DVD and Blu-ray Releases for October 9th, 2012

October 8, 2012

It is a soft week for new releases with only Prometheus looking strong. The film has earned polarizing reviews, so while many will like it, it's probably best to rent the DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, or 3D Combo Pack instead of buying outright. There are some TV on DVD releases and limited releases coming out this week, but you have to look to the catalogue Blu-rays coming out this week that are contenders for Pick of the Week. E.T. The Extraterrestrial, hasn't arrived yet, but its Anniversary Edition Blu-ray could be the best film on this week's list. However, Dial M for Murder in 3D is also a contender. 3D is still a niche market, so E.T. is the best bet for Pick of the Week.

Note: This Blu-ray made its home market debut on the 28th of August.

Apartment 143 - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A low-budget horror film that opened in limited release and crashed and burned in theaters. Granted, most horror films fail to connect in theaters, but did this film deserve to do better? Check out our review for my opinion.

The Barrens - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film opened in limited release at the end of September and is coming out on the home market less than two weeks later. There are not a lot of reviews online, but the ones there are are mostly positive. If you are a fan of low budget horror, this one should be worth checking out.

Bedevilled - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A South Korean film by Chul-soo Jang and it is his first film, but you couldn't tell from the reviews. I'm hoping to get a screener soon, but the holidays up here might have delayed its arrival.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Dead Ringers, Holliston: Season One, Ice Station Zebra, Little Shop of Horrors: Director's Cut, The Poseidon Adventure, Shut Up And Play The Hits, Strangers on a Train, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane: 50th Anniversary, and WWE: CM Punk - Best in the World
There are a few secondary Blu-ray releases that are quite interesting, including Strangers on a Train and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? There is also a flood of double-features, triple-features, and even quadruple-features, so many that I didn't even include them, because none of them stood out in the sea of mediocrity.

3D Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: Dial M for Murder, Pat Metheny: The Orchestrion Project, or Prometheus
Before anyone freaks out, Dial M for Murder was originally shot in 3D, but wasn't shown in 3D till the 1980s. I'm certainly interested in seeing it in 3D.

Bones: Season Seven - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Season seven of this show was shortened due to pregnancy, but is it also short on quality? Or is it worth adding to your collection? Read our review to find out.

A Cat In Paris - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This film earned an Oscar nod for Best Feature-length Animated Film, but that didn't help it escape limited release. Hopefully it will do better on the home market, because it deserves more success.

Christmas Releases - Buy from Amazon: 12 Dogs of Christmas: Great Puppy Rescue, Annie Claus Is Coming To Town, Arthur: Arthur's Perfect Christmas, A Cadaver Christmas, Fireman Sam: Holiday Heroes, and Thomas & Friends: A Very Thomas Christmas
There's not a lot or top notch releases on this week's selection of Christmas releases. I'm hoping to get a screener for Annie Claus Is Coming To Town while A Cadaver Christmas is the only type of Christmas film that is acceptable to release at this time of year.

The Cottage - Buy from Amazon
Still waiting for the screener for this film. There are almost no reviews online, so it is hard to judge the film. At least that means I'll be going into the review with an open mind.

The Courier - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Yet another release where I'm still waiting for the screener. It does have some actors I like, so hopefully it is enjoyable.

Doctor Who - Buy from Amazon: Ambassadors of Death
From the Jon Pertwee era of Doctor Who. This seven-part serial has earned mostly good reviews, although most fans that like the episode will admit to some problems. There was trouble getting the script done and there were many re-writes. Extras include audio commentary track, making of featurette, and much more. Worth picking up.

E.T. The Extraterrestrial - Anniversary Edition Blu-ray - Buy from Amazon
Still waiting for the screener for this film; however, it is one of the best family films of all time and it should be in everyone's home theater collections. I'll have to watch the Blu-ray to see if it is worth the upgrade.

The Great Mouse Detective - Blu-ray - Buy from Amazon
I previously reviewed the DVD, but I'm still waiting for the Blu-ray screener. I hope it gets here soon.

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: Season Seven - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A very funny but crass show. I've gotten a chance to review the show in the past and I might get a screener for this season, but I'm not counting on it. I think the show is starting to get a little old and it is a little off its peak, but it is still worth picking up for fans of the show.

