Moviefone Editorial

Category: Blu-ray DVDs

What’s New on Netflix, TV, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: June 1-7

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix, we’ve got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

“Focus”
Will Smith and Margot Robbie are now filming the highly anticipated “Suicide Squad” movie, but watch them as con artists in this crime drama, which is available June 2. The “Focus” Blu-ray/DVD combo includes the special features “Masters of Misdirection: The Players in a Con, “Will Smith: Gentleman Thief,” “Margot Robbie: Stealing Hearts,” deleted scenes, and an alternate opening.

“McFarland USA”
Kevin Costner stars in Disney’s inspirational sports drama about a successful high school cross country team in McFarland, California. The Digital HD, Blu-ray, and DVD all come with special features including “Juntos” music video and a featurette called “Inspiring McFarland.”

“Jupiter Ascending”
This was pretty much demolished by critics, but it still has some defenders and a great A-list cast — including Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Sean Bean, and Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne. The Blu-ray includes these seven bonus features: “Jupiter Jones: Destiny Is Within Us,” “Caine Wise: Interplanetary Warrior, “The Wachowskis: Minds Over Matter,” “Worlds Within Worlds Within Worlds,” “Jupiter Ascending: Genetically Spliced,” “Bullet Time Evolved,” and “From Earth to Jupiter.”

TV Worth Watching

“So You Think You Can Dance” (Monday on Fox at 8 p.m.)
Season 12 of the always impressive and inspiring dance show starts tonight (June 1). Watch what happens when Paula Abdul and Jason Derulo join the judges’ panel, with Travis Wall and Stephen “tWitch” Boss taking on new “Stage vs Street” roles.

“Pretty Little Liars” (Tuesday on ABC Family at 8 p.m.)
“Game On, Charles”! That’s the title of the Season 6 premiere, which has this intriguing synopsis: “Moments after where the season five finale left off, Aria, Emily, Hanna, Spencer and Mona are trapped outside of Charles’ Dollhouse with nowhere to go and must now deal with an angry tormentor. Just when the Liars thought Charles couldn’t get any worse, his games take a more demented and darker turn. As the girls struggle to survive, the puzzle of Charles’ story begins to come together.” Catch up on the action with ABC Family’s PLL marathon June 2 from noon to the 8 p.m. premiere.

“Tony Awards” (Sunday on CBS at 8 p.m.)
Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming will host this year’s live ceremony. Top nominees include “An American in Paris” and “Fun Home,” “Something Rotten!,” “The King and I,” and “Wolf Hall Parts One & Two.”

New on Netflix

“The Magdalene Sisters”
There are several new titles coming to Netflix on June 1 — including “The Aviator” and “Employee of the Month” — but don’t overlook this 2002 gem about three young Irish women who try to keep spirits high while enduring abuse as inmates at Magdalene Sisters Asylum.

“Sense8”
Twelve episodes of this Netflix original sci-fi series, created by the Wachowskis (“The Matrix”), will hit Netflix on June 5. “Sense8” follows eight strangers who end up mentally and emotionally connected in the aftermath of a tragedy. Each episode focuses on one character and his or her story.

“Black Sea”
Jude Law plays a submarine captain who rounds up a misfit crew to search for sunken treasure rumored to be lost in the Black Sea. It came out on DVD and Blu-ray on May 5, but it’s ready for Netflix and Redbox as of June 2.

New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only

“Apocalypse Now” (Amazon Prime)
Amazon Prime is getting some good stuff on June 1, from the 1979 classic “Apocalypse Now” to “Roman Holiday,” “Sid & Nancy,” “Paper Chase,” “The Shining” and “Seven Psychopaths,” another good one from the writer/director of “In Bruges.”

“Everything Before Us” (Vimeo)
“Everything Before Us” will have its worldwide release June 3 exclusively on Vimeo On Demand. Wong Fu Productions has more than 2 million subscribers and over 300 million views for their YouTube channel, but this is their first feature film. “Everything Before Us” follows two couples trying to maintain their love in a near future society where all relationships are overseen by the D.E.I. (Department of Emotional Integrity). The film stars Aaron Yoo, Ki Hong Lee, Randall Park, Brandon Soo Hoo, Brittany Ishibashi, and Victoria Park.

“Lars and the Real Girl” (Hulu)
Ryan Gosling shines as the socially awkward Lars, who starts a relationship with his sex doll, named Bianca, and the whole town goes along with it for his sake. Watch it on Hulu starting June 1.

