December 5th, 2018
The first installment of our Holiday Gift Guide dealt with First Run wide releases, which was dominated by super heroes, again. This week, we look at TV on DVD releases, specifically first seasons and Megasets. I limited this list to two types, because you don’t need me to tell you if someone will want the sixth season of a show. If they liked the first five, then season six is likely a good gift. However, like last year, I’m going to start this list with an exception. Sort of. On a side note, originally, I was going to lead with K-On: Limited Edition Box Set, but that got pushed back till February. You can still buy it and give them a print-out of the receipt at Christmas. “Merry Christmas. You’re gift will arrive in two months.” ... Yes, I’ve done that in the past. No, it's not tacky.
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December 6th, 2015
The second installment of the Holiday Gift Guide focuses on TV on DVD releases. It's going to be a little short this year, because I was not impressed with last year's batch of new releases. There are five networks, but there are only four shows that debuted last season on this list. (Although I admit I don't watch The Flash (DVD or Blu-ray) or Jane the Virgin (DVD) and the WB doesn't hand out screeners.) There were a few other cable shows that started last year that I love, but this includes stuff like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Daredevil, neither of which are on DVD. Additionally, there weren't as many Full-Series Megasets as years past, at least not ones that I think are worthy for this list. Mad Men might be the only Megaset for a concurrent show that makes the list. This all adds up to a short list this year.
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November 2nd, 2015
Toy Story that Time Forgot is the latest Disney TV special to hit the home market. It is based on the Toy Story franchise and hit TVs last December. Is is worth checking out if you haven't seen it before? Is it worth picking up?
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March 24th, 2014
Welcome to the Jungle is a comedy that opened in limited release with weak reviews. When it hit theaters, it failed to find an audience. Now it is coming out on DVD and Blu-ray. Does it deserve a second chance on the home market? Or is there a reason it failed to entice moviegoers?
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January 12th, 2014
I've reviewed every season of Archer and from the first episode I was hooked. Personally I think the show has gotten better each season, last season even had good extras. Can the show continue to improve? Is the DVD or the Blu-ray loaded with extras?
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April 23rd, 2013
This time of year tends to be really bad on the home market. By this late in spring, there are only a few late winter releases still finding their way on the home market. Last weekend it was Django Unchained and next weekend it will be Silver Linings Playbook. This week, there are no such releases. The best selling release according to Amazon.com is Jurassic Park, which makes its home market 3D debut. (It is still in the top ten at the box office, so that might be helping the sales.) I hope to get a screener to review but so far it is late, so I'm not sure if the 3D upgrade is worth the triple-dip. As far as Pick of the Week Contenders, there are not many. The Impossible is probably the best bet, but I'm still waiting for the screener. The week is so bad, that I took the time to review Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season Three on Blu-ray a week in advance, just so I would have something to choose as Pick of the Week this week. It is expensive, but there are several classic episodes that aired this season and there is a ton of new extras on the six-disc set.
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April 16th, 2013
This is going to be a really short review for a couple of reasons. Like all stand-up comedy concert DVDs, it is nearly impossible to review Kristen Schaal: Live at the Fillmore without spoiling the jokes. Because of this, reviews for such releases tend to be very short. The second reason is...
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April 1st, 2013
It's a bad week on the home market. The biggest release of the week is a mini-series, The Bible, but it is earning just about as much criticism as praise. (And not just for the Obama / Satan fiasco.) After that release, the quality quickly drops, so much so that there's a 1950s TV on DVD release on the front page of the new releases. As far as Pick of the Week contenders are concerned, there are not many. The Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One - Avengers Assembled is awesome, but it has a high price and if you are a fan, then you likely have all or nearly all of the movies it contains. The only other major contender is John Dies at the End. It's too bizarre for most moviegoers, but if you are into these types of films, then the DVD or the Blu-ray are worth it.
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