WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK
NEW ON DVD
“Tenet”: John David Washington plays a spy who aims to travel back in time to avert a global disaster in this film by director Christopher Nolan that was deemed confusing by critics.
“Alone”: A woman flees a killer in the woods.
“The Beach House”: A mysterious infection(!) stalks a young couple.
“The Dark and Wicked”: Spooky happenings plague brother and sister on family farm.
“The Opening Act”: Stand-up comedian struggles to get into the business.
“The Call”: Man plots revenge against the people he blames for his wife’s death.
NEW MUSIC FRIDAY
Paul McCartney, “McCartney III”: “McCartney returns to the pastoral sound of his early solo work for a laid-back gem,” Rolling Stone says of the latest album by the 78-year-old former Beatle. The followup to the 1980 “McCartney II,” it’s a stripped back, self-produced solo work that features McCartney on vocals and guitar or piano, overdubbing bass playing and drums.
WHAT’S ON TV
“How to Ruin Christmas” (Just out, Netflix): Prodigal daughter Tumi goes home for the holidays and manages to ruin her sister’s wedding plans. Now she must make things right before it’s too late.
“Dogs of the Year” (8 p.m. Thursday, WPCW): Returning for another edition, this annual fan-favorite special counts down the Top 10 dog stories of 2020, celebrating the canines who have left a mark on human society with their extraordinary and selfless behavior.
“Thursday Night Football” (8 p.m. Thursday, WPGH): The Las Vegas Raiders take on the Los Angeles Chargers.
“Shrek the Halls” (8:30 p.m. Friday, WTAE): Shrek (voice of Mike Myers) isn’t a Christmas kind of guy, but Princess Fiona (voice of Cameron Diaz) loves the holiday, so he goes along — with a little help from Donkey (voice of Eddie Murphy) and the rest of the fairy-tale gang.
“Another Round” (Friday, Premium Video on Demand): Is life better with a constant 0.5 blood alcohol content? Four friends, all high school teachers, set out to test the theory, with predictable results, in this Danish-Swedish dramedy.
“Greenland” (Friday, Premium Video on Demand): Disaster film stars Gerard Butler as a man trying to save his family as a planet-killing comet comes crashing toward Earth.
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Friday, Netflix): Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman (in his final film appearance) star in this adaptation of the August Wilson play set in 1927 at a Chicago recording session (but filmed in Pittsburgh) where the musicians await Ma Rainey, the legendary “Mother of the Blues.”
“Global Citizen Prize” (8 p.m. Saturday, WPXI): For the second year, John Legend returns to host this one-hour special that honors leaders who are shaping the world in positive ways, including taking action to end extreme poverty.
“Wendy” (8 p.m. Friday, HBO): Director Benh Zeitlin (“Beasts of the Southern Wild”) transplants the “Peter Pan” story to the rural Deep South in this 2020 fantasy drama, which he also co-wrote with his sister, Eliza. Devin France stars as 9-year-old Wendy Darling, whose mother, diner waitress Angela (Shay Walker), gave up her childhood dreams to raise a family.
“Saturday Night Live” (11:29 p.m. Saturday, WPXI): Kristen Wiig, who was a series mainstay on this late-night comedy show from 200912, returns for her fourth time in the hosting spotlight. Dua Lipa as the musical guest.
“The Sound of Music” (7 p.m. Sunday, WTAE): Julie Andrews’ sweet voice fills the hills in this Academy Award-winning 1965 musical based on the true story of Austria’s Von Trapp family.
“Garth & Trisha Live! A Holiday Concert Event” (8:30 p.m. Sunday, KDKA): Following up on the ratings success of their CBS concert special last April, married country music superstars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood help their fans get into the Christmas spirit with this new one-hour concert.
“The 22nd Annual A Home for the Holidays” (9:30 p.m. Sunday, KDKA): Gayle King hosts this year’s edition of the heartwarming holiday special that features uplifting stories of adoption from foster care, in the process raising awareness of this important social issue. The personal stories are enhanced by performances by such guest artists as Josh Groban, Miranda Lambert, Meghan Trainor, Tony Award winner Leslie Odom Jr. (“Hamilton”) and Andrea Bocelli, among others.