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June 1, 2015
What’s New on Netflix, TV, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: May 11 – May 17

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix, we’ve got you covered.

TV Worth Watching

“Mad Men” (Sunday on AMC at 10 p.m.)
It’s the end of an era. Pour yourself an Old Fashioned and toast the end of “Mad Men,” ’cause Don Draper leaves us on May 17. Farewell, Don/Dick, Peggy, Joan, Roger, and — wherever she is — Lois the foot-crushing secretary. #TeamLois4Life

“Scandal” (Thursday on ABC at 9 p.m.)
“Scandal” is so devoted to its own name that every episode feels like a season finale. But the real end of Season 4 happens May 14 with “You Can’t Take Command.” ABC promises it will be “shocking” and since it’s “Scandal,” we believe it.

“Saturday Night Live” (Saturday on NBC at 11:29 p.m.)
Louis C.K. will host the Season 40 finale with Rihanna as musical guest. We have high expectations for both stars, who definitely have the chops to put on a great show. Do not fail us, SNL.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

“Still Alice”
Julianne Moore just won the Academy Award for Best Actress as Dr. Alice Howard, a linguistics professor who faces the terrifying diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s. Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth and Alec Baldwin co-star. It’s out just about everywhere (DVD, iTunes, Redbox, Netflix) on May 12.

“Blackhat”
Chris Hemsworth and Viola Davis star in Michael Mann’s international cyberspace thriller. It was out on Digital HD and On Demand on May 5, but it’s arriving on DVD May 12. That’s still ahead of its Netflix and Redbox debut on June 9. Both DVD and Blu-ray include the bonus feature “The Cyber Threat,” and Blu-ray also includes “On Location Around the World” and “Creating Reality.”

“The Cobbler”
This is an Adam Sandler movie, which may tell you everything you need to know, but it’s about a NYC shoe repairman who quietly envies the people around him. He discovers a family heirloom has the magical power to change his appearance and make him look like one of his customers, but transforming into other people comes with its own problems. It has a great cast, including Method Man, Ellen Barkin, Melonie Diaz, Dan “Downton Abbey” Stevens, and Steve Buscemi.

New on Netflix

“Fruitvale Station”
Michael B. Jordan stars in this critically acclaimed docudrama, which Netflix will release on May 12. We see the last day in Oscar Grant’s (Jordan) life, when he’s caught up in a tragic altercation with police. It’s based on a true story and co-stars Octavia Spencer, Kevin Durand and Chad Michael Murray. Thought-provoking and another triumph for Jordan. Remember when he was Wallace on “The Wire”? Seems so long ago.

“The Universe”
A ton of new TV series collections are being made available on May 14, including “The Universe,” “American Restoration,” “Counting Cars,” “Dance Moms,” “Duck Dynasty,” “Hoarders,” and “Modern Marvels.”

“Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast”
If you have a little princess in your life, “Tinker Bell” (Mae Whitman) is kind of a big deal. The sixth full-length movie in the series was released direct to video on March 3, but it’s available on Netflix on May 17. Ginnifer Goodwin joins the usual cast as the new voice of Fawn.

New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only

“Kingsman: The Secret Service” (iTunes)
The British action comedy, starring the always watchable Colin Firth, will be available on all major Digital HD platforms n May 15. However, if you get it on iTunes, you also get access to bonus features available on the upcoming Blu-ray, including a gallery of behind-the-scenes photos and a 90-minute documentary entitled “Kingsman: The Secret Service Revealed.” So iTunes may just win this round.

“Focus” (M-GO)
New names are always arriving on the streaming scene, which is good for consumers, and one relative newbie is M-GO, a a digital VOD and joint venture between Technicolor and DreamWorks Animation. They have a few new titles arriving in the week of 5/11-5/17, including “Focus,” “Seventh Son,” and “Kingsman: The Secret Service.” Will Smith and Margot Robbie, who will re-team in “Suicide Squad,” star in “Focus,” which has a Digital HD release on May 12, well before its Blu-ray debut on June 2.

