What to Netflix

Whatever Spring weather you're experiencing, you can always count on Tuesday to bring you new DVDs. What's new this week? An intense movie and a TV series that'll take the edge off.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

Nicolas Cage is currently having a mini comeback — just this weekend, he was promoting high-profile projects Kick-Ass and The Sorcerer's Apprentice at Wondercon, but this Winter, he starred in the more serious, more moody Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.

Cage plays a good cop gone bad on his way down in this gritty, evocative tale, directed by Werner Herzog and set in post-Katrina New Orleans. Eva Mendes stars opposite him as his prostitute girlfriend, while Val Kilmer shows up as a fellow officer. I very much enjoyed this dark trip, which surprised me by being accessible and even funny at times.

The DVD extras include a couple of making-of featurettes and cast interviews.

85%

Party Down

Starz's original series Party Down was a raunchy, irreverent delight last year. Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, and Lizzy Caplan star as a group of struggling actors moonlighting as a put-upon wait-staff, and the second season looks to get even funnier when Megan Mullally joins the cast.

The next season starts April 23, so here's your chance to get into the show if you missed it the first time around. The extras include a gag reel, behind-the-scenes footage, and commentaries with Scott and the executive producers.

Need to settle in with some new movies at home? A couple of highly-anticipated (and Oscar-nominated) flicks emerge on DVD and Blu-ray today. In addition to the titles below, Brothers and Mad Men Season 3 are also available today.

The Blind Side

Feast your eyes on Sandra Bullock's Oscar-winning role in The Blind Side now if you missed the movie in theaters. The heartwarming true story is about a poverty-stricken young man who's taken in by a wealthy family, led by Bullock's Lee Ann Tuohy. The subject matter seems like it could be cheesy, but I was very pleasantly surprised. It's restrained, sweet, and will make you feel good. The DVD extras include deleted scenes, while the Blu-ray has an interview with the real Michael Oher and additional featurettes.

69%

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Wes Anderson's animated feature is a pure delight — not necessarily meant for kids, but grown-ups with a wicked sense of humor will appreciate it. George Clooney voices the main character, the titular fox, while Meryl Streep is his wife. The other standout voice is Jason Schwartzman as their son, who gives his role depth and comedy. Fantastic Mr. Fox was one of my favorite movies of 2009 — don't miss it. The extras include clips on how the movie was made.

93%

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I like to go through a little bit of post-Oscars decompression wherein I watch movies that are closer to the fun side of the spectrum. Thankfully, there a few new popcorn flicks out on DVD and ripe for rental, and though there's one nominee in the mix, it's still an easy one to watch.

Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker star in romantic comedy Did You Hear About the Morgans? as a married but separated couple who witness a murder and have to go into the witness protection program. The NYC residents and staunch city slicker stereotypes are shipped off to Montana, to their extreme discomfort, where they of course reconnect. It's an entirely predictable plot, but it makes a decent rental if you're a rom-com lover.

The DVD extras include a blooper reel, deleted scenes, and commentary track with the director and Parker and Grant.

13%

The Princess and the Frog

Disney's latest animated film, The Princess and the Frog may not have won the Oscar, but the tale, of a princess who falls for a frog (really a dashing prince) is a sweet one. It may be intended for a younger audience, but Disney's movies rarely disappoint — especially since the '20s-set flick is a jazzy musical, with not one but two tunes that were up for best original song this year.

Extras on the DVD include deleted scenes, a music video by Ne-Yo, a "Princess Portraits" game, and featurettes such as one about the movie's return to hand-drawn animation.

85%

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If you're looking to veg with some new entertainment on the tube, today's DVD releases should help do the trick. Check 'em out!

Where the Wild Things Are

More for adult fans of the book than today's young audience, Spike Jonze's adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are is an homage to childhood that shows the darker, sometimes scary side of being a kid. Even the puppets convey emotion in a way that tugs on the heart strings. It's no secret that Where the Wild Things Are was one of my favorite films last year, so I may have to buy this one for my library.

