The return of Netflix’s “Sex Education” starring Gillian Anderson, Sean Penn’s documentary on Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a documentary series that charts the rise of early models are some of the new TV shows, movies, music and games available on a device near you.
Among the worthwhile offerings, selected by Associated Press entertainment reporters, are a Doja Cat album and a reboot of Robert Rodriguez’s “Spy Kids” franchise with a film starring Gina Rodriguez and Zachary Levi .
NEW MOVIES TO SHOW
— In Mexican lucha libra wrestling, exóticos are traditionally male fighters dressed in drag who provide a campy contrast to the machismo of main event matches. “Cassandro,” premiering Friday, September 22 on Amazon Prime Video, stars Gael Garcia Bernal as an exotic pioneer named Saúl Armendáriz who becomes one of the biggest stars in Mexican wrestling. In my review of the film, directed by Roger Ross Williams, I wrote that Armendáriz’s transformation of the exótico into something more than what was prescribed by lucha tradition served as a moving metaphor for gay empowerment.
— Robert Rodriguez’s “Spy Kids” films are still relevant, more than two decades after the director — along with his children — first released this admirably zany and charmingly childish spy fantasy. The family film franchise, started with the 2001 original, had run out of steam by the time the fourth installment, “Spy Kids: All the Time in the World,” was released in 2011. But Rodriguez and his clan are returning for a reboot in Netflix’s “Spy Kids: All the Time in the World.” Spy Kids: Armageddon,” which premieres Friday, September 22. The film, written by Rodriguez and his 26-year-old son, Racer, stars Gina Rodriguez and Zachary Levi.
— AP Staff Writer Jake Coyle
NEW MUSIC TO BE BROADCAST
— The days of the viral retro hit “Say So” are long gone — but who would expect pop experimentalist Doja Cat to stay on the same path? (Anyone who remembers the viral “Moo! (B—- I’m a Cow)” video that made her an Internet star will know better.) On “Scarlet,” Doja Cat bids farewell to herself and in the hardest rap. verses from his career, demands the attention of listeners. Like on lead single “Attention,” a critique of the normalization of parasocial relationships, or “Demons,” where she spits: “Are you unhinged/I would never let you into my VIP/We are enemies, we are enemies/Who are you? And what is it? while embodying his inner – and outer – incubus.
—And now, let’s look away from pop’s present and towards its future! Chappell Roan, the Missouri-raised, Los Angeles-based dark pop balladeer, first made headlines for his theatrical queer pop hit “Pink Pony Club,” and later, for the situation anthem Gen- Z, “Casual”, on which she worked with Olivia Rodrigo. chief collaborator and producer, Dan Nigro. “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” is Roan’s debut solo album, an enterprising collection of ballads and explicit bangers. Next year, Roan will open for Rodrigo on the “GUTS” singer’s first-ever arena tour. Big things are on the horizon.
— Maria Sherman, AP music editor
NEW SERIES TO BE BROADCAST
— Oscar winner Sean Penn co-directed a documentary about Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. Penn says he started the project – called “Superpower” – in 2021, with a light-hearted approach to the life of Zelenskyy, who was a comedian and actor before entering politics. The tone and focus of the film changed when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. “Superpower,” which features interviews with Zelensky and families affected by the war, debuts Monday on Paramount+.
— Before Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Winnie Harlow walked a runway, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington defined the word glamor and became household names. A new four-part documentary series titled “The Super Models” charts their rise to success. It debuts Wednesday on Apple TV+.
— The critically acclaimed series “Sex Education,” one of Netflix’s most popular shows, returns Thursday for its fourth and final season. The series stars Asa Butterfield as Otis, an awkward and precocious teenager whose mother (played by Gillian Anderson) is a sex therapist. (You can see how this unique situation affected Otis’ high school experience and his social status in previous episodes.) In season four, Otis is headed to college.
—Alicia Rancilio
NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
— The powerful Shaolin warrior Liu Kang has created his own universe, and he has decided that the best way to keep it peaceful is to invite his old friends to fight. It’s the typically crazy setup of Warner Bros.’ Mortal Kombat 1. Games (the follow-up to Mortal Kombat 11 – go figure). Granted, most fans of the franchise aren’t here for a plausible plot. They seek to reconnect with their favorite fighters (Sub-Zero! Kitana! Johnny Cage!) and try new ones (Homelander from “The Boys”! Peacemaker from “Suicide Squad”! Megan Fox as a vampire!). Or they’re eager to find new ways to rip out their opponent’s innards, something MK developer NetherRealm is always happy to offer. Members start flying Tuesday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
— The “P” in Neowiz’s Lies of P is Pinocchio – but he’s come a long way from the cute little guy you know from the Disney movie. He’s still a puppet, but he’s grown up and looks a bit like Timothée Chalamet. He can also unscrew his left arm and replace it with a shield, grappling hook, or flamethrower. This will come in handy as he explores a decadent Golden Age city filled with hostile, corrupted automatons as well as more supernatural monsters. It’s a striking blend of steampunk, supernatural horror, and the genre of demanding combat popularized by games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring. Don’t expect Jiminy Cricket to start singing when the nightmare begins Tuesday on PlayStation 5/4, Xbox X/S/One, and PC.
-Lou Kesten
___
Find AP’s entertainment coverage here: https://apnews.com/entertainment.
