New to Blu: April 20 – 26

“Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens’ 1080p transfer inspires from the beginning. The yellow lettering leaps off the screen, supported by a perfectly deep surrounding star field. Colours continue to impress for the duration.”

“Shot on film, the imagery here is very sharp and very inviting with exceptional detail while colour quality is superb with especially inviting skin tones. Black levels are first-rate while contrast is exceptionally consistent to produce a reference quality picture.”

“Since The Force Awakens was released in select theaters with Dolby Atmos audio, many fans may be disappointed to hear that the Blu-ray only contains a 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. But, wow, what a track this is! …

“Not only is dialogue crisp and clear, but those big action sequences have the proper amount of ‘oomph’ in every laser blast, explosion, or lightsaber strike.”

“99 Homes is an absorbing thriller that places a human face on the 2008 housing market crash. On the technical front, the disc features strong video and audio, respecting the director’s aesthetic intentions.”

“The film might not be the flashiest, but this transfer was never less than fantastic. The film takes place in Florida, and that lends itself nicely to the HD format as the background shots are often finely detailed and pleasing to the eye.”

“The DTS HD 5.1 lossless track is also good, with thuds of equipment sounding clear and with requisite subwoofer involvement, and lesser moments like power drills or phones ringing sounding clean and convincing during the film.”

Also new are: Norm of the North, the re-make of Psycho (plus sequels II-IV), The Ritchie Blackmore Story and:

• Alien Outpost (“the video isn’t wonderful, the audio only passable“)
• Mojave (“colour is acceptably realistic with decent skin tones, but black levels are not at optimum levels”)
• Poker Night (“clarity and sharpness are good, detail is plentiful“)
• The Runner (“top-tier video and good audio”)

New TV-on-disc releases include ANZAC drama When We Go to War, Quantum Leap: The Complete First Season, Garm Wars: The Last Druid, Fairy Tail: Collection 18, Terror in Resonance: Complete Series and WWE: NXT’s Greatest Matches – Vol 1.