CLEVELAND, Ohio — New entertainment releases this week include crime drama “Black Bird” from the mind of novelist Dennis Lehane, and a tearful road trip when a single dad played by John Cho drives his teenage daughter through the country in “Don’t Make Me Go. Jane Austen’s latest completed novel, ‘Persuasion,’ gets a new twist starring Dakota Johnson as the heroine ‘past her prime.’ And comedian Nathan Fielder, who has a new season of “Nathan for You,” on Comedy Central, makes his HBO/HBO Max debut this week with another series, “The Rehearsal.”
‘Persuasion’
Jane Austen’s last completed novel, “Persuasion”, is revisited by British theater director Carrie Cracknell. Starring Dakota Johnson as “past-her-prime” heroine Anne Elliot, “Persuasion,” which debuts on Netflix on Friday, July 15, is still set in England from the time of the Regency, but with distinctly modern flourishes and a subversively comic voice. The film also introduces audiences to Cosmo Jarvis in a star turn as Anne’s first love, Captain Frederick Wentworth. Henry Golding and Richard E. Grant also star. DETAILS
“Don’t Make Me Go”
A single dad, Max (John Cho), and his teenage daughter, Wally, (lovely newcomer Mia Isaac) take a cross-country road trip in “Don’t Make Me Go,” coming to Amazon Prime Video on Friday, July 15 Yes, there’s an element of cancer, and a few tears are guaranteed, but this film, written by “This is Us” writer Vera Herbert and directed by Hannah Marks, has more heartfelt and comedic moments than the connection line could not give him any. A karaoke scene at the end of the movie might also have you wondering why John Cho hasn’t starred in a musical yet. DETAILS
‘Black bird’
“Black Bird,” inspired by true events, is a crime drama with an enviable pedigree: its creator is novelist Dennis Lehane (“Mystic River,” “Gone Baby Gone”), whose TV credits include “The Wire.” The cast is a match, topped by Taron Egerton (“Rocketman”) as a former golden boy turned convicted drug dealer. His shot on a get out of prison card hinges on a confession from a suspected serial killer (Paul Walter Hauser). The Apple TV+ series, with episodes Friday, July 15 through August 5, also features Greg Kinnear and, in one of his final performances, Ray Liotta. DETAILS
“What We Do in the Shadows”
What will our favorite crazy vampires and their human sidekick, Guillermo, do next? The answer comes with season four of “What We Do in the Shadows,” the FX mockumentary series about super long-running roommates Nadja, Laszlo, Nandor, and Colin (now baby Colin). Returning from their scattered adventures, they find their Staten Island digs in ruins and with a surprising new guest. As the season begins on Tuesday, Nandor’s search for love looks promising, Nadja focuses on business and Laszlo is in charge of parenthood. DETAILS
“Nathan for You” and “The Rehearsal”
For admirers of Nathan Fielder and “Nathan For You” the good news is that he’s back with another showcase for his idiosyncratic comedy on Comedy Central. Those unfamiliar with his work and open to something oddly revealing and sometimes unsettling can consult “Repetition,” debuts Friday, July 15 on HBO and HBO Max. Fielder’s professed mission this time is to help people prepare to face critical events or choices by guiding them through what to expect – as elaborately enacted by the maestro him. -same.
‘The Bob’s Burgers Movie’
You don’t need to have watched the long-running show to enjoy the film, which is coming to Hulu and HBO Max this week. “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” reunites with Belcher’s cast (all original voices) at the end of the school year. The kids are dreaming up summer plans and the parents are trying to save the burger restaurant from financial ruin when a skeleton appears in a pit outside the restaurant and suddenly there’s a mystery to solve. It is also a musical. DETAILS
