Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
A new ‘Dawn’: ‘Chicken Run’ sequel premieres on Netflix
WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget” (2023)
Get ready to shake your tail feathers when “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,” the sequel to the beloved and highest-grossing stop-motion animated film of all time, “Chicken Run” (2000), premieres Friday, Dec. 15. on Netflix. The film follows Ginger (Thandiwe Newton, “Westworld”), who, after pulling off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm, has found her dream on a peaceful island sanctuary, far from the dangers of the human world, with enough room for the whole flock. She’s also hatched a little girl, Molly (Bella Ramsay, “The Last of Us”), with Rocky (Zachary Levi, “Chuck”), making her happy-ever-after finally seem complete. But, when news of a great and terrible threat to chicken-kind back on the mainland reaches them, Ginger and her team put their own newfound freedom at risk to break in and save the day. From Aardman Animations and director Sam Fell (“ParaNorman,” 2012), “Dawn of the Nugget” features a screenplay by Rachel Tunnard (“Adult Life Skills,” 2016) and the original “Chicken Run’s” Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. The film’s voice cast also includes Imelda Staunton (“The Crown”), Lynn Ferguson (“No Angels”), David Bradley (“Hot Fuzz,” 2007), Jane Horrocks (“Little Princess”), Romesh Ranganathan (“The Ranganation”), Daniel Mays (“Code 404”), Josie Sedgewick (“The Hound & the Rabbit,” 2015), Peter Serafinowicz (“The Tick”), Nick Mohammed (“Ted Lasso”) and Miranda Richardson (“Good Omens”).
WHAT’S NEW ON HULU “Science Fair: The Series” - Season 1
Inspired by the award-winning documentary “Science Fair,” by Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster and directed by the pair once again, the new National Geographic docuseries “Science Fair: The Series,” premieres Monday, Dec. 11, on Hulu. As industrious young students set out to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues, they strive to take their work all the way to the top, competing for a coveted spot at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the most competitive science fair on the planet. Following along with the bright young minds competing at the fair “in their relentless pursuit of excellence as they tackle contemporary topics in various areas of science — teen suicide prevention, wound care monitoring systems, high-efficiency alternatives to induction motors and more” (per Hulu), the series also takes a deeper look at their families and teachers as they support them along the way.
“Dragons: The Nine Realms” Season 8
The riders are back and ready to take to the skies once more when Season 8 of “Dragons: The Nine Realms” streams Thursday, Dec. 14, on Hulu. Set 1,300 years after the events of DreamWorks’ hit family film “How to Train Your Dragon” (2010), this computer-animated spinoff series takes place in the modern world, where dragons are nothing more than a myth. But when a geological anomaly opens up a fissure in the earth and draws in scientists from around the world in the series’ first season, a group of misfit kids brought to the site by their parents uncover the secret of dragons and learn where they’ve simply been in hiding all these years. With the dragons rediscovered, it’s up to the newest generation of Dragon Riders to keep their secrets safe as they explore, discover new realms and bond with the massive creatures. This season, Tom (Jeremy Shada, “Adventure Time”) and the Dragon Riders must protect the realms now that the dangerous World Serpent Jörmungandr is on the loose. But Sledkin (Carrie Keranen, “Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir”) throws a wrench into their plans when she steals Plowhorn from the riders, hoping to further her search for the Gods Realm and the Dragonsite gem. Faced with what feels like an impossible challenge, the Riders must build an army of dragons to fend off Jörmungandr and save the Hidden World. From creator Henry Gilroy (“Star Wars: Rebels”), “The Nine Realms” also voice stars Ashley Liao (“Fuller House”), Aimee Garcia (“Dexter”), Marcus Scribner (“Black-ish”), Vincent Tong (“Ninjago”), Julia Stiles (“The Lake”) and Keston John (“In the Dark”).
WHAT’S NEW ON APPLE TV+ “The Family Plan” (2023)
The whole family gets in on the action in the new adventure comedy “The Family Plan,” premiering Friday, Dec. 15, on Apple TV+. Once an elite government assassin tasked with eliminating the world’s deadliest threats, Dan Morgan (Mark Wahlberg, “The Departed,” 2006) has settled into life on the outside and now loves his quiet suburban setup as a devoted husband, father of three and successful car salesman. But when enemies from his past track him down, Dan packs up his family — including his wife (Michelle Monaghan, “Gone Baby Gone,” 2007), angsty teen daughter (Zoe Colletti, “Fear the Walking Dead”), pro-gamer teen son (Van Crosby, “Splitting Up Together”) and adorable 10-month-old baby (Iliana Norris, “The Bold and the Beautiful”) — for an impromptu family road trip across the country. Determined to keep his family safe, Dan must put his rusty secret agent skills to the test — without anyone figuring out his true identity. Directed by Simon Cellan Jones (“Our Friends in the North”), “The Family Plan” is written by David Coggeshall (“Watch Over Me”). Maggie Q (“Designated Survivor”), Ciarán Hinds (“Belfast,” 2021), Felicia Pearson (“The Wire”), Jonny Coyne (“The Blacklist”) and Said Taghmaoui (“Wonder Woman,” 2017) also star.
WHAT’S NEW ON PARAMOUNT+ “Finestkind” (2023)
The fate of one family takes a complicated turn in the new crime drama “Finestkind,” premiering Friday, Dec. 15, on Paramount+. Set in New Bedford, Massachusetts, against the backdrop of commercial fishing, the story follows half-brothers Tom (Ben Foster, “Hell or High Water,” 2016) and Charlie (Toby Wallace, “Babyteeth,” 2019), who are adults by the time they reunite after being raised in two very different worlds. When desperate circumstances lead the brothers to take a deal with a violent Boston crime gang, circumstances quickly become dire for the brothers and a young woman (Jenna Ortega, “Wednesday”), who gets caught in the middle of it all. Directed and written by Brian Helgeland (“L.A. Confidential,” 1998), the film also stars Tommy Lee Jones (“No Country for Old Men,” 2007). The cast is rounded out by Ismael Cruz Cordova (“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”), Aaron Stanford (“Nikita”), Scotty Tovar (“Empire”), Tim Daly (“Wings”), Lolita Davidovich (“Law & Order: Organized Crime”) and Clayne Crawford (“Lethal Weapon”).