Olivia Rodrigo’s much-anticipated sophomore album and LaKeith Stanfield starring within the eight-part horror fantasy sequence “The Changeling” are among the many new tv, motion pictures, music and video games headed to a tool close to you
Among the choices value your time as chosen by The Associated Press’ leisure journalists are Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” starring Halle Bailey, the online game NBA 2K14 pays tribute to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and the favored consolation present “Virgin River” returns for its fifth season on Netflix.
— The newest Disney live-action remake, “The Little Mermaid,” lands on Disney+ on Wednesday. Not everybody has been a fan of the studio’s common retreads of animation classics. But they’ve been reliable box-office successes; earlier this yr, “The Little Mermaid” grossed $568.6 million worldwide. In her assessment, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr known as this “Mermaid” “a somewhat drab undertaking with sparks of bioluminescence” that “doesn’t really sing.” But one factor of Rob Marshall’s movie has been extra broadly hailed: the breakthrough efficiency of Halle Bailey as Ariel.
— “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” goes the opposite approach, taking a normally live-action franchise into animation. (The first Ninja Turtles film, in 1990, got here out a yr earlier than the unique “Little Mermaid”; one born in ooze, the opposite the ocean.) The monitor report of the movies which have adopted has been fairly poor. But “Mutant Mayhem,” director Jeff Rowe (co-director of “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” ) and co-written by co-producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, is a vibrant, hip-hop spin for the turtles. In my assessment of the movie, which arrives on VOD and digital on Tuesday, I praised it for some good gags and intelligent improvements however “one brilliant idea: casting Ice Cube as the voice of the movie’s mutant insect supervillain Super Fly.”
— AP Film Writer Jake Coyle
— Olivia Rodrigo breathed new life into the angsty energy ballad when she dropped “Drivers License” again in January 2021, the lead single on her debut LP, “SOUR.” One-hit marvel she was not: then got here the fiery energy pop-punk of “Good 4 U” and “Brutal.” In 2023, “GUTS,” her extremely anticipated sophomore launch, builds off the life experiences of a pop famous person now within the throes of fame — and her early 20s. The first two tracks launched from the album — the blood-sucking piano ballad “Vampire” and cheeky backslide anthem “Bad Idea Right?” — are miles away from one another and simple companions; the proper tease for a punk-y album unafraid of taking dynamic swings.
— The Ok-pop behemoth BTS aren’t energetic as a bunch proper now; it’s seven members are taking turns fulfilling South Korea’s necessary army service ( Jin and J-hope have enlisted; Suga has begun the method ). In that absence, the remaining members have taken turns releasing solo materials. It’s a little bit of good enterprise and fan service: Can you miss a boy band that by no means actually went away? The newest to appeal the general public along with his singular star energy is V, on his forthcoming solo launch, “Layover.” His wealthy baritone slides over the retro R&B manufacturing of his mournful bilingual singles “Love Me Again” and “Rainy Days.”
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
— A brand new sequence on PBS demonstrates how animals are adapting to local weather change in stunning and even inspiring methods. “Evolution Earth,” premiering Wednesday, reveals animal migration and habits modifications in response to our altering planet. Like the Edith’s Checkerspot, a butterfly that’s thriving at larger elevations, transferring away from the warmth. The five-part sequence is narrated by evolutionary biologist Dr. Shane Campbell-Staton.
— The well-liked consolation present “Virgin River” returns for its fifth season on Netflix. Starring Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson, the sequence follows residents of a small, fictional city in northern California the place neighbors assist neighbors and the one bar on the town additionally has a connoisseur chef. Yes, there’s drama however life appears simpler in Virgin River. The first 10 episodes of season 5 debut Thursday with two extra vacation episodes dropping in November.
— LaKeith Stanfield (“Judas and the Black Messiah”, “Haunted Mansion”) govt produces and stars in “The Changeling” for Apple TV+. The eight-part horror fantasy sequence is predicated on a best-selling ebook of the identical title by Victor LaValle. Stanfield performs Apollo, a uncommon ebook supplier in New York whose marriage to a librarian named Emma takes a surprising flip after they welcome a son. The present is a darkish thriller that delves into heavy themes together with previous trauma and parenting fears whereas additionally exposing how troublesome it’s to navigate these issues in at this time’s technology-driven world. The first three episodes of “The Changeling” drop Friday, Sept. 8.
— Alicia Rancilio
— It’s 2330, and humanity has lastly ditched this planet and ventured out past the Solar System. In Bethesda Game Studios’ Starfield, you’re a brand new recruit to Constellation, a band of explorers looking for uncommon artifacts. It’s an enormous challenge, with greater than 1,000 planets to go to — some civilized and pleasant, others not a lot. Against that sprawling background, the builders are promising an enormous array of selections, from what your character and spaceship appear like to the way you need to take care of the varied factions unfold throughout the galaxy. Here on Earth in 2023, Microsoft and Bethesda have rather a lot using on Starfield: It’s probably the most bold Xbox recreation of the yr, and it’s the primary new universe from the studio because it launched The Elder Scrolls in 1994. Liftoff commences Wednesday on Xbox X/S and PC.
— The actual NBA season continues to be a month and a half away, however 2K Sports is aware of that digital basketball followers are itching to get again on the courtroom. NBA 2K14 pays tribute to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant with “Mamba Moments,” which allow you to relive a number of the most dramatic video games of his profession. This yr’s version additionally introduces “ProPlay,” which interprets precise NBA footage into gameplay. And 2K says it has revamped and upgraded its offensive strikes, delivering tighter management over layups, dunks and even dribbling. Tipoff is Friday, Sept. 8, on PlayStation 5/4, Xbox X/S/One and PC.
— Lou Kesten
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