is worth picking up.


4K Ultra HD Releases - Buy from Amazon:
Avengers: Infinity War - Review - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
National Lampoon's Van Wilder - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
I’m not 100% sure that’s the right URL for the Avengers: Infinity War 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, because Amazon and Disney’s pissing contest appears to have gone nuclear, as Amazon doesn’t even have the items in stock. At least that’s what they say. It’s a mess.


TV on DVD Megasets - Buy from Amazon:
Power Rangers: Ninja Steel - No Reviews Buy from Amazon: DVD
Calling the Power Rangers’ releases Megasets is a bit misleading. They are multiple seasons, but the total running time isn’t that much more than a full season release for the average show.


Video on Demand - Buy from Amazon:
Affairs of State - Reviews - Video on Demand
American Animals - Reviews - Video on Demand
Before the Lights Come Up - No Reviews - Video on Demand
Book Club - Reviews - Video on Demand
Choosing Signs - No Reviews - Video on Demand
Comedy InvAsian—Joey Guila - No Reviews - Video on Demand
How to Talk to Girls at Parties - Reviews - Video on Demand
Twelve Pianos - No Reviews - Video on Demand
Upgrade - Reviews - Video on Demand
There are some good secondary VOD releases this week. Of these, American Animals and Upgrade are the two I’m most interested in seeing.


C.S.Strowbridge

Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, Avengers: Infinity War, How to Talk to Girls at Parties, The Yellow Birds, Shock and Awe, Bad Samaritan, Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami, Skif, Upgrade, American Animals, The House of Tomorrow, Affairs of State, The Irresistible Blueberry Farm, Twelve Pianos, Comedy InvAsian—Joey Guila, Choosing Signs, Before the Lights Come Up, Marvel Cinematic Universe, David Boreanaz, Brendan Gleeson, Stephen King