This week’s home entertainment offerings include the 24th James Bond film Spectre, Guillermo Del Toro’s highly entertaining Gothic romance Crimson Peak, Damon Lindelof’s mysterious TV series The Leftovers, and Shirobako, one of the most interesting anime TV series set in the world of Japanese animation in years.

Theatrical Films

This week’s top offering is Sam Mendes’ Spectre (Fox, PG-13, 150 min., $29.98, BD $39.99), the 24th James Bond film and the fourth starring Daniel Craig. While there is nothing groundbreaking here, Spectre delivers the solid “spy fantasy” entertainment that pleased Bond fans around the world (the film made nearly $900 million globally).  Bond fans should be sure to check out the performance of Christoph Waltz, who makes an especially effect Blofeld. 

Also of interest is Crimson Peak (Universal, “R,” 238 min., $29.98, BD $34.98), a Gothic romance from director Guillermo Del Toro that didn’t find favor with audiences, though critics appreciated Del Toro’s attempt to revive one of cinema’s greatest genres, giving the film a 69% positive rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.  A strong cast that includes Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, and Charlie Hunnam makes this film worth watching.  With any luck it should find its audience on disc (and streaming), since it is definitely one of the best genre films of 2015.

Those who enjoy indie comedies will love the road picture Grandma (Sony, “R,” 80 min., $26.99, BD $34.98).  Tautly directed by Paul Weitz (About a Boy), Grandma, which stars Lily Tomlin, is a comedy-infused drama that earned a stellar 91% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.  Grandma won’t disappoint those who enjoy sharply-drawn characters and slice-of-life comedy/dramas about folks on the economic fringes of society.

Another powerful indie film is 99 Homes (Broad Green Pictures, “R,” 112 min., $26.98), a searing look at some people who lost their homes in the wake of the collapse of the bank-created housing bubble in 2008.  Michael Shannon gives an impressive performance as a real estate broker who is determined to succeed no matter what the state of the market or the human cost in this no-holds-barred look at the effects of the housing meltdown.

While 99 Homes managed to snag a 91% positive rating from the critics, the “Christmas comedy” Love the Coopers (Lionsgate, “PG-13,” 112 min., $29.99, BD $39.99), puts its talented cast through enough cloying sentimental moments that reviewers gave the film only a 20% positive rating--so proceed with caution. 

Anime

This week’s offerings include the Lord Marksman and Vanadis: Complete Collection (Funimation, 325 min., BD/DVD Combo $64.98, Ltd. Ed $84.98), which includes the 13-episode 2014 series from Satelight that is based on the fantasy adventure (harem) light novels written by Tsukasa Kawaguchi and set in the fictional European kingdom of Brune.  The Limited Edition comes in a collectible art box and includes 6 art cards.

Also due this week is a special collector’s edition of Tokyo Ghoul, one of last year’s bigger hits.  The Tokyo Ghoul: Season 1 Collector’s Edition (Funimation, 300 min., $129.98) comes in a cool box with images of Kaneki and Rize’s transformation, plus a 44-page art book, a fabric poster, art cards, episode commentaries, and Japanese commercials.

A title of interest to fans of dark fantasy is Akame ga Kill! Collection 1 (Sentai Filmworks, 300 min., $59.98, BD $69.98), which includes the first 12 episodes of a 24-episode series based on the action-packed manga by Takahiro (published here by Yen Press) about a poor villager who joins a revolutionary group of assassins with special alchemical powers known as Night Raid as they battle the ruthless power of the Empire.

Yet another very interesting release this week is Shirobako Collection 1 (Sentai Filmworks, 300 min., Subtitles Only, $59.98, BD $69.98), a delightful 12-episode comedy drama set in the world of anime that follows the lives and careers of five high school friends who parlay their work in a high school animation club into careers in the animation industry.

Also out this week is Pokemon: Movies 1-3 Collection (Viz Media, Dubbed, BD $39.99), which collects the first three Pokemon movies, which Viz is also making available once again individually on DVD for $14.98 each.

TV on DVD

The only real show of interest to geek viewers due this week is The Leftovers: The Complete 2nd Season (HBO, 450 min., $39.98, BD $44.96), the fantasy series created by Damon Lindelof (Lost) and Tom Perrotta that is based on Perrotta’s novel about what happens to society after a catastrophic event, the inexplicable disappearance of 140 million people.  If you accept the premise of this series, which focuses on a single family in a small town in New York State, the power of the show’s twisting narrative and the skills of a fine ensemble cast can make for compelling viewing.

This week’s other offerings include the single-disc Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Vol. 2: Discovery (Shout Factory, 110 min., $14.93), the complete 40-episode ninth season of the American Power Rangers Super Sentai series, Power Rangers Time Force: The Complete Series (Shout Factory, 870 min., $19.97), and a host of vintage shows including The Carol Burnett Show: The Lost Episodes-- Treasures From the Vault (TimeLife, 1255 min., $59.95), HeeHaw: Kornfield Klassics (TimeLife, 107 min., $12.95), and Touched By An Angel: The Complete Series (Paramount, 11,024 min., $129.98).