Video Releases for the week of Jan. 1 - 7
Black Adam
After being awoken by an incantation meant to reveal an ancient champion, imprisoned god Teth-Adam (Johnson) is accidentally unleashed upon the North African country of Kahndaq, now a wasteland overrun with gang violence at the hands of a crime syndicate known as Intergang. The Kahndaq people must also contend with Intergang leader Ishmael (Kenzari) and his search for the Crown of Sabbac, a magical item forged in hell and possessing the power of six demons. When the Justice Society members Hawkman (Hodge), Atom Smasher (Centineo), Cyclone (Swindell) and Doctor Fate (Brosnan) are summoned to stop Teth-Adam’s reign of violence in Kahndaq, they soon find they must work together to stop the undead powers of Sabbac from destroying Kahndaq.
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra. Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Pierce Brosnan, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, Quintessa Swindell, Marwan Kenzari, Bodhi Sabongui. 2022. 125 mins. Action.
Prey for the Devil
Wishing to train priests in the Rite of Exorcism, the Catholic Church reestablishes the long-retired exorcism schools in an effort to combat the rise in demonic possessions around the world. Although forbidden to train in the practice due to her gender, Sister Ann (Byers) is encouraged to learn the Rite by Father Quinn (Salmon), who recognizes her natural abilities. Soon after beginning her training, Sister Ann and fellow student Father Dante (Navarro) take on the case of Natalie (Taylor), a young girl possessed by the same demon that once inhabited Sister Ann’s own mother.
Director: Daniel Stamm. Stars: Virginia Madsen, Jacqueline Byers, Colin Salmon, Ben Cross, Christian Navarro, Nicholas Ralph, Lisa Palfrey, Yana Marinova, Posy Taylor. 2022. 93 mins. Horror.
The System
Former Marine Terry Savage (Gibson) must resort to stealing in order to make ends meet and pay for his ailing daughter’s medication. After being caught in a drug raid, Savage is offered a deal by Police Commissioner Clarke (Reitz): if Savage goes undercover at Degnan Correctional Facility, a private prison with a shockingly high rate of inmate deaths, he will not have to serve his sentence for armed robbery. Run by Warden Lucas (Piven) and ex-military guards, Degnan Correctional Facility has become a corrupt hotbed of human rights violations. If Savage can survive the brutal conditions inside, he just might see his daughter again.
Director: Dallas Jackson. Stars: Jeremy Piven, Tyrese Gibson, Terrence Howard, Marrese Crump, Laura Aleman, Ric Reitz, Lil Yachty, Arielle Prepetit. 2022. 97 mins. Action.
Going viral: 'Worst Cooks' welcomes the social-media savvy
Anne Burrell and Darnell Ferguson host “Worst Cooks: Viral Sensations”
New year, new you. This time each year, we hear a lot about New Year's resolutions, whether it be losing weight, eating healthy or completing a big project. Some might even be thinking of quitting social media, but not Food Network — in fact, the cable channel seems to be doing the opposite in 2023.
Miley's New Year's Eve Party, on NBC
Ring in the New Year with Miley Cyrus and special celebrity guests. This is the second time Cyrus is headlining her own New Year's Eve special on NBC, and this time, she is splitting the hosting duties with her godmother: superstar Dolly Parton.
Guy's Hometown, on Food Network
Guy Fieri returns to Ferndale, Calif., for food, fun and a trip down memory lane. At the Humboldt County Fair, Guy finds a fired-up chili cook-off, unexpected eats and a chance to give back to first responders and veterans with a big barbecue meal.
Q: Has Bruce Springsteen ever acted? Like, playing a character, not just playing himself?
Legendary rock star Bruce Springsteen has had a long and varied career, releasing his first album all the way back in 1973. In all that time, he's only acted on film twice — and one of those barely counts.
He appeared in the quirky 2020 film "Broken Poet," doing a cameo in the music-themed drama as a fictional musician who just so happens to be named Bruce.
But his other screen role is a little more legit, and it comes with a nice little backstory.
Celebrity Jeopardy!, on ABC
Actors John Michael Higgins, Wil Wheaton and Joel Kim Booster compete in this encore airing of the second semifinal game. Hosted by Mayim Bialik, the ultimate winner of the celebrity tournament receives a whopping $1-million prize for charity.
Q: Has the series "Magnum P.I." been cancelled? Or is it coming back next year sometime?
Actually, yes to both questions.
Specifically, it was in fact cancelled by its original network, CBS, early this past summer after four seasons. But rival NBC swept in and rescued the show, buying the rights and ordering two more seasons.
The show's fifth season, its first on NBC, premieres Feb. 19. This, too, is good news, since it means NBC is giving it a Sunday night slot instead of the rougher Friday night spot it got on CBS.
The 45th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, on CBS
Actor/filmmaker George Clooney is among the recipients honored during this year's celebration of the arts in Washington, D.C. Fellow honorees are singer-songwriter Amy Grant, gospel legend Gladys Knight, composer Tania León and rock band U2.
Chef Dynasty: House of Fang, on Food Network
San Francisco chef Kathy Fang sets out to expand and evolve the restaurant she co-owns with her father in this new docuseries. As seen in the premiere, Kathy's ideas for modernizing the business don't always go over well with traditional-minded Peter.
Q: I was just watching "Sleepless in Seattle" for the umpteenth time, and there was a quick, throwaway mention (in the newsroom scene) of a person who sounded like the Soup Nazi from "Seinfeld." Did the "Seinfeld" episode come out before this movie?
Actually, the "Seinfeld" episode "The Soup Nazi" was released in 1995, two years after the landmark romantic comedy "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993). The reason they both reference the same character is simple: he wasn't a character.
The Soup Nazi on "Seinfeld" (played by an actor named Larry Thomas, in what was by far his biggest role) was actually based on a real person, Ali Yeganeh, proprietor of the International Soup Kitchen in Manhattan.