Note: This Blu-ray made its home market debut on the 13th.

Jeepers Creepers - Blu-ray - Buy from Amazon
A little more than ten years ago, this film broke the record for biggest Labor Day long weekend box office. Granted, Labor Day long weekend is the weakest long weekend at the box office, but it still broke the record. Is it worthy of such an honor? Or is it just better than most films dumped into theaters during that time of year? Read our review for my opinion.

Jeff Dunham: Minding the Monsters - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
I'm not a big fan of this form of stand-up humor, but like most Jeff Dunham releases, it is selling very well.

The League: Season Three - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
I don't understand the insanity that is fantasy football. It's taking a pretty normal thing, watching sports, and turns it into a hobby that people take so seriously it becomes a full-time job.

The Lucy Show: Season Six - Buy from Amazon
The sixth and final season of this show. Although that's not truly, 100% true. This show ended only because Lucille Ball lost the rights to the show and Here's Lucy started the next season and one could argue the two shows were related and include a number of the same co-stars. Did this show go out on top? Or was it a good time to reboot the premise? Check out our review to find out.

Magical Mystery Tour - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
This is either a terribly boring movie or a brilliant film. Critics are split. However, even those who think it is bad as a movie admit the music is amazing.

Monster High: Ghouls Rule - Buy from Amazon
Based on a popular toy-line, this DVD is selling surprisingly well earning eighth place on this week's list of new releases, at least according to Amazon.com. I'm outside the target demographic, but if you liked the previous Monster High releases, this one is likely also worth checking out.

Note: This DVD made its home market debut on the 13th.

Munger Road - Buy from Amazon
A low-budget horror film that started out really strong in limited release, then struggled to hold onto its audience. Even so, it earned more in theaters than it cost to make, so there could be a sequel. Does it deserve a sequel? Check out our review for my opinion.

Prometheus - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, or 3D Combo Pack
This film earned very good reviews, but very diametrically opposed reviews. While most people liked the film, there were some that hated this film. I'm still waiting for the screener to arrive (it's Thanksgiving in Canada, so there will be delays) so I don't know if I will like the sci-fi action, or be yelling at the broken science in the film. The releases appear to be loaded with extras, so it is worth picking up if you did like the movie.

The Raven - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
One of a handful of screeners I'm still waiting for. The reviews were bad, but maybe I will be in the minority on this one.

Rock of Ages - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
A musical based on 1980s stadium rock songs. Well, not really based on them, but more filled with them. That's part of the problem when you create a musical with pre-existing songs. Instead of the songs feeling like a natural part of the movie, they feel shoehorned in. The end result is a narrative that is flawed and it is better to just watch an original movie and then listen to your favorite 1980s songs. Also, acting and singing are both very hard, and it is difficult to find people who can do both, so you are stuck with leads who can't act and actors who can't sing. The DVD has seven shorts featurettes and a music video, while the Blu-ray adds a couple of retrospectives about the music in the film.

Something Big - Buy from Amazon
Not one of Dean Martin's best-known films, but is it worth checking out for fans of the show? Read our review for my opinion.

Truth or Die - Buy from Amazon
One of several low budget horror films coming out this week where the screener is late. The reviews are quite bad with the term "Torture Porn" thrown around.

Werewolf: The Beast Among Us - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
A direct-to-DVD horror film. That should lower expectations. Does it lower them enough? Won't know till the screener arrives.

Whitney: Season One - Buy from Amazon
One of two shows by Whitney Cummings to start last season. This one earned weaker reviews and lower ratings. Personally, I would stick with 2 Broke Girls.


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Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Poseidon Adventure, Little Shop of Horrors, Jeepers Creepers, The Great Mouse Detective, Dead Ringers, Strangers on a Train, Dial M for Murder, The Courier, Rock of Ages, Prometheus, The Raven, Munger Road, Une vie de chat, Emergo, The Cottage, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Werewolf: The Beast Among Us, The Barrens, Shut Up and Play the Hits, Truth or Die, Kim Bok-nam salinsageonui jeonmal, The Cottage, Magical Mystery Tour, Lucille Ball, Whitney Cummings, Chul-soo Jang