Special features include four webisodes, but the Blu-ray also includes the short "Higglety Pigglety Pop!" featuring the voices of Meryl Streep and Forest Whitaker.

73%

2012

Part over-the-top disaster movie, part sweet family story, and 100 percent entertaining, 2012 stars John Cusack as a divorced father. He's stuck in the middle of an apocalyptic calamity (biblical-sized floods, giant earthquake cracks, etc), trying to rescue his children and ex-wife (Amanda Peet) from the chaos. Yes, it's cheesy and falls victim to the typical blockbuster cliches, but as weekend popcorn flicks go, it's a sure bet. Bonus: in a perfect casting move, Woody Harrelson plays a wacky conspiracy theorist.

Special features include deleted scenes and an alternate ending, which has me curious — how different can an ending be when you're talking about the end of the world?

39%

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If you feel like bumming around this week, I have the perfect couch potato companion: new DVD releases! Here are my three picks, but Sorority Row and Everybody's Fine also hit shelves today if you want to add them to your queue.

The Informant!

Part crime caper, part silly comedy, The Informant! stars Matt Damon as the bumbling vice president of a major agricultural corporation who goes undercover with the FBI to expose the company's shady price-fixing. Damon's mustache and his inner ramblings are good for laughs — and he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance — but I was left scratching my head over the jumbled plot towards the middle of the movie. Maybe it'd be easier to follow a second time around?

Extras include deleted scenes.

77%

The September Issue

Giving us an insider look into the secret world of Vogue, The September Issue is full of flashbulbs, celebrities, gorgeous gowns, and (somewhat surprisingly), heart. Yes, we get to see the infamous Anna Wintour without her trademark glasses, but I admittedly fell even more in love with her coworker, friend, and nemesis Grace Coddington. The film is style and substance – and a great watch for the weekend.

Extras include 90 minutes of extra footage, including Wintour putting together the high profile Met Ball.

84%

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Entertainment time! Ready to beef up your ever-growing list of movies to watch? Here are the big DVD releases hitting today.

Coco Before Chanel

My friend Fab said she enjoyed this look at the fashion icon's life in her pre-label days, so I'm dying to get a glimpse of Coco Before Chanel at home — in the comfort of my very un-glamorous sweatpants, of course. Amelie actress Audrey Tautou stars as Gabrielle Chanel, the seamstress who used her handiwork (and her tenacity) to create a fashion empire. The Oscars have already recognized the film's pretty costuming, but I'm equally anxious to watch it for her love affairs and for Chanel herself, a total rebel and an incredible plum female role.

Extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes and an audio commentary.

65%

Law Abiding Citizen

Warning: Beware if you have a queasy stomach. Law Abiding Citizen is a thriller about the justice system, but Saw-like killing sprees abound. The film centers on Gerard Butler as a family man who goes on a slasher bender after his daughter and wife are murdered. Jamie Foxx costars as the lawyer he's targeting for revenge. For the sake of full disclosure, I was not a fan when the movie came to theaters, but you may want to consider it if you love Gerard Butler — or just pure, bloody entertainment.

Extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, audio commentary, and a mash-up trailer.

25%

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Need a good movie to watch while Winter is still nipping outside? I've got a few good new DVD releases to recommend today, including an Oscar nominee and other highly-anticipated movies. In addition to the flicks below, you can also find The Stepfather, Dare, and Serious Moonlight available today as well.

Couples Retreat

Vince Vaughn, Kristen Bell, Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman, Jason Bateman, and Kristen Davis star in this ensemble about a group of friends who find that their relaxing vacation is actually a relationship boot camp. Couples Retreat is not quite as funny as I was expecting, but it makes a pretty good rental — especially with its gorgeous tropical setting.

Extras on the DVD release include an alternate ending, a gag reel, commentary with the director and Vince Vaughn, and three featurettes.

12%

A Serious Man

The Coen Brothers's latest film, A Serious Man, is a dark comedy featuring Michael Stuhlbarg's standout performance as a down-on-his-luck college professor with a wicked sense of humor. It struck me as a bit of a head-scratcher, but it's definitely a thought-provoking, well-made film. And as of last week, it's an Oscar nominated one in the best picture category.

