This week's new DVD releases include, well, everything

If you've got some time off coming over the holidays, you're in luck: A slew of great new DVDs are coming out this week, offering hours of entertainment. And honestly, this is probably the single most diverse week I've seen all year in terms of what's new. Whether you're searching for a taut thriller or a documentary about one of the hottest teen bands around, you have options.

First and foremost, the excellent drama Prisoners is new on DVD this week. While this wasn't among my favorite films of the year, I will say it's an engaging movie with great acting and a storyline that inspires some pretty intense thinking once the movie ends. In my review earlier this year, I said that Prisoners was "dark, methodical and downright uncomfortable" at times. I stand by that review. Yes, Prisoners is a bit heavy-handed on the moral drama, but the acting in this film is not to be missed from the likes of Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman.

In terms of drama, the other major new DVD release this week is director Neill Blomkamp's sci-fi thriller Elysium, starring Matt Damon. I didn't see this in the theater, but you can bet I will now. I really liked Blomkamp's District 9, and I expect this to be similar, at least in terms of the action on the screen. I'm not as certain of the narrative (which is why I skipped this when it came out), though I'd imagine it's adequate.

Other big releases this week include Kick-Ass 2, The Family, The Lone Ranger, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters and One Direction: This is Us. Oh stop snickering about that last one, you know the tweens are going to love it! I haven't seen any of these movies so I can't weigh in, but I will say that I'm particularly curious about seeing The Lone Ranger. After it bombed so terribly at the summer box office, I want to know just how bad it really is.

As always, if you guys have already seen any of these movies (and I know we've got some Kick-Ass fans out there), please let us know if you liked them in the comments.

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