STREAMING THIS WEEK
TV Media WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX “Bridgerton”
You’re cordially invited to tune in to the series premiere of “Bridgerton,” airing Friday, Dec. 25, on Netflix. A sort of “Gossip Girl” meets “Downton Abbey” experience, this new Netflix original series centers around the drama, deception, lies and licentiousness of Regency-period England as witnessed by the influential Bridgerton family. Starring Phoebe Dynevor (“Snatch”) as the fourth Bridgerton child (though, the first daughter), Daphne, and Regé-Jean Page (“For the People”) as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, the plot is largely driven by the mysterious gossip bulletin — voiced throughout by the incomparable Julie Andrews (“The Sound of Music,” 1965) — that is distributed around London and outlying areas. Based on the book series of the same name by historical romance novelist Julia Quinn, this binge-worthy, eight-episode series comes courtesy of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” producer Shonda Rhimes and the creative show-running talents of Chris Van Dusen (who also worked with Rhimes on both shows). Complete with beautifully decorated sets and period costumes, “Bridgerton” also stars Adjoa Andoh (“Invictus,” 2009), Jonathan Bailey (“Broadchurch”), Nicola Coughlan (“Derry Girls”), Luke Thompson (“Dunkirk,” 2017), Golda Rosheuvel (“Lady Macbeth,” 2016), Ruth Gemmell (“Penny Dreadful”) and Jason Barnett (“Waffle the Wonder Dog”).
“The Midnight Sky” (2020)
Explore other possibilities this week as Netflix unveils its newest science-fiction film, “The Midnight Sky,” on Wednesday, Dec. 23. When an undisclosed disaster rocks Earth to its core and the planet becomes uninhabitable for humans, Augustine Lofthouse (George Clooney, “Michael Clayton,” 2007) takes it upon himself to save the remaining people he knows are alive. Working as a scientist in a remote lab in the Arctic, Lofthouse mysteriously finds a young girl (new actress Caoilinn Sringall) and opts to care for her while doing everything he can to get in touch with the crew aboard NASA’s space vessel, Aether, and warn them not to return to Earth before it’s too late. Meanwhile, up in space, Earth has gone completely silent for the crew led by Sully (Felicity Jones, “The Theory of Everything,” 2014), and they begin to worry when they haven’t been able to touch base with their ground control for several days. Based on Lily Brooks-Dalton’s 2016 novel “Good Morning, Midnight,” this George Clooneydirected film also stars David Oyelowo (“Selma,” 2014), Kyle Chandler (“Friday Night Lights”) and Ethan Peck (“Star Trek: Discovery”).
WHAT’S NEW ON PRIME “Sylvie’s Love” (2020)
Find your true love no matter the obstacle this Christmas as “Sylvie’s Love” comes to Prime on Friday, Dec. 25. Set in Harlem in the 1950s, Sylvie (Tessa Thompson, “Westworld”) knows more about music and television than anyone she knows. Working in her father’s record store, Sylvie treats her love for film and TV as a pastime, using it to fill the void between the activities many view as “more practical.” But when she meets a budding professional saxophonist (Nnamdi Asomugha, “Crown Heights,” 2017) in her father’s shop one day, he calls all of her beliefs about love and passion into question. While Sylvie tries to ignore her passions and desires over the next few years of her life, there is something that just keeps on driving her throughout it all. Written and directed by former Sony Music recording artist Eugene Ashe (“Homecoming,” 2012), this stunning film also stars Eva Longoria (“Desperate Housewives”), Wendi McLendon-Covey (“The Goldbergs”), Regé-Jean Page (“Roots”), Jemima Kirke (“Girls”) and Aja Naomi King (“The Birth of a Nation,” 2016).
“Pawn Sacrifice” (2015)
Fans of “The Coldest Game” (2019) and the recent Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit” will not want to miss “Pawn Sacrifice” when it joins the Prime roster on Wednesday, Dec. 23. Retelling the true story of Grandmaster chess legend Bobby Fischer (portrayed in his adulthood by Tobey Maguire, “Brothers,” 2009), this thrilling biopic places the iconic strategy game in the center of politics and mental health. Born in Chicago in the 1940s, Fischer taught himself to play chess at a young age and rose through the ranks to become a global champion. Throughout much of his career, his driving goal was “to beat the Russians.” True to this desire, “Pawn Sacrifice” dramatizes the pivotal years and moments leading up to Fischer’s match with Boris Spassky (played by Liev Schreiber, “Spotlight,” 2015) at the 1972 World Chess Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland. Directed by “Shakespeare in Love” (1998) producer Edward Zwick, this film also stars Michael Stuhlbarg (“The Shape of Water,” 2017), Peter Sarsgaard (“Kinsey,” 2004), Lily Rabe (“American Horror Story”) and Aiden Lovekamp (“The Invitation,” 2015) and Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick (“The Omen,” 2006) as the childhood and teenage versions of Fischer, respectively.