“Slow West” (iTunes)
iTunes is releasing “Slow West” on May 15, the same day it comes out in theaters. So far, the movie — which stars two “X-Men: Apocalypse” actors, just FYI — is getting good reviews. Kodi Smit-McPhee plays 16-year-old Jay Cavendish, who journeys across the American frontier at the end of the 19th century in search of the woman he loves. He’s joined by a mysterious traveler named Silas, played by Michael Fassbender.
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May 11, 2015
What’s New on Netflix, TV, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: April 13 – April 19

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix, we’ve got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

“Big Eyes”
Amy Adams won a Golden Globe for her performance as Margaret Keane, the true 1950s artist of big-eyed waif portraits, with Christoph Waltz playing her husband, Walter, who took all the credit. Tim Burton’s drama was released as a digital download on April 3 but it’s on DVD, Blu-ray and On Demand as of April 14. The DVD and Blu-ray releases include “The Making of Big Eyes,” and the Blu-ray also includes Q&A Highlights.

“Maps to the Stars”
Director David Cronenberg’s satire of the Hollywood film industry was released on DVD and Blu-ray in the U.K. and France last year and Germany in March, but it’s finally getting a U.S. release on April 14. Julianne Moore leads the dark comedy’s all-star cast, alongside Mia Wasikowska, Olivia Williams, John Cusack, and Robert Pattinson.

“Antarctica: A Year on Ice”
A journey to the end of the world is probably best done in person or at least in IMAX or on the big screen, but “A Year on Ice” will still dazzle you at home. This stunning feature-length documentary takes you deep inside the experience of living in Antarctica for a full year. It didn’t win more than a dozen film festival awards for nothing.

TV Worth Watching

“TURN: Washington’s Spies” (Monday on AMC at 9 p.m. EST)
This AMC series used to just be “TURN,” but apparently that didn’t sell the story enough, so they added “Washington’s Spies.” Jamie Bell leads the cast as Abe Woodhull, and two back-to-back episodes will launch Season 2 on April 13. If you’re not caught up, don’t worry — AMC is repeating the first 10 episodes on Monday, from the pilot at 10:30 a.m. leading up to the two new episodes.

“Justified” (Tuesday on FX at 10 p.m. EST)
It’s time to tip your hat goodbye to Raylan Givens and company. The FX series comes to a close on April 14 with the Season 6 finale, called “The Promise.” Stay tuned to see what happens when Raylan, Boyd, and Ava fight one last, bloody battle to find out who leaves Harlan alive.

“Veep” (Sunday on HBO at 10:30 p.m. EST)
“Game of Thrones” rightly gets the most attention Sunday nights, but you should definitely stay up for “Veep.” Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s pitch-perfect comedy continues Season 4 on April 19, with Episode 2’s “East Wing” following a visit from the Israeli prime minister. There’s no way that can go well, so cover your eyes and watch through your fingers to see how much it might go wrong.

New on Netflix

“Hot Fuzz”
You mothers! If you haven’t seen this amazing British action comedy from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (“Shaun of the Dead”) do yourself a favor and catch it on Neflix starting April 16.

“The Babadook”
This chilling horror movie follows a mother and her son, who has nightmares about a monster coming to kill them. It has a 98 percent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which means it very well might scare the bejesus out of you. Find out on Netflix, DVD, and iTunes on April 14.

“Noah”
Russell Crowe stars as Noah in Darren Aronofsky’s epic action-adventure based on the Biblical flood. This may not be how Christians recall reading it in the Bible, but that’s the magic of Hollywood. Also stars Emma Watson, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, and Anthony Hopkins, so you could watch it just for them.

New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only

“Paddington” (iTunes)
Charming, cuddly live-action family film brings the beloved children’s character to life. Warm and fuzzies galore! Check it out on iTunes starting April 17.

“They Came Together” (Amazon Prime)
This Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd comedy, directed by David Wain, didn’t get the best reviews but … it’s Paul and Amy! The rest of the cast is great too — Michael Ian Black, Ellie Kemper, Christopher Meloni, Cobie Smulders, Max Greenfield, Bill Hader, etc. So what if it’s a series of rom-com clichés? Paul and Amy!

“The Messengers” (Hulu)
The CW’s new supernatural drama premieres April 17 and you can check out the first episode the next day on Hulu. In the series premiere, “Awakening,” a mysterious object falls to Earth, sending out a shockwave that causes five strangers to die, only to miraculously come back to life moments later.
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April 13, 2015
What’s New on TV, Netflix Streaming, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: April 6 – April 12

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix, we’ve got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

“A Most Violent Year”
The DVD and Blu-ray package for this Oscar Isaac/Jessica Chastain crime drama includes some cool features, including commentary from writer/director J.C. Chandor; a featurette going “Behind the Violence”; “A Conversation with Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac”; “The Contagious Nature of Violence: The Origins of A Most Violent Year”; and the intriguingly titled, “We Can Cure Violence Public Service Announcement.”

