SATURDAY TOP PICKS
1 Appleseed: Alpha 8:26 p.m. on (M1); 11:50 p.m. on (M3)
This visually stunning 2014 entry in an ongoing series of popular computeranimated sci-fi action films is actually a prequel that, in some respects, rewrites the origin stories of some characters from the earlier movies. Set in the 22nd century, the story follows mercenary soldier Deunan Knute (voice of Luci Christian) and her cyborg partner, Briareos (voice of David Matranga), who are charged with safeguarding two citizens from a utopian city. 2 Countdown to the Oscars: An Insider’s Guide
9 p.m. on (ABC) The night before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences bestows its annual honors, this special showcases many nominees. The candidates for best picture cover a wide range of stories, many of them true ones such as “American Sniper” and “The Theory of Everything.” Their male stars, Bradley Cooper and Eddie Redmayne, are among those profiled. So are best actress contenders including Julianne Moore (“Still Alice”) and Rosamund Pike (“Gone Girl”). 3 Backstrom
9 p.m. on (FOX) A family falls victim to a serial arsonist, drawing a detective (guest star Angelique Cabral, “Enlisted”) with experience in such cases into the investigation, in “Bella.” Backstrom (Rainn Wilson) has different ideas about who may be responsible, especially when evidence vanishes from the crime scene. On the personal side, Backstrom has trouble with neighbors from his younger years. Eddie McClintock also guest stars. 4 The Social Network
9:30 p.m. on (ABC) One of the best-reviewed movies of 2010, director David Fincher and Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin’s superb drama recalls the roots of Facebook through the personal experiences that prompted thencollege student Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg, in an excellent performance) to develop what morphed into the wildly popular website. Its growing pains were considerable. Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake and (in dual roles) Armie Hammer also star. 5 Field of Dreams
10 p.m. on (TMNE) This fantasy, based on W.P. Kinsella’s book “Shoeless Joe,” stars Kevin Costner as an Iowa farmer whose love of baseball leads him to build a diamond in a cornfield. The ghost of Shoeless Joe Jackson arrives, followed by other players, in this 1989 film. Amy Madigan, Burt Lancaster, Ray Liotta, Timothy Busfield and James Earl Jones also star.