If you're into Star Trek at all, we hope you've been saving up. We have two releases for all of you Next Generation fans out there.
This week's spotlight goes to one of those, Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Three. The 6-disc set has all 26 episodes from the season, which includes some of the best that the series has ever produced. It also continues Paramount and CBS' track record, with stellar audio and video, as well as an interesting selection of extras.
That wasn't exactly an easy pick, however. The critically acclaimed Oscar winner Silver Linings Playbook is out this week. We also have a pair of releases for Barbra Streisand fans and a little something from a pre-Great Gatsby Baz Luhrmann.
Did we miss one of your favorites for the week? Have something to say about one of this week's new releases? Sound off in the comments below. Otherwise, all of these titles are out as of April 30, 2013, except where noted. Enjoy!
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Three
It's been four long months (almost five!), but Paramount and CBS have finally put out the next season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This is one of the best seasons that the series has to offer, with everyone on the Enterprise getting a little spotlight. It also marks the return of Q, an appearance by the Borg, and one hell of a cliffhanger. In fact, the end of this season was so good, Paramount is releasing it as a separate Blu-ray (see below).
Paramount has given this 6-disc set a stellar 1.33:1 image, an immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix, and a drool-worthy collection of extras. The best of that lengthy bunch includes a Seth McFarlane-helmed roundtable and the brand-new three-part documentary, "Resistance is Futile - Assimilating Star Trek: The Next Generation." [Paramount]
Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds
Just in case you can't wait for the Season Four release, Paramount and CBS are releasing this Star Trek two-parter as a separate, single disc. It includes the cliffhanger from Season Three and Season Four's debut, all on one Blu-ray. In this 85-minute special, the Borg are angry, Riker is angry, and Picard is not quite himself.
As with Season Three, this release has a stellar 1.33:1 image and an equally impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track. It's only a single-disc release, but Paramount is making it a little more enticing by throwing in an extra gag reel and an exclusive featurette titled, "Regenation: Engaging the Borg." [Paramount]
Silver Linings Playbook
After spending the better part of a year in a mental instution, Pat (Bradley Cooper) moves home, looking to rebuild his life. He finds some solace and help from Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), even though she's got her own share of problems. From there, the two form an unexpected bond -- and a ton of accolades for this David O. Russell dramedy. This film topped a ton of "best of" lists for the year and certainly proved that Cooper wasn't just a pretty face. He earned his first Oscar nomination for the film, but it was Lawrence that took home the statue. Robert DeNiro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker and Julia Stiles also star.
Anchor Bay has given this release a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, the DVD, the Digital Copy and the UltraViolet Digital Copy. The 2-disc release also has deleted scenes, a Q&A, two shorts on the dancing scenes, and a 28-minute piece with the cast and crew talking about the film. [Anchor Bay]
Broken City
Mark Wahlberg flexed his muscles to first place at the box office this week, with Pain & Gain. Now, Fox is piggybacking on that film's popularity by releasing his last film on Blu-ray. This little-seen crime drama has Wahlberg as a P..I. hired by the mayor (Russell Crowe) to peep on his wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones). The film also stars Jeffrey Wright, Barry Pepper, Justin Chambers, and Griffin Dunne.
It's a newer film, so you can expect a 2.40:1 image and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The 2-disc release also has deleted and extended scenes, an alternate ending, and a behind-the-scenes featurette. [Fox]
The Guilt Trip
Step Up director Anne Fletcher lets you ride shotgun with Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen on a cross-country trip. The two play well off each other as mother and son, but you may prefer to jump from a speeding car rather than sit through this 95-minute "comedy."
Despite the questionable material, the 2.35:1 image and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track are pleasurable enough. There's also a decent amount of extras, with deleted and alternate scenes, as well as snippets on the movie, the real-life inspiration and the cast, with the spotlight on Babs. The 2-disc set also comes with the DVD, the Digital Copy and the UltraViolet Digital Copy. [Paramount]
Funny Girl
For a better representation of Streisand's talents, pick up this classic, which is making its Blu-ray debut this week. She plays comedienne Fanny Brice, who's trying to get her big break on Broadway. Of course, when that actually happens, it doesn't sit too well with her husband (Omar Sharif). Known as one of the greatest musicals of all-time, this film is the one that snagged Streisand her very first Oscar.
Hello, gorgeous! Sony has given this classic a single-disc release, with a restored image and a pair of featurettes focused on Streisand. Those include "Barbra in Movieland" and "This is Streisand." [Sony]
Strictly Ballroom
Before he did Moulin Rouge and the upcoming remake of The Great Gatsby, Baz Luhrmann kicked off his career with this romantic comedy. It doesn't have the star power of Luhrmann's later works, but it does have some killer moves. Paul Mercurio stars as Scott, a championship dancer looking to march (or dance) to the beat of his own drum. However, he also has to deal with his domineering mother (Pat Thompson) and helping out his partner, Fran (Tara Morice).
The 1.78:1 image on this release is a bit of a mixed bag, with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix belting out the musical scenes quite well. Otherwise, the single-disc release has several extras, including a featurette on dancing enthusiasts, a piece about adapting the short into a whole feature film, and audio commentary with Luhrmann, production designer and co-costume designer Catherine Martin and choreographer John "Cha Cha" O'Connell. [Lionsgate]
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