Country sensation HARDY’s new album and a new ‘Descendants’ movie are among the new television, movies, music and games coming to a device near you.
Also among the streaming offerings worth checking out, as selected by The Associated Press entertainment journalists: and “Faye,” an authorized yet candid portrait of extraordinary screen legend Faye Dunaway and Megan Moroney’s second album release.
— Underestimate the popularity of the “Descendants” films at your peril. Since the 2015 original debuted on Disney Channel, the subsequent film trilogy has proven to be a big hit with kids. When the trailer for the upcoming fourth film, “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” debuted earlier this year, it generated 86 million views within 10 days. This time around, the new movie “Descendants” will launch first on Disney+ on Friday, July 12, before arriving on Disney Channel next month. “The Rise of Red” centers on Red (Kylie Cantrall), the rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts, and Chloe (Malia Baker), related to Cinderella.
— “Faye” by Laurent Bouzereau (streaming from Saturday, July 13 at 8 p.m. on Max) is an authorized but candid portrait of the extraordinary film legend Faye Dunaway. In it, the 83-year-old Dunaway candidly discusses her diagnosis with bipolar disorder and her history of alcoholism, along with her long string of classic films, including “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Chinatown” and “Network.”
— There aren’t many movies with instructions on how to wear headphones while watching, but Sam Green’s “32 Sounds” isn’t your average documentary either. Green’s film, which was shortlisted for best documentary by the Academy Awards earlier this year, examines 32 wildly different auditory experiences — a fetal heartbeat, a whoopee pillow at work, Phil Collins’s “In the Air Tonight” — to to think about all those many experiences. ways in which sound resonates in our lives. The film, which was originally a “live documentary” experience where headphones were handed out to the audience, is streaming on the Criterion Channel.
— Last year, country musician Megan Moroney’s debut album, “Lucky,” was named one of AP’s top albums for 2023 for its sharp writing and likable performance — a Gen Z songwriter I previously described as having a Taylor Swift edge -level. Her pen remains her weapon in ‘Am I OK?’ a heartbreak-filled rollercoaster ride of a second album, filled with quotable kiss-offs and evolved compositions. It will be released on Friday, July 12.
— HARDY (real name Michael Wilson Hardy) is celebrated for his hybrid approach to country music, weaving elements of anthemic rock and even nu-metal into his compositions. (Kid Rock left a pretty big vacancy, it might be noted.) On his third studio album, “QUIT!!,” HARDY continues to push the boundaries of his chosen genres. “ROCKSTAR” sounds like something that would have found a home on Van’s Warped Tour, delivered by its signature tone; the line between rock and country has never been thinner.
— On Friday, July 12, R&B-talent Tink releases the fifth part of her popular mixtape series, “Winter’s Diary 5.” If the previously released singles are proof of things to come, the tape will build on what she’s known for: sultry melodies about every relationship experience imaginable. That means frustration from poor communication and infidelity, this time on top of soft guitar riffs (“Huh”), falling back and maybe not feeling so bad at times with smooth harmonies (“Songs About U,” featuring Summer Walker) and more.
— We live in a rich period of music documentaries about Memphis (and no, we’re not just including HBO and MAX’s “Stax: Soulsville USA” in that statement, but it’s certainly at the top.) A new documentary will be available on Tuesday via video-on-demand: “The Blue Society,” which provides new insight into the Memphis Country Blues Festival, held between 1966 and 1970. This film explores the relationship between the party and the 1960s counterculture, Memphis blues, and race – especially looking at the white organizers who put it on, and the black musicians who played it. It’s an appointment-only experience for music and American history fans alike.
— Also on Tuesday: Paramount+ will release a new two-part docuseries, “Melissa Etheridge: I’m Not Broken.” It follows the Grammy award-winning Etheridge as she hosts a special concert at a women’s prison in Kansas, the Topeka Correctional Facility. Five women imprisoned there wrote letters to Etheridge, inspiring her to compose an original song for them and organize the event. There’s also an addiction story that Etheridge can relate to: In 2020, her son Beckett Cypher died at age 21 from causes related to opioid addiction.
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
— Jenn Tran, who competed for Joey Graziadei’s heart last season of “The Bachelor,” is ABC’s new “Bachelorette.” Tran, a physician assistant student, is the first Asian American to lead the series. Watch her meet her suitors on Monday, July 8 on ABC. Episodes are also streaming on Hulu.
— A new docuseries looks back at Serena Williams’ tennis career from her own perspective. “In the Arena: Serena Williams” explores her rise to fame following her retirement announcement in 2022. The eight-episode series debuts Wednesday, July 10 on ESPN+.
— Rashida Jones stars in a new mystery for Apple TV+, centering on one of the hottest topics of late: artificial intelligence. In “Sunny,” premiering Wednesday, July 10, Jones plays a woman living in Japan whose husband and son go missing after a plane crash. She has been given a home robot that keeps her company and helps her through her grief.
— Dakota and Elle Fanning are behind a new true crime docuseries for Hulu. “Mastermind: To Think Like A Killer” introduces viewers to Dr. Ann Burgess, a pioneer at the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit who changed the way authorities investigate serial killers. Burgess’ story is not only fascinating but inspiring as she earned respect within the male-dominated FBI. The three-part series will be published on Thursday, July 11.
— With the success of “Love Island USA” and “The Traitors,” Peacock has two popular reality competition shows on its roster. Next up, Hungry Bears are the stars of a new unscripted series for the streamer. “The Hungry Games: Alaska’s Big Bear Challenge” follows Alaskan brown bears as they try to eat enough food (about three million calories) to get them through hibernation. To do this, the hangry bears must battle Mother Nature and each other. As the title suggests, “The Hungry Games” is presented as a competition show. The matches start on Thursday, July 11.
Not to be outdone, the godfather of natural history programmes, Sir David Attenborough, has dedicated a new nature documentary series to a variety of mammals. “Planet Earth: Mammals” looks at, you guessed it, mammals large and small as they adapt to their evolving natural habitats due to human activity and the effects of climate change. The six-part series premieres Saturday, July 13 on BBC America and AMC+.
— A new original for MGM+ explores the world of politics and academia against the backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard. “Emperor of Ocean Park” is a thriller-mystery series based on the novel of the same name and debuts on Sunday, July 14. Oscar winner Forest Whitaker and Grantham Coleman play the leading roles.
— Alicia Rancilio
— There really aren’t enough games where you can kick your enemies, so thank goodness for Devolver Digital’s Anger Foot. Sure, you can arm yourself with standard weapons like guns and crossbows, but for close-quarters combat, nothing beats a shoe to the face. The visuals look like something you might see after too many Red Bulls, the bass-heavy soundtrack will wake up your neighbors, and the shoe collection should satisfy any sneakerhead. South African developer Free Lives is known for its raunchy, ultra-violent comedy, and here it doesn’t take its foot off the accelerator. Kick out the jam on PC on Thursday, July 11.
— Lou Kesten
