Home Market Releases for October 4th, 2016

October 4, 2016

The theme for this week on the home market is “good, but not great”. There are a lot of releases, but almost none of them rise above merely good. This meant there were very few contenders for Pick of the Week and the only real choice was The Wailing. It earned perfect reviews, so even though the Blu-ray isn’t loaded with extras, it is still the best release of the week.

American Horror Story: Hotel - Reviews - Buy from Amazon:DVD or Blu-ray
I reviewed season one and liked it, but the reviews for each season since have dropped. Hotel earned 64% positive reviews, which is still good, but not must see TV. Additionally, there are not enough extras to convince someone on the fence to buy it.

Banshee: The Complete Fourth Season - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
The show started out with good reviews, but not great reviews, while it was never a ratings hit. I’m surprised it is over after four seasons. In fact, fans should just be happy it made it that far. There are lots of extras on the DVD and Blu-ray, so if you bought the previous three seasons, you should also grab this one.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Season One - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray
It’s rare for an Anime title to sell so well that I can’t just list it in the Secondary Blu-ray list down below. The show takes place on an alternative Earth, where there are three superpowers vying for power. It takes place in a Japan that was recently invaded and conquered by the Holy Britannian Empire.

Complete Unknown - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Video on Demand
This film has a good cast, but earned mixed reviews and struggled in limited release. It’s worth checking out, but I think renting it on VOD makes more sense than buying it on DVD.

Constantine: The Complete Series - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
I find it funny when shows that lasted just one season call the DVD / Blu-ray releases “The Complete Series”. The reviews for this show were good, but not great, and there’s a ton of comic book TV shows on the air right now, so the direct competition is fierce. Extras include some behind-the-scenes and two featurettes from Comic-Con 2014. That’s fine for a show that lasted just one season, but nothing special.

The Demolisher - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
A vigilante protects the mean streets of Toronto. Really? Toronto has mean streets? There are not a lot of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but two of the three are positive. If you like the genre, it is worth checking out.

Fender Bender - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
A young 17-year old girl just got her license when she gets into a fender bender. She gives her information to the other driver, but that driver turns out to be a serial killer and he’s going to hunt her and her friends that night. As far as teenage slashers go, that’s not a bad set up. There are not a lot of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but most of the ones that are there are positive.

Final Fantasy XV: Kingsglaive - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray
Video on Demand
This film earned 13% positive reviews. Even if you are a fan of the franchise, you should probably stay away from this one. Also coming on this week is a re-release of Advent Children.

Laid in America - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
Two YouTube stars try to make the leap to the big screen in this teenage sex comedy. There are no reviews, which suggests you should stay far away.

The Last King - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
A king is killed and his throne usurped. However, two trusted soldiers take his son and rightful heir away to protect him from the conspirators. The reviews are mostly good, but it is a foreign-language film, so it is not a surprise there are not a lot of extras. Still, it is worth checking out for most, picking up for many.

Middle-earth Limited Collector's Edition - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray Combo Pack
$500 for a six-movie set. Hell no.

My King - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Video on Demand
A woman has a skiing accident and she realizes that she should reevaluate her life and especially her relationship with her boyfriend. The reviews are good, but not great. Call it a solid rental, leaning towards a purchase.

The Passion Live - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
The latest Tyler Perry hits the home market. I’m not in the target audience and there are no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, so I’m at a loss for what to say.

Penny Dreadful: The Final Season - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
I mentioned in my review of this show that there were too many similar shows for this out to stand out. That appears to be the case, as the show ended after just three seasons. Extras include a series of production featurettes on such topics as set design, costumes, etc. If you own the first two seasons, there’s no reason to stop now.

Preacher: Season One - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
This TV series is based on a comic book series of the same name. It earned excellent reviews, but it is violent, even compared to most cable shows. Extras on the DVD include a couple of making of featurettes and some deleted / extended scenes. The Blu-ray includes these, plus an additional couple of featurettes and outtakes. Definitely worth picking up, but not quite a contender for Pick of the Week.

Prey: CSR - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
A British police procedural about a cop looking into a cold case, only to be accused of committing the crime. It’s $15 for three 100-minute episodes. That’s not bad if you treat it as a TV mini-series.

Prince: Movie Collection - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
All three movies by Prince in one package. You can also buy them individually, but the box set here is buy two get one free, so it is the better deal. On the other hand, if you really only want one, then the Purple Rain Blu-ray is the best. It is also out of stock, at the moment.

The Purge: Election Year - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray
Video on Demand
This franchise has a silly premise, but the reviews and the box office numbers are getting better. Extras include two featurettes and some deleted scenes. That’s okay and if you liked the movie it is worth picking up, but it’s not even close to being a Pick of the Week contender.

Satanic - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
October is the perfect time to review a horror film. I don’t expect this low-budget film to be perfect, but can it at least rise above its budget? Read our review for my opinion.

Sharknado: The 4th Awakens - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray
Video on Demand
Stop making movies in this franchise. They went from fun B-movie to just painful to watch.

