Awards season comes to a close this month, and that means that many of 2018’s buzziest films are coming out on DVD. Some bring a slew of nominations with them, some nothing more than dashed dreams, though many are worth a watch either way. To help you keep track of who has been nominated for (and won) what, we have included the major award announcements with each title. So find out which videos you can expect to see in the library throughout the month of February below, and get ready for this month’s Academy Awards!
THE GRINCH
The Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch) lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpet with only his loyal dog, Max, for company. With a cave rigged with inventions and contraptions for his day-to-day needs, the Grinch only sees his neighbors in Who-ville when he runs out of food. Each year at Christmas they disrupt his tranquil solitude with their increasingly bigger, brighter and louder celebrations. When the Whos declare they are going to make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch realizes there is only one way for him to gain some peace and quiet: he must steal Christmas. To do so, he decides he will pose as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, even going so far as to trap a lackadaisical misfit reindeer to pull his sleigh. Meanwhile, down in Who-ville, Cindy-Lou Who-a young girl overflowing with holiday cheer-plots with her gang of friends to trap Santa Claus as he makes his Christmas Eve rounds so that she can thank him for help for her overworked single mother. As Christmas approaches, however, her good-natured scheme threatens to collide with the Grinch’s more nefarious one. Will Cindy-Lou achieve her goal of finally meeting Santa Claus? Will the Grinch succeed in silencing the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all?
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
“What the production may have lost in a “nasty-wasty skunk” of an antagonist, it gains in an inspired voice cast (led by Benedict Cumberbatch) and a dazzlingly merry and bright visual palette.” – Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter
“While the first ‘Grinch’ I will always adore
It’s possible that there’s still room for one more.
Hearing the Who’s sing their songs to the skies
It’s still movie magic, whatever the size.” – Moira Macdonald, The Seattle Times
Available Formats (2/5):
WIDOWS
Widows is the story of four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands’ criminal activities. Set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, tensions build when Veronica (Viola Davis), Alice (Elizabeth Debicki), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez) and Belle (Cynthia Erivo) take their fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
BAFTA Nominee: Best Actress – Viola Davis
“McQueen has made a big, pulpy crowd-pleaser, but he uses it to tell a story with real meaning. Widows is methodical in its imagery and gracefully written; it’s also a suspenseful blast, best seen with the biggest, most animated audience possible.” – David Sims, The Atlantic
“It proves how smarts and style can elevate even the pulpiest material into something shrewd, socially attuned and bracingly observant. Rarely has a movie been so illuminated by a single character simply breaking into a smile, and rarely has a smile been so unequivocally earned.” – Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Available Formats (2/5):
THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER’S WEB
Computer hacker Lisbeth Salander and journalist Mikael Blomkvist find themselves caught in a web of spies, cybercriminals and corrupt government officials.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
“Not simply a worthy addition to David Fincher’s vastly under-appreciated The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo franchise (they’re calling it a ‘soft reboot,’ but there’s nothing soft about it), The Girl in the Spider’s Web is also a top-shelf Batman movie. For good measure, it kicks the butt of the last few Bourne installments too.” – Oliver Jones, Observer
“The Girl in the Spider’s Web, directed with gun-to-the-head urgency by Fede Alvarez (Don’t Breathe), settles for being a tension-packed, go-go-go thriller that will pump adrenaline into your nervous system for nearly all of its suspenseful if implausible 117 minutes.” – Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Available Formats (2/5):
THE SISTERS BROTHERS
Based on Patrick Dewitt’s acclaimed novel of the same name, The Sisters Brothers follows two brothers – Eli and Charlie Sisters – who are hired to kill a prospector who has stolen from their boss. The story, a genre-hybrid with comedic elements, takes place in Oregon in 1851.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
Venice Film Festival Winner: Best Director – Jacques Audiard
