I don’t know what’s going on this week. It’s like all of the studios forgot this week existed when planning out their home entertainment release schedules. As a result, you have a few direct to DVD movies (another Sniper film? Does Billy Zane really need the money that badly?), some first time appearances on Blu-ray of existing movies, and that’s about it. Really, it’s a sorry week for home entertainment.

We had to dig this week for a pick, but we’re going to go with Blow Out. The 1981 Brian De Palma picture stars John Travolta as a movie soundman who inadvertently discovers that his recordings hold the secret to a murder. Often overlooked and underrated, Blow Out is pure De Palma, showcasing the director’s style and flair. It’s worth checking out, especially if you haven’t seen it before or the film that inspired it, the 1966 picture Blow Up. If my word isn’t enough, the fact that it’s getting the Criteron treatment should speak to the film’s strengths. Of course, any time De Palma is brought up I expect an onslaught of criticism about the filmmaker, but this week it really is one of the more interesting picks coming out, regardless of how you feel about the director.

Pick of the Week:

Blow Out