If you're bringing this DVD home, you'll find the featurettes on the making of the movie, and interviews with the brothers Coen.

87%

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If a trip to the movie theater isn't in the cards for you this week, how about a new DVD release to fulfill your entertainment quota? I've got the short list of what to check out.

Zombieland

In Zombieland, Jesse Eisenberg plays a rule-abiding college guy just trying to stay alive in a post-apocalypse overrun by zombies. Oh yeah, and he's trying to get the girl, too. Woody Harrelson costars as a cowboy type who teams up with him along with Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin as a sister duo. The cast of characters is completely charming; throw in some sharp dialogue for laughs, plus one amazing cameo, and you've got a fun escape for the weekend.

Bonus features include an audio commentary, deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

89%

New York, I Love You

Boasting the likes of Natalie Portman, Shia LaBeouf, and Bradley Cooper as part of its cast, New York, I Love You is a love letter to the city, letting different directors give their take on relationships on the isle of Manhattan. While the story lines don't quite live up to the all-star ensemble, I wouldn't mind getting lost in the shots of classic, romantic New York from the comfort of my couch. Plus, the touching vignette with Cloris Leachman and Eli Wallach is worth the cost of rental — and you can skip over the shorts that don't strike your fancy.

If you get the special Blu-Ray version, you can catch "These Vagabond Shoes" as part of the extras. It's the segment directed by Scarlett Johansson that never made it into the final cut of the film.

41%

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This Winter Tuesday brings lots of great new DVD releases (a blessing if you're stuck inside!). In addition to the titles below, Robert Pattinson's Little Ashes, The Boys Are Back, horror flick Saw VI, and Surrogates are all out on video.

Whip It

Drew Barrymore's directorial debut didn't chart highly at the box office, but I enjoyed her girl-power good time a great deal. The story of a meek young girl who finds freedom with a roller derby league, Whip It is way too much fun. Providing hilarious support are Arrested Development alum Alia Shawkat, funny girl Kristen Wiig, and Barrymore herself — rent it for your next girls' night in.

The DVD extras include nine deleted scenes and an alternate opening scene.

82%

This Is It

Kenny Ortega's documentary about Michael Jackson, This Is It, gives you a chance to experience what would have been the king of pop's last tour. That Jackson died this year just makes the experience of getting to see the tireless work and production put into Jackson's concerts that much more special. I thought it was a striking, intimate tribute, and worth seeing if you're a fan.

The DVD's extras include an hour of unseen footage, a making-of documentary and featurettes about the costumes, the dancer auditions, and Jackson's closest friends revealing memories of him.

80%

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If you feel like staying in with a brand-new DVD this week, I've got you covered. Here are the three big releases hitting shelves (and Netflix, of course).

The Invention of Lying

Comedian (and Golden Globes host) Ricky Gervais stars in The Invention of Lying, a film based on the idea of what would happen if we all told the truth. It's a fun concept and celebrity cameos abound (everyone from Tina Fey to Louis CK to Ed Norton), but the movie gets off track as it veers from its light, rom-com premise with Jennifer Garner. Instead, it tries to take on a religious message which goes too far. That aside, the film is surprisingly sweet at times and includes a few clever moments if you want a laugh this weekend.

DVD extras include additional scenes, video podcasts, a prequel, and outtakes. Outtakes with funny people like Gervais, Fey, or Jonah Hill? Sign me up.

57%

Gamer

For all of you Gerard Butler fans out there, you may want to check out Gamer. The film follows the actor as a convict stuck inside Slayers, a nightmarish, real-life shooting video game controlled by other humans and the game's inventor — Ken Castle (Michael C. Hall). As you can probably surmise, Butler tires of being under someone else's command and tries to fight his way out. I wasn't that interested in the flick when it first hit theaters, but since Hall took home a Golden Globe for his TV work, I'm curious to check him out in this big-screen role, too.

DVD extras include a commentary and two featurettes.

29%

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