New Releases for the week of Nov. 17 - 23
Dora and the Lost City of Gold
Before they depart on a dangerous mission to find the hidden city of Parapata, Dora's (Moner) parents, archeologist Cole (Peña) and zoologist Elena (Longoria), send Dora to Los Angeles to be with her cousin, Diego (Wahlberg). Dora has trouble adapting to her new school and Diego is embarrassed of his cousin, who, while clever and curious, lacks understanding of the big city. On a class field trip, Dora, Diego and two other students are captured by mercenaries and taken to Peru. There, Dora and Diego must not only escape their captors but find Cole and Elena before it's too late.
Director: James Bobin. Stars: Isabela Moner, Eugenio Derbez, Michael Peña, Benicio Del Toro, Eva Longoria, Pia Miller, Jeff Wahlberg, Danny Trejo. 2019. 102 mins. Action.
Blinded by the Light
In 1987 in the small town of Luton, England, Javed Khan (Kalra) feels misunderstood by his strict parents, Malik (Ghir) and Noor (Ganatra). During a time of increasing nationalism, racist attacks and economic hardship in England, Pakistani immigrants Malik and Noor are unable to understand Javed's desire to pursue his love of poetry and writing. After being introduced to Bruce Springsteen by one of his classmates, Javed instantly feels a kinship to the singer. After purchasing Springsteen tickets for the night of his sister Yasmeen's (Divina) wedding, Javed must balance his parent's expectations and his own dreams.
Director: Gurinder Chadha. Stars: Viveik Kalra, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Ganatra, Nell Williams, Aaron Phagura, Dean-Charles Chapman, Tara Divina. 2019. 118 mins. Comedy.
Cold War
While holding auditions for a state-sponsored music ensemble in Poland after World War II, Wiktor (Kot) falls instantly in love and begins an affair with Zula (Kulig). The head of the production, Kaczmarek (Szyc), is promised a wider audience and greater acclaim if he agrees to include pro-Communist and pro-Stalinist propaganda in the show, and he agrees to the arrangement. Wiktor and Zula make a plan to flee to the West together when the company reaches East Berlin, but when Zula fails to arrive at the rendezvous, a decades-long tragic love story unfolds.
Director: Pawel Pawlikowski. Stars: Joanna Kulig, Tomasz Kot, Borys Szyc, Agata Kulesza, Cédric Kahn, Jeanne Balibar, Adam Woronowicz. 2018. 89 mins. Drama.
Q: I found some super old episodes of "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends," and I recognize the voice of the narrator. Who is the man behind the scenes?
That voice you recognize was a guy by the name of Stan Lee. Apart from being the narrator on this early-'80s animated series, he's had roles in a number of different Marvel properties throughout the years, such as a helpful truck driver in the first "Thor" movie (2011) and a bartender in "Ant-Man" (2015). Oh, and he also basically built Marvel Comics.
Long Lost Family, on TLC
Chris looks into the mysterious origins of a woman who was abandoned at a Korean orphanage in this new episode. Elsewhere, Lisa desperately searches for a woman's only child hoping it will help her heal after the violent death of her lover.
Best of the best: First responders take on the worst in '9-1-1'
Peter Krause stars in "9-1-1"
This year has been a big one for the television industry. It seems that every month a landscape-changing entertainment story breaks. But without a doubt, the most talked about game-changer of the year is the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney. There is no question that the mouse house's purchase will be a topic of discussion, debate and analysis for years to come.
Best of the best: First responders take on the worst in '9-1-1'
Peter Krause stars in "9-1-1"
This year has been a big one for the television industry. It seems that every month a landscape-changing entertainment story breaks. But without a doubt, the most talked about game-changer of the year is the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney. There is no question that the mouse house's purchase will be a topic of discussion, debate and analysis for years to come.
Mr. Inbetween, on FX
Enemies may come and go, but alas, so do your friends; Ray (Scott Ryan) and the gang must learn this troublesome lesson in this new episode. Damon Herriman and Chika Yasumura also star.
A thrilling combination: CBS takes a risk with innovated new series 'Evil'
Katja Herbers and Mike Colter co-star in "Evil"
Q: I got over the "Good Witch" season being over by getting into "Chesapeake Shores," but then its season ended after just a few episodes, too. Why do they keep doing this?
There are a couple of answers to that question, one of which is actually good news.
The boring answer is that cable shows ("Good Witch" and "Chesapeake Shores" are both Hallmark Channel originals) always get shorter episode orders than broadcast shows. The 22-episode model, designed to cover the traditional fall/winter viewing season that broadcast schedules (and broadcast ad sales) were built around, just doesn't exist for cable. The reality on cable is 10- or 12-episode seasons.
The Preppy Murder: Death in Central Park, on AMC
On August 26, 1986, 18-year-old New Yorker Jennifer Levin was found murdered in Central Park. This new mini-series chronicles the tragic, disturbing case with never-before-seen interviews and archival footage.
NCIS: New Orleans, on CBS
The NCIS team investigates a gas company after an explosion at a movie theatre in this new episode. They soon discover the company has been hacked, and more explosions could be triggered. Scott Bakula, Lucas Black and Rob Kerkovich star in this drama.