The return of Netflix’s “Sex Education” starring Gillian Anderson, Sean Penn’s documentary on Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a documentary series that charts the rise of early models are some of the new TV shows, movies, music and games available on a device near you.
Among the worthwhile offerings, selected by Associated Press entertainment reporters, are a Doja Cat album and a reboot of Robert Rodriguez’s “Spy Kids” franchise with a film starring Gina Rodriguez and Zachary Levi .
NEW MOVIES TO SHOW
— In Mexican lucha libra wrestling, exóticos are traditionally male fighters dressed in drag who provide a campy contrast to the machismo of main event matches. “Cassandro,” premiering Friday, September 22 on Amazon Prime Video, stars Gael Garcia Bernal as an exotic pioneer named Saúl Armendáriz who becomes one of the biggest stars in Mexican wrestling. In my review of the film, directed by Roger Ross Williams, I wrote that Armendáriz’s transformation of the exótico into something more than what was prescribed by lucha tradition served as a moving metaphor for gay empowerment.
— Robert Rodriguez’s “Spy Kids” films are still relevant, more than two decades after the director — along with his children — first released this admirably zany and charmingly childish spy fantasy. The family film franchise, started with the 2001 original, had run out of steam by the time the fourth installment, “Spy Kids: All the Time in the World,” was released in 2011. But Rodriguez and his clan are returning for a reboot in Netflix’s “Spy Kids: All the Time in the World.” Spy Kids: Armageddon,” which premieres Friday, September 22. The film, written by Rodriguez and his 26-year-old son, Racer, stars Gina Rodriguez and Zachary Levi.
— AP Staff Writer Jake Coyle
NEW MUSIC TO BE BROADCAST
— The days of the viral retro hit “Say So” are long gone — but who would expect pop experimentalist Doja Cat to stay on the same path? (Anyone who remembers the viral “Moo! (B—- I’m a Cow)” video that made her an Internet star will know better.) On “Scarlet,” Doja Cat bids farewell to herself and in the hardest rap. verses from his career, demands the attention of listeners. Like on lead single “Attention,” a critique of the normalization of parasocial relationships, or “Demons,” where she spits: “Are you unhinged/I would never let you into my VIP/We are enemies, we are enemies/Who are you? And what is it? while embodying his inner – and outer – incubus.
—And now, let’s look away from pop’s present and towards its future! Chappell Roan, the Missouri-raised, Los Angeles-based dark pop balladeer, first made headlines for his theatrical queer pop hit “Pink Pony Club,” and later, for the situation anthem Gen- Z, “Casual”, on which she worked with Olivia Rodrigo. chief collaborator and producer, Dan Nigro. “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” is Roan’s debut solo album, an enterprising collection of ballads and explicit bangers. Next year, Roan will open for Rodrigo on the “GUTS” singer’s first-ever arena tour. Big things are on the horizon.
— Maria Sherman, AP music editor
NEW SERIES TO BE BROADCAST
— Oscar winner Sean Penn co-directed a documentary about Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. Penn says he started the project – called “Superpower” – in 2021, with a light-hearted approach to the life of Zelenskyy, who was a comedian and actor before entering politics. The tone and focus of the film changed when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. “Superpower,” which features interviews with Zelensky and families affected by the war, debuts Monday on Paramount+.
— Before Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Winnie Harlow walked a runway, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington defined the word glamor and became household names. A new four-part documentary series titled “The Super Models” charts their rise to success. It debuts Wednesday on Apple TV+.
— The critically acclaimed series “Sex Education,” one of Netflix’s most popular shows, returns Thursday for its fourth and final season. The series stars Asa Butterfield as Otis, an awkward and precocious teenager whose mother (played by Gillian Anderson) is a sex therapist. (You can see how this unique situation affected Otis’ high school experience and his social status in previous episodes.) In season four, Otis is headed to college.
—Alicia Rancilio
NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
— The powerful Shaolin warrior Liu Kang has created his own universe, and he has decided that the best way to keep it peaceful is to invite his old friends to fight. It’s the typically crazy setup of Warner Bros.’ Mortal Kombat 1. Games (the follow-up to Mortal Kombat 11 – go figure). Granted, most fans of the franchise aren’t here for a plausible plot. They seek to reconnect with their favorite fighters (Sub-Zero! Kitana! Johnny Cage!) and try new ones (Homelander from “The Boys”! Peacemaker from “Suicide Squad”! Megan Fox as a vampire!). Or they’re eager to find new ways to rip out their opponent’s innards, something MK developer NetherRealm is always happy to offer. Members start flying Tuesday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
— The “P” in Neowiz’s Lies of P is Pinocchio – but he’s come a long way from the cute little guy you know from the Disney movie. He’s still a puppet, but he’s grown up and looks a bit like Timothée Chalamet. He can also unscrew his left arm and replace it with a shield, grappling hook, or flamethrower. This will come in handy as he explores a decadent Golden Age city filled with hostile, corrupted automatons as well as more supernatural monsters. It’s a striking blend of steampunk, supernatural horror, and the genre of demanding combat popularized by games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring. Don’t expect Jiminy Cricket to start singing when the nightmare begins Tuesday on PlayStation 5/4, Xbox X/S/One, and PC.
-Lou Kesten
___
Find AP’s entertainment coverage here: https://apnews.com/entertainment.
