What's New on Netflix, TV, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: April 4-10
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 Only
"Joy"
Jennifer Lawrence, who has a Best Actress Oscar from David O. Russell's "Silver Linings Playbook," was nominated for another one as the title character in this bio-drama about Joy Mangano, the real-life self-made millionaire who created the Miracle Mop, among other things. "Joy," written and directed by Russell, is out on Digital HD April 8, and on DVD/Blu-ray May 3. Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro, who co-starred in "Silver Linings Playbook," are back in supporting roles in this family story that crosses four generations. When the Blu-ray shows up, it'll feature the extras "Joy, Strength and Perseverance," and "Jennifer Lawrence and David O. Russell Times Talk with Maureen Dowd."
"Catastrophe" Season 2 (Amazon)
Amazon's smart, charming, hilarious, critically beloved U.K. rom-com returns for its second season on April 8. Irish teacher Sharon (Sharon Horgan) and Boston ad executive Rob (Rob Delaney) had a brief affair while he was in the U.K. on business, and -- whoops! -- it resulted in a pregnancy. You should stream Season 1 to catch up before enjoying the next stage of their relationship.
"Pandemic"
This sci-fi movie starring Rachel Nichols, Alfie Allen, Missi Pyle, and Mekhi Phifer was released in theaters on April 1, and hits VOD and iTunes on April 5. The story is set in the near future, when a virus has taken over the planet and there are more infected people than uninfected. The only hope for humanity is finding a cure and keeping the infected contained. Nichols plays a doctor who, after the fall of New York, comes to Los Angeles to lead a team to hunt for and rescue uninfected survivors.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
Last week, Episode VII came out on digital, and on April 5 it's out on DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack. Bonus features include "Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey," "The Story Awakens: The Table Read," "Building BB-8," "Crafting Creatures," "Blueprint of a Battle: The Snow Fight," "John Williams: The Seventh Symphony," "ILM: The Visual Magic of The Force," "Force For Change," and deleted scenes. Various retailers also have exclusive collectible versions, and you can get the full list at StarWars.com.
Here are two bonus scene clips, with John Boyega geeking out over the Millennium Falcon, and Daisy Ridley nailing her audition as Rey:
"Doctor Who" Series 9
It's time to take the Doctor home. Peter Capaldi returns in his second season -- alongside Jenna Coleman as Clara, and guest stars Maisie Williams, Rufus Hound, and Michelle Gomez -- in "Doctor Who: The Complete Ninth Series." The DVD and Blu-ray contain all 12 episodes, and the Complete Boxset also has the 2014 Christmas Special, The Husbands of River Song, and more than four hours of bonus material, including commentaries, and the long list you can read over here.
"The Expanse" Season 1
We live in a great time for sci-fi/fantasy stories. Here's another one -- "The Expanse: Season One" is coming to Blu-ray and DVD on April 5. The story, based on the bestselling books by James S. A. Corey, is set 200 years in the future, after humans have colonized the solar system. A U.N. Deputy Undersecretary (Shohreh Aghdashloo), a police detective (Thomas Jane), and a rogue ship's captain (Steven Strait) end up embroiled in the case of a missing young woman, which turns into a race across space to save all of humanity. The discs include all 10 episodes plus deleted scenes. Now is your time to get caught up before the 13-episode Season 2 premieres in early 2017 on Syfy.
TV Worth Watching
"American Idol" (Thursday on FOX at 8 p.m.)
This is it: The series finale. Idol's "Farewell Season" 15 ends with either La'Porsha Renae, Trent Harmon, or Dalton Rapattoni named the final winner. This show has changed a lot since its debut in 2002, and viewers have changed even more -- taking the show from must-watch watercooler fodder to "Is that still on?" Well, it's leaving now, so we can sing down memory lane and relive the times we FELT SO MUCH about which David needed to win Season 7.
"Outlander" (Saturday on Starz at 9 p.m.)
Claire and Jamie are back! Season 2 takes them to France, where they plan to infiltrate the Jacobite rebellion and stop the battle of Culloden. Expect parties, intrigue, amazing fashion, and -- of course -- a wee pregnant Sassenach.
"Fear the Walking Dead" (Sunday on AMC at 9 p.m.)
Zombies on a boat! Zombies on a plane! Zombies in the ocean! The second season of AMC's "Walking Dead" companion series promises to feature a lot more action (and zombies no one actually calls zombies) than the brief first season, which just introduced the characters and setting. Now our motley crew is about to jump on board Strand's (Coleman Domingo) yacht, named Abigail, and we'll have to see how not-well that goes. Plus, someone from that web series "Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462" is meant to be joining Season 2 as a main character ... and our money is on Charlie (Michlle Ang).
"Hush"
This tense cat-and-mouse horror thriller, about a deaf woman who is stalked by a man in her secluded home, had its premiere March 12 at South by Southwest. It'll be out on Netflix April 8. Author Maddie Young (Kate Siegel) lives an isolated life after losing her hearing as a teenager. One night, the masked face of a psychotic man appears in her window. There's no one else around for miles, and no way for her to call for help.
Check out the super creepy trailer:
"Walt Before Mickey"
Thomas Ian Nicholas plays Walt Disney -- with Jon Heder as Roy Disney, and Jodie Sweetin as Charlotte Disney -- in this 2015 bio-drama that follows Walt's struggle to master the art and business of animation, 10 years before he created Mickey Mouse. Check out the historical drama on Netflix starting April 5.
"Girl Meets World" Season 2
The second season of the Disney Channel series will be available for streaming on Netflix April 10. See what happens next for Riley (Rowan Blanchard), daughter of "Boy Meets World" favorites Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and Topanga Lawrence-Matthews (Danielle Fishel).
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