Conclave, a captivating Vatican-set thriller about choosing a new pope, and The Red One, starring Dwayne Johnson as Santa’s bodyguard, are now available on a device near you. Some of the new TV, movies, music, and games.
“Beast Games,” “Juror #2,” and “The Secret Lives of Animals” are all available to stream this week. AP
movie
In “Conclave,” Ralph Fiennes trains for a marathon with a furrowed brow as a Vatican cardinal in charge of finding a new pope. Focus function provided
• What is happening inside the Vatican before the white smoke comes out of the Sistine Chapel? “Conclave” (available on Peacock), about the election of a new pope, is a gripping thriller that imagines what happens to a gathering of cardinals. The film, directed by Edward Berger and based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, stars Ralph Fiennes as the cardinal tasked with running the conclave. Nominated for six Golden Globes, “Conclave” is a strong Oscar contender and one of the rare coming-of-age dramas of recent times to be a success at the box office. In her review, AP film writer Lindsay Barr called the film “an absorbingly entertaining film that is a tense, smart thriller with a great ensemble cast.”
• It was easy to miss Clint Eastwood’s Juror No. 2 in theaters, but the 94-year-old’s latest film will be released on Maxx on Friday, Dec. 20. And “Juror No. 2” has been well-received by critics despite its small theatrical release. In the film, Nicholas Hoult plays a murder juror faced with a moral dilemma.
The movie “Red One,” starring Dwayne Johnson (left) and Chris Evans, is currently streaming on Prime Video. AP
• Every year, a slew of new Christmas movies emerge in hopes of establishing themselves as the new classic of Christmas movies. Among them, “Red One” (available on Prime Video) is notable for being the largest and most flamboyantly wrapped work to date. The $250 million film stars Dwayne Johnson as the bodyguard of the more militaristic Kris Kringle (J.K. – Team up with Evans). In his review, Jake Coyle wrote, “While Red One is in theaters, there’s plenty of time to ponder who on earth put a Marvel-ified Santa on their wishlist.”
• Don’t miss Mati Diop’s “Dahomey,” one of this year’s nonfiction highlights. Diop, the Senegalese-French director of Atlantics, chronicles the return of 26 works of art confiscated by French forces in the 1890s from an African kingdom (now southern Benin). In the film, currently streaming on Mubi, Diop casts a wide and impressive net in chronicling the voyage home, discussing a wide range of views on the ethics and meaning of reparations, including the voices of the Dahomey Treasure himself. Masu.
— AP Film Critic Jake Coyle
music
・It was the week before Christmas, and there wasn’t a living thing moving around in the house, not even a mouse. That means it will be available to stream on Peacock the next day until Monday, Dec. 16, when “Christmas at the Opry in Little Big Town” airs on NBC. What could mean “fun vacation” more than country music’s modern greats bringing their charm from the famous Nashville stage to your family’s living room? Probably a great group of guests, including Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Sheryl Crow, Kirk Franklin, Josh Groban, Kate Hudson, and Orville Peck.
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
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• A new documentary on Apple TV+ reveals the habits and behaviors of wild animals. The filmmakers spent three years tracking 77 endemic species in 24 countries, filming everything from the courtship dance of jumping spiders to the way Trinidad killifish breathe with their tails as they emerge from the water. . “The Secret Lives of Animals,” narrated by Hugh Bonneville, premieres Wednesday, Dec. 18.
• Stephanie Hsu stars as Ruby, a woman whose former lovers keep dying suddenly in mysterious and outrageous ways in Peacock’s new dark comedy. Ruby and her best friend AJ (Zosia Mamet, a wry observer) dig into the past to understand what’s going on and save lives. This process leads Ruby to learn some harsh truths about herself. “Laid” is based on the Australian series. There are also plenty of fun guest stars, including Phineas O’Connell, Chloe Fineman, and Josh Segarra. “The Raid” will premiere on Peacock on Thursday, Dec. 19.
• Internet star MrBeast (real name: Jimmy Donaldson) has more subscribers to his YouTube channel than anyone else and currently hosts his own reality competition show called “Beast Games” on Prime Video. Contestants don jerseys and compete in wild games for a chance to win $5 million. It’s like a “squid game” where no one dies. “Beast Game” premieres Thursday on Prime Video.
— Alicia Rancilio
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• Season 2 of “The Squid Game” will be available on Netflix the day after Christmas, but if you and your family are already looking for a fight to the death, you can get an early start. The streamer is inviting subscribers to download Squid Game: Unleashed, an online battle royale for up to 32 players. This includes familiar Season 1 competitions like “Glass Bridge” and “Red Light Green Light,” as well as dangerous new devices like buzzsaws, wrecking balls, and lava pits. The last one to survive… well, they won’t make any money, but at least they won’t be crushed. The contest begins on Tuesday, December 17th on iOS and Android.
— Lou Kesten
