“The Whisper Man” film adaptation and a new album from the Alabama Shakes are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming offerings worth your time this week, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: a new tactical “Star Wars” game, the Netflix adaptation of “The Whisper Man” and Season 2 of the comedy series “Leanne.”
— Based on Alex North’s bestselling novel, “The Whisper Man” (Netflix, Friday) stars Adam Scott as a widowed crime writer whose 8-year-old son is abducted. He looks to his estranged father, a retired detective (Robert De Niro) for help, leading to a new connection to a decades-old serial killer case. With Michelle Monaghan.
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— “Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World” pays tender tribute to the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. Sasha Waters’ documentary premieres Tuesday as part of “American Masters” on PBS and the PBS App. Along with profiling the life of Oliver, who died in 2019, the film features poetry recitations by Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Buscemi and others.
— AP Film Writer Jake Coyle
— A lot can happen in a decade. And here’s a great example: Alabama Shakes, the beloved Southern rock band that introduced the world to its electrifying frontwoman Brittany Howard (in addition to many other accomplishments) will release its third album on Friday. “I Must Be Dreaming” is the now-trio’s first in 11 years and their first since they parted ways with their drummer Steve Johnson, who had a child abuse charge that was dismissed against him in 2021). The new record is 10 tracks of psychedelic soul — ambitious instrumentation from the best in the biz — and just what the doctor ordered.
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— Mike D 5D, the project by Beastie Boy Mike D joined by his sons Skyler and Davis Diamond, as well as Eddie Ruscha, Will Graefe and Milo Ruscha, will release “Thank You” on Friday. The 13-track album rejects easy genre categorization. There are elements of Mike D’s old school hip-hop, but also The Beastie Boys’ punk rock spirit and even elements of acid rock (“True Colors.”) Expect the unexpected.
— Fans of jangly indie rock are likely already familiar with Velocity Girl, prescient performers born from the late-80s and early-90s new pop underground music scene largely headquartered in Washington, D.C. A new collection, courtesy of the indie label Slumberland Records, dives deep into the band’s earliest years (before they signed to Sub Pop Records, previously home to Nirvana.) “1989 – 1992” is the all-too appropriate name of the album, out Friday — 12 tracks of fuzzy, hooky, addictively ramshackle guitar pop.
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— The hugely influential American indie rock band Dinosaur Jr. returns with “There Near,” four decades on since the release of its debut album. Those in the know will find J Mascis’ guitar as unmistakable as ever. Those who are not: It’s never too late to dive in. Or to get the opening verse of “Blowin’ Up” lodged in your brain: “You′re about as dumb as they come / And telling stupid stories every day / Someone who loves you should speak up / And tell you to mind your own teacup before breaking mine.”
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
— Season 2 of “Leanne,” the comedy starring comedian Leanne Morgan, premieres on Netflix on Thursday. Morgan plays a woman starting over after splitting from her husband of three decades. She co-created the series with Chuck Lorre, known for hits like “The Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men.”
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— AP Writer Alicia Rancilio
— “Star Wars Zero Company” seems like an easy pitch: Take a team-based tactical game and drop it into Lucasfilm’s popular franchise. Ideally, you’d want to hire some of the people who worked on tactical gems like “XCOM” and “Marvel’s Midnight Suns” — and that’s exactly what Electronic Arts has done with the new studio Bit Reactor. This chapter takes place during the Clone Wars, and your mission is to stop “an emerging threat that will consume the galaxy.” You can recruit all sorts of soldiers, scoundrels, droids and maybe even a Jedi for your scrappy squad. The force is strong Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.
— The Plague Tale series from France’s Asobo Studio recreates one of the bleakest periods in history, the Black Death that consumed much of Europe in the 14th century. “Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy” introduces a new protagonist: a “fierce young plunderer” named Sophia who travels to Minotaur Island in search of an ancient myth. While the previous games were stealth-focused, Sophia is more aggressive and ready to fight her pursuers rather than just running away. Who knows if the hordes of plague-carrying rats will return? Find out Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.
— “Grand Theft Auto VI” is still three months away, but the buzz is so loud that even an announcement of a preview makes the news. So, if you’re dying to know what publisher Rockstar Games has been up to since “GTAV” came out 13 years ago, you’ll want to tune into Netflix at 3 p.m. EDT Thursday for “Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look.” If you don’t get Netflix, you’ll have to wait six hours for the footage to show up on YouTube and Rockstar’s website. The suspense is almost criminal.
— Lou Kesten
