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.