What's New on TV, Netflix, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: Dec. 19-25
At a loss for what to watch this week? From new TV, we've got you covered.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
"Sully"
You still have a few days of Christmas shopping left, and it may help you to know that Tom Hanks is for sale as of Tuesday, December 20. Hanks and director Clint Eastwood combined superpowers for this dramatic retelling of Captain "Sully" Sullenberger's January 15, 2009 Miracle on the Hudson. The popular and acclaimed film -- co-starring Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, and Anna Gunn -- is available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD December 20. The home release includes a few special features, "Sully Sullenberger: The Man Behind the Miracle," "Moment by Moment: Averting Disaster on the Hudson," and "Neck Deep in the Hudson: Shooting Sully."
"The Magnificent Seven"
Watch director Antoine Fuqua's all-star ensemble cast -- Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Byung-Hun Lee, Martin Sensmeier, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Peter Sarsgaard -- reimagine the classic Western as it arrives on Blu-ray and DVD December 20. Exclusive to Blu-ray is the interactive "Vengeance Mode," where Washington, Pratt, Hawke and the other cast members sit with Fuqua to breakdown key scenes, share their best memories from the set, and reflect on the experience. Also exclusive to Blu-ray are deleted scenes and two featurettes, "Gunslingers," and "The Taking of Rose Creek." The Blu-ray and DVD also share four additional featurettes.
"Storks"
In this animated family film -- out on Blu-ray and DVD December 20 -- storks have moved from baby delivery to corporate package delivery, until a baby girl is accidentally produced, and top delivery stork Junior (voiced by Andy Samberg) must race to make their first-ever baby drop before his boss finds out. The home release comes with tons of fun features, including outtakes, commentary, a music video, "Storks: Guide to Your New Baby," and "The Master: A LEGO Ninjago Short."
New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital
"Deepwater Horizon"Mark Wahlberg reteamed with director Peter Berg ("Lone Survivor") for this powerful drama inspired by the real-life heroes of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster of 2010. The movie arrives first on Digital HD December 20, then Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand January 10. The Blu-ray and Digital releases have more than two hours of special features, including three featurettes; special "Work Like An American" tributes; and an hour-long five-part series "Beyond the Horizon," in which Wahlberg and the cast meet the real-life heroes and discuss their experiences from Deepwater Horizon. The DVD has two of the featurettes and the tributes.
Check out this exclusive behind-the-scenes clip featuring Kurt Russell and Peter Berg talking about working with Mark Wahlberg:"Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life"
This family friendly comedy, based on the best-selling series by James Patterson, arrives on Digital HD December 20, then Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand January 3. Griffin Gluck stars as Rafe, alongside Lauren Graham, Rob Riggle, Thomas Barbusca, Andy Daly, Adam Pally, and Retta. Special features, which come with every format, include a gag reel; deleted scenes; and the featurettes "That Middle School Life," "Middle School = The Worst / Making Movies = The Best," "The Wedgie Wheel," and "Yolo: Behind Operation Rafe."
Watch this exclusive clip highlighting Andy Daly and Retta:"The Dressmaker"
Kate Winslet brings revenge back in fashion in this dark, quirky comedy about a dressmaker who returns to her small Australian town for revenge on the locals, many years after they accused her of murder. Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving, Caroline Goodall, and Sarah Snook co-star in the film, which is out on Digital HD on December 20, and VOD, Blu-ray, and DVD on December 27. Special features on the Blu-ray, DVD, and iTunes Extras include two featurettes, "The Story" and "Designing The Dressmaker," plus a photo gallery.
"Trollhunters" Season 1 (Netflix Original)Guillermo del Toro spent years creating this animated series for Netflix, following 15-year-old Jim (Anton Yelchin), who stumbles on a magical amulet that transforms him into the Trollhunter, defender of the good trolls. This is one of Yelchin's last roles; he died unexpectedly in June at age 27, after completing most of his work on the first season. "We went through great pains to ensure that his voice is preserved for the series," del Toro told Entertainment Weekly. "He was so passionate about it, and he had so much fun doing this." "Trollhunters" -- available for streaming Friday, December 23 -- also features the voices of Ron Perlman, Jonathan Hyde, Lexi Medrano, Amy Landecker, Fred Tatasciore, and Steven Yeun.
"Travelers" Season 1 (Netflix Original)
"A federal agent tracks four people who suddenly seem to possess entirely new personalities, leading to a startling discovery about humanity's future" in this sci-fi TV series starring Eric McCormack. The first season has 12 episodes and you can stream them on Netflix starting December 23.
"Sense8" Christmas Special (Netflix Original)
"Sense8" fans, here's an early Christmas present for you: Netflix has scheduled a two-hour Christmas special available on December 23. Here's the description, per Variety: "The journey continues as these eight singular hearts and minds weave in and out of each other's lives finding deeper connections, learning darker, more desperate secrets about one another and struggling to identify with more than just oneself." Season 2 will follow this with 10 new episodes starting May 5.
"Captain America: Civil War"
This Christmas, treat yo self to some not-so-festive fun with Marvel's Avengers -- including the debut of Tom Holland's Spider-Man -- as Cap's third solo film arrives for streaming on December 25. If you got someone the gift of Netflix this year, maybe mention that this blockbuster is now waiting for them.
TV Worth Watching
"It's A Wonderful Life" (Saturday on NBC at 8 p.m.)As you might expect, the week leading up to Christmas is packed with Christmas movies and shows, including TBS and TNT running "A Christmas Story" on a 24-hour loop Christmas Eve to Day. No holiday is complete without "It's a Wonderful Life," so put it on in the background on Saturday night while you wrap those last minute gifts, bake cookies, cry from stress/loneliness, or whatever it is that you do as a tradition. TV Guide has a great list of the upcoming holiday shows for the full week, so head there for more.
"Project Runway" Season 15 (Thursday on Lifetime at 8 p.m.)
Who will win this slightly-better-than-average season, Laurence or Erin? It could be Roberi or Rik, but probably not. Watch the final runway show and winner reveal (featuring guest judge Zendaya) on December 22.
"The Wall" (Monday on NBC at 10 p.m.)
Somehow Chris Hardwick doesn't have enough to do from "@midnight" and "Talking Dead" to his Nerdist podcast, so he's also hosting and executive producing this new game show, which is co-executive produced by LeBron James. According to NBC, "'The Wall' offers a pair of teammates life-altering cash prizes. The rules are simple: Get a question correct and a green ball falls down the wall and adds the value of the slot to the players' winning total. Miss a question and an ominous red ball falls and deducts the value from the team's total. Teammates have to work together to build a huge cash prize."
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