Now Available to Own: Cowboy Bebop, The Maze Runner, Arrested Development, and More

Brace your bank accounts, it’s time to see what’s Now Available to Own for the week of December 16, 2014. Each week we run down new movie, television, and video game releases that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home, as well as some slick deals that can save you some coin. On shelves this week you can find Cowboy Bebop, The Maze Runner, Arrested Development, and more. Check out the complete list after the jump.

Movies on Blu-Ray

The Maze Runner (Wes Ball) Rated PG-13 [113 min] – Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they’re all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow “runners” for a shot at escape. Starring Dylan O’Brien, Will Poulter, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and Kaya Scodelario

I wasn’t completely surprised by how well I liked The Maze Runner. The marketing for the film was very well done and the concept is a lot more zanier than these other young adult, dystopian films. Sure the ending is just a cash grab to make you excited for the sequel, but it builds intrigue well and the characters are unique enough to keep me invested. Now if only they could have made the female lead more interesting and useful. Special features included are:

24-Page Prequel Comic Book
Deleted Scenes with Commentary from Wes Ball
Navigating The Maze: The Making of The Maze Runner (A Five Part Documentary that includes: The Maze is Born, Creating the World, Finding the Gang, The Movie Inside the Maze, and The Digital Details)
The “Chuck Diaries”
Gag Reel
Visual Effects Reels
Ruin Wes Ball Short Film in 2D and 3D with Commentary from Wes Ball
Audio Commentary by Wes Ball and T.S. Nowlin
Galleries

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Jonathan Liebesman) Rated PG-13 [101 min] – A group of mutated warriors face off against an evil kingpin who wants to take over New York. Starring Megan Fox, Will Arnett, William Fichtner, Noel Fisher, Danny Woodburn, Pete Ploszek Alan Ritchson, Johnny Knoxville, Jeremy Howard, Tony Shaloub, Tohoru Masamune, and Whoopi Goldberg

I applaud Platinum Dune’s effort to rebooting the franchise. It is not as terrible as it could have been, but it is pretty bad. There is an awkward middle between serious and comedy that doesn’t sit right and the film suffers for it. And seeing the mess of CGI animals, much like the Transformers, is just unbearable to witness. Special features included are:

Feature film in high definition
Digital Reality
In Your Face! The Turtles in 3D
It Ain’t Easy Being Green
Evolutionary Mash-Up
Turtle Rock
Extended Ending
“Shell Shocked” Music Video
Making of “Shell Shocked”

This Is Where I Leave You (Shawn Levy) Rated R [103 min] – When their father passes away, four grown siblings are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens. Starring Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Jane Fonda, Rose Byrne, and Adam Driver

I wasn’t able to catch this in theaters, but the reviews were pretty meh so I wasn’t in any hurry to check it out. And that sucks because the cast is pretty solid. Special features included are:

The Gospel According To Rabbi Boner
Points Of Departure (Blu-ray exclusive)
Deleted Scene (Blu-ray exclusive)
The Narritive Voice (Blu-ray exclusive)

Magic in the Moonlight (Woody Allen) Rated PG-13 [97 min] – A romantic comedy about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle. Personal and professional complications ensue. Starring Colin Firth, Emma Stone, and Marcia Gay Harden

Woody Allen doesn’t hit this one out of the park and there aren’t any stand out performances like Cate Blanchett’s in Blue Jasmine to grasp hold of, but there is a certain charm in Magic in the Moonlight that I can appreciate. But if you can’t get past the age difference between Firth and Stone you’re going to have a bit of trouble with this one. Special features included are:

Behind the Magic
On the Red Carpet: Los Angeles Film Premiere

The Skeleton Twins (Craig Johnson) Rated R [93 min] – Having both coincidentally cheated death on the same day, estranged twins reunite with the possibility of mending their relationship. Starring Kristen Wiig, Ty Burrell, Bill Hader, and Luke Wilson

One of my favorite movies of the year, The Skeleton Twins is a dark comedy that balances heart and sad realities very well. The performances from Hader and Wiig are touching and memorable, and you’ll get wrapped up in their story as brother and sister. Special features included are:

Gag Reel
Outtakes
Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Craig Johnson
“To Whom It May Concern: Making The Skeleton Twins” featurette
“Sweet Moves” featurette
Audio Commentaries

Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever (Tim Hill) Rated G [85 min] – Grumpy Cat is a lonely cat living in a mall pet shop. Because she never gets chosen by customers, she develops a sour outlook on life…until one day during the holidays, a very special 12-year-old girl named Chyrstal enters the pet store and falls in love with her after realizing she is the only person who can hear this unique cat talk. Starring Grumpy Cat, Aubrey Plaza, Megan Charpentier, Daniel Roebuck

I can’t even, but then again I can. Horrifically I believe this could be a meta holiday classic like The Room is to cult film audiences. It’s cheesy to the max, but you can’t not watch and be in awe of this hilarious train wreck unfold with Aubrey Plaza in the driver’s seat. The one special feature included is: