Dwayne JohnsonBecoming an MMA trailblazer Mark Kerr for “The Smashing Machine” and Louis Tomlinson launching his third solo album are among the latest TV shows, movies, music, and games coming to a device close by.
Other streaming options worth watching this week, as chosen by The Associated Press’ entertainment writers include Ryan Murphy’s latest series “The Beauty,” which explores beauty ideals with a touch of horror, Jeremy Allen White portraying The Boss in “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” and Megadeth concluding their career with their final, self-titled album.
New films available to watch from January 19 to 25
— Dwayne Johnson portrayed MMA pioneer Mark Kerr in “The Smashing Machine,” a surprisingly tender film exploring victory, addiction, and self-value, set to premiere onHBOMax on Friday, Jan. 23. In his review, Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle stated that the strength of Johnson’s performance is “diminished by a film that doesn’t truly address the violent environment surrounding Mark, opting instead for a more generic admiration of these MMA fighters. However, what does stand out is the depiction of a human giant who comes to accept loss.” FilmmakerBenny Safdiereceived a directing award for his work at the Venice Film Festival, even though the attention during award season has moved to his brother,Josh, who created “Marty Supreme.”
— HBO Max will also feature Judd Apatow’s “Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man!” starting on Thursday. This two-part documentary features conversations with Brooks along with appearances from Ben Stiller, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, and Conan O’Brien.
— The Bruce SpringsteenThe biographical film “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” is also launching on Hulu and Disney+ this Friday, January 23. Directed and written by Scott Cooper, the movie features Jeremy Allen White portraying The Boss while he worked on the heartfelt “Nebraska” album. In his AP review, Mark Kennedy described it as “a touching, humbling depiction of a legend,” noting that it closely resembles the album, “unpredictable, intricate, and distinctly American gothic.”
— Several other film festival highlights are also making their way to more specialized streaming platforms. The documentary “Mr. Nobody Against Putin,” selected at Sundance in 2025, which follows a Russian teacher secretly documenting his classroom’s shift into a military recruitment center during the invasion of Ukraine, will be available on KINO Film on Thursday. Additionally, Mubi will debut Paolo Sorrentino’s “La Grazia” starting Friday, January 23. Actor Toni Servillo received the best actor award at Venice for his portrayal of a fictional Italian president.
— AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr
New tracks available to listen to from January 19 to 25
— It’s accurate to describe it as a symphony of disintegration. Last summer, the American thrash metal legends Megadeth declared they were heading out in style. They will soon begin a final tour, but first, they will unveil their last album, titled “Megadeth.” The expectations are high, and they are meeting them with their usual intricate guitar playing.
— Perhaps most recognized as a genuine and composed presence in the massive boy band One Direction, the Englishman Louis Tomlinson will unveil his third solo album on Friday, titled “How Did I Get Here?” His music typically draws from his most immediate inspirations, with Britpop being a major influence on 2020’s “Walls” and 2022’s “Faith in the Future.” The singles “Lemonade” and “Palaces” from “How Did I Get Here?” appear to indicate that these influences are still there, but more subdued, making way for upbeat, pop-rock choruses.
— Renowned artist Lucinda Williams is back with a new album called “World’s Gone Wrong.” As expected, it’s distinctly Williams — blending rock, Americana, country, and folk — and features inspiring collaborations with Norah Jones, Brittney Spencer, and others. Combined with a strong performance of Bob Marley’s “So Much Trouble In The World” alongside Mavis Staples, it’s an essential listen.
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
New show to watch from January 19 to 25
— FX’s latest series, co-created by Ryan Murphy, explores beauty standards with a touch of horror. “The Beauty” showcases an impressive ensemble cast featuring Evan Peters, Ashton Kutcher, Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Pope, Anthony Ramos, and Isabella Rossellini. Bella Hadid also makes a guest appearance. Kutcher portrays a tech mogul who has developed a drug that promises physical perfection but comes with severe risks. “The Beauty” is adapted from a comic book with the same title and will debut on Wednesday on Hulu and Disney+ in international markets.
— “Drops of God” comes back on Wednesday to Apple TV for its second season. It follows two estranged siblings (Fleur Geffrier and Tomohisa Yamashita) who are competing to inherit their late father’s estate, which includes a vast wine collection. In Season 2, they need to find the origin of an unlabeled wine bottle thought to be the finest in the world.
— Following the “Heated Rivalry” trend, Netflix is set to release its own romantic tale that will add some warmth to the cold on Thursday. While “Heated Rivalry” is inspired by a passionate romance book series, “Finding Her Edge” is based on a young adult novel. It follows a figure skater preparing for the world championships, who becomes involved in a love triangle with her present and past skating partners.
— Scott Foley and Erinn Hayes feature in a new Christian-themed family drama titled “It’s Not Like That,” set to premiere on Prime Video this Sunday, January 25. Foley portrays Malcolm, a minister and father of three, whose wife has recently passed away, while Hayes plays Lori, a single mother to teenagers. Their families have always been close, but Malcolm and Lori increasingly turn to each other as they deal with the challenges of raising children alone.
— Alicia Rancilio
New gaming releases to try from January 19 to 25
— Flynt Buckler, the protagonist of Escape from Ever After, resides in a world filled with storybook elements. However, this fantasy turns bleak when a greedy company invades these books, transforming them into cyberpunk dystopias and Lovecraftian horrors. Will Flynt fight his way to the top, or will he end up in a dull office cubicle? The developer Sleepy Castle Studio mentions that it was inspired by Nintendo’s classic Paper Mario games, and the colorful 2D environments reflect this influence. The game will be available on Friday, January 23, for Switch, Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5, or PC.
— MIO: Memories in Orbit is a 2D adventure inspired by a Nintendo classic, specifically Metroid, which gave birth to an entire game genre. You play as a small robot aboard a massive starship known as the Vessel, but your AI superiors have malfunctioned. It’s your task to uncover what went wrong while battling rogue machines, and as you explore more, you’ll unlock new abilities. The ship’s vast interior features a hand-drawn, pastel aesthetic that might surprise you in a sci-fi game. Launches on Tuesday for Switch, Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5, or PC.
— Lou Kesten
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