SCREEN TIME
‘DUNE,’ FINAL SEASON OF ‘INSECURE’ AND ‘INVASION’ FROM APPLE TV+
Here’s a collection of the best of what’s arriving on TV and streaming services this week.
‘Dune’
Denis Villeneuve’s somberly majestic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 cult sci-fi novel “Dune,” with its grand-scale architecture and thundering sonic blasts, would certainly be best experienced on the big screen. But “Dune” will be streaming simultaneously on HBO Max beginning Friday,
Oct. 22 giving audiences a choice in how and where to see one of the year’s most anticipated spectacles. “Dune” stars Timothée Chalamet as the heir to the House Atreides, which has taken over the mining of a precious resource on the desert planet of Arrakis. Little goes according to plan on Arrakis, where locals rebel against the industrial occupiers and other challenges mount. The starry cast includes Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Zendaya and Javier Bardem. But the greatest appeal of “Dune” may be its sweeping sands and grand sci-fi cinematography.
‘Insecure’
Issa Rae’s groundbreaking comedy “Insecure” begins its fifth and final season Sunday, Oct. 24, on HBO (10 p.m.). Based in part on her life and on her web series “The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl,” the series follows Rae’s fictional counterpart, Issa Dee, and best friend Molly (Yvonne Orji) through the highs and lows of love and career. Rae’s own star has soared, with movies (“The Photograph,” “The Lovebirds”), a record label and more to come. In an 2017 interview, Rae said it was rewarding that “Insecure” had proven wrong the naysayers who claimed its authentic stories about characters of color wouldn’t find an audience.
Jan. 6 riot documentary
In “Four Hours at the Capitol,” filmmaker Jamie Roberts goes minute-by-minute through the Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump seeking to overturn the election results. The 92-minute film, debuting Wednesday on HBO and HBO Max, includes first-hand accounts of the day from lawmakers, police officers, protesters and rioters. More than 630 people have been charged in the insurrection.
‘Invasion’
“Invasion” has the potential
to be a lesson in geography and a travelogue with aliens. As extraterrestrials attempt a global land-grab, the 10-part Apple TV+ drama tracks the fallout for individuals across continents. Among those whose stories are told: A rural American sheriff (Sam Neill), a U.S soldier (Shamier Anderson) stationed in the Middle East, and a Japanese aerospace technician (Shioli Kutsuna). The creators include Simon Kinberg (“X-Men” and “Deadpool” films) and David Weil (“Hunters”). Three episodes will be released Friday, Oct. 22, with new episodes out weekly.
Lynn Elber and Jake Coyle contributed to this story.