What's New on TV, Netflix, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: March 6-12
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
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"
No need to search for "Fantastic Beasts," you'll be able to find them on Digital HD this Tuesday, March 7, then on Blu-ray and DVD March 28. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling wrote the script for this first of five planned movies in the series. Bonus features on the discs include the feature "Before Harry Potter: A New Era of Magic Begins!," featurettes on the fantastic beasts and characters, and 11 deleted scenes. Warner Bros. will also release all eight Harry Potter movies on Ultra HD Blu-ray later this year.
"Westworld: The Complete First Season"
As faithful members of the cult of "Westworld," we urge one and all to catch up on HBO's sci-fi Western when it's available on digital starting Monday, March 6. There are several special features with the release, including "Welcome to Westworld," "Crafting the Narrative," "An Invitation to the Set," "Reality of A.I.: Westworld," "Welcome to Westworld: About the Series," and "The Big Moment" featurettes breaking down the biggest events of each episode. You'll want to watch, and rewatch, before Season 2 shows up.
"Assassin's Creed"
Michael Fassbender's action adventure debuts on Digital HD this Friday, March 10 before the Blu-ray/DVD drop on March 21. Special features include a five-part documentary; a discussion with Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, and director Justin Kurzel about bringing the video game to the screen; featurettes on the stunts and historical re-creation; and deleted scenes.
"Passengers"
Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence bring their natural charisma to this sci-fi movie, which debuts on Digital March 7 before its arrival on 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray, and DVD March 14. The movie picked up two Oscar nominations for Original Score and Production Design, and the digital and disc releases include three featurettes, plus "Outtakes from the Set." The Blu-ray and digital feature additional exclusive material, including deleted scenes and the featurette "Space on Screen: The Visual Effects of Passengers," a deep dive on the effects used in the zero gravity pool scene. The Blu-ray and DVD also offers a first look at the Passengers Awakening Virtual Reality Experience.
Here's an exclusive behind-the-scenes clip on the making of the space ship:"Live by Night"
Ben Affleck's Prohibition era passion project arrives on Digital HD March 7 before the Blu-ray and DVD arrive on March 21. The Blu-ray includes several behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and commentary from director Affleck. The Ben Affleck Collection will also be available digitally on March 7 and on Blu-ray on March 21, including "Live By Night" along with 2010's "The Town"; 2012's "Argo"; and 2016's "The Accountant."
"Burlesque: Heart of the Glitter Tribe"
This documentary going behind-the-scenes of today's new wave of burlesque, featuring candid conversations with 12 performers, is available on VOD and iTunes March 7.
"Hand of God" Season 2 (Amazon)
Ron Perlman plays corrupt judge Pernell Harris, who suffers a breakdown and believes God is speaking directly to him, in this Amazon original series. The second (and final) season starts Friday, March 10.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
"Moana"
Get ready to catch a wave with Moana when the Disney movie is released on Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand on Tuesday, March 7. The Blu-ray includes hours of bonus footage, including a Maui Mini-Movie, "Gone Fishing"; a short film called "Inner Workings"; an in-depth look at how the Pacific Island people and cultures inspired the film; behind-the-scenes features with the stars and musical team; a deep-dive into the Easter Eggs hidden by the Disney animators; a deleted song; deleted scenes; Alessia Cara's music video for "How Far I'll Go"; a multi-language reel of the song; and more. The DVD just includes the theatrical short film "Inner Workings," audio commentary, and the music video for "How Far I'll Go."
"Jackie"
Natalie Portman was Oscar nominated for her role as First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in the days after the assassination of President JFK. The historical drama arrives March 7 on Blu-ray and DVD. Bonus features include the featurette "From Jackie to Camelot," and audio commentary by director Pablo Larraín and star Natalie Portman.
"The Americans" Season 4
Season 5 starts on FX the same exact day that Season 4 comes out on DVD. So just commit to the process: Take March 7 off from work and make it Binge The Americans Day. It sounds patriotic, so maybe your boss will be OK with it.
"Burning Sands" (Netflix Original Film)This Netflix original movie takes viewers through the world of fraternity pledging through the eyes of one conflicted pledgee (Trevor Jackson). The film co-stars Alfre Woodard, Steve Harris, Tosin Cole, DeRon Horton, and "Moonlight" star Trevante Rhodes. It launches on Netflix this Friday, March 10.
"Love" Season 2In the second season of this Netflix comedy, Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) and Gus (Paul Rust) face commitment and all that comes with it as they attempt to bring order to their chaotic lives. Stream it starting March 10.
"Buddy Thunderstruck" Season 1 (Netflix Original)This stop-motion kids series follows Buddy Thunderstruck, the coolest semi-truck racing dog who lives down in race-obsessed Greasepit, a place full of larger-than-life characters and nitro-burning, gear-slamming, tire-squealing, fish-tailing good times. Check out the first season of the action comedy starting March 10.
TV Worth Watching
"The Vampire Diaries" (Friday on The CW at 8 p.m.)
This is it. "The Vampire Diaries" ends its eight-season run on Friday, March 10. First, a one-hour retrospective, "The Vampire Diaries: Forever Yours," airs from 8 to 9 p.m. Keep the tears flowing into the one-hour finale, "I Was Feeling Epic," featuring the return of Nina Dobrev's Elena.
"The Americans" Season 5 (Tuesday on FX at 10 p.m.)
Season 4 comes out on DVD Tuesday (see above) and that night marks the premiere of Season 5. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys never really get enough credit for this amazing drama series -- which also has some of the best writing on television -- and it's almost over. The 13 episodes of Season 5 will be followed by a 10-episode final Season 6 in 2018.
"American Crime" Season 3 (Sunday on ABC at 10 p.m.)
The third season of ABC's thoughtful, challenging drama heads to Alamance County, N.C., and explores issues of forced labor, sex trafficking, immigration, socioeconomic divides, individual rights and how we are all a part of an economy that often prospers on economic oppression. Sandra Oh and Cherry Jones join Regina King, Felicity Huffman, and company to tell another compelling story.
"Survivor" Season 34 (Wednesday on CBS at 8 p.m.)
"Survivor: Game Changers" brings back 20 all-stars for a second, third, or even fourth chance at $1 million and the coveted title of Sole Survivor. The fun begins March 8 as "The Stakes Have Been Raised." Here's more on the castaways and their big plans.
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