“The Sisters Brothers gallops on screen with a lot of ambitions, and it fulfills them all. It’s a sprawling Western that’s also an intimate character piece; it has moments of wit but also devastating tragedy; it delves into larger themes like the impact of fathers upon sons, and how greed and industrialization lead to environmental devastation, and yet it offers the hope of redemption.” – Alonso Duralde, The Wrap
“Despite Mr. Audiard’s embrace of contemporary norms that would have been out of place in a Wayne western — the amusingly deployed coarse language, the shots to the head and sprays of blood — he isn’t attempting to rewrite genre in The Sisters Brothers, which is one of this movie’s virtues, along with its terrific actors and his sensitive direction of them.” – Manohla Dargis, New York Times
Available Formats (2/5):
THE CLOVERFIELD PARADOX
In the near future, a group of international astronauts on a space station are working to solve a massive energy crisis on Earth. The experimental technology aboard the station has an unexpected result, leaving the team isolated and fighting for their survival.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
“It’s easy to see why studio execs at Paramount were unsure of how to market this movie, as it seemingly attempts to check so many boxes at once that nearly any description is going to fail to accurately convey the experience of watching it. Ultimately, it’s that unstable, unpredictable nature that is simultaneously its most entertaining and most problematic aspect.” – Jim Vorel, Paste
“A mildly entertaining and sometimes thought-provoking but ultimately ludicrous deep space thriller.” – Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times
Available Formats (2/5):
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
Bohemian Rhapsody is a celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
Academy Award Nomine: Best Picture, Best Actor – Rami Malek, Best Editing, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing
Golden Globe Winner: Best Picture – Drama, Best Actor in a Drama – Rami Malek
BAFTA Nominee: Outstanding British Film, Best Actor – Rami Malek, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Costume Design, Best Make Up / Hair
SAG Winner: Best Actor – Rami Malek
SAG Nominee: Best Cast
“You will not see a more perfect and imperfect rock and roll biopic than Bohemian Rhapsody, which does many things extremely well, other things sort of average, and one thing flawlessly: capturing the immense charisma and panache of Queen singer Freddie Mercury. Jamie Foxx’s full-body inhabitation of Ray Charles just got some competition at the top.” – Kim Hughes, Original-Cin
“Deftly tweaking the tropes of rock biopics, this drama of singer Freddie Mercury and British hitmakers Queen dazzlingly captures an era, a man and the universal quest for identity.” – Frank Lovece, Film Journal International
Available Formats (2/12):
SHOPLIFTERS
After one of their shoplifting sessions, Osamu and his son come across a little girl in the freezing cold. At first reluctant to shelter the girl, Osamu’s wife agrees to take care of her after learning of the hardships she faces. Although the family is poor, barely making enough money to survive through petty crime, they seem to live happily together until an unforeseen incident reveals hidden secrets, testing the bonds that unite them.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
Academy Award Nominee: Best Foreign Language Film
Golden Globe Nominee: Best Foreign Language Film
BAFTA Nominee: Best Film Not in the English Language
Film Independent Spirit Award Nominee: Best International Film
“This wise and insightful film is delicate, poignant and unexpectedly powerful.” – Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
“For all its gentle groundedness, a quality that suffuses much of Kore-eda’s work, Shoplifters strenuously resists romanticizing its main characters. Its compassion is more convincing for it. So is its brilliance.” – Inkoo Kang, Slate
“Master director Hirokazu Kore-eda, whose work won the Palm d’Or at Cannes this year, doesn’t pour on the emotion. He doesn’t need to – his film, even as it enchants, is quietly devastating.” – David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle
Available Formats (2/12):
THE FRONT RUNNER
The Front Runner follows the rise and fall of Senator Gary Hart (Hugh Jackman), who captured the imagination of young voters and was considered the overwhelming front runner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination when his campaign was sidelined by the story of an extramarital relationship with Donna Rice. As tabloid journalism and political journalism merged for the first time, Senator Hart was forced to drop out of the race – events that left a profound and lasting impact on American politics and the world stage.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
