‘Napoleon’
Ridley Scott’s bio-drama on the French leader is finally making its debut today on Apple TV+. The historical epic starring Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon Bonaparte and Vanessa Kirby as his wife, Joséphine, divided critics upon its release, for its unexpected tone and humor. As AP Film Writer Jake Coyle wrote in his review: “Don’t mistake ‘Napoleon’ for your average historical epic … Here is a sweeping historical tapestry with a damning, almost satirical portrait at its center. That mix — Scott’s spectacle and Phoenix’s the-emperor-has-no-clothes performance — makes ‘Napoleon’ a rivetingly off-kilter experience.” Apple TV+
A scene from the Netflix movie “Spaceman” starring Adam Sandler.
(Netflix)
“Spaceman”: Adam Sandler is Jakob Procházka, an astronaut on a solo mission to the edge of the solar system in the sci-fi drama “Spaceman,” debuting today on Netflix. Isabella Rossellini is his commanding officer, while Carey Mulligan plays the wife he left behind on earth. And Paul Dano voices an extraterrestrial spider named Hanuš. From director Johan Renck (who helmed all five episodes of HBO’s chilling “Chernobyl” series), the film is based on a 2017 novel “Spaceman of Bohemia.” Netflix
Razzies festival: Beginning today, the Criterion Channel will launch a new film series dedicated to Razzie Award recipients, including “Heaven’s Gate,” “Ishtar,” “Cocktail,” “Showgirls,” and “Gigli,” some of which have turned into beloved classics, and some of which haven’t. But it’s up to the viewer to decide if, in the case of Elaine May’s “Ishtar,” they’re still with Roger Ebert, who called it “a truly dreadful film, a lifeless, massive, lumbering exercise in failed comedy” or if they’re on the side of fans like Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino. Criterion
A scene from the FX series “Shogun.”
(Associated Press)
“Shogun”: FX’s newest series is the Japanese historical drama “Shogun” based on a novel published in 1975 by James Clavell. Some may also remember a 1980 miniseries, also based on the book, that starred Richard Chamberlain and was a huge hit at the time. This 10-episode version is described as a more faithful adaptation to the scope of the novel, as Clavell’s daughter, Michaela, is an executive producer. The epic tale is set hundreds of years ago in Japan under the rule of military dictators known as Shogun. The first two episodes of “Shogun” premiere Tuesday. FX and Hulu
“Iwájú”: A new Disney+ animated series called “Iwájú” is a coming-of-age story set in the future in Lagos, Nigeria. Presented in a comic book-style, the story follows Tola and Kole, two best friends with a strong bond despite coming from different class systems. Their friendship is tested by a tech guru who uses his expertise to distract from a secret criminal underworld. All six episodes began streaming Wednesday. Disney+
Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni on “The Good Wife.” She now has her own series, “Esbeth.”
(CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images)
“Elsbeth”: There were many great recurring characters on “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight,” but one of the best was Carrie Preston’s Elsbeth Tascioni as a scatter-brained, sweet, whip-smart lawyer who was often underestimated. In the new drama “Elsbeth,” which premiered Thursday on CBS, Tascioni is the star of her own story, starting over in New York with a new job working as an investigator for the NYPD. CBS
“The Tourist”: Jamie Dornan is back as “The Tourist” and you can find him on Netflix. The series originally aired on BBC where it drew strong ratings, and season one streamed on Max. Now, Netflix has acquired both of the show’s two seasons. Season one is already streaming and season two became available Thursday. The series begins with Dornan known as The Man after a car crash in the Australian outback wiped his memory. He has no idea who he is or why he’s there, and any clues point to a dark past. Season two takes Dornan’s Man and his girlfriend to Ireland as the mystery continues. Netflix
— The Associated Press