May 8, 2018
It is a terrible week on the home market. Of the new releases getting full mentions, only two of them would be included in an average week, while most of the rest would be relegated to Secondary Blu-ray releases. Why is it so bad this week? Because Black Panther is coming out on Video on Demand and it is scaring away all of the competition. Fortunately, it is the Pick of the Week, but I would wait for the DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, or 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack to come out next week to buy it. The next best option is Gun Crazy on Blu-ray.
Batman Ninja - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Video on Demand
There’s only one movie in the DCEU that’s worth owning, but their animation department continues to be strong. Extras include a couple of featurettes and the overall package is worth picking up.
The Beautiful Troublemaker - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A painter who has lost his inspiration regains it, when a young artist brings his young girlfriend to stay with him. It’s not selling well enough to be mentioned here, at least not if this was an average week. That said, it is earning 100% positive reviews. The lack of extras is keeping it from being a Pick of the Week contender.
Black Panther - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, or 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
Video on Demand (Movie Only)
Video on Demand (With Bonus Features)
This film only comes out on VOD this week, but I got a Blu-ray screener early and was able to get to the review this week. Is it worth checking out? If so, is it worth waiting for the Blu-ray? Read our review to find out.
Fifty Shades Freed - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, or 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
Video on Demand
You are either part of this film’s target audience, or you are not. Either way, nothing I say will change your mind. Extras include a 30-minute making of featurette, 15 minutes of interviews, a deleted scene, and some music videos. Also coming out is the Franchise Box Set.
Gun Crazy - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
A Film Noir about a Bonnie and Clyde romance. The film earned amazing reviews when it first came out and it is considered a classic by many today. It is also sadly unknown by many today, so hopefully this Blu-ray release will change that. The lack of extras hurt, but I love Film Noir, so I can’t help but make it a Pick of the Week contender.
Human Flow - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Video on Demand
The latest documentary from Ai Weiwei is about the refugee crisis, which has directly affected nearly 1% of the human population. It’s a great movie and worth picking, even without any extras on the DVD / Blu-ray. That said, the lack of extras does keep it from being a Pick of the Week contender.
Is It Wrong To Expect A Hot Spring In A Dungeon - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
It’s nearly $30 for a 25-minute long special to wrap up the series. ... I guess if you really, truly, desperately loved the show, then maybe this is worth it.
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: It's a Beautiful Day - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
This show will be a powerful nostalgia burst for adults and a must have for parents with kids in the right age range.
Phantom Thread - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
The Blu-ray came out less than a month ago, so how can they justify releasing the 4K Ultra HD version now?
Remember Sunday - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
It’s a Hallmark Channel original movie from 2013. There are still no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.
Saving Private Ryan - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
Normally this would be relegated to the secondary 4K releases section below, but it is actually in the top five best-selling new releases for the week. Perhaps this is a sign 4K has become mainstream. In a few weeks, the Consumer Technology Association will release their research with regards to market penetration. 16% of households had 4K TVs last year. It will be interesting to see where that number is this year.
Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon:
Ace Attorney: Part Two - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray Combo Pack
Caged Fury - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
The Devil Incarnate - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Enter the Devil - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
The House That Dripped Blood - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Limitless - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Moonrise: The Criterion Collection - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Paradox - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
Parasyte: Parts One & Two - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray Combo Pack
Seven - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Violence in a Women’s Prison - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
If you are into Sexploitation films, especially Women In Prison movies, then this is a great week for you. There are also several low-budget horror films from the 1970s and earlier on this list. If you are not a fan of the genre, most are not worth checking out. The House That Dripped Blood is the only one that I think is good enough for mainstream appeal. Add in plenty of extras and it is the secondary Blu-ray release that I’m most interested in.
4K Ultra HD Releases - Buy from Amazon:
Fifty Shades Freed - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
Phantom Thread - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
Saving Private Ryan - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
Source Code - Reviews - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
Saving Private Ryan is the best choice to pick up on 4K this week.
TV on DVD Megasets - Buy from Amazon:
A Man Called Shenandoah - No Reviews - Buy from Amazon: DVD
There are 34 episodes on this 4-disc set, but it is technically only one season, so calling it a Megaset feels like cheating.
Video on Demand - Buy from Amazon:
Black Panther - Reviews - Video on Demand (Movie Only) or Video on Demand (With Bonus Features)
Game Night - Reviews - Video on Demand
Hope - No Reviews - Video on Demand
Nanny Nightmare - Reviews - Video on Demand
Pali Road - Reviews - Video on Demand
Point B - No Reviews - Video on Demand
Toto and His Sisters - Reviews - Video on Demand
Black Panther is coming out this week. It is not only the biggest VOD release of the week, it is the biggest release of the week, period.
C.S.Strowbridge
Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, Black Panther, Remember Sunday, Fifty Shades Freed, Pali Road, Game Night, Sha Po Lang: Tan Lang, La Belle Noiseuse, Batman Ninja, Point B, Nanny Nightmare, Toto si surorile lui, Fifty Shades of Grey, DC Extended Universe, Ai Weiwei