DVD and Blu-ray Releases for July 2nd, 2013

July 2, 2013

It is a terrible week for new releases on the home market with nearly nothing worth talking about. It was so bad, I pushed back the column one more day so I could review Todd and The Book Of Pure Evil: Season 2, just so I would have a contender for Pick of the Week. 56 Up is the best new release of the week, but demand will be split between the DVD and the franchise box set.

56 Up - Buy from Amazon
One of the longest running franchises of all time, and it is a documentary series. It takes a look at the same group of people every seven years to see how their lives have changed. It is the best new release of the week, but if you haven't been buying the films has they hit DVD, you can grab the franchise box set.

6 Souls - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This film was made in 2008, but only earned a limited release this year. Did it deserve better? Or was there a reason it sat on a studio's shelf for this long? Check out our review to find out.

An American Girl: Saige Paints the Sky - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
The latest in a long line of movies based on the popular doll line. There are no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but I found a few online that were positive, or at the very least, said the movie was as good as previous installments in the franchise.

Blu-ray Releases - Buy from Amazon: E.T., Jaws, The Kentucky Fried Movie, The Producers, Tower Block, and The Trouble With Harry
There are some really good catalog titles in this week's list of secondary Blu-ray releases. Unfortunately, there are a lot of double-dips in the batch.

The Employer - Buy from Amazon
A direct-to-DVD thriller about a group of perspective employees who learn their perspective Employer has something more in mind than the usual interview when they are drugged and kidnapped. I've seen a few reviews online and they are mostly good. The movie isn't original, but it uses the tropes well.

The Girl - Buy from Amazon
Abbie Cornish stars as a mother who loses her child to Social Services. When she becomes mixed up in human smuggling, she becomes attached to a girl who is trying to get into the United States from Mexico. The reviews were only mixed and it never found an audience in theaters.

The House I Live In - Buy from Amazon
A documentary about the prison system in the United States. The film earned excellent reviews and did relatively well at the box office.

Inescapable - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
I do like many of the cast members in this movie, including Alexander Siddig and Marisa Tomei, but the reviews were terrible.

Inside World War II - Buy from Amazon
A documentary about World War II that aired on TV last year. It has earned mostly good reviews, but there are so many documentaries on this subject that it is hard to recommend any of them, because odds are if you like the subject, there's little that you will learn.

Last Resort: The Complete First Season - Buy from Amazon
A captain of a nuclear submarine is given orders to initiate a nuclear attack on Pakistan, but refuses due to some inconsistencies with the order. His vessel is then attacked by another sub and then Pakistan is nuked and they are blamed. The crew hides out on a small island while trying to piece together what really happened. The show earned mostly good reviews, but it was canceled after just half a season.

Smart Cookies - Buy from Amazon
A relator forced to do community service has to help a group of girl scouts sell cookies. It's a Hallmark TV movie and from the few reviews out there, it seems pretty standard for that genre.

Tai Chi Hero - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
This martial arts movie only earned mixed reviews, but I I like the idea of a steampunk marital arts movie. I'm still waiting for the screener to arrive, but I'm choosing to be cautiously optmistic.

Note: This DVD made its home market debut on the 25th of June.

Todd & the Book of Pure Evil: The Complete Second Season - Buy from Amazon
I loved it, but this show was canceled after the second season. Did it falter during its second season? Or did it go out on a high note? Read our review for my opinion.

TV on DVD Full Series Megasets - Buy from Amazon: The Many Loves Of Dobie Gillis
I only have the vaguest knowledge of this show. I should probably know more, because it was the inspiration for the characters from Scooby Doo.

Venus and Serena - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A documentary about the Williams sisters, the greatest tennis playing siblings of all time. The reviews were very good, but it failed to find an audience in theaters. It is worth checking out, especially if you are a fan of the sport.

Wiener Dog Nationals - Buy from Amazon
According to Amazon.com, this is one of the best-selling new releases of the week. It's a slow week.


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Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, 6 Souls, Inescapable, The House I Live In, 56 Up, The Girl, Venus and Serena, Wiener Dog Nationals, Tai Chi Hero, 7 Up, Abbie Cornish, Malcolm McDowell, Alexander Siddig, Marisa Tomei