The Martian, Sicario, Hotel Transylvania 2 Highlight This Week on TV
By Matthew Breen on January 4, 2016 in Online Life, TDS TV
The new year is here and that means oodles of new television shows, plus the return of many of our favorites. But don't miss out on all the great new films available on TDS TV on Demand, including likely Oscar nominees "The Martian" and "Sicario."
New on TDS TV on Demand
Outstanding crime thriller depicting the escalating drug wars on the U.S.-Mexican border. The film is grim and brutal, but the story is engrossing and the actors (including Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro) are excellent. Available January 5.
A drug addicted mother (Kate Mara) is taken hostage by a murderer on the run (David Oyelowo). The film drags at times, but the two leads do a fine job as tortured souls searching for meaning in their lives. Available January 5.
Dizzying, exhilarating (and often funny) drama about Frenchman Philippe Petit, who in 1974 attempted to walk a tightrope between the World Trade Center towers in New York City. Available January 5.
M. Night Shyamalan's latest is a fun spook house tale combined with a 'found footage' flick. Two teens are sent cross country to spend time with their estranged grandparents only to find that things are not what they seem. Available January 5.
Cannibal film set in the Amazon from director Eli Roth. The gore and violence is gratuitous and gruesome. There's nothing subtle here – it's in your face – no apologies. If that sounds fun, then check in – but most people should beware. Available January 5.
Wonderful voice cast (Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, David Spade, Andy Samberg, Kevin James and Steve Buscemi) make a fun film for the entire family. In this second installment, Drac has to bring out the monster in his half-human/half-monster grandson. Available January 12.
In Woody Allen's latest, a disillusioned philosopher (Joaquin Phoenix) becomes involved in a Hitchcockian murder mystery. Things get a bit muddled, but fans of Allen should enjoy. Available January 12.
Matt Damon is Oscar-worthy as an astronaut stranded alone on Mars who must use all his resources to find a way home. "The Martian" nicely blends sci-fi with humor and drama, making for one of the most entertaining films of 2015. Available January 12.
"Sinister 2" sports creepiness galore, but suffers from some slow spots, plus a lack of originality. Still, horror movie fans should enjoy. Available January 12.
While "The Bachelor" is a guilty pleasure, "The Biggest Loser" is one of TV's most inspiring shows. Settle in for another year – the show's 17th season. Monday, January 4, NBC.
A new season, a new bachelor and a whole new gaggle of attractive women. Enjoy one of our favorite guilty pleasures on the tube. Monday, January 4, ABC.
Shannara Chronicles
Terry Brooks' classic fantasy series comes to television courtesy of MTV. The new series aspires to be a "Game of Thrones" meets "Hunger Games" for a younger generation. The cast is attractive and capable, and the production quality first-rate. Tuesday, January 5, MTV.
Join Ryan Seacrest, Harry Connick, Jr., Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez for one last "Idol" run as FOX calls its pioneering talent show to an end this spring. Expect the show to pull out all the stops, including appearances by past performers and judges. Wednesday, January 6, FOX.
The Peoples Choice Awards
72 million votes were cast to pick your favorites of film, TV and music of 2015. "Glee" star Jane Lynch hosts. Wednesday, January 6, CBS.
Jennifer Lopez stars in the new series about an FBI working for an anti-corruption task force. Lopez works hard to make the show rise above the standard cop drama. Thursday, January 7, NBC.
Speaking of Jane Lynch, the "Glee" alum stars in this new comedy about an unlikely guardian angel to a seemingly perfect woman. Lynch – brassy and boozy – is more of a fallen angel, but she seems to be having a lot of fun. Thursday, January 7, CBS.
The beloved science investigative series begins its 14th – and final – season. Join stars Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman for the show that inspired countless kids – and adults – to become interested in science. Saturday, January 9, Discovery Channel.
New sci-fi series starring Josh Holloway ("Lost") and Sarah Wayne Callies ("Walking Dead") set in a futuristic Los Angeles ruled by aliens. Holloway and Callies play a couple who struggle to survive in an oppressive setting where the aliens and their human collaborators rule with brute force. Thursday, January 14, USA.
Damian Lewis, Maggie Siff and Paul Giamatti star in this Wall Street drama about a U.S. District Attorney who targets one of New York's most powerful hedge fund kings. The outstanding cast really makes this series shine. Sunday, January 17, Showtime.
Fans of "Game of Thrones" will be disappointed to hear that the sixth book in the series will not be published before the April premiere of show's 6th season. Author George R.R. Martin hasn't put a deadline on the next book (titled The Winds of Winter), but the upcoming season will mark the first time that the storylines of the television show have passed up the novels.
SyFy has renewed "The Expanse" for another season.
The BBC will produce a mini-series of the classic EM Forster novel "Howards End." The four-part series will explore the changing social and class divisions in England in the early 1900s through the eyes of three families. "Howards End" was made into an award-winning film in 1992 by the famed Merchant Ivory team.
Amazon has renewed the critically acclaimed "The Man in the High Castle" for a 2nd season.
Sicario: Lionsgate Entertainment, LLC
The Walk: Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
Hotel Transylvania 2: Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
The Martian: 20th Century Fox
The Biggest Loser: NBC
The Shannara Chronicles: MTV
Shades of Blue: NBC
Mythbusters: Discovery Channel
Game of Thrones: HBO
About Matthew Breen
Based in Colorado, but from Madison, Wisconsin, Matt likes to blog about travel, auto, gadgets, food and entrainment. Follow author Matt Breen on Google + or read his recent stories on Pursuitist.
View all posts by Matthew Breen →
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American Idol, Angel From Hell, Billions, Captive, Colony, Game of Thrones, Hotel Transylvania 2, Howard's End, Irrational Man, Mythbusters, Shades of Blue, Shannara Chronicles, Sicario, Sinister 2, The Bachelor, The Biggest Loser, The Expanse, The Green Inferno, The Man in the High Castle, The Martian, The Peoples Choice Awards, The Visit, The Walk
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