“Brilliantly directed by Jason Reitman, from an intelligent, carefully researched and fast moving screenplay by Reitman, Jay Carson and Matt Bai (based on Bai’s marvelous book All the Truth Is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid), this enthralling film is a mirror to the shifting relationship between the media and politics, and the events that changed the last 30 years in American history.” – Rex Reed, Observer
“A sharp-witted and wide-reaching account of a bright political hope’s fall from grace, with an impressive ensemble cast and a great performance from Jackman.” – Dan Jolin, Empire
Available Formats (2/12):
AT ETERNITY’S GATE
At Eternity’s Gate is a journey inside the world and mind of a person who, despite skepticism, ridicule and illness, created some of the world’s most beloved and stunning works of art. This is not a forensic biography, but rather scenes based on Vincent van Gogh’s (Willem Dafoe) letters, common agreement about events in his life that present as facts, hearsay, and moments that are just plain invented.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
Academy Award Nominee: Best Actor – Willem Dafoe
Golden Globe Nominee: Best Actor – Willem Dafoe
Venice Film Festival Winner: Best Actor: Willem Dafoe
“It’s a beautiful visual and spiritual journey through the glorious highs and devastating lows of a brilliant artist who was ahead of his time.” – Lorry Kikta, Film Threat
“By adamantly focusing above all else on van Gogh’s work — and its transporting ecstasies — Schnabel has made not just an exquisite film but an argument for art.” – Manohla Dargis, New York Times
Available Formats (2/12):
A STAR IS BORN
In this new take on the tragic love story, seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) discovers—and falls in love with—struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer… until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
Academy Award Nominee: Best Picture, Best Actor – Bradley Cooper, Best Actress – Lady Gaga, Best Supporting Actor – Sam Elliott, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Song – “Shallow,” Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing
Golden Globe Winner: Best Original Song – “Shallow”
Golden Globe Nominee: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director – Bradley Cooper, Best Actor – Bradley Cooper, Best Actress – Lady Gaga
BAFTA Nominee: Best Picture, Best Actor – Bradley Cooper, Best Actress – Lady Gaga, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Music, Best Sound
SAG Awards Nominee: Best Actor – Bradley Cooper, Best Actress – Lady Gaga, Best Supporting Actor – Sam Elliott, Best Cast
Grammy Nominee: Record of the Year – “Shallow,” Best Pop Duo/Group Performance – “Shallow,” Best Song Written for Visual Media – “Shallow”
“In spite of a momentous directorial debut and performance from Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga leaves the lasting impression in A Star Is Born, a beautiful production perfectly suited to re-release the superstar as a top-tier performer; she is nothing short of astounding.” – Luke Parker, We Got This Covered
“The simplest thing to say about A Star Is Born is that it’s all right. Not all right as in OK with a shrug, but thrillingly, almost miraculously right in all respects.” – Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal
Available Formats (2/19):
ROBIN HOOD
Robin of Loxley (Taron Egerton), a war-hardened Crusader, and his Moorish commander (Jamie Foxx) mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
“Robin Hood is no classic, but if it sometimes seems like it’s trying to be ‘Baz Luhrmann’s Robin Hood,’ more power to it. The movie is a diverting live-wire lark — one that, for my money, gets closer to the spirit of what Robin Hood is about than the logy 1991 Kevin Costner version or the dismal 2010 Russell Crowe version.” – Owen Gleiberman, Variety
“While it plays fast and loose with loaded political iconography, this Robin Hood brings a whole new dimension to this age-old tale.” – Katie Walsh, Chicago Tribune
Available Formats (2/19):
OVERLORD
On the eve of D-Day, American paratroopers are dropped behind enemy lines to carry out a mission crucial to the invasion’s success. But as they approach their target, they begin to realize there is more going on in this Nazi-occupied village than a simple military operation. They find themselves fighting against supernatural forces, part of a Nazi experiment.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
“If Overlord was a video game, it would be a great one. It just happens to be a movie, and it’s a great one of those too. It hits all the old-school genre tropes so hard that they make new noises, and infuses cheesy grindhouse thrills with all the ‘you are there’ intensity of a great interactive experience.” – William Bibbiani, TheWrap
