Contributed
Looking for something to watch this weekend? Here are some of the newest movies and tv shows streaming this week.
MOVIES
EMANCIPATION (Streaming December 9 on Apple TV+)
Synopsis: “Emancipation” tells the triumphant story of Peter (Will Smith), a man who escapes from slavery, relying on his wits, unwavering faith and deep love for his family to evade cold-blooded hunters and the unforgiving swamps of Louisiana on his quest for freedom. The film is inspired by the 1863 photos of “Whipped Peter,” taken during a Union Army medical examination, that first appeared in Harper’s Weekly. One image, known as “The Scourged Back,” which shows Peter’s bare back mutilated by a whipping delivered by his enslavers, ultimately contributed to growing public opposition to slavery.
GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO (Streaming December 9 on Netflix)
Synopsis: A retelling of the famous fairytale by Italian writer Carlo Collodi about a wooden puppet, who comes to life and dreams of becoming a real boy, that takes place in 1930s Fascist Italy, Pinocchio is “a story of love and disobedience as Pinocchio struggles to live up to his father’s expectations, learning the true meaning of life.”
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: KAHMUNRAH RISES AGAIN (Streaming December 9 on Disney+)
Synopsis: Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again” features the voices of Joshua Bassett, Jamie Demetriou, Alice Isaaz, Gillian Jacobs, Joseph Kamal, Thomas Lennon, Zachary Levi, Akmal Saleh, Kieran Sequoia, Jack Whitehall, Bowen Yang, and Steve Zahn. The film is directed by Matt Danner, the writers are Ray DeLaurentis & Will Schifrin, the producer is Shawn Levy, and the executive producers are Emily Morris, Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe, and Michael Barnathan, with music by John Paesano. The Original Movie is about the mischief that takes place every night at the American Museum of Natural History when the sun goes down. Nick Daley’s summer gig as night watchman at the museum is a challenging job for a high school student, but he is following in his father’s footsteps and is determined not to let him down. Luckily, he is familiar with the museum’s ancient tablet that brings everything to life when the sun goes down and is happy to see his old friends, including Jedediah, Octavius, and Sacagawea, when he arrives. But when the maniacal ruler Kahmunrah escapes with plans to unlock the Egyptian underworld and free its Army of the Dead, it is up to Nick to stop the demented overlord and save the museum once and for all.
TV SERIES
DOOM PATROL (Season 4 Part 1 streaming December 8 on HBO Max)
Synopsis: Season 4 opens with the team unexpectedly traveling to the future to find an unwelcome surprise. While a crucial decision awaits the team, the Doom Patrol must decide what to prioritize — their own happiness or the fate of the world.
DRAGON AGE: ABSOLUTION (Streaming December 9 on Netflix)
Synopsis: With great power at stake, a group of mages, fighters, and thieves goes head to head against a sinister force possessing a dangerous artifact. This animated fantasy series is created by Mairghread Scott, writer of “Justice League Dark: Apokolips War”. Set in the world of BioWare’s award-winning video game franchise, and built in close collaboration with BioWare’s creative team – including head writers, and lead creative directors. Fear. Guilt. Pain. Can Miriam push aside her feelings to complete her mission – or will the trauma looming over her past finally catch up with her? Nothing is absolute. PS: if you’ve read this far, see you on Dragon Age Day. Or maybe sooner.
HIS DARK MATERIALS (Final season streaming December 5 on HBO Max)
Synopsis; Season 3 adapts the events of The Amber Spyglass, the third novel in author Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. Dafne Keen returns as Asriel’s daughter Lyra Belacqua, now the prophesied Eve child, who was last seen in the company of her nefarious mother, Mrs. Coulter (Ruth Wilson).
