New Releases for the week of Aug. 29 - Sept. 4
In the Heights
In the Upper Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights, bodega owner Usnavi (Ramos) dreams of giving up his life in New York and returning to his family’s hometown in the Dominican Republic. Elsewhere in the close-knit community, Vanessa (Barrera), Abuela Claudia (Merediz), Kevin (Smits), Benny (Hawkins), Daniela (Rubin-Vega), Carla (Beatriz), Cuca (Polanco) and Usnavi’s cousin, Sonny (Diaz IV), all face different challenges while trying to make better lives for themselves and others. "In the Heights" is based on the Tony-winning stage musical of the same name.
Director: Jon M. Chu. Stars: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Jimmy Smits, Gregory Diaz IV, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco, Noah Catala, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Marc Anthony. 2021. 143 mins. Musical.
12 Mighty Orphans
Just as the United States begins to rise out of the Great Depression, coach, teacher and war hero Rusty Russell (Wilson) passes on a prestigious position to instead move himself and his family to the Masonic Home for Orphans in Fort Worth, Texas. With his wife, Juanita (Shaw), and longtime caretaker, Doc Hall (Sheen), they transform the young men living at Fort Worth's Masonic Home into a football team that can not only inspire each other but inspire a nation and change the game of football forever.
Director: Ty Roberts. Stars: Luke Wilson, Robert Duvall, Wayne Knight, Martin Sheen, Vinessa Shaw, Treat Williams, Carlson Young, Kelly Frye. 2021. 118 mins. Drama.
Beasts of No Nation
After civil war erupts in Western Africa, Agu (Attah), a young boy living with his parents and three siblings, is trapped in the village "buffer zone" between competing forces. As his mother and younger siblings are given safe passage out of the area when rebel forces descend onto the village, Agu escapes into the forest when the violent clashes reach his home. After wandering through the forest, Agu is caught up in a Native Defense Forces skirmish and is adopted into their ranks by the commandant (Elba), who changes his life forever.
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga. Stars: Idris Elba, Abraham Attah, Kurt Egyiawan, Jude Akuwudike, Emmanuel Nii Adom Quaye. 2015. 137 mins. Drama.
What's in your fridge: Series challenges chefs to elevate the ordinary
Dan Ahdoot hosts "Raid the Fridge"
90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way, on TLC
Season 3 of this dramatic unscripted series premieres as cameras follow new and returning Americans who're leaving their homes to start life anew with their significant others a world away. Steven and Alina, and Ellie and Victor join the cast this season.
Honolulu bound: Travel with the Fieris in 'Hawaiian Style'
Guy Fieri hosts "Guy: Hawaiian Style"
Flavortown is a state of mind, but this week Guy Fieri and fans will surely have the Aloha State on their minds.
Say Yes to the Dress, on TLC
Back-to-back rebroadcasts of this his unscripted series air this evening, featuring brides-to-be who take over Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City to find the perfect dress for their big day - from sleek and sexy to unique and edgy. Randy Fenoli hosts.
Q: I thought the actress who played the Taskmaster in "Black Widow" was excellent. What else has she done?
It's a bit reductive to call an actress a "Bond girl" — certainly one as accomplished as Olga Kurylenko — but it's a good place to start as it's how she came to fame.
Born in Ukraine, she got her start as a model in Russia. She soon switched to acting and, unsurprisingly, her international-type beauty had the Bond-film producers calling. She played Camille in the megahit 2008 film "Quantum of Solace," and, like so many Bond girls before her, used that exposure as a springboard to greater fame.
Dateline NBC, on NBC
NBC news anchor Lester Holt and a team of journalists present the news of the week along with fascinating human interest stories, ground-breaking interviews and hard-hitting investigations in this long-running, prime-time news magazine staple.
Mommy dearest: TLC launches Season 2 of "I Love a Mama's Boy"
Kelly McAdams, Matt McAdams and Kimberly Cobb from "I Love a Mama's Boy"
Save the drama for mama! TLC's "I Love a Mama's Boy" is back, and it's going to be uncomfortable, awkward and way too crowded. Grab your popcorn and buckle up because the second season of this delightful crazy train premieres Sunday, Aug. 29, on TLC.
Big Brother, on CBS
Julie Chen hosts another new episode of this hit reality game show. Now in its 23rd season, a group of 'Houseguests' share a specially constructed home equipped with cameras and microphones and no access to the outside world. The last guest standing wins.
MasterChef, on Fox
Home cooks attempt to prove they have what it takes to become a culinary master in back-to-back episodes of this hit reality TV competition series. Gordon Ramsay stars as they compete in challenges designed to test their palates and their cooking skills.
