What to Watch: March 25-April 11, 2014

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Anchorman 2
Photo credit: Paramount

“Anchorman 2”

Man, you guys were mean to “Anchorman 2.” Some people were ready to write this funny flick off before they even saw it. Why? I think we were all deep in Ron Burgundy overload. He was in numerous commercials, late night appearances, and I think he took over ESPN for a day, right? It was exhausting. Away from that marketing blitz, one can watch “Anchorman 2” again and appreciate the many laughs within. It helps that the Blu-ray is typically PACKED with special features, including two other versions—a relatively standard unrated one and a totally-different R-rated one, a version that includes different jokes in every scene, totalling over 700 new jokes. It’s really a different (and much longer) film. A gag reel that’s funnier than most recent comedies, Line-O-Rama, etc.—all that one typically expects from Apatow or Ferrell movies. If you liked it in theaters, you’ll love this release. Even if you didn’t like it, check it out again now that Ron Burgundy isn’t on TV every ten minutes.

Synopsis:
The wait is over, America - Ron Burgundy is back and “funnier than ever!” After losing his job to his wife and co-anchor, Ron reassembles the news team and squares off against a new rival. Will the world’s greatest anchorman be crushed beneath the weight of his own ego (and his salon-quality hair)? Anything goes in the outrageous comedy that critics are calling “one of the funniest movies of the year!”

Special Features:
o Commentary By Adam McKay, Will Ferrell, Judd Apatow, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and David Koechner (Unrated Version)
o Behind-The-Scenes: Newsroom
o 2 Gag Reels
o 2 Line-O-Rama’s
o Cast Table Reads
o Over 90 Minutes Of Deleted, Extended & Alternate Scenes
o 4 Behind-The-Scenes Featurettes Including RV And News Fight
o Rare Cast Auditions

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

Psych: Season Eight
Photo credit: Universal

“Psych: The Eighth and Final Season”

One of USA’s most long-standing and beloved programs came to an end last week and Universal was wise enough to not make fans wait for the final DVD release of their favorite show. Close the door. Pull the band-aid off quickly. And so the final season of “Psych” hits DVD a mere six days after it aired on USA. I expect this pattern to increase in future years as viewers demand ownership of that which they love more quickly than ever. Maybe someday they’ll really treat “Psych” fans right and release the show on Blu-ray.

Synopsis:
Case-cracking “psychic” detectives Shawn Spencer (James Roday) and his best-friend Burton “Gus” Guster (Dule Hill) have their hands full getting to the bottom of the crime-filled conundrums around Santa Barbara. From a prestigious paranormal police consultant convention to zombie nightmares, Shawn and Gus need all the help they can get as new hijinks and tests arise for your favorite sleuths in this eighth and final season of Psych. Witness every episode back-to-back and uninterrupted of the final hilarious season featuring a gaggle of guest stars including Mira Sorvino, Tom Arnold, Loretta Devine, and Bruce Campbell.

Special Features:
o Deleted Scenes
o Podcasts
o “Was It Something I Said?” Music Video
o “Psych: The Musical”
o “Psych: The Musical” Extended Scene
o Behind the Scenes of “Psych: The Musical”
o I Know, You Know That I’m No Good with Goodbyes: A Psych Farewell
o Gag Reel
o Montages

Where to Watch: DVD, Amazon Instant Streaming, iTunes, Hulu

The Bag Man
Photo credit: Universal

“The Bag Man”

What is happening to John Cusack? “The Factory”, “Frozen Ground”, this barely-released mess—he’s a talented actor who just keeps making bad decisions (the fun “Grand Piano” not withstanding). There’s a reason you haven’t heard of this cliched mess and there’s a reason it’s coming home mere weeks after a miserably brief NY/LA theatrical run. You decide if you want to figure out what those reasons are.

Synopsis:
John Cusack and Robert De Niro star in this action-packed crime thriller about a hit-man named Jack, who takes an assignment to deliver a mysterious bag to his crafty boss with strict instructions not to peek inside. With the help of an elusive prostitute, Jack battles a mess-load of gunfire, a slew of crooked cops and unruly mobsters on a deadly quest to deliver the precious cargo and earn a big pay day. This action-packed crime thriller also stars Crispin Glover, Sticky Fingaz, and Martin Klebba.

Special Features:
o Behind the Scenes of The Bag Man

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

By BRIAN TALLERICO Contributor HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com