What to Watch: Feb. 25-Mar. 10, 2014

We’re back! Did you survive the Oscars? Are you looking for something to watch on Blu-ray, DVD, or streaming service? We have a few options for you released right at the end of February or the beginning of March, including a couple great animated shows, a Best Picture nominee, an FX sitcom, and a mega-blockbuster. Pick your favorites. All five are worth a look.

Nebraska
Photo credit: Paramount

“Nebraska”

What do Alexander Payne, David O. Russell, and Martin Scorsese’s latest films all have in common? While being multiple category nominees, they all went home empty-handed at the Oscars Sunday night. While the inferior “Dallas Buyers Club” took three trophies, Payne’s beautiful character piece about a man clinging to false hope when he thinks he has won a sweepstakes was overlooked. No matter. “Nebraska” will find the audience it deserves, and then some. This is the kind of film that builds over the years through word-of-mouth, passed along by those who love it. Bruce Dern has arguably never been better, Will Forte clearly has not, and June Squibb nearly steals it from both of them. Beautiful cinematography, a great score; the Academy let this one slip by but you don’t have to.

Synopsis:
From Academy Award winner Alexander Payne, the director of Sideways and The Descendants, comes the film that critics are calling “An American Masterpiece.” (Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times) When a father (Bruce Dern) and his adult son (Will Forte) embark on a journey to claim a million-dollar prize, what begins as a fool’s errand becomes a search for the road to redemption. Discover why Nebraska is the film critics are calling “damn near perfect.” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone)

Special Features:
o The Making of Nebraska

Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Photo credit: Lionsgate

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”

I was in the minority in thinking “Catching Fire” slightly inferior to the first “Hunger Games” films but the fact is that this is THE franchise of the moment now that “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” are done. And, to be honest, the first two “Hunger” have actually been superior to the first two films in those mega-franchises by some stretch. This is blockbuster filmmaking at its best, giving fans what they want while also appealing to a wider demographic, largely through its incredible supporting cast, including the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman. It’s a little bloated but what part two isn’t? The Blu-ray is also spectacular, loaded with special features and vividly transferred. Lionsgate/Summit is not taking the loyal fans of this series for granted in the slightest, giving them more than they could have hoped for with the Blu-ray releases.

Synopsis:
Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence returns as Katniss Everdeen in this thrilling second adventure from The Hunger Games saga. Against all odds, Katniss and fellow tribute, Peeta, have returned home after surviving the games. Winning means they must turn around, leaving their loved ones behind, and embark on a Victory Tour through the districts. Along the way, Katniss senses a rebellion simmering - one that she and Peeta may have sparked. At the end of the Victory Tour, President Snow announces a deadly 75th Hunger Games (Quarter Quell) that could change Panem forever.

Special Features:
o “Surviving the Game: Making Catching Fire” – 9-part feature-length documentary
o Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson
o Deleted Scenes
o Sneak Peek of Divergent

Where to Watch (as of 3/7/14): Blu-ray, DVD, iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming

Adventure Time: The Complete Third Season
Photo credit: WB

“Adventure Time: The Complete Third Season”

What’s the best cartoon on TV? There’s the door if you dare say over-the-hill “Family Guy” or “The Simpsons”, two shows that once claimed the throne but can no longer. “South Park” is remarkably consistent given how long it’s been on and “Bob’s Burgers” is the best primetime animated comedy by some stretch. No, it’s a two-dog race for me and they fulfill such different purposes that I’m going to call it a tie between FX’s hysterical “Archer” and The Cartoon Network’s transcendently weird “Adventure Time”. The third season of this brilliant show is now available and while the transfers are great and special features neat what I love the best is just being able to hit Play All on one disc and let the adventures of Jake and Finn go on and on and on…

Synopsis:
Season 3 of Adventure Time is all about the music. It’s also all about battles! And mystery!! And monsters!!! And nicknames, like “Randy Butternubs”!!! Lumps, lemons and a little elephant too!!!!! To see everything Season 3 has to offer, just look inside Finn and Jake’s BFF, BMO.

Special Features:
o Commentaries
o Alternate Adventure Time Intro
o How An Idea Becomes Adventure Time

Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, iTunes, Amazon Instant Streaming

Regular Show: Mordecai and Margaret Pack
Photo credit: WB

“Regular Show: Mordecai & Margaret Pack”

What was I saying on the last page about great animated shows? “Adventure Time” gets the nod but its Cartoon Network buddy “Regular Show” is totally in the conversation. Quirky, strange, and consistently clever, “Regular Show” seems to have “little brother” status even in the eyes of WB/CN, as they’re releasing “Adventure” on Blu-ray but not this one.

Synopsis:
Episodes Include:
Caffeinated Concert Tickets
It’s Time
Muscle Woman
Do Me A Solid
Crusin’
Yes Dude Yes
Access Denied
Fancy Restaurant
Diary
Bad Kiss
T.G.I. Tuesday
Do Or Diaper
Picking Up Margaret
Meteor Moves
Family BBQ
Steak Me Amadeus

Special Features:
o Steak Me Amadeus Commercial

Where to Watch: DVD, iTunes, Amazon Instant Streaming

Legit: Season One
Photo credit: Fox

“Legit: Season One”

Trying to get a little of the same creative spark given to Louis C.K.’s career when he went to FX, Jim Jefferies debuted his own envelope-pushing sitcom in 2013 and the results may not have been as consistent but “Legit” has more funny episodes than failures. It’s a quick-paced comedy in which Jefferies plays a variation on his stand-up persona (and, possibly, himself), who is forced to help take care of his best friend’s disabled brother. The jokes involving the physically and mentally handicapped are in undeniably bad taste but Jefferies is funny enough to make the offensiveness palatable. This is the kind of show that could still take off if it gets more consistent (the second season is on now) so catch up with season one before your friends tell you to watch it.

Synopsis:
This outrageous new comedy stars Australian Jim Jefferies as an edgy, foul-mouthed stand-up comic living in Los Angeles, struggling to make his life and career more “legit.” But every time Jim tries to do the right thing, his good deeds turn into wildly inappropriate and utterly hilarious escapades. Joined by his neurotic best friend and roommate, Steve, and Steve’s wheelchair-bound brother, Billy, Jim takes comedy to a whole new level, whether it’s visiting a Las Vegas brothel, partying with the mentally-challenged or trying to pick up women at a gay bar.

Special Features:
o Director’s Cut Of Pilot
o Episode Commentaries
o Deleted Scenes
o Gag Reel
o Jim Jefferies’ Journey
o Rodney Autotune

Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming

[17]	By BRIAN TALLERICO [18] Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com [17]