New on Disc: The Cameraman gets a Well-Deserved Criterion Collection Release
June 16, 2020
A lot of people and industries are suffering because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the entertainment industry is among the hardest hit. Theater closings three months ago are now having a knock-on effect on the home market, as every major theatrical release of 2020 has hit the home market in one form or another, so until theaters are fully open again, no major new theatrical hits will arrive on the home market. Fortunately, while there’s little in the way of quantity, there’s some serious quality this week. Pretty in Pink is making its Blu-ray debut. We have two massive box sets that are worth picking up. However, the best choice is The Cameraman: The Criterion Collection on Blu-ray.
The Cameraman: The Criterion Collection - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Columbia Classics: 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 1 - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
Friday the 13th: Limited Edition Steelbook - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Impractical Jokers: The Movie - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Laurel and Hardy: The Definitive Restorations - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Pretty in Pink - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Universal Horror Collection: Volume 5 - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
2 Minutes of Fame - Buy from Amazon: DVD - Rent from Redbox: DVD
Saint Frances is the best of the smaller releases. It hit limited release just as the pandemic was starting to become an issue, so it wasn’t able to have a long stay in theaters.
McHale’s Navy: The Complete Series - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
McHale’s Navy is a 21-disc, 60-hour box set for only $60. That’s a lot of entertainment for your dollar.
Braveheart / Gladiator - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
I really liked both of these movies the first time I watched them, but while Gladiator still holds up, Braveheart really hasn’t. That said, the two-movie 4K Ultra HD box set is only $3 more than each individual release, so I guess it is worth the extra money.
Highlights
This is one of Buster Keaton’s best movies and it is getting a Criterion Collection release this week. This would be noteworthy even during the busiest of weeks, and this is certainly not the busiest of weeks. On the downside, almost all of the extras are ports from other releases. That said, there’s more than enough extras to be a Pick of the Week contender. These include an entire additional movie from Buster Keaton, Spite Marriage, and both films have an audio commentary track. Additionally, there are a trio of documentaries. There is also an interview with James L. Neibaur, which is new for this release. Add it all up and it is an easy Pick of the Week winner.
A six-film collection including such amazing films as Dr. Strangelove, Gandhi, Lawrence of Arabia, A League of Their Own, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. … And then there’s Jerry Maguire. To be fair, Jerry Maguire isn’t a bad movie, but it is far from a classic like the rest are. If you want all six films, then this is a great deal. Even if you just want five of them, it is still a must-have. If you only want four, then the price it getting a little high. Anything less than that and you are better off waiting for individual releases.
This is a classic of the genre, but it has been released so many times that I can’t justify spending more money on a new release.
Video on Demand
This is the biggest first-run release on this week’s list, which is says a lot about how slow of a week it is. I hate hidden camera practical joke shows and even the positive reviews suggest this movie is only for fans of the TV show and newcomers should stay away.
According to Amazon, the DVD comes out this week, while the Blu-ray doesn’t come out until the 30th. Other sources have them both coming out this week. I think this is the best deal of the three box sets on the main list, because is has the best combination of cohesion and quality. The Columbia Classics above has a mix of comedies and dramas that will appeal to different tastes, while the fifth Universal Horror Collection (see below) struggles to find more monster movies worth celebrating. This box set includes two feature films and over a dozen shorts, including The Battle of the Century, which was considered a lost film for a long time. Add in the numerous extras and it is certainly worth picking up. There is one downside: This isn’t the first box set released, so fans might have a tiny bit of trouble justifying spending an extra $60 to add to their collection.
This is one of the best-selling new releases on this week’s chart and it is making its Blu-ray debut, so it is extra special. I really thought it had come out on Blu-ray before. Sadly, there are not a lot of extras, just an interview featurette, the original ending, and and isolated score. I think fans of the movie will be disappointed, but many will buy it while they wait for a special edition. I can’t blame them, even if I think waiting might be worth it. There’s a chance that if this Blu-ray doesn’t sell, there won’t be a special edition release in the future.
I think Universal is running out of monster movies to release in these box sets, because there are some stinkers here. In fact, none of these are what I would call hidden gems and there are mainly watchable for camp value.
Other Movie Releases
Domestic Girlfriend: Complete Collection - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Driven - Buy from Amazon: DVD
The Etruscan Smile - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
The Giant Spider Invasion - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Isadora - Buy from Amazon: DVD
LEGO DC: Shazam — Magic & Monsters: With Figurine - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack
The Luring - Buy from Amazon: DVD
The Marshes - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Mary, Queen of Scots - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Mysteria Friends: Limited Edition - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
Romance on the High Seas - Buy from Amazon: Blu-ray
The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Saint Frances - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Sniper: Assassin’s End - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
A Soldier’s Revenge - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
Sukiyaki Western Django: Collector’s Edition - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
That Most Important Thing - Buy from Amazon: DVD or Blu-ray
TV on DVD Releases
Nova: Cuba’s Cancer Hope - Buy from Amazon: DVD
Project Blue Book: Season Two - Buy from Amazon: DVD
The Queen at War - Buy from Amazon: DVD
4K Ultra HD Releases
Braveheart - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
Gladiator - Buy from Amazon: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray Releases, Home Market Releases, L’important c’est d’aimer, Saint Frances, Rory's Way, The Luring, Impractical Jokers: The Movie, The Cameraman, A Soldier’s Revenge, LEGO DC: Shazam — Magic & Monsters, Driven, Mary, Queen of Scots, Isadora, The Marshes, Sniper: Assassin’s End, 2 Minutes of Fame, Project Blue Book, Buster Keaton