Weekly Digital Disk Picks for May 24th, 2011

Another really poor week this week, though there are a few small gems in there.

Title DVD Release(s) Blu-Ray Release(s)
Action
The Big Bang Amazon.com Amazon.com
Alex: It’s nice to see Antonio Bandaras still doing action movies, even if they are direct to video… he didn’t have the same accountant as Nick Cage, did he?
Anime
Air Gear: SAVE Edition Amazon.com, rightstuf.com
Samurai Champloo: The Complete Series Amazon.com, rightstuf.com Amazon.com, rightstuf.com
Alex: Anachronistic adventuring samurai plus a killer soundtrack for the win.
Shin Koihime Muso: Otome Tairan Amazon.com, rightstuf.com
Alex: Season 3 of Koihime Muso
Soul Eater: The Meister Collection Amazon.com, rightstuf.com Amazon.com, rightstuf.com
Alex: Contains the first half of the series.
Art House
Classics (Cult)
Classics (Traditional)
Comedy
The Great Dictator (Criterion Collection) Amazon.com Amazon.com
Kids in the Hall Season One, Season Two, Season Three, Season Four, Season Five, Complete Series Megaset and Death Comes To Town
Blaine: A&E has released these before. The original complete series megaset was 20 discs, but this one is 22, which I interpret as confirmation that “Death Comes To Town” is now included. I have no idea if “Brain Candy” is included.
Melissa and Joey: Season One, Part One Amazon.com
Documentary
Brad Meltzer’s Decoded: Season One Amazon.com
The Royal Wedding: William and Catherine Amazon.com
William and Kate: Planning a Royal Wedding Amazon.com
Drama
Childrens Hospital: Complete First and Second Seasons Amazon.com
Grand Prix Amazon.com
Family
Gnomeo and Juliet DVD Blu-Ray 3D/Blu-Ray/DVD, Blu-Ray/DVD combo
Lemonade Mouth Amazon.com
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Great Outdoors Amazon.com
Transformers: The Complete Series Amazon.com
Fantasy
Horror
Music / Musical
Mystery
Reality
Romance
Science Fiction
I Am Number Four DVD Blu-Ray only, Blu-Ray/DVD combo
Solaris (1972) (Criterion Collection) Amazon.com Amazon.com
Blaine: I’ve got the original Criterion DVD release, but haven’t watched it yet.
Sports
Superhero
Suspense
War
Gettysburg: Director’s Cut Amazon.com
Alex: A fairly decent adaptation of Michael Sharra’s novel The Killer Angels. This verison adds a few scenes to add context to some of the stuff from the battle that wasn’t explained in the earlier releases (like why there were Confederate troops advancing into Gettysberg when Lee had ordered them not to press an engagement in the first place, and so forth).
Gods and Generals: Extended Director’s Cut Amazon.com
Alex: An adaptation of Michael Sharra’s son Jeff’s prequel to The Killer Angels, which adds some sequences which made some of the battles less rushed and some additional character development for some of the historical figures from the film (like Stonewall Jackson).
Papillon Amazon.com
Platoon Blu-Ray/DVD combo
Tigerland Amazon.com
Western

Finally, the picks of the week. Blaine says, “I was pleasantly surprised by Gnomeo and Juliet, but it’s not a terribly strong recommendation. It may be worth holding out for the Kubrick products next week.” Alex says, “If you’re going to get anything this week, I’d reccomend Samurai Champloo, as it’s one of those series (like Cowboy Bebop), that everyone should watch at least once (and probably own). Other than that, Criterion Collection + The Great Dictator = Win.”

One reply

  1. My vote for The Great Dictator. Anyone who thinks Charlie Chaplin was a one-trick pony should watch it. Heck, everyone should watch it regardless.

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