“A surprisingly well-made mash-up of old-fashion war movie tropes and proudly disgusting horror-flick shocks. It’s a ton of fun.” – Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly
Available Formats (2/19):
CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
When bestselling celebrity biographer, Lee Israel, is no longer able to get published because she has fallen out of step with current tastes, she turns her art form to deception, abetted by her loyal friend, Jack.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
Academy Award Nominee: Best Actress – Melissa McCarthy, Best Supporting Actor – Richard E. Grant, Best Adapted Screenplay
Golden Globe Nominee: Best Actress – Melissa McCarthy, Best Supporting Actor – Richard E. Grant
BAFTA Nominee: Best Actress – Melissa McCarthy, Best Supporting Actor – Richard E. Grant, Best Adapted Screenplay
Film Independent Spirit Award Nominee: Best Supporting Actor – Richard E. Grant, Best Screenplay
“Director Marielle Heller takes viewers on a hilarious tour of New York’s memorabilia dealers, blending a mixture of heist comedy with a sensitive character study of Israel herself: ‘bitter as a root’, to use her own expression, but not without a certain irascible charm.” – Tom Duggins, CineVue
“At times Can You Ever Forgive Me? is actually quite funny and of course McCarthy is great in those scenes — but she’s equally effective in the darkest, most dramatic moments. It’s one of the finest performances of the year.” – Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times
Available Formats (2/19):
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET
Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 leaves Litwak’s video arcade behind, venturing into the uncharted, expansive and thrilling world of the internet – which may or may not survive Ralph’s wrecking. Video game bad guy Ralph (John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (Sara Silverman) must risk it all by traveling to the world wide web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s video game, Sugar Rush. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet – the netizens – to help navigate their way, including a website entrepreneur named Yesss (Taraji P. Henson), who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site “BuzzzTube.”
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
Academy Award Nominee: Best Animated Film
Golden Globe Nominee: Best Animated Film
“Somewhere amid the film’s ornate imagery and deliriously irreverent humor, we might begin to realize that we’re watching a terrifying, incisive satire about the ways that a life lived online makes monsters of us all.” – Bilge Ebiri, New York Times
“Where the original film poked fun at games, this time, the subject of critique is the company’s own legacy. And it’s a smarter, more entertaining film for it.” – Bryan Bishop, The Verge
Available Formats (2/26):
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS
Mary Queen of Scots explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart. Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I. Each young Queen beholds her “sister” in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth’s sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones – and change the course of history.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
Academy Award Nominee: Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling
BAFTA Nominee: Best Supporting Actress – Margot Robbie, Best Costume Design, Best Make Up / Hair
SAG Nominee: Best Supporting Actress – Margot Robbie
“Ronan’s fiery Mary and Robbie’s emotionally complex Elizabeth truly reign divine on screen.” – Yolanda Machado, TheWrap
“What keeps the film from feeling like period-piece amber, all whispered alliances and wiggery, is the keenly feminist sensibility of first-time director Josie Rourke (her background is largely in theater) and the fierce charisma and complicated humanity of its two leads, sovereigns till the end.” – Leah Greenblatt, Entertainment Weekly
Available Formats (2/26):
THE POSSESSION OF HANNAH GRACE
A shocking exorcism spirals out of control, claiming the life of a young woman. Months later, Megan Reed (Shay Mitchell) is working the graveyard shift in the morgue when she takes delivery of a disfigured cadaver. Locked alone inside the basement corridors, Megan begins to experience horrifying visions and starts to suspect that the body may be possessed by a ruthless demonic force.
Description and score provided by Metacritic.
“Viewers hooked on the spectacle of demonic possession tend to like their satanic tropes served neat. The Possession of Hannah Grace serves them sloppy, if not without a certain random soupçon of grisly style.” – Owen Gleiberman, Variety
“It’s exorcism’s greatest hits, if exorcism were a band playing 300 casinos and state fairs a year.” – Jesse Hassenger, The A.V. Club
Available Formats (2/26):
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