What's New on TV, Netflix, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: August 15-21
At a loss for what to watch this week? From new TV, we've got you covered.
New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital
"Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping"
Andy Samberg and The Lonely Island guys spoof the pop world in this hilarious comedy about a former boy-band member whose popularity plummets just as he launches a major solo tour. The film is packed with stars from the comedy and music worlds -- including Sarah Silverman, Tim Meadows, Maya Rudolph, Joan Cusack, Imogen Poots, Chris Redd, Bill Hader, Kevin Nealon, Justin Timberlake, Adam Levine, Pharrell Williams, Carrie Underwood, DJ Khaleed, Seal, P!nk, Nas, Usher, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Ringo Starr, Simon Cowell, Questlove, Mariah Carey, RZA, T.I., and even "Weird Al" Yankovic. It arrives on Digital HD on August 16, then On Demand on August 30, and on Blu-ray/DVD on September 13. Blu-ray and DVD bonus features include 45 minutes of deleted scenes, a gag reel, interview outtakes, six music videos, bonus footage, and a ton of other featurettes.
Check out this awesome exclusive clip from the bonus features, with Martin Sheen fighting Andy Samberg's Conner4Real -- over hummus. And, off course, the drama was captured on "CMZ":
"Money Monster"
George Clooney plays the host of a financial TV show, with Julia Roberts as his producer, in this real-time hostage thriller following an irate investor (Jack O'Connell) who takes over the studio. Jodie Foster directed the film, which co-stars Dominic West and Caitriona Balfe, and it's out on Digital HD on August 16, before the Blu-ray and DVD drop on September 6. Bonus materials include deletes scenes and three featurettes.
Check out this exclusive deleted scene clip with Caitriona Balfe's financial company spokesperson getting "rude" on the phone:
"Me Before You"
Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin pull every heartstring in this romantic drama, adapted from the novel by Jojo Moyes, available from digital retailers on August 16, before the disc release on August 30. Louisa Clark takes a job as caregiver to Will Traynor, who lost his desire to live after a serious accident, and they turn out to be exactly what each other need. But it's not quite that simple. Janet McTeer, Charles Dance, Brendan Coyle, Matthew Lewis, and Jenna Coleman co-star. The DVD will include outtakes, deleted scenes, and "Me Before You: From Page to Screen."
"Now You See Me 2"
The Four Horsemen (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan) return for a second act in this wild sequel arriving on Digital HD August 19 and DVD/Blu-ray on September 6. Daniel Radcliffe, Mark Ruffalo, Sanaa Lathan, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman co-star in the film, which comes with audio commentary by the director and three behind-the-scenes featurettes with the cast and crew discussing the creation of the magic in the film.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
"Once Upon a Time" Season 5
Oh, Dearie. From Dark Swan and the Underworld to the tease of more from Land of Untold Stories, OUAT Season 5 was as dramatic as ever. Watch it all play out in the August 16 DVD/Blu-ray release. Bonus features include deleted scenes, "The Fairest Bloopers of Them All," "Once Celebrates One Hundred," "Merida in Storybrooke," "Tales From the Underworld: A Knight With Cruella," and -- exclusive to Blu-ray -- commentary from the cast and creators.
Watch this exclusive clip from the "Merida in Storybrooke" featurette, with Amy Manson (Merida), Jamie Chung (Mulan), and Meghan Ory (Ruby) talking about Merida's impact on the story and their characters.
"The Angry Birds Movie"
Temper-prone Red (Jason Sudeikis), volatile Bomb (Danny McBride), and speedy Chuck (Josh Gad) have always been outsiders, but when their paradise island is visited by mysterious green pigs, it's up to this unlikely trio to save the day. The popular family film, based on the extremely popular app, is out on DVD/Blu-ray on August 16. Extras include a bonus scene, Symphony Mode, and -- with the Blu-ray -- the all-new short "The Early Hatchling Gets the Worm," three more hatchling shorts, deleted scenes, and several other featurettes.
