Next Sunday marks the 87th Oscars celebration. Check out some of the Academy Award-nominated films (and possibly award winning!) available on TDS TV on Demand, including “Birdman,” “The Theory of Everything,” “Whiplash” and “Big Hero 6.”
New on TDS TV on Demand
Birdman
Michael Keaton’s powerful Oscar-nominated performance highlights the innovative “Birdman.” Keaton plays a washed up actor who looks to recover his career through an ambitious Broadway play. The film is dark, funny, dazzling and weird. Nominated for best picture. Available February 17.
St. Vincent
Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy star in this playful and laugh-out-loud film about an off-kilter man who agrees to babysit the next-door neighbor’s son. The film isn’t a classic, but it’s Murray playing Murray like we have come to love. Available February 17.
Dumb and Dumber To
There’s not a lot to say about this one. The cast and directors are back, and nothing has changed much in 20 years. If you liked the original, you’ll probably take a shine to this silly sequel. Available February 17.
The Theory of Everything
This sweet, engaging film recounts the relationship between famed physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife. Eddie Redmayne as Hawking, and Felicity Jones as he his wife, are both superb (as well as Oscar-nominees). Nominated for best picture. Available February 17.
Whiplash
“Whiplash” is a thrilling, inventive and suspenseful film about a promising young drummer who enrolls at a prestigious music school to foster his dreams of greatness. Oscar-nominated J.K. Simmons, as the young man’s harsh and unrelenting tutor, is brilliant. Nominated for best picture. Available February 24.
Horrible Bosses 2
“Horrible Bosses 2” isn’t quite as sharp or as dark as its predecessor, but there’s still a lot to laugh about, especially the revenge seeking trio of Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day. Available February 24.
Beyond the Lights
A popular singer finds that fame doesn’t equate with happiness. Enter sexy police officer. Together they find love and courage. “Beyond the Lights” isn’t terribly original, but leads Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Nate Parker make the journey worthwhile. Available February 24.
Big Hero 6
Wonderful animated film about the relationship between a young boy and his inflatable robot. “Big Hero 6” is unique, funny, sweet and captivating – perfect for both kids and adults. Nominated for best animated film. Available February 24.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Nicely done Disney film about a boy and (as the title suggests) his really, really bad day. It’s a predictable mix of slapstick, wacky shenanigans and sappiness. Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner, as Alexander’s parents, help raise the film’s bar. Available now.
Other Academy Award-nominated films currently available include “The Judge” and “Nightcrawler.”
TV Highlights
The Odd Couple
Matthew Perry returns to TV in this resurrection of the classic “Odd Couple.” Perry stars as slob Oscar Madison and Thomas Lennon plays the uptight Felix Unger, both recently divorced and struggling to share an apartment. Thursday, February 19, CBS.
Vikings
Ragnar Lothbrok is back for season 3 and he’s got his sights set on Britain. “Vikings” is an entertaining mixture of history, action, intrigue and drama. Thursday, February 19, History Channel.
Academy Awards
Neal Patrick Harris hosts the biggest awards show of the year. Who will be the winners? Will it be the dark “Birdman?” Or the smash “American Sniper?” Our bet is Richard Linklater’s ambitious “Boyhood.” Sunday, February 22, ABC.
House of Cards
Conniving congressman Kevin Spacey returns for season 3 of this delicious political soap opera. All 12 episodes are dropped in one day to make your binge-watching decisions very simple. Friday, February 27, Netflix.
Battle Creek
“Breaking Bad’ creator Vince Gilligan brings us this series about two mismatched detectives trying to bring justice to the streets of Battle Creek, Michigan. Sunday, March 1, CBS.
News
IFC is bringing back the quirky “Portlandia” for another two seasons. The additional seasons will mark the 6th and 7th for the comedy.
The CW has renewed “Beauty and the Beast” for a 4th season. The move comes three months before season 3 even premieres.
Cinemax has ordered 10 episodes of “Outcast,” a new horror series from Robert Kirkman, the creator of “The Walking Dead.”
Jon Stewart announced he will be leaving “The Daily Show” later this year. Stewart’s surprising exit comes on the heels of Comedy Central losing Stephen Colbert last December. Stewart has hosted “The Daily Show” for 16 years.
Sarah Jessica Parker will return to TV with an HBO comedy series titled “Divorce.” Thomas Haden Church and Molly Shannon co-star.
