This week brings a treasure trove of entertainment options to your screens and speakers, with major releases spanning films, television, music, and video games. From Hollywood A-listers grappling with midlife crises to long-awaited sequels in the gaming world, there's something for everyone to discover.
Must-Watch Films and Series
George Clooney takes on a compelling role in Noah Baumbach's new comic drama, "Jay Kelly," which arrives on Netflix on Friday, December 5. Clooney plays a charismatic movie star confronting nagging midlife regrets as his youngest daughter, portrayed by Grace Edwards, prepares for college. A European trip spirals into a profound journey of self-examination. The film, described by AP's Mark Kennedy as a "love letter to Hollywood," also features Adam Sandler as Jay's long-suffering manager and Laura Dern as his publicist.
Fans of high-octane action can rejoice as the latest "Mission: Impossible" film, "The Final Reckoning," begins streaming on Paramount+ on Thursday. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie and starring Tom Cruise, this installment concludes the story arc that began with 2023's "Dead Reckoning Part One." AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr noted that the series is often at its best when it doesn't take itself too seriously.
For those in the mood for a Western, Netflix debuts "The Abandons" on Thursday. This new American Western series, created by Kurt Sutter of "Sons of Anarchy" fame, places women at the forefront of its narrative. Set in the 1850s, it stars Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey as two widowed matriarchs locked in a fierce battle over land.
Fresh Music and Festive Films
The Zac Brown Band is back with a reflective new album titled "Love & Fear," releasing on Friday, December 5. The album explores life's highs and lows through a variety of tracks, including the Jimmy Buffett-esque "I Ain't Worried About It," the Snoop Dogg collaboration "Let It Run," a sweet ballad with Dolly Parton called "Butterfly," and the anthemic "Give It Away." A standout track, "Hard Run" featuring Marcus King, builds from a quiet twang to fiery guitar work. The band is celebrating the release with a series of performances at the Sphere in Las Vegas throughout December and January.
In other music news, alternative rock legend Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are releasing "Live God," an album featuring live versions of songs from their last album, "Wild God," as well as classic favorites like "From Her to Eternity" and "Into My Arms." Additionally, The Royal Danish Library has put its extensive Nick Cave exhibition online, allowing fans to explore 300 objects from his career.
The holiday season kicks off with the Christmas movie "Oh. What. Fun.," streaming on Prime Video from Wednesday. Michelle Pfeiffer stars as a matriarch who, after years of managing festivities for an ungrateful family, mysteriously disappears. The film, directed by Michael Showalter, also features Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, and Dominic Sessa.
Gaming and More Series Updates
Gamers have a major release to look forward to as Nintendo finally launches Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on Thursday, December 4, for the Switch and Switch 2. Players once again step into the powered suit of bounty hunter Samus Aran, who has landed on a hostile jungle planet. This long-awaited sequel equips Samus with new psychic abilities and a wicked motorcycle, promising to test whether it can live up to its beloved predecessors.
On the television front, Starz has a new series, "Spartacus: House of Ashur," premiering on Friday, December 5. Nick E. Tarabay reprises his role as Ashur, exploring an alternate timeline where his character survived the events of "Spartacus: Vengeance." The series also features a powerful female character, a gladiator played by Tenika Davis.
