Ultra City Smiths, on AMC
In this animated series premiere, political magnate Carpenter K. Smith disappears while buying cigarettes. Two detectives must now solve the mystery surrounding their city's last honest politician. Kristen Bell, Sunita Mani and John C. Reilly voice star.
New Releases for the week of September 12 - 18
The Boss Baby: Family Business
Tim (Marsden) and his younger brother, Ted (Baldwin), are adults and have drifted apart over the years. Tim lives with his wife and two daughters, seven-year-old Tabitha (Greenblatt) and baby Tina (Sedaris), in the suburbs, while Ted is a successful hedge fund CEO. One night, Tina reveals that she is a secret agent for BabyCorp, sent to enlist Tim and Ted's help in investigating the suspicious founder of Tabitha's prestigious school. A magic formula transforms the brothers back into their much younger selves so they can infiltrate the school, and as they work together, Tim and Ted rediscover what being a family truly means.
Director: Tom McGrath. Stars: Alec Baldwin, James Marsden, Amy Sedaris, Ariana Greenblatt, Jeff Goldblum, Eva Longoria, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow, James McGrath. 2021. 107 mins. Animated.
Zola
Detroit waitress Aziah "Zola" King (Paige) is invited by Stefani (Keough) to join her on a road trip to Florida for a weekend of partying and dancing. Zola accepts and sets out with Stefani, her roommate, X (Domingo), and Stefani's idiot boyfriend, Derrek (Braun), for a 48-hour trip that quickly spirals into chaos where the girls encounter gangsters, prostitution, wild earnings and more in a journey based on a real-life viral Twitter thread.
Director: Janicza Bravo. Stars: Taylour Paige, Riley Keough, Nicholas Braun, Colman Domingo, Jason Mitchell, Ari'el Stachel, Nelcie Souffrant, Nasir Rahim. 2020. 86 mins. Comedy.
Out of Death
When Shannon (King) witnesses and documents a cop killing a drug dealer, she finds herself the target of the sheriff's department, which will stop at nothing to ensure that any evidence never sees the light of day. Rescued from gunpoint by retired forest ranger Jack (Willis), the duo must gather solid evidence to expose the corruption that runs rampant in the sheriff's department (and of which Jack's niece is also a victim).
Director: Mike Burns. Stars: Jaime King, Bruce Willis, Lala Kent, Kelly Greyson, Michael Sirow, Megan Leonard, Tyler Jon Olson. 2021. 95 mins. Crime.
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, on HBO
In an interesting weekly take on the late-night talk show format, host and British comedian John Oliver reviews the headlines from the past seven days with a hefty dollop of satire, sarcasm and his classic brand of dry wit and clever humour.
Late Laughs for the week of September 12 - 18, 2021
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
[The audience] want[s] to hear me talk about the big story everyone is talking about right now; it continues to be the chaos surrounding the big, poorly handled regime change — over at "Jeopardy!"
Untold Stories of the ER, on TLC
The staff tackles an unusual case when they treat a man with a sword through his head in this rebroadcast. Also, a germophobic patient is too afraid to allow doctors to treat him, and two patients with the same life-threatening symptoms arrive separately.
Star Trek, on AMC
In this reboot of the classic sci-fi franchise, a young Kirk (Chris Pine) is recruited to Star Fleet, where he and his crew battle Nero (Eric Bana) - a Romulan out for revenge. The film also stars Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg and Zachary Quinto
Open Range, on AMC
Robert Duvall and Annette Bening join Kevin Costner in this western film. A former gunslinger (Costner) is forced to draw his pistols once again when he and other members of a cattle crew are threatened by a corrupt lawman.
Press Your Luck, on ABC
Three contestants answer questions to earn spins on the big wheel in this retro game show revival series hosted by Elizabeth Banks. Using their won spins is a risk for the players, as each one could mean earning more money or losing everything.
Fantasy Island, on Fox/Global
Eager to live out their wildest dreams, guests arrive at a luxury island resort run by the enigmatic Elena Roarke (Roselyn Sanchez) in this series reboot. Asking "what if?" across each scenario, the answer isn't always what the guests had in mind.
The Ultimate Surfer, on ABC
Jesse Palmer returns to host another episode of this wild new reality competition series. Erin Coscarelli and Joe Turpel provide commentary as some of the world's best up-and-coming surfers train and live together at the Surf Ranch in Lemoore, Calif.