“Inside Amy Schumer”
You can get the first two seasons — 20 episodes — of Amy Schumer’s Comedy Central show on April 7, which gives you just enough time to prepare for the April 21 premiere of Season 3. The Seasons 1 and 2 package includes outtakes and deleted scenes, commentary on select episodes and a photo gallery.

“The Immigrant”
Marion Cotillard won several best actress awards for playing a Polish immigrant pushed into a life of prostitution when she arrives at Ellis Island. The drama, released on DVD/Blu-ray on April 7, co-stars Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner. Special features include commentary with writer/director James Gray and a featurette called “The Visual Inspiration of The Immigrant.”

TV Worth Watching

“Better Call Saul” (Monday on AMC at 10 p.m.)
It’s already time to hang up on the first season of Bob Odenkirk’s “Better Call Saul.” As a bonus, the “Breaking Bad” spinoff’s entire first season will be available on Netflix in the U.S. once the finale, “Marco,” airs April 6 on AMC.

“Louie” (Thursday on FX at 10:30 p.m.)
The fifth season of Louis C.K.’s darkly funny FX series starts on April 9. “Pot Luck,” the first of Season 5’s five episodes, follows Louie’s adventures at a pot luck dinner. That may sound tame, but nothing with Louie stays tame.

“Game of Thrones” (Sunday on HBO at 9 p.m. EST)
It’s finally here. Send a raven: “Game of Thrones” Season 5 starts April 12 with “The Wars to Come.” In the premiere, Cersei and Jaime Lannister try to adjust to a world without their father Tywin; Varys reveals a conspiracy to Tyrion Lannister; Daenerys Targaryen faces a new threat to her rule; and Jon Snow is caught between two kings. Can’t say Jon Snow knows nothing – he knows he’s in a bad spot.

New on Netflix

“Marvel’s Daredevil”
The big premiere! All 13 episodes of this Netflix original series will be available for binge-watching on April 10. Charlie Cox plays Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer who becomes the crime-fighting Marvel Comics hero Daredevil. Deborah Ann Woll, Rosario Dawson, and Vincent D’Onofrio co-star in the new series.

“Halt and Catch Fire”
The first season of AMC’s computer drama will be released via Netflix on April 8, which is well before the DVD/Blu-ray release date of May 5. Season 2 starts May 31, so you have plenty of time to catch up on the story.

“Wilfred”
Elijah Wood’s wonderfully absurdist comedy moved to FXX for Season 4, which marked the end of the series. You can bark goodbye to all 10 episodes of the final season on Netflix, DVD, Blu-ray, and Hulu starting April 7.

New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only

“Cake” (iTunes)
The Jennifer Aniston drama comes out on DVD, Blu-ray and Netflix on April 21, but you can stream it this week on iTunes starting April 10.

“Wolf Hall” (iTunes)
The British TV miniseries “Wolf Hall” – starring Damian Lewis as King Henry VIII, Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell and Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn – premiered last night (Sunday, April 5) as a Masterpiece series on PBS. But if you were watching something else at 10 p.m., you can catch up On Demand or through iTunes, which is posting individual episodes or offering a full season pass for $14.99.

“Louie” (Amazon Prime)
If you still need to catch up on “Louie” Season 4, never mind Season 5 (see above), Amazon Prime is adding the fourth season on April 10.
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April 6, 2015
What’s New on Netflix, TV, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: March 30 – April 5

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix, we’ve got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

“Interstellar”
The Blu-ray edition of Christopher Nolan’s sprawling space pic is packed with featurettes about the making of “Interstellar,” including a 50-minute special narrated by Matthew McConaughey about the scientific research behind the story.

“The Imitation Game”
Benedict Cumberbatch’s star turn as Alan Turing doesn’t quite elevate this pic above Oscar bait, but it’s big and glossy and worth a look.

“Wild”
Reese Witherspoon stars in the big-screen adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s best-selling memoir about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Witherspoon was nominated for an Oscar for her performance, as was Laura Dern, who has an extra-special role as Cheryl’s late mom.

