When and how you can watch Oscar's best picture nominees at home
The Oscar race is officially on, and Hollywood very much wants you to see the nominated films at a theater near you. But if talking patrons, $10 popcorn and driving in this weather are not for you, I have good news: You can see most of the eight best picture nominees from the comfort of your own home before the Feb. 24 telecast. Here's when and how:
<b>“Black Panther”</b> - The first superhero movie to be nominated for Oscar's top prize has been out on disc and digital platforms for months. Even better: It's currently streaming on Netflix. Director Ryan Coogler and a cast that boasted great performances by Michael B. Jordan, Andy Serkis and Letitia Wright unfortunately got shut out by the Academy.
<b>“BlacKkKlansman”</b> - Spike Lee's funny, fiery riff on Ron Stallworth's memoir about a black cop who infiltrates the Colorado chapter of the Ku Klux Klan is available now for digital purchase and rental on platforms including iTunes and Vudu. You can also get it on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray. Adam Driver got a supporting nod for playing Stallworth's partner, but John David Washington (son of Denzel) deserved one too as Stallworth himself.
<b>“Bohemian Rhapsody”</b> - Rami Malek stars as Freddie Mercury in this Queen biopic that rocked audiences despite a lukewarm critical reception and well-publicized behind-the-scenes scandal. The film just became available for digital purchase on Tuesday - the same day nominations came out - and digital rental and physical media will follow on Feb. 12.
<b>“The Favourite”</b> - Yorgos Lanthimos' comedy about two women (Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz) competing for the affections of England's Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) has yet to be announced for any home release. Check your local theater's listings.
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“Green Book”</b> - Peter Farrelly, auteur of gross-out comedies including “There's Something About Mary,” courted Oscar and controversy with the real-life tale of a black jazz pianist (Mahershala Ali) who bonds with his white bodyguard (Viggo Mortensen). It's expected on iTunes Feb. 19, with digital rental and physical media to follow on March 5.
<b>“Roma”</b> - Alfonso Cuaron's beautiful tableau of Mexican life in the 1970s is a Netflix exclusive with no announced plans for physical release at the moment. Watch it on your biggest screen with the sound turned up as loud as possible. Use headphones if you need to - let the film's dense sound mix wash over you, like the water that washes over the driveway tiles in the film's striking opening shot.
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“A Star Is Born”</b> - Bradley Cooper's emotional, exciting remake of the Hollywood standard is now available for digital purchase with a host of extras, including a home video of Cooper and Lady Gaga singing together for the first time. Digital rental and physical releases will follow on Feb. 19. You can sing “Shallow” in the shower whenever you want. (I have never done this. Never. Not once.)
<b>“Vice”</b> - For now, you'll have to see Christian Bale's transformation into former Vice President Dick Cheney on the big screen - no home release has yet been announced.
<i>Sean Stangland is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor. Follow him on Twitter at @SeanStanglandDH.</i>