Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” and Snow Patrol’s first new album in seven years are some of this week’s new streaming entertainment releases. Also streaming this week on a screen near you: Alex Garland’s “Civil War” starring Kirsten Dunst, Natasha Rothwell’s heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone.”
MOVIES TO STREAM
Alex Garland’s “Civil War” is finally making its debut on Max on Friday. The film stars Kirsten Dunst as a veteran photojournalist covering a violent war that’s divided America. She reluctantly allows an aspiring photographer, played by Cailee Spaeny, to tag along as she, an editor (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and a reporter (Wagner Moura) make the dangerous journey to Washington, D.C., to interview the president (Nick Offerman), a blustery, rising despot who has given himself a third term, taken to attacking his citizens and shut himself off from the press. In my review, I called it a bellowing and haunting experience. It was smart and thought-provoking, with great performances. It’s well worth a watch.
Joey King stars in Netflix’s adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s “Uglies,” which is about a future society where everyone must have beautifying cosmetic surgery at age 16. Streaming on Friday, McG directed the film in which King’s character inadvertently finds herself amid an uprising against the status quo. “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes plays King’s best friend.
Bill Skarsgård is out for revenge against the woman (Famke Janssen) who killed his family in “Boy Kills World,” coming to Hulu on Friday. Moritz Mohr directed the ultra-violent film, of which Variety critic Owen Gleiberman wrote: “It’s a depraved vision, yet I got caught up in its kick-ass revenge-horror pizzazz, its disreputable commitment to what it was doing.”
MUSIC TO STREAM
The year was 2006. Snow Patrol, the Northern Irish-Scottish alternative rock band, released an album, “Eyes Open,” producing the biggest hit of their career: “Chasing Cars.” A lot has happened since — three, soon to be four quality full-length albums, to be exact. On Friday, the band will release “The Forest Is the Path,” their first new album in seven years. Anthemic pop-rock is the name of the game across songs of love and loss, like “All,” “The Beginning” and “This Is the Sound Of Your Voice.”
For fans of raucous guitar music, Jordan Peele’s 2022 sci-fi thriller “Nope” provided a surprising, if tiny, thrill. One of the leads, Emerald “Em” Haywood, portrayed by Keke Palmer, rocks a Jesus Lizard shirt. (Also featured through the film: Rage Against the Machine, Wipers, Mr. Bungle, Butthole Surfers and Earth band shirts.) The Austin noise rock band is a less obvious pick, having been signed to the legendary Touch and Go Records and stopped releasing new albums in 1998. That changes on Friday when “Rack” arrives. And for those curious, The Jesus Lizard’s intensity never went away.
SHOWS TO STREAM
Hallmark launched a streaming service called Hallmark+ on Tuesday with two new original series, the scripted drama “The Chicken Sisters” and the unscripted series “Celebrations with Lacey Chabert.” If you’re a Hallmark holiday movies fan, you know Chabert. She’s starred in over 30 of their films, many holiday-themed films. Off camera, Chabert has a passion for throwing parties and entertaining. In “Celebrations,” deserving people are surprised with a bash in their honor — planned with Chabert’s help. “The Chicken Sisters” stars Schuyler Fisk, Wendie Malick and Lea Thompson in a show about employees at rival chicken restaurants in a small town. The eight-episode series is based on a novel of the same name.
Natasha Rothwell of “Insecure” and “The White Lotus” fame created and stars in a new heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone.” She plays Mel, a broke, go-along-to-get-along, single airport employee who, after a near-death experience, makes the conscious decision to take risks and pursue her dreams. Rothwell has worked on the series for the past eight years and described it to The AP as “the most vulnerable piece of art I’ve ever put into the world.” Like Mel, Rothwell had to learn to bet on herself to make the show she wanted to make. “There’s significant overlap in the Venn diagram of me and Mel,” said Rothwell. It premieres Friday on Hulu.
Shailene Woodley, DeWanda Wise and Betty Gilpin star in a new drama for Starz called “Three Women.” The series is about entrepreneur Sloane, homemaker Lina and student Maggie, who are each stepping into their power and making life-changing decisions. They’re interviewed by a writer named Gia (Woodley). The series is based on a 2019 best-selling book by Lisa Taddeo. “Three Women” premieres Friday on Starz.
Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts Sunday on Paramount+. Stallone plays Dwight Manfredi, a mafia boss recently released from prison after serving 25 years. He’s sent to Tulsa to set up a new crime syndicate. The series is created by Taylor Sheridan of “Yellowstone” fame.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
One thing about Focus Entertainment’s Warhammer 40,000 title, Space Marine 2 — you know exactly what you’re in for. You are Demetrian Titus, a genetically enhanced brute sent into battle against the Tyranids, an insectoid species with an insatiable craving for human flesh. You have a rocket-powered suit of armor and an arsenal of ridiculous weapons like the “Chainsword,” the “Thunderhammer,” and the “Melta Rifle,” so what could go wrong? Besides the squishy single-player mode, there are cooperative missions and six-vs.-six free-for-alls. You can suit up and play on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC.
Likewise, Wild Bastards isn’t exactly the kind of title that will attract fans of Animal Crossing. It’s another sci-fi shooter, but the protagonists are a gang of 13 creatures — aliens and androids included — on the run from the law. This Wild-West-in-space spinoff has the same snarky humor and vibrant, neon-drenched cartoon look. Saddle up Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch or PC.