TV Worth Watching

“The Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber” (Monday on Comedy Central at 10 p.m. EST)
You know you wanna tune in and see Kevin Hart, Martha Stewart, Ludacris, Natasha Leggero, Hannibal Buress, Snoop Dogg, and other very funny people roast the heck out of this pop star.

“Archer” (Thursday on FX at 10 p.m. EST)
It’s the season finale of everyone’s favorite adult animated series.

“Outlander” (Saturday on Starz at 9 p.m. EST)
Bust out your favorite kilt for the mid-season premiere of this fantasy show based on the books by Diana Gabaldon. Tune in for the eye candy (Sam Heughan) and stick around for the utter coolness of Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe). Or vice versa!

New on Netflix

“The Man With the Iron Fists”
There isn’t a ton of new stuff on Netflix this week, so maybe you’ll want to give RZA’s martial arts film a whirl. The Wu-Tang rapper co-wrote, directed, and stars in the film alongside Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, Rick Yune, and a ton of other cool cats.

“The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness”
This doc gives you an unprecedented peek behind the scenes at Tokyo’s Studio Ghibli, which follows Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, and Isao Takahata and their work over the course of an entire year.

“Garfunkel and Oates”
Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci star in this short-lived IFC series about a comedy-folk music duo in typically fish-out-of-water situations.

New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only

“Big Eyes” (iTunes)
Painter Margaret Keane is now known as the creator of those ubiquitous paintings of sad-eyed children, but it wasn’t always so. Tim Burton’s biopic follows the personal and legal problems of Keane (Amy Adams) with her bullying husband Walter (Christoph Waltz).

“Masters of Sex” (iTunes)
Catch up on the second season of this steamy Showtime drama, which stars Lizzy Caplan and Michael Sheen as Virginia Johnson and William Masters, who were pioneers in the field of human sexuality.

“Goodbye to Language” (iTunes)
Jean-Luc Godard probably didn’t intend for anyone to watch his latest masterpiece on their laptop, but if you can’t wait for the Blu-ray, well, we won’t tell anyone.
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March 30, 2015
What’s New on TV, Netflix Streaming, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: March 16 – March 22

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix, we’ve got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

“Top Five”
Chris Rock’s rom-com got rave reviews, and the Blu-ray offers some insight with a commentary from Rock and co-star JB Smoove and other extras.

“Song of the Sea”
This gorgeous Oscar-nominated animated feature is about a girl named Saoirse and her brother Ben, who discovers that the fairy tales his mother told him about selkies — half human, half seal creatures — are all too true.

“Penguins of Madagascar”
Here’s another animated feature, albeit one with a much more modern flair. The bumbling penguins of previous “Madagascar” films are recruited for a wild espionage adventure. Voice actors include Benedict Cumberbatch, John Malkovich, Chris Miller, and plenty of others.

TV Worth Watching

“Dancing With the Stars” (Monday, ABC at 8 p.m. EST)
Patti LaBelle, Michael Sam, Suzanne Somers, Rumer Willis, and other stars put on their dancing shoes for the two-hour season premiere.

“Empire” (Wednesday, Fox at 8 p.m. EST)
Tune in for the two-hour season finale, if only for all the amazing one-liners from Cookie (Taraji P. Henson).

“Glee” (Friday, Fox at 8 p.m. EST)
Hardcore Gleeks will definitely want to set their DVRs for this two-hour series finale.

New on Netflix

“A Different World”
Denise Huxtable gets her very own spin-off with this sitcom about the adventures of students at Hillman College. Lisa Bonet, Marisa Tomei, Dawnn Lewis, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, and tons of other actors make up the awesome excellent cast.

“Saw,” “Saw II,” “Saw III”
This isn’t so much a recommendation as a public service announcement.

“3rd Rock From the Sun”
The weird sitcom about aliens trying to figure out human behavior is now available for your streaming pleasure. Revisit and revel in Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s awkward phase.

New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only

“Community” (Yahoo, Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. EST)
This fan fave is finally returning with a one-hour season premiere. Will Yahoo’s major move into streaming TV pay off? We shall see.

“The Zero Theorem” (Amazon Prime)
Terry Gilliam’s latest sci-fi flick stars Christoph Waltz as a lonely computer programmer with an existential crisis, Matt Damon as his boss, Mélanie Thierry as his love interest, and Tilda Swinton as his AI therapist. Naturally.

