What's New on TV, Netflix, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: August 3 - 9
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 Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only
"The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies"
The final chapter of Bilbo Baggins' "Hobbit" adventure is airing August 8 on HBO as part of its Saturday Night Movies. It'll be on HBO Now, the network's standalone streaming service, on the same day. So if you don't already have HBO as part of your cable package but want to watch the TV shows ("Game of Thrones," "True Detective," etc.) and movies, you can just order HBO Now to stream the content.
"Difficult People"
Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner star in this new Hulu Original series, which premieres August 5. Julie and Billy play more annoying and less successful versions of themselves -- aspiring comics living, working and struggling in NYC as all of their friends move on to success and love. Amy Poehler is one of the producers and you can expect tons of great comedy guest stars (including Seth Meyers as a prostitute).
Check out the series trailer:
"Chocolate City"
If you liked "Magic Mike," you might want to visit "Chocolate City," which also follows the world of exotic male dancers and is out on DVD and Digital HD on August 4. Women go wild at the arrival of a young, new dancer named Michael (Robert Ri'chard) -- a college student struggling to help his mother (Vivica A. Fox) make ends meet. When his part time job doesn't pay the bills, he finds success at the nightclub dancing as "Sexy Chocolate." As the money starts rolling in, Michael must deal with the unexpected pressure of being the new favorite flavor while hiding his "job" from his mother and girlfriend. The DVD also includes a blooper reel.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
"Insurgent"
The second movie in the "Divergent" series -- starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Kate Winslet -- is coming home August 4, including more than four hours of bonus material: audio commentary with producers Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher; "Insurgent Unlocked: The Ultimate Behind-the-Scenes Access" feature-length documentary; and five featurettes: "Diverging: Adapting Insurgent to the Screen," "From Divergent to Insurgent," "The Others: Cast and Characters," "The Train Fight Unlocked," and "The Peter Hayes Story."
"Far From the Madding Crowd"
Carey Mulligan stars as Bathsheba Everdene in this sweeping adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic novel, following an independent woman with three very different suitors: a sheep farmer (Matthias Schoenaerts); a soldier (Tom Sturridge); and a rich older bachelor (Michael Sheen). The Blu-ray comes with deleted scenes; an extended ending; the theatrical trailer, and the featurettes "Bathsheba Everdene;" "The Suitors;" "Adapting Far From the Madding Crowd;" "The Look of Far From the Madding Crowd;" "Gabriel Oak;" "William Boldwood;" "Sergeant Troy;" "The Locations of Far From the Madding Crowd;" and "Thomas Vinterberg.'
"True Story"
Jonah Hill plays a disgraced New York Times reporter who learns that an accused killer, played by James Franco, has been impersonating him, leading to a chilling game of cat-and-mouse. The Blu-ray has a ton of special features, including an alternate ending, deleted scenes, "Mike Finkel Featurette," "Who is Christian Longo?" "The Truth Behind True Story," "The Making of True Story," and audio commentary by director Rupert Goold.
"Blackbird"
In this inspiring drama, a 17-year-old singer (Julian Walker) struggles with his sexuality and the treatment of others while coming of age in a small Southern Baptist community. Since his father (Isaiah Washington) left, Randy takes care of his emotionally disturbed mother (Mo'Nique), and he's the kind of friend all of his classmates can depend on. As strong as he seems on the outside, Randy is hiding a secret denial of his true self. It's not until he opens himself up to love that he discovers that becoming a man means accepting who you really are.
"The Hurt Locker"
Kathryn Bigelow won Best Director -- first woman to do so! -- for helming this harrowing 2008 war drama starring Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner. It came to Netflix on August 1, so go be reminded why it also won Best Picture.
"Dear Frankie"
This funny, touching 2004 drama follows a young boy named Frankie (Jack McElhone) who doesn't know his father because his mother, Lizzie (Emily Mortimer), ran away from the abuser when Frankie was just a baby. Instead of telling Frankie the truth, she spins an elaborate lie, and even writes letters for Frankie posing as his father. But things take an unexpected turn and she ends up having to invent a fake father. Enter Gerard Butler, the ideal fake husband/father.
"Bride & Prejudice"
Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" gets the Bollywood treatment in this charming 2004 romantic comedy/musical. Don't miss this one. Here's one of the dance scenes (you may recognize a few of the faces):
TV Worth Watching
"America's Next Top Model" (Wednesday at 8 p.m. on The CW)
Yes, this show is still on -- and it's still completely insane! Cycle 22 starts August 5 with more guy and girl models, more ridiculous photo shoots and -- surely -- more bizarre advice from Tyra Banks on how to be "flawsome" just as you are (or at least as you are after one of her makeovers). Watch the drama play out starting August 5.
"Project Runway" (Thursday at 9 p.m. on Lifetime)
That national treasure, Tim Gunn, is back with more advice for aspiring (but for some reason already arrogant) designers in Season 14 of the fashion favorite. Who will be the first designer to break down after a withering critique from Nina Garcia? It would be us if we were there, but instead we'll just watch and empathize from home.
"True Detective" (Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO)
"True Detective" Season 2 has its defenders but way more detractors. Oh well. It can still end strong. It could also end weak, and we'll see which way it goes when Episode 8, "Omega Station," airs on August 9.
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