DVD / Blu-ray News: September 10, 2013: STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, MDNA

We have several big new releases to choose from this week on home video. Paramount and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment street a cult favorite, Friday the 13th: The Complete Collection, on the natural marketing choice: Friday, September the 13th. This 10-disc set covers all dozen movies in the Friday the 13th franchise starting with the 1980 original and its two sequels, running through the second trilogy of numbers 4-6, and into the silly camp category of the later installments. Jason gets to slash and murder on a cruise ship and in space, he goes to hell and possesses a series of host bodies, and he even battles rival horror hero Freddy Kreuger.

2009 brought a reboot of the series, and now the entire history of Jason Voorhees’ murder and mayhem is gathered here in a collectible tin with two pairs of 3D glasses, a Camp Crystal Lake Counselor commemorative patch, and the Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th retrospective booklet. The Blu-ray set has an SRP of $129.95–a bargain considering how many movies are included.

Director J.J. Abrams brings his latest adventure in his reboot of the Star Trek franchise to home screens with Star Trek Into Darkness. Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and the crew of the Enterprise are called back to Earth and witness a devastating mass assassination of high ranking officials. They embark upon an intergalactic manhunt for a former Star Fleet commander (Benedict Cumberbatch) hell-bent on revenge and destruction. Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Carl Urban, Simon Pegg, and Anton Yelchin round out the cast of this high adrenaline thrill ride through space. The film is available in a number of formats: 3D Blu-ray Starfleet Phaser Limited Edition Gift Set ($99.00), 3D Blu-ray (3D BD+BD+DBD+UV+DC; $54.99), Blu-ray (BD+DVD+UV+DC; $39.99), and DVD (DVD+DC; $29.99).

Universal Music and Madge, herself, bring us Madonna: The MDNA Tour, the most highest grossing tour of 2012. Madonna, her 25 dancers, and 10-piece live band led by musical director Kevin Antunes lead the viewer through over two hours of arse-shaking, crotch-grabbing, stand-up-and-dance fun. Never one to shy away from controversy–she, in fact, courts it–this tour was notable for her political statements projected behind the stage during her performances; Madonna drew audible gasps at her tour dates in Tel Aviv for the superimposition of a swastika on the forehead of far right politician, Marine le Pen. She has also used other tour dates to express support for U.S. President Barack Obama, jailed Russian political rock group Pussy Riot, and slain Pakistani girls’ rights activist Malala Yousafzai. The MDNA Tour is available on Blu-ray for $24.95 and DVD for $19.99.

Climate change is a hot button issue these days in many parts of the globe. Cinedigm has joined the fray and followed National Geographic photographer James Balog, a former climate change denier, on a foray utilizing dog sleds, helicopter, canoe, and old-fashioned walking to the world’s icy landscapes. He used time-lapse cameras to record the areas over a period of several years yielding startling results. Chasing Ice (2012) is available in awe-inspiring 1080p on Blu-ray ($39.99) and DVD ($29.95).

Other notable releases include:

Homeland: The Complete Second Season

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Sixth Season

The League: The Complete Season Four

Supernatural: The Complete Eighth Season

Jesus Christ Superstar: Live Arena Tour

UP40: Live at Montreux

The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D

Next Friday

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

The Fly

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Jennifer 8

Sliver

Snake Eyes

Joy Ride

La Cage Aux Folles

Marathon Man

Frankenstein’s Army

Leave your thoughts on this week’s New Releases below in the comments section. For more DVD / Blu-ray news, videos, and information, visit our Blu-ray News Page and our DVD News Page. Become notified when a new news column is published by subscribing to us by Email, “follow” us on Twitter, Tumblr, or “like” on Facebook.