“Spring” (BitTorrent Bundle, Vimeo, limited theaters)
“Spring” is a beautiful monster movie slash love story starring Lou Taylor Pucci as a dude who ditches his life in America for some European adventures. He meets a beautiful and secretive student named Louise (Nadia Hilker), and then things get weird.
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March 16, 2015
What’s New on TV, Netflix Streaming, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: March 9 – March 15

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix, we’ve got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

“Listen Up Philip”
This debuted on Amazon Prime last week, but if you don’t have a subscription, it’s now available on physical media.

“The Legend of Korra – Book Four: Balance”
“Korra” lovers and newbies alike will want to snag the fourth season of this critically acclaimed animated series on Blu-ray or DVD. The extras include audio commentaries for all episodes, a featurette from NYCC, and “Republic City Hustle.”

“The Sound of Music” 50^th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition
This five-disc set doesn’t boast a ton of extras, but it’s as good a time as any to add this to your collection.

TV Worth Watching

“The Bachelor” (Monday, ABC at 8 p.m. EST)
Gird your loins for the two-hour season finale of “The Bachelor,” and the one-hour “After the Rose” recap.

“The Bates Motel” (Monday, A&E at 10 p.m. EST)
It’s time to check back in for a third season of this creepy “Psycho” prequel.

“Portlandia” (Thursday, IFC at 10 p.m. EST)
Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen’s kooky comedy series has its season finale tonight, but the dream of the ’90s lives on in all of our hearts.

New on Netflix

“Aziz Ansari: Live at Madison Square Garden”
Come for the jokes, but stay to see Ansari’s parents after the encore. Awww!

“Crash”
No, this isn’t David Cronenberg’s “Crash.” Now’s your chance to find out why everyone is still mad that this won the Oscar for best picture over “Brokeback Mountain”!

“Archer: Season 5”
The fifth season of this popular spy spoof shifts towards a “Miami Vice” vibe, with a new title (“Archer Vice”) and plotline as Archer et al begin a life of crime and cocaine.

New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only

“A Most Violent Year” (iTunes)
This ’80s crime drama flew just below the radar of the Academy, but that doesn’t mean you should sleep on it. Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain co-star as a couple trying to stay one step ahead of their competitors in the corrupt and increasingly violent heating oil industry.

“Pulp: A Film About Life, Death and Supermarkets” (Amazon)
This doc about the Britpop band’s farewell concert in their hometown of Sheffield is a must-see for fans.

“Unbroken” (Amazon)
You can buy your very own digital copy of Angelina Jolie’s WWII epic, which stars Jack O’Connell as the late Louis Zamperini.
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March 9, 2015
What’s New on TV, Netflix Streaming, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: February 16 – February 22

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix, we’ve got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

“Birdman”
If you enjoyed this Michael Keaton meta fest, the fantastic work of cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki is worth the price of admission. Or, keep re-watching it until you have come to a final conclusion about the ending and What It All Means.

“The Homesman”
Tommy Lee Jones directed this grim Western about a headstrong pioneer woman (Hilary Swank) who volunteers to transport three women who have broken under the pressure of living on the wild frontier. On the way to Iowa, Mary Bee (Swank) picks up a drifter named George (Jones) to help keep things in order. Gruesome, disturbing, and great.

“The Tale of Princess Kaguya”
This gorgeous Studio Ghibli film is based on a folktale about a young girl found growing in a bamboo shoot who’s adopted by a bamboo cutter and his wife. Isao Takahata (“My Neighbors the Yamadas”) directed this Oscar-nominated fantasy, with voice work by James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, and Chloë Grace Moretz.

TV Worth Watching

“Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life – An All-Star Grammy Salute” (Monday, CBS at 9 p.m. EST)
LL Cool J hosts this tribute to the legendary Stevie Wonder. Janelle Monáe, Ed Sheeran, Usher, The Band Perry, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, and John Legend will perform some of his most famous songs.

“The Odd Couple” (Thursday, CBS at 8:30 p.m. EST)
Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon take over the roles of unlikely roommates Oscar Madison and Felix Unger. Was this popular ’70s show ripe for a reboot? We’ll soon find out!

The Oscars!!!! (Sunday, ABC at 7 p.m. EST)
Start prepping your “Birdman”-themed snacks and filling out your Oscar ballot, because it’s time for the Academy to hand out some little gold men.

