We’re starting a new weekly feature here at MovieFreak and we’re calling it “New Blu’s On the Block.” Yes, it’s a New Kids reference, and no, I’m not going to apologize for it. The truth is I think it’s a catchy title for this every Tuesday enterprise, and I’m almost (but not quite) sorry I wasn’t the one who thought it up (that would be Dennis, our glorious webmaster and site owner who allows me to keep my job).

My guess is that most of you have already figured out what this feature is going to be about. That’s right, it’s going to be a listing of the week’s top releases on Blu-ray (and sometimes, if I feel like it, DVD). We’ll be giving you our insights into some of the titles, links to past theatrical reviews, filmmaker interviews and current full-length reviews on particularly noteworthy titles. The whole thing is going to be really nothing more than a friendly vehicle to let you know what’s out and, even better, what’s worth watching (and potentially picking up for a purchase, convienent Amazon links provided).

I picked this week to start things off because, as release Tuesdays go, this one is a dozy.  Not only do we have one of the year’s most talked about (and slightly controversial) superhero epics, we’ve also got one of my personal picks as one of 2010’s absolute best as well as a title that arguably should have won last year’s Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Not only that, there are bushel of catalog titles making their first appearance on Blu-ray all of which are worth getting excited about, many of which we’ll be posting much more in-depth reviews for within the week. Without further ado, let’s get started hanging tough with the New Blu’s On the Block!

I admit upfront that I had significant problems with Matthew Vaughn’s adaptation of Mark Millar and John S. Romita, Jr.’s comic book series Kick-Ass the first time I saw it, most of them revolving around the character of Hit Girl (read my theatrical review here). Admittedly wonderfully portrayed by youngster Chloë Grace Moretz, I just had trouble getting past the level of violence she was gleefully, almost sadistically, taking part in. Sure Vaughn’s film is expertly made, and I just loved Nicolas Cage’s irreverent take on vigilante superhero Big Daddy, but I just couldn’t get past the unease I felt in regards to this irrepressible 12-year-old child, my enjoyment severely muted because of it.

On the flipside of things, the movie holds up remarkable well on repeat viewings, so much so a lot of my initial reservations kind of started to evaporate. The film, while only doing okay at the box office bringing in just over $48-million domestically on a reported $30-million budget, itself managed to find a clearly devoted fan base, its cult prospects particularly strong if you were to ask me.

As for the Blu-ray itself, this thing comes loaded and is packed with special features including two hi-def exclusive extras, the “Ass-Kicking BonusView Mode” that runs synchronous with the feature film incorporating video and audio commentary, behind-the-scenes clips and illustrative graphics with Matthew Vaughn, plus cast and crew providing an all-access perspective, and a documentary, A New Kind of Superhero: The Making of Kick-Ass.

Mitchell's Kick-Ass Blu-ray review is now live, and you can also read my Interview with Mark Millar, comic creator and the film's executive producer.

If I was put on the spot, right now I’d list Roman Polanski’s crackerjack thriller The Ghost Writer at number four on my list of 2010’s top motion pictures. Back when I first wrote bout the film in February (read my theatrical review here) I said it was an “bona fide masterpiece from a master of the medium,” finishing up my thought by admitting that if it did end up being the reclusive and controversial filmmaker’s last feature (he was at that time under house arrest awaiting extradition back to the United States) then it was such a monumental achievement I couldn’t think of a greater high to go out on.

Sadly, I did not receive this disc for review. What I can tell you is that it is a Blu-ray/standard DVD flipper disc (which I tend to hate) and comes with only three special features, an interview with Polanski, an interview with author Robert Harris and a featurette focusing on the film’s cast. Being one of 2010’s best, The Ghost Writer is definitely worthy of a rental, but until I get a chance to see the disc for myself I can’t really say whether or not fans should be picking it up as a purchase.

A Prophet  (Save and Buy from Amazon)

A strong case can be made that Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet should have picked up the Oscar for Best Foreign Film over Argentina’s The Secret in Their Eyes. This is a strong, masterfully made motion picture that I loved when I saw it earlier this year (read my theatrical review here), and while I did have a couple of reservations they were so incredibly minor looking at the film again recently I’m almost ashamed I even brought them up.

Sony Pictures Classics’ Blu-ray release of A Prophet is extraordinary. The picture and sound quality are both superb and I can’t tell you how happy I am to have this excellent disc in my own personal library. While the special features aren’t extensive, what it here is wonderful (especially the audio commentary with Audiard, actor Tahar Rahim and co-writer Thomas Bidegain). In short, buy this Blu-ray immediately. It’s that good. You can get my complete thoughts of this release in my A Prophet Blu-ray review.

John Hughes’ seminal 1985 classic makes its long awaited Blu-ray debut, making the film the second of the filmmaker’s directorial efforts (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off being the first) to hit the format. Thanks to Universal PR, I give you my The Breakfast Club Blu-ray review.

The Road to Perdition  (Save and Buy from Amazon)

Paramount releases Sam Mendes’ Road to Perdition to Blu-ray and early reports on this release's quality are quite positive. Sadly, we at MovieFreak didn’t receive a review copy so I can’t tell you one way or the other if these accounts should be trusted. What I can say is that this 2002 box office hit features one of Tom Hanks’ best performances as well as some spellbinding supporting work from Jude Law, Daniel Craig and the always amazing Paul Newman. The disc comes with a brand new introduction from director Mendes (who also supplies an audio commentary), as well as a collection of featurettes and deleted scenes most of which are in high definition. For fans, this is certainly a disc worth taking the time to consider picking up.

James and the Giant Peach  (Save and Buy from Amazon)

Personally, I find director Henry Selick and producer Tim Burton’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s timeless James and the Giant Peach to be an even greater masterwork than the pair’s previous collaboration The Nightmare Before Christmas. This is superlative family entertainment that I could watch again and again and never grow tired of, and if a you doesn’t have this particular title in your collection than here is their chance to make sure that gets remedied. Read my full review of this Blu-ray here.