This Week on DVD & Blu-ray (10/01/13)

This week, it would seem the highlights are colorful family fare, both live-action and animated, filled with scares, family dysfunction and catchy musical numbers.  The standout is obviously “The Wizard of Oz” the timeless whimsical gem from 1939 that despite several storied production odds, ultimately wound up a seemingly flawless classic. Recently rereleased in theaters for a week in a newly-converted 3D IMAX experience, the beloved movie is now available in this version for home-viewing to celebrate its 74th anniversary. “The Little Mermaid”, credited for resuscitating Disney back in 1989, is the other beloved release out this week. It has its sea (pun intended) of fans, but my appreciation of it has waned over the years. Still, here it is – fresh from The Vault, on Blu-ray for the first time (until it too gets released in theaters in 3D and….well, you get the idea). And then there’s the prehistoric romp, “The Croods”, which was a delightful hit from Dreamworks Animation this past spring. The animation is creative and infectious and it just so happens to have one of the best performances by Nicolas Cage in years. Go ahead, reread that.

That’s it for this week. The long and varied list is below. Enjoy the Rundown…..