"The Vampire Diaries" Season 7
Watch the Salvatore brothers suck at life (get it? yeah, it's bad) when "The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Seventh Season" presents all 22 episodes on DVD August 16. Special features include a gag reel; deleted scenes; "The Vampire Diaries: 2015 Comic-Con Panel"; and the featurette "Directing Vampires," which goes behind the scenes with Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley as they answer Twitter questions and explain the process of directing episodes of TVD. This fall's Season 8 will be the final season, so get an early start on your nostalgia with this home release.
"The Affair" Season 2
The second season of Showtime's Golden Globe-winning drama, starring Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney, and Joshua Jackson -- arrives on DVD August 16. The home release includes character profiles, a tour of Montauk, and the first two episodes of Showtime's "Billions."
"Bottersnikes and Gumbles" Season 1 (Netflix Original)
Netflix's mid-August offerings aren't too terribly exciting, but there's still the whole list from August 1 to work through, plus this cool-looking CGI-animated children's series. Here's a description from Animation World Network: "'Bottersnikes & Gumbles' follows the adventures of three young Gumbles, Tink, Bounce and Willi, who love nothing better than to 'gumble' all day long. Endless battles ensue involving plenty of stealth, trickery, daring rescues and narrow escapes as the Gumbles try to outwit the Bottersnikes in every episode." Twenty-six 11-minute episodes will arrive on Netflix August 19.
"Steve Aoki: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" (Netflix Original)
Here's another Netflix documentary, this time about Steve Aoki, one of the top DJs working today. According to the synopsis, "In the lead-up to Aoki's biggest show of his career, this introspective doc examines the driving force behind his passion: Rocky Aoki, daredevil showman, Benihana founder, and Steve's looming father figure." It's available August 19.
"Fearless" (Netflix Original)
This documentary series follows professional bull riders on a journey from Brazil to the Las Vegas, risking it all to earn money, respect and titles.
"The Curse of Sleeping Beauty"
This dark, very different take on the classic Brothers Grimm story follows a guy who inherits an ancestral mansion, only to discover that he has also inherited an ancient curse. He's forced into his new role as a "protector" to keep the evil demons in the house at bay, while trying to solve the mystery of the mansion, and struggling to awaken Briar Rose (India Eisley), who is being held captive in a netherworld he saw in his dreams. Or something like that. It's complicated, and available on August 17.
Here's the trailer:
"The Last Heist"
Henry Rollins stars in this action thriller about a bank heist that descends into violent chaos when it turns out one of the hostages is actually a serial killer. Guess who Rollins plays? Catch it August 17.
"Puffin Rock" Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Welcome back to Puffin Rock, where life is sweet for puffling Oona, her baby brother Baba, and their friends. Season 2 of the charming children's series starts streaming August 17.
TV Worth Watching
"Fear the Walking Dead" Season 2 (Sunday on AMC at 9 p.m.)
It's time to feel more "Fear." Season 2 left off with Episode 7, "Shiva," back in late May, and Episode 8, "Grotesque," premieres August 21. Here's AMC's synopsis: "Nick's [Frank Dillane] steadfast search for answers leads him into a deadly dog-eat-dog landscape; and a dark piece of his past is uncovered." The episode is an hour-and-a-half, and it'll be followed by an episode of "Talking Dead."
Here's the trailer for Part 2, Season 2B, the midseason premiere, whatever you want to call it:
Olympics Closing Ceremony (Sunday on NBC at 8 p.m.)
The Rio Olympics flame will be put out on August 21, passing the torch to Tokyo, Japan, for the 2020 Summer Olympics. (The 2018 Winter Olympics are next, though, and they'll be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea.)
"The Tunnel" Season 1 (Sunday on PBS at 10:30 p.m.)
This 10-part British-French crime drama, adapted from the Danish-Swedish series, "The Bridge," airs its finale August 21. Stephen Dillane and Clemence Poesy play British and French detectives, respectively, investigating the death of a French politician whose body was found on the border between the U.K. and France. An eight-episode second season has already aired in the U.K., so hopefully PBS decides to show that in the U.S. later on.
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