What's New on TV, Netflix Streaming, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: October 26-November 1
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
"Southpaw"
Jake Gyllenhaal beefed up big-time to play reigning junior middleweight boxing champion Billy "The Great" Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal) in this sports drama from writer Kurt Sutter and director Antoine Fuqua. When tragedy strikes, Billy hits rock bottom and finds a savior in Forest Whitaker's Tick Willis, a former fighter who trains the toughest amateur boxers. The DVD includes the featurette "Southpaw: Inside the Ring." The Blu-ray has that, plus deleted scenes, a Q&A with the cast, and an extended training montage.
"The Gift"
Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall play a young couple whose world is turned upside down after a run-in with an old high school acquaintance (Joel Edgerton) in this critically acclaimed psychological thriller, out on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD and on Demand October 27. Both the DVD and Blu-ray include an alternate ending, deleted scenes, "Karma for Bullies," "The Darker Side of Jason Bateman," and feature commentary with writer/director Joel Edgerton.
"Army of Darkness"
The "Army of Darkness Collector's Edition" is out October 27, just in time for the Halloween premiere of "Ash vs. Evil Dead" (see below). This special three-disc Blu-ray set includes the theatrical cut, the director's cut (with 15 more minutes of footage), the international cut and the TV version. There's a heap of bonus content, including new interviews with star and co-producer Bruce Campbell and the cast, special make-up effect artists Howard Berger, Tony Gardner, Robert Kurtzman, and Greg Nicotero, audio commentary, alternate and deleted scenes and more.
New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only
"Mr. Holmes"
Sir Ian McKellen plays an aging, retired Sherlock Holmes in this drama set in 1947, with the world's most famous detective facing the end of his life -- and diminishing mental capacity -- as he tries to remember his final case. Laura Linney and Milo Parker co-star in the Bill Condon film, out on Digital HD October 27, before the Blu-ray/DVD release on November 10.
"The Man From U.N.C.L.E."
It's the Cold War and Henry Cavill's CIA agent and Armie Hammer's KGB agent must check their hostilities and work together to stop a mysterious criminal organization from using nuclear weapons to upset the delicate balance of power between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Alicia Vikander, Jared Harris and Hugh Grant co-star in the Guy Ritchie action comedy. It's out on Digital HD October 27, ahead of the DVD/Blu-ray release November 17.
Bond movies(Hulu)
Hulu is making (nearly) the entire James Bond film catalog available as of November 1, in celebration of the upcoming opening of "Spectre." Check out the full list. Definitely worth an extended binge, if you're a Hulu subscriber.
New on Netflix
"August: Osage County"
There's nothing like somebody else's dysfunctional family to make you feel better about your own clan. This star-studded 2013 movie, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, comes to Netflix October 27. When their father dies, three sisters (Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Julianne Nicholson) come to the home of their mother (Meryl Streep) for a very tense funeral. Co-stars Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Benedict Cumberbatch, Margo Martindale, and Abigail Breslin.
"Seven Deadly Sins"
Netflix is launching its second exclusive anime TV series on November 1. It's based on the Japanese graphic novels telling the story of seven knights outlawed for allegedly conspiring to overthrow their king. Each knight has a different personality tied to a different sin. Netflix's first anime exclusive series was "Knights of Sidonia" and a third series, "Ajin: A Demi-Human," is scheduled to launch next year.
Check out the "Seven Deadly Sins" trailer:
"The Last Time You Had Fun"
When was the last time you had fun? That's the title of this 2014 dramedy, coming to Netflix November 1, following two women and two men who meet at a wine bar and struggle to have the most fun that four bickering adults can have. Stars Eliza Coupe, Kyle Bornheimer, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Demetri Martin, Charlyne Yi, and Jimmi Simpson.
TV Worth Watching
"Supergirl" (Monday on CBS at 8:30 p.m.)
The world doesn't have just one hero anymore. Now it has Superman's cousin, Kara Zor-El (Melissa Benoist), who escaped the doomed planet Krypton and now works for media mogul Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart) in National City. Watch her story begin when the pilot premieres October 26.
"Ash vs Evil Dead" (Saturday on Starz at 9 p.m.)
That groovy national treasure Bruce Campbell is returning to his roots in this horror comedy TV series created by the actor and the "Evil Dead" genius himself, Sam Raimi. It's a sequel to "The Evil Dead," "Evil Dead II" and "Army of Darkness." Raimi directed the premiere episode, called "El Jefe," and it debuts -- appropriately enough -- on Halloween night.
"Halloween" (Saturday alllll daaayyy looonnnggg)
If you're looking for other Halloween programming, beyond "Ash vs. Evil Dead," AMC is airing "Halloween" sequel reruns all day long, IFC is going with a "Nightmare on Elm Street" marathon, ABC Family has spooky programming, from "Poltergeist" to "Hocus Pocus," BBC America is airing "The Exorcist" on Saturday morning (the power of Christ compels you to watch!), and the History Channel has "Haunted History," among other options. Just in case you want something fun on in the background between trick-or-treaters at the door.
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