This Week on DVD & Blu-ray (03-05-13)

It may seem like a light week, but there are definitely some movies worth your time! First up, is “Wreck-It Ralph” a delightful animated feature I consider Disney’s first Pixar movie. The titular character is a video game bad guy who wants a shot at trying other games and being good for once, which throws the whole arcade world he lives in out of whack. It’s fun, funny and boasts a perfect cast that includes John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBride and Jane Lynch. If you’re looking for a frightening flick, check out Barry Levinson’s found footage movie, “The Bay” which will have you thinking twice about where you get your water from or participating in any eating contests. The other notable release is Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List”, which is out on Blu-ray for the very first time. His most personal film received seven Academy Awards including Best Director and Best Picture. Personally, I haven’t seen it since I first saw it in the theater, 20 years ago. It might be time for a revisit.

Also out this week, are two lackluster comedies, “Lay the Favorite” starring Bruce Willis and “Playing for Keeps” starring Gerard Butler. Two that I’m interested in catching up with are “The Intouchables” a well-received 2011 French dramedy that was released last year and the needless remake of “Red Dawn”, which has me curious even though I know it’s pretty bad. Another movie now out on Blu-ray for the first time is 1973’s sci-fi thriller, “Westworld” starring Yul Brenner, Richard Benjamin and James Brolin. Written and directed by novelist Michael Crichton, the movie is about a vacation resort where participants can interact with robots in three different theme parks. It’s like a combination of “Total Recall”, “Running Man” and  “Terminator”. Speaking of which, all the “Terminator” movies are now getting a handsome Blu-ray anthology collection as well.

That’s it for this week! Previous reviews will be highlighted below. Enjoy the Rundown….

• A Dark Truth (DVD)
• A Nightmare on Elm Street Collection (Blu-ray) 
• Abducted: The Carlina White Story (DVD)
• The Bay (DVD)
• Buster Keaton: College (Blu-ray) 
• Collaborator (DVD)
• Duck Dynasty: Season 2, Volume 1 (DVD)
• Gun Hill Road (DVD)
• Interview With a Hitman (DVD/Blu-ray) 
• The Intouchables (DVD/Blu-ray) 
• Lay the Favorite (DVD/Blu-ray)
• Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu Season Two (DVD/Blu-ray) 
• The Marine 3: Homefront (DVD)
• Muay Thai Warrior (DVD/Blu-ray) 
• The Nativity Story (Combo Pack) (DVD/Blu-ray) 
• One Night with the King (Blu-ray) 
• Playing for Keeps (DVD/Blu-ray) 
• Red Dawn (2012) (Blu-Ray) 
• Schindler’s List: 20th Anniversary Limited Edition (Combo Pack) (Blu-ray) 
• Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Friends Forever (DVD)
• The Terminator Anthology (Blu-ray) 
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (Extended Edition) (DVD/Blu-ray) – March 2nd!
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (Combo Pack) (DVD/Blu-ray) – March 2nd!
• Thomas & Friends: Go Go Thomas (DVD)
• Tom and Jerry: Pint-Sized Pals (DVD)
• Tyler Perry’s House of Payne: Volume Ten (DVD)
• Ultramarines: Warhammer (DVD/Blu-ray) 
• Westworld (Blu-ray) 
• Wreck-It Ralph (DVD/Blu-ray)