New on Netflix

“Bad Turn Worse”
Genre fans got a thrill from this Southern noir about Texas teens who steal cash from the wrong man, and get sucked into some nasty organized crime to pay off their debts. William Devane plays a particular tough crime boss nicknamed Big Red in this gritty indie.

“Honeymoon”
Rose Leslie (“Game of Thrones”) and Harry Treadaway (“Penny Dreadful”) co-star as newlyweds Bea and Paul whose outdoorsy honeymoon takes a turn after Bea’s found wandering in the woods late one night. This is a short but sweet indie horror flick. Well, it’s not sweet, but you get the idea.

“Mr. Peabody & Sherman”
Critics enjoyed this animated action/adventure about a boy, his alarmingly intelligent dog, and their time-traveling machine. Ty Burrell voices Mr. Peabody the pup, and Max Charles plays Sherman. Other familiar voices include Allison Janney, Leslie Mann, and Stephen Colbert.

New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only

“The Exterminating Angel” (iTunes)
This is a digital Criterion release of Luis Buñuel’s comedy about the upper class. It doesn’t have all the fancy extras of a Criterion physical release, but it does have the restored high-def transfer and improved subtitles.

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” (iTunes)
If you just can’t wait to get this on Blu-ray, or if you’re so over physical media, this iTunes release includes a full-length making-of doc and much more.

“Inherent Vice” (iTunes)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s wild and wooly adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s novel stars Joaquin Phoenix as a druggy private detective whose most recent case involves his most recent ex-old lady (Katherine Waterston). The sprawling ensemble cast includes Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Jena Malone, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, and Martin Short, among many, many others.
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February 17, 2015
What’s New on TV, Netflix Streaming, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: January 19 – 25

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix, we’ve got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

“The Boxtrolls”
Laika’s latest stop-motion film is about a kiddo named Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright) who is raised by a gaggle of trolls under the streets of Cheesebridge. It got pretty good reviews, as well as an Oscar nomination, and while it hasn’t snatched up as many eyes and hearts as “Coraline” or “ParaNorman,” it’s still a solid kid’s movie. The Blu-ray includes audio commentary from directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi, as well as a few other extra goodies.

“Lucy”
Scarlett Johansson’s actioner has been available digitally, but now you can snag it on Blu-ray.

“My Winnipeg”
Guy Maddin’s wonderfully weird ode to his hometown is finally on Criterion. In addition to your typical Criterion updates — a high-def digital video transfer, improved audio soundtrack, etc. — it includes five short films, a featurette that’s a live recording of a Toronto screening narrated by Maddin himself, and some other cool stuff.

“Working Girl”
This rom-com from the late Mike Nichols is finally on Blu-ray. Check out Melanie Griffith as a plucky secretary who has to figure out how to maneuver all the typical office BS, including a boss (Sigourney Weaver) who steals her ideas. The excellent supporting cast includes Joan Cusack, Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin, and a bevy of others. Definitely worth adding to your collection, despite a dearth of special features.

TV Worth Watching

“Justified” (Tuesday, FX at 10 p.m. EST)
The first episode of the last season of this gun-happy drama premieres, and the teasers are promising that things will start off with a bang. Gun-toting Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) and charming criminal Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) are still at it after all these years, and it looks like their mutual love Ava (Joelle Carter) has some big decisions to make.

“American Horror Story: Freak Show” (Wednesday, FX at 10 p.m. EST)
It’s the season finale of this freaky deaky late-night drama. Quite a few characters have already been killed off, but surely more will meet a grisly end in tonight’s episode. Who will live and who will die? Tune in and find out!

New on Netflix

“Death Comes to Pemberley”
If you didn’t catch this British mini-series on PBS, now’s your chance! Jane Austen fans will want to sign right up for P.D. James’s sorta sequel to “Pride and Prejudice,” which picks up six years after Austen’s book leaves off. And there’s a murder mystery!

“Kids for Cash”
It sounds like something from “Law and Order,” but this doc is all too true. Pennsylvania scandal centers on a judge who seems like he’s just a tough cookie on kids, but is actually getting kickbacks from sending them to a private juvenile facility.

“Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure”
This was one of Netflix’s New Year’s additions, but it’s still notable. Because, hello, now you can watch “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” any time of the day or night, and that’s worth a reminder.