WHAT’S NEW ON HULU “Letterkenny” Season 9
Pitter patter, folks — it looks like the boys (and girl!) are back at ‘er again. Season 9 of “Letterkenny” is premiering Saturday, Dec. 26, on Hulu. Hailing all the way from the small rural town of Letterkenny, Ontario, don’t let these lads fool you — they are more quick-witted and fast-talking than likely anyone you know. Starring series co-creator Jared Keeso (“19-2”) as Wayne and Nathan Dales (“Tower Prep”), Michelle Mylett (“El Camino Christmas,” 2017) and K. Trevor Wilson (“Mr. Viral,” 2012) as his best friends Daryl, Katy and Dan, respectively, this quirky series of half-hour episodes has become a cult classic since the release of its first episode in 2016. Loosely based on Keeso’s hometown of Listowel, Ontario, this Canadian sitcom chronicles the lives (and problems — as the show’s introduction points out) of the 5000 people living in little Letterkenny. From farmers and “skids” to hockey players and the local reserve’s Indigenous population, this show pokes fun at it all as Wayne tries to preserve his reputation as the toughest guy in town. With 54 episodes already under its belt, Season 9 is sure to bring a familiar type of fun “ferda” fans.
“NOS4A2” Season 2
Move over Buffy Summers, there’s a new monster hunter in town! Open your mind to new realms with Season 2 of “NOS4A2,” coming to Hulu on Monday, Dec. 21. When she discovers she has the power to unlock portals to other worlds, Victoria “Vic” McQueen (Ashleigh Cummings, “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries”) finds more than she bargains for on the other side. Meeting the sinister Charlie Manx (Zachary Quinto, “Heroes”), an immortal who feeds on the lifeblood of children and deposits their remains into a mysterious place he calls “Christmasland,” Vic vows to destroy Manx and his beloved Christmasland once and for all. Now, back for a second installment of the saga set eight years later, Vic must muster her courage once again to finish the job she started and save her own son, Wayne (Jason David, “General Hospital”), before he falls into the clutches of the soul-sucking villain forever. Based on Joe Hill’s (son of famed horror author Steven King) third novel, “NOS4A2” pulls its name and inspiration from the legend of the vampiric creature Nosferatu and the groundbreaking 1922 horror film of the same name. This series also stars Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” 2018), Jahkara Smith (“Into the Dark”), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“Girls”) and Virginia Kull (“The Looming Tower”).
WHAT’S NEW ON DISNEY+ “Soul” (2020)
Get a new lease on life with Disney and Pixar’s long-awaited animated feature, “Soul,” coming to Disney+ this Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25. Music was his whole life … until it wasn’t. When Joe (Jamie Foxx, “Ray,” 2004), deep in his thoughts and not paying attention, is killed by falling into an open sewer access in a New York City construction zone, he is transported to the Great Beyond. Struggling to make sense of what just happened to him, Joe missteps and ends up in a world known as the Great Before — the place new souls get their interests, mannerisms and traits before being born on Earth. Teaming up with a new soul known only by the number 22 (Tina Fey, “Saturday Night Live”) — all souls are nameless before birth — Joe works to find his way back to his old life, hoping to get one more chance to live it well without taking anything for granted. Also featuring the voices of Irish TV personality Graham Norton (“Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” 2020), Brazilian actress Alice Braga (“Queen of the South”), “The Cosby Show” alumna Phylicia Rashad, Angela Bassett (“Black Panther,” 2018) and musical superstars Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton,” 2020) and Ahmir-Khalib Thompson aka Quest Love (“Someone Great,” 2019), “Soul” is a must-see for the whole family.
“Burrow”
Great things come in short packages as the new Disney/Pixar animated short “Burrow” comes to Disney+ on Friday, Dec. 25. Set for release on Christmas Day, “Burrow” was originally meant to be an in-cinema companion piece to the new film “Soul.” Given the pandemic-related film release’s move to Disney’s popular streaming platform, the short has moved right along with it. Chronicling the story of a stubborn young rabbit that is determined to dig the home of her dreams — and accidentally digs into many of her neighbors’ homes in the process — we soon learn that she would rather keep burrowing into the ground (literally) than face her imperfections and ask for help. When she hits the bedrock, however, and cannot go any further, the young rabbit learns that there isn’t any shame in asking for the help she so desperately needs. Directed by “We Bare Bears” writer Madeline Sharafian, be sure to catch “Burrow” before checking out “Soul” with your family on Disney+.
“Max Keeble’s Big Move” (2001)
Take improvement to the max with “Max Keeble’s Big Move,” coming to Disney+ on Friday, Dec. 25. This Christmas, pull up some couch with the family and catch Max Keeble (Alex D. Linz, “Red Dragon,” 2002) as he doles out justice and aims for a better future in this family-friendly comedy from the early 2000s. When, sick and tired of his life as a bullied seventh grader, Max learns he is moving to Chicago, and he resolves to use his last day of school before leaving to reset the scales for the students like him. While originally upset at the idea of leaving his friends behind, Max begins to feel emboldened by the lack of consequences that would usually befall him if he were to continue living in his small town. After exacting revenge on all manner of bullies, from the mean kids in his class to the school principal (Larry Miller, “10 Things I Hate About You,” 1999) and the ice cream truck guy (Jamie Kennedy, “Romeo + Juliet,” 1996), Max takes on all the blame for his actions, knowing he’ll never face the proverbial music — until he learns that his dad has turned down the promotion so that Max can stay with his friends and classmates. Now it’s up to the kids he was helping to stand with him and fight for a better future together. This film, directed by Tim Hill (“SpongeBob SquarePants”), also stars Josh Peck (“Drake & Josh”), Nora Dunn (“Pineapple Express,” 2008) and Robert Carradine (“Lizzie McGuire”).