Swiss Army Man - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
I put in a request for a screener for this film, but if it is coming, it is late. It’s a really weird film and it looks like it is up my alley, but it is so out there that I want to wait to see it before I comment. On the other hand, I can mention the extras, which include an audio commentary track, making of featurette, behind-the-scenes featurette, Q&A session, and deleted scenes. That’s great for a limited release. Since it is a slow week, it is a Pick of the Week contender.

The Venture Bros.: The Complete Sixth Season - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
It has been a long time since I’ve seen an episode of this show. The four-year gap between seasons four and five led to me practically forgetting the show. There is only one review on Rotten Tomatoes, but it is positive.

Vikings: Season Four, Vol. One - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray
Video on Demand
I usually hate split-season releases, as they feel like cash grabs. However, in this case, Volume One has just as many episodes as the entire previous seasons. The extras include extended episodes and an interactive Sons Of Ragnar extra. Add in the amazing reviews and it is certainly worth picking up.

The Wailing - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Video on Demand
A South Korean film about a stranger who enters a small town and is immediately met with suspicion. This turns to paranoia when the residents of the village start to attack each other. This is the best new release of the week and it is a clear contender for Pick of the Week. Unfortunately, like many foreign-language imports, there are not a lot of extras.

When Calls the Heart: Year Three - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Video on Demand
This is a show that unless you are in the target audience, you have likely never seen, but it is popular with said target audience. Also coming out this week is one of the TV movies, When Calls the Heart: Hearts in Question, which is being released on DVD.

X-Men: Apocalypse - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, 3D Combo Pack, or 4K Ultra HD
Video on Demand
This film took a tumble in terms of critical reception, while its box office numbers were a step back in the franchise. Extras include an audio commentary track, lengthy making of featurette, deleted scenes, outtakes, and more. If you liked the movie, then it is worth picking up. If you think the franchise had jumped the shark so skipped this one, perhaps give it a rental first.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon:
Attack on Titan, Part 1 - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray Combo Pack
Body Double - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Chosen Survivors - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Daughter of Dracula - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Diary of a Chambermaid - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Video on Demand
The Earth Dies Screaming - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Into the Forest - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Jinsei: Life Consulting - The Complete Series - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray Combo Pack
Joshy - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
The Mind's Eye - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Mobile Suit V Gundam: Collection One - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Re-Kan - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Rwby Volumes 1-3: Beacon Steelbook - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
The Shining (Collectible Gift Set) - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Stephen King’s It (Collectible Gift Set) - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray Combo Pack
Strike Witches: the Movie - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray Combo Pack
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town is the best secondary Blu-ray release of the week. Had it had more extras, it could have been the Pick of the Week.

4K Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon:
The Great Gatsby - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD
Jupiter Ascending - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD
Pacific Rim - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD
X-Men: Apocalypse - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD
X-Men: First Class - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD
There are several visually impressive big releases coming out on 4K this week. If you have already made the leap to 4K, it’s a good week for you. If you haven’t, I would hold off until 4K is standard and nearly unavoidable.

Christmas Releases - Buy from Amazon
All Through the House - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
The Andy Griffith Show: Christmas Special - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Charming Christmas - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Video on Demand
A Christmas Melody - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Video on Demand
Hallmark Holiday Collection - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Krampus 2: The Devil Returns - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
A Murdoch Mysteries Christmas - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray
Video on Demand
Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Wow. We made it all the way to October before seeing any Christmas releases. This is actually much better than average. On the other hand, to make up for this, there was a huge flood of Christmas releases this week, so many that I had to skip a few. A Murdoch Mysteries Christmas is the best of the group and the only one I might pick up.

TV on DVD Megasets - Buy from Amazon:
The Carol Burnett Show: Classic Carol: Collector's Edition - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Collector's Edition
Dexter: the Complete Series - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Dinotoppia: The Complete Mini Series - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Eastbound & Down: The Complete Series - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
I Love Lucy: Superstar Special Number One - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Knight Rider - The Complete Series - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Perry Mason: The Complete Series - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Winter: The Complete Series - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Perry Mason is my favorite show of the Full-Series Megaset. I Love Lucy is also a great show, but the seasons are being released on Blu-ray and I would stick with that.

C.S.Strowbridge

Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, The Hunting of the President, Phantasm, Satanic, X-Men: Apocalypse, Phantasm: Ravager, Into the Forest, Lights Out, The Purge: Election Year, Star Trek Beyond, Swiss Army Man, Fender Bender, Our Kind of Traitor, Mon roi, Complete Unknown, Joshy, Goksung, Le Journal d'une femme de chambre, Final Fantasy XV: Kingsglaive, Laid in America, The Demolisher, Loserville, The Unbidden, It's a Rockabilly World, Barbie & Her Sisters in a Puppy Chase, Astraea, The Earth Dies Screaming, Chosen Survivors, X-Men, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings, Phantasm, The Purge, Sharknado, Tyler Perry, Prince

Home Market Releases for October 4th, 2016

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