New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only

“Dear White People” (iTunes, January 20)
Justin Simien’s feature-length directorial debut is about four very different African American students navigating life and establishing identities at an Ivy League school. Tessa Thompson (“Selma”) rocks as a student whose radio show “Dear White People” takes aim at campus politics. Brandon P. Bell, Tyler James Williams, and Teyonah Parris co-star.

“The Comeback” (iTunes, January 19)
The comeback of this short-lived HBO series is just as cringe-inducingly awkward the second time around. Lisa Kudrow stars as washed-up sitcom star Valerie Cherish as she continues her valiant attempts to resuscitate her career by taking on a role on a TV show while simultaneously spearheading her own reality show.

“Patton Oswalt: Comedy Plus Tragedy Equals Time” (Amazon Prime)
Bobcat Goldthwait directs this stand-up special starring actor and comedian Patton Oswalt.
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January 19, 2015
What’s New on TV, Netflix Streaming, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: January 12 – 18

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix, we’ve got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

“Gone Girl“
David Fincher’s latest dark ‘n’ twisty drama stars Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck as a pair of beautiful people who do terrible things to each other. This adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s best-selling novel is worth it just for the scene in which Tyler Perry, as a high-powered lawyer who specializes in cases where men are accused of murdering their wives, throws gummy bears at Affleck’s head.

“Jimi: All Is By My Side“
This Jimi Hendrix biopic got mixed reviews, but André Benjamin’s performance as a young Jimi on the verge of stardom is pretty sizzling.

“Wetlands”
This German film is for those with particularly strong stomachs, but if you’re up for it, this is a wild ride. Based on Charlotte Roche’s controversial novel, “Wetlands” is about a young woman named Helen (Carla Juri) and her obsessive exploration of her body and all its many functions. When she lands in the hospital after a shaving accident, it gives her time to reflect on her life, flirt with her cute male nurse, and scheme to get her parents back together.

TV Worth Watching

“Kroll Show” (Tuesday, Comedy Central at 10:30 p.m. EST)
Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate, Jon Daly, and other very funny people return for one last season of this sketch comedy. PubLIZity: It’s based off their names!

“Parks and Recreation” (Tuesday, NBC at 8 p.m. EST and 8:30 p.m. EST)
Wah! It’s the last season of this slightly off-kilter but super lovable sitcom about Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) and her crew of weird coworkers in Pawnee, IN. Tonight is a two-fer, with the season premiere starting at 8 p.m. EST and a new episode right after that. Can you believe this is how Star-Lord got his start?!

“Broad City” (Wednesday, Comedy Central at 10:30 p.m. EST)
Set your DVR! The drug-addled shenanigans of Abbi Abrams and Ilana Wexler (Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer) return for a smoking second season.

“Justified” (Thursday, FX at 10 p.m. EST)
The sixth and finale season kicks off with what’s sure to be an action-packed premiere, so grab your hat and watch Boyd (Walton Goggins) and Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) get down to business.

New on Netflix

“The Fall” (January 16)
The second season of this chilling British drama is now available on Netflix! Find out what serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan) and DSI Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) have been up to since the end of last season. One of the not-so-secret British gems streaming on Netflix, “The Fall” is one tough customer — disturbing but great.

“Chinatown“
Netflix added this classic neo-noir on January 2, but hey, it’s still there! Lucky you. Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway star in Roman Polanski’s excellent L.A. mystery.

“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” (January 16)
This twisty thriller will please anyone who’s a fan of John le Carré’s spy novels. Plus, it’s got a killer ensemble cast, with Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, John Hurt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy, and many more familiar British faces popping up all over the place.

New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only

“John Wick” (January 13, iTunes)
Everyone is all about this action flick starring Keanu Reeves as a retired assassin who loses his s**t after some baddies kill his dog. There is wall-to-wall butt-kicking, for those who enjoy it, but if you’re a fan of canines, well, maybe take a rain check.

“Honeymoon” (January 13, iTunes)
This super indie horror flick stars Rose Leslie (“Game of Thrones”) and Harry Treadaway (“Penny Dreadful”) as newlyweds whose honeymoon goes off the rails after Bea (Leslie) spends the night sleepwalking in the woods.

“Justified” (January 13, Amazon Prime)
The fifth season is now available! Sure, the sixth season has already started, but maybe you can DVR the sixth season while you catch up on last season? So much TV, so little time.

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January 12, 2015