SCREENING ROOM
Your handy guide to a host of fun viewing options airing and streaming on Labor Day
BARBECUES and far-flung vacations might be iffy this Labor Day — but, luckily, TV can still take you on a journey from the comfort of your couch.
From old favorites to new releases and specials, here’s what to watch on the small screen on The Big Day.
“Mulan” (Disney+)
The latest in Disney’s live-action adaptations of its classic cartoon films, this version of “Mulan” hews closer to the original Chinese folklore and cuts the animated version’s music numbers such as “I’ll Make a Man out of You.” The result is a gritty war epic following a young girl (Liu Yifei) who disguises herself as a man to fight for her country in place of her ill father. It has a premium fee of $29.99 if you want to watch it now, or you can wait until December and watch it at no extra cost to your regular Disney+ subscription.
“I’m Thinking of Ending Things” (Netflix)
Written, directed, and produced by auteur Charlie Kaufman (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) and based on a novel of the same name, this new psychological horror film follows an unnamed woman (Jessie Buckley) who considers breaking up with her boyfriend Jake (Jesse Plemons) amidst the backdrop of increasingly surreal events.
“Madagascar: A little Wild: Part 1” (Hulu)
The latest entry in the animated “Madagascar” franchise follows animal pals Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo when they were kids in the Central Park Zoo
“Employee of the Month” (Amazon)
If you’re looking for your entertainment to be laborday themed, this 2006 comedy follows Zack Bradley (Dane Cook), who’s on a quest to become the employee of the month at the retail store in which he works.
“A&E Special: Biography: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne” A&E, 9 p.m.
All aboard the “crazy train.” This two hour special looks at the life and antics of rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, covering his childhood in poverty, his time in Black Sabbath, his solo career, and his entry into fatherhood.
“Devil’s Road: The True Story of Edand Lorraine Warren” (Travel Channel, 9 p.m.)
This two-hour special follows the couple who inspired the “Conjuring” horror films. For over 50 years (mostly in the 1970s and ’80s), the duo were paranormal investigators examining hauntings such as the real “Amityville Horror” house. Their daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Tony Spera, appear in this special.
“The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons
Ever!”(ABC, 8 p.m.)
The season finale of
“The Bachelor” recap series looks at Juan Pablo Galavis’ stint in Season 18, which aired in 2013, to gear up for “The Bachelorette,” premiering Oct 13. Starring Clare Crawley, who was in Galavis’ season.
“Pool Boy Nightmare” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.)
If you’re in the mood for a tawdry, cheesy flick, this one’s just in time to ring in the end of summer. The suspense thriller follows Gale (Jessica Morris), a divorced woman who gets involved with her pool boy Adam (Tanner Zagarino) — only to have events spiral out of control whenGale tries to end it and Adam becomes obsessed. Of course he does.
“Back to the Future” (Netflix)
All three “Back to the Future” movies are currently on Netflix, so why not make it a marathon? Follow
Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) on his travels through time thanks to his eccentric friend Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd).
“Miss Congeniality” (HBO Max)
This Sandra Bullock classic fits a labor day theme if you squint, since it follows FBI Special Agent Gracie Hart (Bullock) on an undercover mission at a beauty contest as she goes above and beyond in the course of doing her job.