BluTuesday - November 5, 2013
What’s good, ProFans? Joseph here, and I’m taking a break from stealing my daughter’s Halloween chocolates to give you what’s new in home media for November 5, 2013. In this week’s episode, we discuss fantasy realms, the destruction of yet another national landmark, vampires, The Doctor, The Draper, an interesting dome design, and some folks who are obviously high on a little more than life. All set? Let’s cook!
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
(PG-13)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 65%
Unassuming Hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is swept into a quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached by the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Bilbo finds himself among a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage). Their journey takes them through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs, giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. They must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature Gollum (Andy Serkis), who will change his life forever. Alone with Gollum on the shores of an underground lake, Bilbo not only discovers guile and courage that surprise him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious,” a ring tied to the fate of all Middle-Earth. This film comes in a myriad of versions: a five disc 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, a three disc 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, a three disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, a five disc DVD + Digital Copy version, a two disc DVD + Digital Copy version, and a single disc DVD version. This is another visit to the realm of Middle Earth, and it’s certainly worth the trip, as they have made sure that EVERYONE can see this movie. I’m almost surprised it’s not being released on VHS or LaserDisc…
White House Down (PG-13)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 50%
Capitol Policeman John Cale (Channing Tatum) has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx). Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation’s government falling into chaos and time running out, it’s up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country. This film comes in both a Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version and a single disc DVD version. I like Channing Tatum in small doses, and I like Jamie Foxx as a comedian. His acting has been hit (Ray, Collateral) and miss (I’m still mad I wasted my money on Booty Call years ago), but this is a serviceable movie to have on in the background while you’re doing something infinitely more important.
Twilight Forever: The Complete Saga (PG-13)
Whether Team Edward or Team Jacob, the passion of Twilight fans hasn’t dissipated with the final film, continuing through fan fiction, pop culture, and the constant engagement of over 166 million fans in Twilight’s online network. Twilight Forever: The Complete Saga encompasses all five films, over 2 hours of brand new exclusive content and over 10 hours of every special feature ever created for the multi-billion dollar franchise. Twilight Forever: The Complete Saga is the ultimate collector’s set, an immersive experience for every Twilight fan to recapture and relive the most epic romance of the century. This collection comes in both a ten disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy version and a twelve disc DVD + Digital Copy version. Listen: I am in no way telling people to not make money, but…please make it stop! I can’t TAKE it anymore! Team Edward? Team Jacob? Team shoot me in the face! Okay…cleansing breaths here…you like it? Have at it. As for me, I’m going elsewhere.
Doctor Who: Series 1-7 Limited Edition Blu-ray Giftset (with Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote)
For the first time ever, BBC Home Entertainment is collecting the complete new Doctor Who together on Blu-ray plus an amazing assortment of additional items including the totally unique Doctor Who Universal Remote Control Sonic Screwdriver and more! The collection includes Series 1-4, featuring Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston and Tenth Doctor David Tennant, making their Blu-ray debut in newly remastered versions at full 1080p resolution, plus Series 5-7 featuring Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith, also on 1080p high definition Blu-ray. Catch up with the complete new Doctor Who in high definition just in time for the historic 50th Anniversary Special this fall. This series is available in a 28 disc Blu-ray version, and it comes with all sorts of goodies…including the Eleventh Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver as a Universal Remote. We at Project Fandom love Doctor Who, and this is my pick of the week. It’s also going on my Christmas list.
RELATED: And the 12th Doctor is…
Returning for its sixth season, Mad Men, four-time Primetime Emmy winner for Outstanding Drama Series and winner of three consecutive Golden Globes, explores the glamorous and ego-driven “Golden Age” of advertising in the late 1960’s New York City. Don Draper (Golden Globe - winner Jon Hamm) and the rest of the award-winning cast continue to captivate as they deal with the aftereffects of adultery, divorce, a merger, and an ever changing social climate. This series comes in a single disc Blu-ray version and a four disc DVD version. Everyone likes Don Draper…even people who haven’t seen the show (raises hand). As the show makes its mad dash for the finish line, questions will be answered and secrets will be revealed. Catch up on it by picking this up.
Under the Dome (Limited Collector’s Edition)
Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel, Under the Dome is the story of a small New England town that’s suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. The town’s residents need to survive the deteriorating post-apocalyptic conditions while searching for answers to what this barrier is, where it came from, and how to make it go away. This comes in a multi-disc collection complete with a mockup of the town enclosed in a dome. This is a mixed bag of a show, but go for it if you liked it. If anything, the case it’s in looks nice - the bloody hand included.
When Nancy Botwin (Parker) faces both sudden widowhood and poverty, she’s determined to do anything to keep her kids in suburbia - including taking on the job of neighborhood pot dealer. Subversive and hilarious, the complete series is as intoxicating as ever, with everyone’s favorite pot-selling soccer mom and the rest of the Botwin clan dealing with the mafia, love affairs, the birth of an illegitimate child and relocation after relocation. Watch as the Botwins’ plans go up in smoke! This series will be available in a sixteen disc Blu-ray version. If you’re a huge fan of the show, this is the collection for you.
Well, that’s all I have for this week. As you can see, there are a lot of collector’s editions coming down the pike just in time for the holiday season. But, if you have any questions or comments, or I missed something you wanted to discuss, please feel free to hit me up in the comments section below.
Until next time…
